Bank Holiday Weekend Manchester | Oxford Road Corridor

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

Welcome to our guide for the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend, where we’ve compiled some of the best ways to spend the long weekend, and, hopefully, enjoy some warmer weather.

If you’re in the mood for some culture, there are plenty of exhibitions to explore. From contemporary art exhibitions at HOME and the Whitworth to a new historical exhibition at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House and, of course, the newly reopened Manchester Museum.

One of the best ways to celebrate Easter is by visiting some of the many green spaces around Oxford Road. From the sprawling Whitworth Park to the blossoming (literally) All Saints Park and all the hidden gems in between, there are plenty of options to choose from. Take a picnic and enjoy a leisurely lunch surrounded by nature, or simply soak up the sun with a good book.

No bank holiday weekend is complete without some delicious food and drink, and luckily there are plenty of options to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a trendy new brunch spot at Circle Square or a classic pub with a beer garden.

And finally, there’s plenty of late-night action for revellers with club nights at Yes, Gorilla and Deaf Institute alongside the weekend-long Manchester Punk Festival.

What’s On

HOME

Head to HOME this Easter to take in several excellent exhibitions alongside a cracking line-up of cinema including Brandon Cronenberg’s gripping “Infinity Pool”, the documentary “Meet Me in The Bathroom” which takes an in-depth look at the New York music scene in the early 2000s, and “Rye Lane”, a heartwarming comedy set in Peckham.

Traces of Displacement

Traces of Displacement uses the Whitworth’s collection to address one of the major humanitarian concerns – forced displacement.

The Whitworth | 7 April 2023 – 7 January 2024 More

North Taproom

If you were lucky enough to snap up tickets for The Orielles gig at Canvas tonight, make sure you head to North Taproom at Circle Square where you can sample a new beer brewed up specially to celebrate the band’s latest tour. North is a good shout for a pint throughout the weekend too.

Hatch

Indulge in a weekend of gastronomic delights at Hatch where some new faces, including Pukht and Crumbled, join their fine array of independent food and drink retailers.

Golden Mummies of Egypt

Golden Mummies of Egypt is Manchester Museum’s re-opening exhibition. This one-of-a-kind cultural experience opens in February 2023.

The Manchester Museum | 18 February – 31 December 2023 More

A Tale of Manchester Life – Elizabeth Gaskell’s Manchester

A new exhibition exploring how Elizabeth Gaskell presented Manchester and its people through her novels and short stories, and the impact she had through her writing. Visit on Sunday and check out the Second Hand Book Sale too!

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House | 2 April 2023 More

The Deaf Institute

If you’re after a weekend of non-stop partying, Deaf Institute has several club nights promising to keep you dancing until the early hours including Culture, Le Freak and Bollox.

Green Spaces

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

Tours

Explore the history of Manchester’s knowledge quarter through some of the area’s most significant landmarks and iconic buildings.

External shot of The Lass O' Gowrie one of the many pubs and bars on Oxford Road

Bars and Pubs on Oxford Road

Oxford Road is packed with a great range of bars and pubs where you can get your fill of cocktails, spirits and any other liquor you can think of.

Cocktails on Oxford Road

Oxford Road is packed with a great range of bars where you can get your fill of cocktails, spirits and fizz.

External shot of The Whitworth Where you will find The Whitworth Café

Galleries & Museums

Some of the best Galleries & Museums in Manchester are here on Oxford Road Corridor. Explore a diverse programme for all cultural enthusiasts.

Food and Drink on Oxford Road

The food and drink in Manchester is some of the best in the UK with many of the finest offerings found here on the Oxford Road Corridor.

Things to do around Oxford Road this April

The weather remains unpredictable as we head into spring, but you can hang your hat on there being plenty of things to do in April around Oxford Road.