Bank holiday weekend is here, widely toted as summer's last hurrah! Feeling motivated (or under pressure) to have fun but no idea what to do? Follow our step-by-step guide to your 4-day weekend in Manchester. From festivals and club nights to art galleries and cinemas, we’ve got ideas whatever your vibe (and whatever the weather).
Friday 25th August
By night
If you missed out on London or Brighton, no problem - Manchester Pride is hosting the Big Weekend on Friday. It’s running from 4pm until 11 pm and has a pretty cool line-up - including Mel C from the Spice Girls as a headliner. Really, why would Wannabe be anywhere else on Friday – just Say You’ll Be There. (Okay I’ll stop) But get your tickets on the Manchester Pride website.
Saturday 26th August
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Everyone loves a day drinking session, so why not try out Manchester's Tequila Festival? Thank god for the well-timed bank holiday - you’ll need that extra day to recover from that hang. With over 30 different types of Tequila, live music and Piñatas (PINATAS!!), this should be one to remember (or not remember, depending on how well you do it). Tickets are running low, but still available so get them while you can.
By night
If you’re still alive post-tequila festival, DJ Zinc is playing a nostalgic jungle set, spanning the 90’s and early 00s. But NGL, we’re actually way more excited about the venue than the music for this – it’s in Antwerp Mansion, which is a run-down but still stunning Victorian mansion. It’s all very Skins. Tickets are already on final release, but available to purchase from Skiddle/13001881/){href='https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Manchester/Antwerp-Mansion/DJ-Zinc-(Jungle-Set)/13001881/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'} if you move quickly.
Sunday 27th August
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There's basically a massive outdoor rave in a forest happening on Sunday, with Nicolas Lutz headlining. So you're gonna want to go get involved. If House & Techno are your kind of thing, this is the event for you. We’ll pray for good weather, otherwise it might be wise to invest in a Kagoule. Don't forget your tickets.
By night
If you just want to chill out on Sunday night with popcorn and a movie, Luna Open Air Cinema is returning to Tatton Park with a screening of Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone. The setting is just as magic as the film – a 1000-acre estate in the beautiful Cheshire countryside. Almost too perfect, isn't it? Book your tickets over on the Luna Cinema website.
Monday 28th August
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Only 30 minutes outside central Manchester, the acclaimed Bolton Food and Drink Festival will feature cookery demonstrations with James Martin and a Mad Hatter’s tea party. You can also watch two celebrated local chefs (Aiden Byrne and Andrew Nutter) go head to head in a cook-off to see who can produce the best creation with with a box of ingredients. Trading hours are 10am -5pm and entry is free. Find out more on the festival website.
For free
And one for music fans – the True Faith exhibition explores the 'ongoing significance and legacy' of two of Manchester’s greatest success stories - New Order and Joy Division. As well as a variety of visual art inspired by their music, it includes band posters, cover designs, film and video. No need to buy a ticket, just head to the Manchester Art Gallery before the 3rd of September. All the info is over on the Manchester International Festival website.[
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.