Cool And Quirky Events In Manchester

Our city is a fun-filled hub of activity all year round, with plenty of things to do every week. If you're searching for cool and quirky Manchester events in 2024, then look no further - we've compiled a guide to the very best that offers something a little different. Whether you fancy getting boisterous at a boat party, flirty with flappers, or broody with burlesque babes, this list has just the thing.

Last edited by Lauren Cole

Last updated on 17th December 2024




Cherry Jam

Some of the most fun things to do in Manchester for couples, Cherry Jam's bottomless events offer up afternoon tea or a sharing platter of treats come the weekend. Wash your food down with unlimited cocktails and finish your afternoon off with musical bingo, or choose a themed brunch too.

Manchester Fun Puzzle Treasure Hunt! Single route or double for racing!

@ Manchester Piccadilly Train Station on Various dates from Sunday 22nd December 2024

If non-drinking activities in Manchester are the ones for you, The Great Game Outdoor Treasure Hunt comes in at the top of our list. Solve riddles, crack codes or complete puzzles while travelling across the city, with 20% off a meal at a local pub once 'X' marks the spot.

FunnyBoyz Manchester

Get a little quirky at some of FunnyBoyz Manchester's events, all making place at New York New York. Not only is there live entertainment from some of RuPaul's Drag Race's finest queens, but there are also Taylor Swift tributes and plenty of bingo. Sign us up.

Electric Shuffle Manchester Brunch

@ Electric Shuffle Manchester on Various dates from Saturday 28th December 2024

Whether you're celebrating a birthday, starting off a night out early or just looking for a fun group activity, you can't go wrong with a boozy brunch at Electric Shuffle in Spinningfields. These two-hour sessions begin with some competitive action on the shuffleboard tables, before heading to their cool bar area to raise a toast to the winner. You'll get to enjoy as many slices of pizza as you want during this event, as well as an entire bottle of prosecco each, with tickets starting from just £30 per person.

Alcotraz Manchester: Cell Block Three-Four

@ Alcotraz Penitentiary: Manchester on Various dates from Sunday 22nd December 2024

Head to the city centre speakeasy, Alcotraz, where one of the most fun activities for adults in Manchester awaits. This immersive experience sees you charming your way past suspicious guards while smuggling in bootlegged liquor, before the inmates whip you up some delicious drinks.

Fabulous Brunch Events Manchester

Craving a boozy brunch with a little extra sass, a themed drag night or quirky bingo? The team over at Bougie Drag & Boy Toy events are bound to have something for you. Think everything from waiters in the buff to lip sync battles and games, all accompanied by tasty refreshments. 

BOUGIE DRAG EVENTS

For a vibrant day out across trendy Manchester venues, check out the bottomless brunches on offer from Bougie Drag Events. Expect fabulous queens like Imani Versace and Barb hosting lip syncing, catwalk competitions and dance-offs throughout, as well as banging DJ sets, tasty dishes and 90 minutes of unlimited prosecco, cocktails or beer.

11 Central Gin Making Experience

@ 11 Central on Various dates from Saturday 4th January 2025

Are you interested in the distilling process? Fancy learning something new? Or just a gin lover? Either way, you'll be a fan of the Four Sisters Gin Making Experience at 11 Central. You'll create your own recipe with help from the experts, leaving with your personalised bottle that you can reorder in the future.

The Big Manchester Bake

@ The Big Manchester Bake on Various dates from Sunday 22nd December 2024

Competitive baking sound like your thing? Grab your best baking buddy and pair up; you'll have 90 minutes on the clock to create an edible masterpiece at The Big Manchester Bake. You'll have all the ingredients and equipment provided in the marquee, while one skilled duo will also be crowned winning bakers.

Official Manchester Rum Festival 2025

@ New Century Hall on Sat, 26th Jul 2025 @ multiple start times (see ticket info)

The best of quirky events this July, the Official Manchester Rum Festival 2025 is back and at New Century Hall. As the city's original, dedicated rum festival, it's making sure you have a blast - with all exhibitors' rums included in the £27.50 ticket price.

And when you get peckish or thirsty for a cocktail? There are vendors and a rum cocktail bar on-site for that too.

Flight Club Manchester Brunch Social

@ Flight Club Manchester on Various dates from Saturday 28th December 2024

Give your weekends a big dose of fun with Flight Club's brunch social, one of the best indoor activities in Manchester for adults. From birthday parties to hen dos, nothing will beat bottomless pizza, a bottle of bubbly per person and taking your friends on at a game of high-tech darts.

Paintvine

Need fun activities in Manchester for couples? Paintvine is letting you get creative with a group or your other half, popping up at The King's Arms to bring you a cool class with plenty of opportunity to buy drinks from the bar too. 

What's on at GRUB

GRUB are filled to the brim with some of the quirkiest events in the city. Try out a cocktail masterclass, attend disco bingo or mosey over to a booze-fuelled garden party. If that wasn't enough, they also offer bottomless brunch and burlesque.

Taste + Liquor

Searching for fun things to do in Manchester? Taste + Liquor are giving you everything for the best weekends, from Ayia Napa-inspired brunches to RnB music-filled afternoons and 90s throwback themed events.

David Hockney: Bigger and Closer (not smaller & further away)

@ Aviva Studios, home of Factory International on Tue, 10th Dec 2024 - Sat, 25th Jan 2025

Step into David Hockney's vibrant world this winter with a truly unique night out. Guided by Hockney's own narration, the show combines stunning 360-degree projections and a powerful score by Nico Muhly to immerse you in his artistic journey.

From the glittering swimming pools of Los Angeles to the lush landscapes of Spring in Normandy, David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) spans sixty years of his most iconic works.

Bongo's Bingo Manchester

@ Albert Hall on Sunday 22nd December 2024 and 2 other dates

At Albert Hall, Bongo's Bingo Manchester is a fun-filled evening that mixes dance-offs, rave breaks, crowd participation, and bingo revelry in one epic bash. Get ready for a nostalgic escape and the opportunity to score iconic prizes like massive pink unicorns, Henry Hoovers, snazzy mobility scooters, and karaoke machines at every event.