Things to do in Manchester this weekend and beyond: 12-20 August 2022

Manchester Caribbean Carnival

Alexandra Park, 13-14 August, 12-8pm

Marking its 50th year this weekend, Manchester Caribbean Carnival is promising a family friendly celebration of community, heritage and music.

The original Manchester Carnival started as an impromptu parade set up by locals but now tens of thousands of people are expected to take part.

The main parade is from noon on Saturday with plenty of other activities over the weekend: see here for the full programme.

Rochdale Feel Good Festival

Rochdale town centre, Saturday 13 August

Another popular annual event is back. The Feel Good festival is in its 15th year and brings a host of live music to the town centre.

Chirpy indie popsters the Fratellis will headline, and there will also be sets from The Northern Soultrain, Sign Along With Us, Abbie Ozard and many more.

The music starts from 12.30pm on Saturday but first there is a family comedy night with Steve Royle on Friday at the Old Court Room.

Wristbands are from £7 and will be available from Touchstones in Rochdale town centre from 9am-6pm on Friday 12 August and from 9am – 7pm on Saturday 13 August. More info here.

Village Screen Cinema: Dirty Dancing

Victoria Baths, Hathersage Road, Chorlton, Friday 19 August

Enjoy this cheerful slice of movie nostalgia in striking surroundings as the baths once again host classic films - this time, 80s musical icon Dirty Dancing.

There’ll be stripey deckchairs. a pop-up bar and street food to make it a night to remember (cue ‘time of your life’ puns) - and feel free to sing along, of course.

Tickets are available from the baths website here.

Heaton Park food festival

Heaton Park, M25 2SW, 20 August

Pull up a deckchair, grab a drink and soak up the warm atmosphere in Heaton Park. There will be chefs’ demos, workshops, live music, artisan markets plus free activities for kids. It’s £4.95 entry for adults and free for kids and is on from 10am to 8pm.

Identical

Lowry Theatre, Salford, 19 August to 3 September

It’s a world premiere of this musical theatre production based on the classic book, The Parent Trap (later turned into a smash-hit Hollywood remake with Lindsey Lohan.)

Twin girls are separated at birth and reunited by chance at a summer camp 10 years later - when they decide to swap places without telling their parents.

The show is directed by Olivier and Tony award-winning Sir Trevor Nunn, expect lots of memorable songs and family laughs.

Tickets are from £18 at the Lowry here.