Things to do in Manchester this weekend (January 27-29) – including Strictly Come Dancing tour

It looks like this weekend is going to be clear and mild, so perfect for getting out and about. If you’re stuck for ideas, the Salford Quays Maker’s Market is always a pleasant afternoon out, followed by an evening at the Strictly Come Dancing Tour.

Don’t forget, there is one more chance to see the Chinese New Year dragon, which will be giving a special illuminated night-time performance in Piccadilly Gardens this Sunday. Here is our selection of the events taking place in Manchester this weekend.

Strictly Come Dancing live tour

AO Arena, 28-29 January

Get on your dancing shoes because the Strictly Come Dancing live tour is waltzing, foxtrotting and jiving its way to Manchester this weekend. The line-up includes celebs and their professional partners from the latest season of the show:  Will Mellor and Nancy Xu, Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu, Ellie Simmonds and Nikita Kuzmin, Tyler West and Dianne Buswell, and this year’s champions Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal. Fleur East will be dancing with Vito Coppola and Helen Skelton will be dancing with tour partner Kai Widdrington. They will be joined by judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke.

There will be matinee performances, as well as evening performances. Tickets start at £53.50 and can be purchased via the AO arena website.

RNCM Brass Band Festival

Royal Northern College of Music, 27-29 January

Some of the country’s best brass bands will be performing at the RNCM’s Brass Band Festival this weekend, including Black Dyke, Brighouse and Rasterick, Foden’s and Grimethorpe Colliery Band. Also performing will be The RNCM band and junior band, as well as Wardle Academy Brass Band and others.

More information about the performances can be found on the RNCM website, where you can also purchase tickets. Each performance cost around £9, some are free. Purchase tickets for three or more paid events and automatically receive a 10% discount at checkout.

Whitney: Queen of the Night

Stockport Plaza, Friday 27 January

Following a successful run on the West End, the Whitney Houston tribute show Queen of the Night is coming to Stockport Plaza. You can expect to hear some of the singer’s greatest hits, such as “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”, “One Moment In Time” and  “I’m Every Woman.” More information can be found on the show’s website, and tickets can be purchased via the Stockport Plaza website.

Makers Market

Salford Quays

The monthly makers market returns to Salford Quays this weekend, if you fancy a day out by the water at Media City. Stalls include handmade jewellery, soaps and other gifts. There will also be food and drink stalls. It will be open on Saturday from 10am  to 5pm and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. More information can be found on the Makers Market website.

Pathaan

Vue Manchester Printworks

Bollywood fans, Starting on Friday 27 January, Vue Manchester Printworks will be showing Pathaan, the return of Bollywood Heavyweight’ Shah Rukh Khan. They will also be showing other Bollywood films over the next couple of months, including Kali Jotta, Shehzada and Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaa. More information can be found on the cinema’s website.

Clothes Swap

Manchester Art Gallery, Saturday 28 January

Manchester Art Gallery is hosting a clothes swap this Saturday in partnership with Stitched Up, a charity that promotes sustainable fashion. Bring along up to 10 items and exchange them with someone else. The clothes are sorted into two categories, one for vintage and designer clothes, and one for high street fashion. More information can be found via Eventbrite.