There are plenty of terraces and beer gardens to enjoy outdoor drinks in the sunshine around Oxford Road.
Things to do this August
Welcome to our August guide where we highlight some of the best things to see and do around Oxford Road this month.
Bands and musicians might be scattered across Europe as we hit the peak festival season, but there are still plenty of great gigs to be enjoyed here this month. We’re looking forward to seeing Chinese Football, a four-piece indie/post-rock from Wuhan who are playing Canvas at Circle Square. Big Theif guitarist Buck Meek is on a solo tour and plays YES at the end of the month. Other gigs we recommend are Abnormal Sleepz and Friends at YES, The Aces at Manchester Academy and Todd Edwards’ back-to-back set with DJ Q at Joshua Brooks.
August is your last chance to see Richard Kelly’s photography exhibition at The Refuge, showcasing never-before-seen shots of musicians, including Amy Winehouse and Florence And The Machine. It’s also the last call for Gherdai Hassell’s exhibition at HOME which presents a new body of work that explores the multifaceted nature of identity. There are also great exhibitions at the Whitworth, Manchester Museum and Castlefield Gallery. We highly recommend pencilling in a gallery crawl this month.
The theatres are mostly resting up for the autumn. However, there’s still time to catch the Olivier award-nominated Cruise at HOME, and at The Palace Theatre, there’s a touring West End adaptation of the1989 cult classic movie Heathers.
Don’t miss a minute of the action as The Women’s World Cup reaches its final stages. You can watch matches on the outdoor screen at First Street, where we’ll keep our fingers crossed for sunshine! You can also see games at Contact, where they have fun, friendly screenings ahead of their autumn show, 14%, which is set against the frenzy of the Lioness’ Euros success.
August also means Manchester Pride and the final summer bank holiday weekend. More celebrations will be announced towards the end of the month, but you can hang your hat on good times at The Refuge and Hatch.
Finally, August is your last chance to get hold of Manchester Psych Fest tickets. The city’s biggest urban music festival celebrates its10th birthday on the first weekend of September, and only a few tickets remain so books yours now.
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Oxford Road Corridor has a number of historic parks and contemporary green spaces to enjoy.
Oxford Road is packed with a great range of bars where you can get your fill of cocktails, spirits and fizz.
Hello Oriental is an exciting food experience based in Circle Square with every possible variation on Asian Fusion cuisine in one place.
Bundobust Brewery in the St James Building on Oxford Street is the latest, and arguably the best addition to the ever-growing Bundobust chain.
Head to Loaf on Oxford Street for exceptional sweet treats from a retro-modern bakery adorned in tonal pinks.
More things to do in August
The Whitworth | 26 January – 26 November 2023
(Un)Defining Queer delves into the Whitworth’s collection to examine how we can use a queer lens to define what the term ‘queer’ means.
The Manchester Museum | 18 February – 31 December 2023
Golden Mummies of Egypt is Manchester Museum’s re-opening exhibition. This one-of-a-kind cultural experience opens in February 2023.
Elizabeth Gaskell’s House | 2 April 2023
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.
The Refuge | 1 June – 31 August 2023
Celebrated music photographer Richard Kelly showcases never before seen shots of Amy Winehouse, Florence and the Machine and more.
HOME | 17 June – 13 August 2023
Gherdai Hassell presents a new body of work at HOME in an exhibition that explores the multifaceted nature of identity.
Castlefield Gallery | 25 June – 24 September 2023
The Poetics of Water asks visitors to look at landscapes, borders and centuries and think deeply about soil and water’s fundamental elements.
The Whitworth | 30 June 2023 – 10 March 2024
Albrecht Dürer’s Material World is the first major exhibition of the Whitworth’s outstanding Dürer collection in over half a century.
Manchester Central Library | 10 July – 30 September 2023
Curry Mile – A Changing Neighbourhood is a documentary photography project exploring ‘present day’ Wilmslow Road.
HOME | 20 July – 12 August 2023
Cruise is a celebration of queer culture. A kaleidoscopic musical tribute to the veterans of the AIDs crisis with an irresistible 80s soundtrack.
The Manchester Museum | 27 August 2023
In Hands of Friendship at Manchester Museum join Scope’s Youth Community Collective for some messy fun to make and decorate handprints.
The Deaf Institute | 28 August 2023
An LA native with a lifelong immersion in rock ‘n’ roll, Jesse Jo Stark conjures up an atmosphere informed by her intense fascination with the more macabre edge of the pop culture underground.
Canvas | 29 August 2023
From delicate acoustic songs to jazz and hip-hop-infused pop, Jonathan Ogden crafts musical soundscapes that invite the listener on a journey.
Where to stay
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel offers an unforgettable stay on Oxford Road Corridor in one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings.
Hyatt Regency Manchester is an elegant, modern hotel set in the heart of Oxford Road Corridor.
The Midland Hotel is one of the most famous places to stay in Manchester, and one of Oxford Road Corridor’s most lavishly decorated hotels.
The Holiday Inn Express on Oxford Road is a centrally located hotel that offers visitors great value for money.
Hotel ibis on Princess Street offers 126 value for money rooms in a central Manchester location near Oxford Road.