Manchester events in June

With summer on its way, the city celebrates with flowery abandon over the extended Jubilee weekend as the city is taken over by all things floral. Expect transformed shops, take-overs of public spaces, surprise urban gardens plus plenty of al-fresco eating and drinking to support the sensual overload.

Thursday June 2 - Sunday June 5

Anyone fancying an alternative to the Queen's Jubilee celebrations should head to the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel where The Refuge Terrace hosts a street party with a difference. No soggy baps, just delicious street party nibbles, bespoke royal-themed cocktails and entertainment your average English flag-waver might not appreciate.

Friday June 3

A month of outdoor fun includes a range of free activities, including live music, family events, drag performances, yoga, DJs and more. A central stage in Tony Wilson Place, right in front of HOME, will form the focal point of the festival. And it's all free.

Thursday June 2 - Sunday July 3

Manchester's Science and Industry Museum is exhibiting photographs by Sebastião Salgado. It's the first UK exhibition of his work of this scale outside London for over 20 years and the first-ever to come to Manchester, celebrating the indigenous peoples and breath-taking landscapes of the Brazilian rainforest through over 200 black and white images. 

Now throughout June

Walk the Plank, the Salford-based storytellers who bring events magically to animated life, will be at the River Irwell over the Bank Holiday weekend with two events. Drinkwater Park hosts Day Out at Drinkies on Saturday whilst on Sunday there's a Day at the Races at Kersal Wetlands. There'll be free activities, games and performances that celebrate nature.

Saturday June 5 - Sunday June 7

June is when cinemas start geering up for the big hits of summer and, this month, we get to see the final instalment of the ‘Jurassic Park’ series, ‘Jurassic World Dominion’, as well as the origin story, ‘Lightyear’ and Baz Luhrmann's ‘Elvis’, any of which should make a trip to the flix worthwhile. Now you just need to decide which cinema to go to...

The beautiful Healds Green Gallery in Oldham has regular  workshops throughout the month for anyone wanting to learn the basics of how to draw, paint or create their own art. If watercolour is your thing, they've got it covered. Want to learn how to paint your dog or cat? Their class is the whiskers! There's a fantastic range on offer so grab your smock and get over there.

Throughout June

Sondheim's challenging musical about the nature of love isn't his best-known work so hat's off to the team at Hope Mill for creating such a mesmerising revival with the superb Ruthie Henshaw as Fosca, a woman determined to win the heart of her love at almost any cost.

Until Saturday June 5

With its ambition to connect the way events from the past can shpae our futures, this award-winning festival returns with a city-wide range of events. This year the theme is climate change. There are walks, talks, online content, and, with the historic links to Manchester and The Vegetarian Society, an event at Angel Meadow which takes in both music and delicious veggie food.  

Wednesday June 8 - Sunday June 12

The biggest music festival in Manchester's calendar return to its Heaton Park home across a weekend featuring acts ranging from Jessie Ware, Jamie XX, Bicep and Arlo Parks. And you don't have to have a tent!

Saturday June 11 - Sunday June 12

The 2021 hit gets the sing-a-long treatment and, if any recent film deserves such it, ‘Encanto’ surely does. To any parent, family member, sibling, guardian or carer who may have had to sit through the film a hundred times already, what a perfect way to inject something new into the joy the little ones will experience watching it for the one hundred and first time... Go along and raise the roof at The Lowry.

Saturday June 11

If the stresses of everyday life are getting to you, how about a little me time? In fact, doesn't a weekend of looking after yourself and improving your health sound like just the ticket? Manchester Central is the venue for a Wellbeing Festival that includes, talks, classes, advice catering to physical, mental and emotional self-care. Expect a line-up of authors, influencers, scientists, doctors, fitness instructors, yogis and therapists plus the odd DJ!

Saturday June 11 - Sunday June 12

Imagine a city as an art school. This o festival does just that as Art Fund, with a collective of Manchester’s leading arts organisations will present Art Assembly 2022 - City as Art School. The festival advocating art and creativity is organised by Art Fund with Castlefield Gallery, HOME, Manchester Art Gallery, the Whitworth and The Manchester College. It will present newly co-commissioned and co-created artworks and installations across the city, from established arts venues, busy squares and streets to billboards, pavements and more.

Saturday June 18

The last two years put a stop on so many public events but, at last, Manchester Day is back. Across the city events will be happening and there'll be the usual large parade down Deansgate, showcasing the city's bright, vibrant creativity, diversity and sense of fun. 

Sunday June 19

There's still plent of time to catch work from the biggest touring show of contemporary art in the UK as the British Art Show continues throughout June. Make a day of it - the exhibition is hosted at Manchester Art Gallery, HOME, Castlefield Gallery, The Whitworth and the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art (CFCCA). 

Now until Sunday September 4

As part of 2022's Salford Pride, Peel Park hosts the Pink Picnic, celebrating and raising awareness and funds for LGBTQ+ people and organisations in the city. With a strong community feel, this is Manchester Pride's more chilled cousin, and is very welcome for that.

Saturday June 25

One of the many events happening as part of Manchester UNESCO City of Literature, this festival will be celebrating the county's 133 libraries, taking in all that these palaces of learning and culture have to offer. Events include a ‘look for the book’ treasure hunt, a ‘Shoebox Libraries’ project plus loads more.

Thursday June 15 - Sunday June 19

There are a handful of music acts able to rival Joan As Police Woman for a live experience. Joan Wasser creates truly stunning albums, her songs ranging from foot stomping rock to soul searching, emotionally devastating ballads, but seeing her live is the real deal. The new album, ‘The Solution Is Restless’ continues her journey through styles. Go see her at Band on the Wall and get arrested.

Tuesday June 28

Sounds of the City is back in June 2022, running over into July, taking over Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl for a series of outdoor gigs under the Manchester sky. Headline concerts this year include Lewis Capaldi, Foals, Crowded House, James, Pixies, Sam Fender and Hacienda Classical. 

Tuesday June 28 - Friday July 8