What's On in Manchester

Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts — The legendary Neil Young brings his raw, elemental rock to the sweeping green expanse of Heaton Park at 5:00pm — one of those rare, pinch-yourself gigs that Manchester will be talking about for years. The park setting adds something almost cinematic to proceedings, the kind of backdrop that makes guitar solos feel genuinely transcendent. Check the website for ticket availability and do not sit on this one.

TAKE THAT - THE CIRCUS LIVE - Summer 2026 — Take That roll into the Etihad Stadium at 5:00pm for what promises to be a full-blown theatrical spectacular, and if their recent tours are anything to go by, this will be as much dazzling visual show as it is a greatest-hits singalong. Generations of fans will be belting out every word under the Manchester sky, and the atmosphere before a stadium show of this scale is electric in itself. Head to the website to check on remaining tickets and prepare to have the time of your life.

Red Bull Laser Disco — Over in Stockport, Red Bull Hillgate is hosting a gloriously unhinged Laser Disco from 4:00pm — think pulsing beams of light, a proper sound system, and the kind of unashamed fun that kicks off a Friday evening perfectly. At just £5–£7 it is one of the best-value openings to a night out in the whole city, and arriving early means you get the full experience before the evening really cranks up. Brilliant, bonkers, and not to be missed.

Funkademia presents Get On Down — Funkademia is a Manchester institution, and their Get On Down night at New Century Kitchen from 6:00pm is a masterclass in feel-good dancefloor hedonism — soul, funk, Motown, and disco woven together by DJs who genuinely love every record they play. New Century is a gorgeous space with the acoustics and the atmosphere to match, and at £5–£20 it sits in that sweet spot between affordable and absolutely worth it. Come hungry for a groove and leave utterly satisfied.

Brainiac & Fishing For Bill: Coffee4Craig Charity Fundraiser — This one pulls double duty as a stonking live music night and a genuinely meaningful cause — all proceeds go to Coffee4Craig, the Manchester charity supporting people experiencing homelessness. From 5:00pm at The Bag Factory, Brainiac and Fishing For Bill deliver sets with real heart, in an intimate venue that makes every performance feel personal. Tickets are £5–£20, so you get a brilliant evening and the warm glow of knowing your money is doing something good.

Do As You Please x Elsewhere [free Party] — When Joshua Brooks opens its doors at 10:00pm for this collaborative free party, expect the kind of loose, joyful, anything-goes energy that only truly grassroots nights can conjure. Entry is £0–£5, making it the perfect landing spot after dinner or a show, and the crowd at these nights tends to be exactly the sort of mixed, music-loving bunch that reminds you why Manchester's club scene is so special. Stay late, dance hard, and let the weekend properly begin.