There’s plenty to look forward to in Greater Manchester this year from gigs and shows to new restaurant openings, and here’s some inspiration for the first weekend of the New YearThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Lightroom at Aviva Studios presents; Vogue: Inventing the Runway & The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
The start of a new year can either be seen as a chance for fresh starts, or a little bit depressing depending on whether you’re glass hall full or empty kind of person. It is tricky though, after the festivities draw to a close, to rally yourself, especially when the temperatures drop and it’s still dark outside.
That said, there’s a lot to be excited about as we venture into 2026. Just here in Greater Manchester, we’re already prepping for some really big events and occasions including the Brits in February, which moves to the city for the first time in the award’s history.
In March, it’ll be followed by the MOBO Awards, which celebrates its 30th anniversary year by heading to Manchester for the first time too. Of course, there’s all the usual annual events too, including Parklife and the next batch of Wythenshawe Park gigs which will see the likes of Pulp, Courteeners and The Cure take to the stage.
That’s to say that there’s plenty to look forward to in 2026 even if you’re not quite up to it yet. And even this weekend, there’s a host of events, activities and discounts to enjoy in and around Greater Manchester. Below, we’ve put a small selection of those together.
Enjoy discounts at Manchester ‘s restaurants
Jalapeno cornbread and fried egg at Caravan restaurant in Manchester (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
January is a big month for restaurant deals. As many of us try to avoid anything too expensive following a heavy Christmas and New Year, many restaurants, cafes and bars put on great deals to make sure we can still have a few treats – at a slightly more affordable cost.
Throughout the month, there’s some top offers in place from some of the biggest, best and newest venues, with some even offering 50% off their bill on select days. We’ve listed some of the special offers running throughout the month in our round-up here.
Balance Brewery Tours
Some will be giving up the booze in aid of Dry January, others will be having a damp start to the year on the alcohol front, which means a brewery tour might just be the ticket to kick off your new year.
This weekend, peek behind the curtain at Balance Brewery in Manchester and find out about how they create their unique barrel-fermented beers. As they are the only brewery in Manchester specialising in the production of barrel aged, mixed-fermentation beers, it makes for a really interesting experience and you’ll get a unique insight into every aspect of the process plus the chance to try some samples.
More information and tickets can be found here.
Lightroom 360-degree shows at Aviva Studios
(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Three large-scale 360-degree immersive experiences from Lightroom are showing at Aviva Studios this winter with the return of the immensely popular David Hockney alongside new shows: Tom Hanks’ The Moonwalkers and Vogue’s Inventing the Runway.
Co-written by Tom Hanks and BAFTA-nominated writer-director Christopher Riley, The Moonwalkers provides a gripping account of the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s at spectacular scale, while Inventing the Runway uses Vogue’s remarkable archive and fashion network to present an experience created in collaboration with Anna Wintour and Vogue editors, exploring the history of the fashion runway show, narrated by Cate Blanchett.
Shows are still on until January 11, and tickets can be bought here.
Yoga Class
On the other end of the spectrum, if you’re looking to prioritise your health and wellbeing as we head into January, there’s a number of fitness classes and sessions taking place this weekend. At Yoga Soul in Levenshulme Pam Jones will be hosting a Dharma Yoga Masterclass on Saturday at 12pm.
This masterclass will have a focus on inversions and arm balancing to help those taking part to gain strength and confidence in more challenging poses. You will be guided through a relaxation at the end of class, leaving you feeling worked out and refreshed. All levels welcome but some yoga experience is encouraged. Tickets can be found here.
Museum of Illusions
A trippy a Vortex Tunnel is one of the Museum of Illusions highlights in Manchester(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
With over 50 immersive exhibits, from gravity-defying rooms to optical illusions and holograms, Museum of Illusions on Market Street is a good place to escape the cold this weekend – and it’s family friendly.
A massive hit with more than 50 locations across 25 countries, Museum of Illusions opened in Manchester in 2024 with exhibits ranging from holograms and optical tricks to full-scale illusion rooms and playful mirror displays.
As well as the ‘Reverse Room’ paying homage to Manchester’s tram network, there’s also an area housing the ‘The Building Illusion’, where you can dangle from the terraces and windowsills on buildings that wouldn’t look out of place in the Northern Quarter. Prices and tickets can be found here.