August Bank Holiday Weekend

August Bank Holiday is upon us and, as ever, many of the best things to do this weekend are to be found around Oxford Road.

Manchester Pride rightly dominates the bank holiday weekend, and while the main activity is around Canal Street, there are some cracking fringe events around Oxford Road. The Refuge’s famous Come As You Are Weekender is an essential celebration of music, love and inclusivity headlined by The Reflex and John Morales. The Proud Place hosts a range of activities leading up to and throughout the weekend, Joshua Brooks welcomes producer, songwriter, remixer, DJ icon and reigning Queen supreme Jodie Harsh and Girls Night Out and Pop Curious host a two-night Pride Spectacular at The Deaf Institute. For more alternate takes on Pride, check out Tears for Queers at YES and Big Hand’s Alt Pride.

Elsewhere there are lots of new food places to check out, we’re particularly excited about Tahi which is one of several exciting new openings at Circle Square. Also at Circle Square, the British Street Food Awards has partnered with GRUB, the people behind Contact Bar & Kitchen, and invites you down to eat, drink and vote all weekend. Just around the corner at YES Everything’s Gone Green is a plant-powered two-day festival of food and music.

Finally, British Art Show 9 is coming to an end, make sure you don’t miss out and explore the exhibition that takes place over the Whitworth, HOME and Castlefield Gallery. Plenty more suggestions below for things to do this bank holiday weekend.

What’s On

activity Pride Events
The Proud Place | 24 – 28 August 2022

The Proud Place run a number of workshops for Manchester Pride ahead of the event and over the weekend celebrations.

music Big Hands Alt Pride
Big Hands | 26 – 28 August 2022

Big Hands proudly presents a selection of events over the August Bank Holiday weekend for those looking for a different take on Manchester Pride.

music Tears For Queers
YES | 27 August 2022

The Most Depressing Pride of Your Life presents Tears for Queers, an emotional and uplifting power ballad and love song disco at YES.

theatre NT Live/ Prima Facie
HOME | 28 August – 4 September 2022

See Jodie Comer’s acclaimed performance Suzie Miller’s award-winning play, Prima Facie, screened at HOME via NT Live.

music The Cadillac Three
Manchester Academy | 27 August 2022

Knownfor their unpredictable concerts, American Southern rock group The Cadillac Three stop by Manchester Academy this Bank Holiday weekend.

People laughing on University Green one of the many parks and green spaces on Oxford Road
Green Spaces

Oxford Road Corridor has a number of historic parks and contemporary green spaces to enjoy.

View of Circle Square from the pavilion at Symphony Park
Circle Square

Circle Square is an exciting multi-million pound, mixed-use neighbourhood, created on the site of the former BBC building on Oxford Road.

Food & Drink

There are always plenty of good places to eat and drink on Oxford Road Corridor, here are some top bank holiday picks.

photo of roof terrace at big hands
Big Hands

Big Hands at the South end of Oxford Road may be small, but it comes with added rock n’ roll swagger, a great atmosphere and a lovely roof garden.

An image of a sign outside Sandbar on the Oxford Road Corridor
Sandbar

Sandbar, just off Oxford Road in Manchester, is a well-loved watering hole, with a great selection of ales and some eccentric seating.

Peveril of The Peak Pub Oxford Road Corridor Manchester
Peveril Of The Peak

Peveril Of The Peak is Manchester’s most iconic pub adorned with the sorts of bottle green, yellow and brown Victorian tiles that are a reclamation yard’s dream.

The Briton’s Protection

An iconic pub with an impressive whiskey list running into the hundreds. A welcoming atmosphere and a sprawling beer garden.

Photo of an Indian dish from zouk tea bar and grill
Zouk Tea Bar and Grill

Zouk Tea Bar and Grill is a modern, exciting restaurant, serving up some of the very best Indian-Pakistani cuisine in Manchester.

The Old Abbey Tap House via Facebook
The Old Abbey Taphouse

The Old Abbey Taphouse is a pub in a community hub, and one of Hulme’s true gems. Come for the beers, stay for the arts and culture activities.

A cocktail from Brickhouse Social, one of the many spots to get a Cocktails on Oxford Road
Brickhouse Social

Brickhouse Social is an exciting place where bar meets restaurant and all are welcome.

Society Manchester

Society Manchester is a glorious indoor and outdoor space in the very heart of the city, with several street food vendors to choose from and a range of high-quality drinks.

The bar area of The Font in Manchester one of the bars and pubs on oxford road
The Font

The Font Manchester is a cracking bar found just off Oxford Road on New Wakefield St where it’s been for over 20 years.

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Attractions