Things to do this Autumn in Manchester

From cultural outings to autumn walks topped off by a Sunday roast, plus big community and family events like Halloween and Bonfire Night, there are plenty of things to do in Manchester this autumn...

With the days getting shorter and colder, how can we have more fun indoors? What does the autumn season look like in Manchester’s theatres, museums and galleries? With the leaves turning red and yellow, where are the best places in and around Manchester for an autumn walk? Where are the best and cosiest pubs in Manchester, and which does the best Sunday roast? These are the questions everyone’s asking, and so Culture Calling set out to find some answers - here they all are, in our list of the best things to do in Manchester this autumn…

Take an autumnal walk through one of Manchester’s many parks and gardens

A vibrant image of a lush green park features a large, solitary tree at the center, illuminated by the setting sun. Sunlight beams radiate through the tree's branches, casting long shadows on the grassy field. The sky is clear with scattered clouds.
Zhaoli JIN

Perhaps the best thing about autumn is going for a long walk and wading through the leaves that fall from the trees in their yellows, reds and browns - it really is a sight to behold, and London has plenty of brilliant parks where you can revel in the changing of the season…


Dig into a delicious roast dinner

A dish featuring slices of roasted meat, crispy roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, carrots, and green vegetables. Gravy is being poured over the meal from a white jug above the plate. The meal is arranged on a white plate against a dark background.
Image © The Refuge via Facebook

The end of barbecue season spells the return of that age-old British tradition; the Sunday roast. Maybe you make a mean roast dinner, or maybe it’s someone you know and love who does it best (or maybe not!), but if you fancy a slap-up Sunday roast from some of the best in the business - all without the hassle of cooking and washing up - check out our favourites…


Check out what Manchester’s museums have to offer

The exterior facade of Manchester museum. The entrance to the museum cafe is shown and the sky is blue with a few white clouds
By DrPhoenix

Manchester is packed with a diverse array of museums great for stimulating times indoors as the weather gets colder. Celebrates all that the city is and was - from its industrial heritage to football, fashion, music, transport, and art – there’s certainly has something for all curious minds, young and old alike.


Try out a session at a board game café

A Scrabble game board displays various words in a different language, with tiles forming words across and down. The word SCRABBLE is printed on the side of the board. A rack of tiles and a part of a score sheet are also visible.

Board games can afford you hours of fun (and just maybe a little frustration - seriously, we still can’t talk about Christmas ’08), so what if we said you can play a wide range of retro games with your best friends and a pint in your hand? Manchester is full of fun places to play


MARKERS Exhibition

National Football Museum 17 May 2024 to 31 Jan 2025

This birlliant exhibition, which begain back in May, is still running; bringing together nine unique artists from across the UK including Stanley Chow and Akse P19, the exhibition takes you on a journey of their take on a footballing hero through a range of artistic media. The exhibition explores the impact these heroes have made beyond the white markings of the football pitch and how they’ve made their mark, where they did and how it happened.


KING ARTHUR

The Lowry 24 Sep 2024 to 28 Sep 2024

Camelot is in trouble. King Arthur knows that if he doesn’t turn things around, this civilisation will be forgotten, and be known as nothing more than a rather dull time in British history. But when three hapless squires approach him about changing that legacy... a legend is born.

A comedy for the whole family, this hilarious retelling of the Arthurian legends will have audiences crying with laughter and becoming part of the legend themselves.


Celebrate Black History Month in Manchester

The words Black History Month stand in capital letters inside a circle composed of paintbrush strokes in red, yellow and green - the colours of the Pan-African flag
let.org.uk

Various 1 Oct 2024 to 31 Oct 2024

This Black History Month in Manchester there are some great events where you can celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black people to life in Manchester and the UK - there are educational events, networking events, theatre and music shows and more!



Neighbourhood Festival 2024

Neighbourhood Festival 5 Oct 2024

Launching in 2016, Neighbourhood Festival quickly established itself as the place to discover the next big thing in music. In the past, the event has hosted BRIT Award winners Sam  Fender, Mabel, and Holly Humberstone as well as established live favourites Yungblud, Declan McKenna, Mahalia and The Lathums.  


Have a hauntingly horrid time this Halloween

Theres loads going on for kids, adults, and kids with adults this Halloween in Manchester


The Best Bonfire Nights and Fireworks Displays in Greater Manchester

A vibrant display of fireworks illuminates the night sky. Various bursts of red and gold fireworks explode in an array of shapes and sizes, creating a stunning spectacle of color and light. The dark background enhances the vividness of the fireworks.

We know where to go for a spectacular Bonfire Night (or Guy Fawkes Night, if you prefer) in Manchester, so wrap up warm and grab your sprinklers!


Wonder Boy at The Lowry

The Lowry 12 Nov 2024 to 16 Nov 2024

A heart-warming and inspiring story about the power of communication told through the experiences of 12-year-old.

BLOOD BROTHERS

Palace Theatre Manchester 19 Nov 2024 to 30 Nov 2024

Few musicals have received quite such acclaim as the multi-award winning Blood Brothers. Bill Kenwright’s production played for more than 10,000 performances in London’s West End, one of only three musicals ever to achieve that milestone.

The smash hit musical, which follows two twins separated at birth and living very different lives, continues to tour across the UK and will be live at  Palace Theatre Manchester Monday 19 November to Saturday 30 November 2024.