Your Bucket List Guide To Spring In Manchester

Can't wait to get outdoors and into green spaces to mark the arrival of spring in Manchester ? Go off the beaten track with our pick of the best walks. From canalside treats to ancient woodland and country parks, these fun frolics will have you dusting off any winter cobwebs. 

From peony shades and pastels to magenta and fuchsia, there's no shortage of this gorgeous colour waiting to fill your Insta feed. Have a spring fling with these pink bars and restaurants, where boozy afternoon teas, gut-bustin' burgers and pretty drinks await.

Make sure you've got these fancy restaurants, afternoon teas and gin emporiums at the ready once Mother's Day rolls around. The most important woman in your life deserves a treat (after all, she has to put up with you) and we're telling you how to do it.

Another long weekend in Spring? Easter, of course. Indulge in hip hop orchestra brunches, drag-fuelled afternoon teas and quirky activities across this huge holiday. Take a look at our low-down here to find out more. 

With the changing of the seasons in Manchester bringing the sun back out to play, outdoor dining looks a lot more fun come springtime. Our guide features floral terraces, neighbourhood gems and rooftop spots to catch any rays that are on offer.

Need to know what's on this spring in Manchester? We've rounded up the most fun things to do in the city; from club nights and outdoor activities to go-karting and beer tastings. Whether you're looking to make it a quiet one or go all-out, this list has you covered.

What are weekends (and mid-week) made for? Overindulging at brunch, of course. Smashed avo, eggs benny and bottomless affairs... you name it, Manchester has it. But if you're feeling spoilt for choice, we've rounded up the top spots right here.

If you're bored of the same ol' dinners and drinks, how about a spring clean of your date night choices? You'll earn yourself some extra brownie points thanks to these couples picks, including drag brunches, game bars, immersive activities and more.

Just because Valentine's has been and gone, it doesn't mean you can't get all loved-up with your boo over the spring months in Manchester. Fizz with views? Candyfloss cocktails? Gorgeous gin palaces? They're all right this way.

Manchester is known for many things, but did you realise how many craft breweries there are to visit? Kick back with refreshing pints or tinnies across these destinations, where taprooms, quirky pours and behind the scenes tours await.

Whether you're a beginner or are confident in your creative skills, it doesn't matter as Paint a Pic Manchester's classes are for everyone to get involved in. Under the guidance of an expert artist, you will be able to produce your own masterpiece to take home with you. All the materials will be provided and you can even head to the bar to have a little booze while you brush, too. 

Immersive prison experience Alcotraz pairs bespoke cocktails, live actors and inmate bartenders with a cool storyline. All you have to do? Smuggle your liquor past the warden and hand it over to the mixology experts.

Wondering what's on in Manchester this spring weekend? Flight Club's brunch social has your back, offering up pizza paddles, a bottle of prosecco each and the chance to have a go on the fairground-themed venue's oches.

Looking for a wild night out that will have you up and dancing throughout? Then head to Bingo Lingo, taking place at Freight Island. The lively event promises some of the wildest rounds of bingo around, as well as non-stop throwback hits from their DJs.

Expect huge crowd sing-alongs and dance-offs on stage, with the chance to win some amazing prizes too - all as part of your £12 ticket.

Looking for a fun activity to do with your friends? Then check out Electric Shuffle on Deansgate, where they offer a high-tech version of shuffleboard complete with interactive screens. These add up your scores for you, with all sorts of fun multiplayer games to get involved in.

They host boozy brunches every single weekend, starting from only £33 per person. These promise a whole bottle of prosecco or four beers each, as well as all-you-can-eat pizza across the two hours and 60 minutes of unlimited gaming.

Fancy getting creative? Book a class with Paintvine and enjoy a two-hour guided session painting your very own masterpiece. Classes range from the likes of Banksy to Santorini and all the materials are provided, as well as the cleaning up. Grab a drink from the bar and let your inner artist flow.

The Blues Kitchen in Manchester is the life of the party, and its Hip Hop Orchestra Brunch is no exception. Tickets start from £10 each (if you're looking to part only) and the event takes place every Saturday. The music-filled extravaganza includes 90 minutes of bottomless drinks, as well as some tasty food such as the joint's famous burgers. From 11.45am onwards, the DJ will be hopping on stage to get the party started so get down quick, to, well, get down.

A speakeasy-style venue in the Northern Quarter, The Fitzgerald hosts a burlesque bottomless brunch on Saturdays. Expect a mesmerising performance from the cast of Siren Entertainment, in a 1920s-inspired show on stage.

Your £45 ticket includes two whole hours of unlimited prosecco, beer or Aperol Spritz, as well as a brunch dish of your choice. Think smash burgers, loaded fires, Buffalo chicken wings and more.

With two bank holidays in May, there are plenty of chances to celebrate this spring. Make the most of these long weekends with all sorts of brilliant events and activities, from boozy brunches to quirky activity bars and drinks making classes.

We've rounded up all the top things to do across the bank holidays, so you won't be stuck for ideas in the city, and there are plenty of options to suit all budgets as well.

Head down to YO! to sign up for its sushi school and become the master of maki. If you're a fan of the dish but have always wondered how to make it, now's your chance, with tickets starting from £19.95 per person. You'll be guided through its history, sharpen your knife skills and have a go at creating the likes of salmon sashimi, nigiri and crunchy Cali rolls.

Head to 11 Central for its Four Sisters Gin Tasting Experience where you'll hear all about the story of them and how they came to be who they are. What's more, you'll be able to get stuck into the history of gin, with a complimentary G&T on arrival, plus a guided tasting via the distilling process to your glass. What's more, your £30 ticket includes 10% off your bill at the bar and restaurant. Fancy getting hands-on? There's an event for that too. 

Inspired by the prohibition era, The Fitzgerald's All That Jazz & Brunch event is one that you won't want to miss. The speakeasy-style bar will make you feel like you've entered the world of The Great Gatsby, with a series of brilliant live jazz performances taking place on stage.

Throughout the two-hour event, you'll be able to sip on bottomless drinks, paired with a brunch dish of your choice. Think smash burgers, loaded fries or slat and pepper tofu tacos.

A great way to blow off some steam, Point Blank Shooting can be found on Deansgate. The speakeasy-style bar offers a number of large simulations screens, were you can play countless different virtual shooting games from the comfort of your own cosy booth.

Head here on Sundays for their brilliant bottomless brunch, promising 90 minutes of unlimited pizza, prosecco, beer and selected cocktails. You'll also be able to play as much as you like during this time, costing just £40 per person.

Spring events in Manchester this weekend don't get much better than what's on from Fabulous Brunch Events. Whether you fancy butlers in the buff or a Britney-inspired show, all come complete with bottomless booze and fabulous queens to boot.

The Big Manchester Bake is a fun way to get a little competitive, while enjoying some tasty treats at the same time. It takes place at a Stanley Street venue, in their custom baking marquee that's complete with a cake-themed bar, a hospitality suite and a gorgeous drinks garden.

You'll work in teams of two, competing against up to 11 other pairs to be crowned the winning bakers. All the ingredients you need will be provided, pre-measured for you, and there's a fun new theme every single month.

The ultimate daytime drag extravaganza, Bougie Drag Events can be found at both On Bar and AREA in the city centre. They host some of the liveliest bottomless brunches around, complete with performances from their fierce and fabulous cast of queens - think lip syncing, dancing and stunning outfits.

There'll be live DJs playing party tunes throughout the four hours, as well as the option for 90 minutes of bottomless drinks during the show. There are three ticket prices to suit all budgets, starting from £10 each, with tasty brunch dishes up for grabs too.

Ever wondered how to make your own gin? Choose the botanicals, weigh them and bottle your concoction up to take home with you as part of The Spirit of Manchester Distillery's gin making experience. Book as a couple or go as a group, there's an array of tasting classes to get stuck into too, making it the ultimate day out for those who are fanatics of the spirit.

Taking place at Manchester's buzzing event space Freight Island, Old School R&B Brunch is a lively event that promises all your favourite tunes. Not only will the DJ be spinning non-stop RNB hits, but you'll also take part in all sorts of immersive games and interactive fun.

Expect prizes, giveaways, photobooths and even karaoke, with hilarious hosts to keep the good vibes going. Plus, there'll be an hour of bottomless punch as well as tasty dishes available from street food traders like Voodoo Ray's, Burgerism and Ornella's Kitchen.

The exciting fusion of tennis and squash, padel is a fun sport that's taking over the country. The high-energy game is perfect for getting competitive with your friends, and there are both indoor and outdoor courts to suit the unpredictable spring weather.

There are a surprising number of places to play padel across the city, and we've got the low-down on where to find them. From Club de Padel to the Northern Lawn Tennis Club or Pure Padel Manchester, you can get involved right now.

Now that the weather is finally warming up, we all want to make the most of it by exploring some outdoor spaces. There are all the well-known parks to visit, but if you're after something a little less known? Then check out our guide to Manchester's hidden green spaces.

These secret gardens and parks are dotted all around the city, from just outside Piccadilly station to the Castlefield area. We've got names like Mayfield Park, Parsonage Gardens and The Secret Valley on our list, so there's plenty to discover.

There's a whole lot to do in Manchester this spring, but sometimes we all need to get away from the city. That's why we've sorted you out with a list of all the very best day trips to try out, all within a couple of hours journey from Manchester.

Whether you're in the mood for stunning strolls around the Lake District, a seaside jaunt to Blackpool or you fancy discovering a picturesque small town like Buxton, we've got something for everyone here.