The only thing better than a stretch of sunny spring weather is when that happens to coincide with four days off work.
Easter is here and - if you're lucky - that means two bank holidays bookending what's shaping up to be a beautiful weekend.
Manchester will bask in sunshine and temperatures of up to 23C from Good Friday until Easter Monday, with barely a cloud in the sky in between according to the latest forecast.
There's plenty to do in and around Manchester when the sun is shining. We've rounded up the best of it for you right here...
Soak up the sun (and a pint or two) in a beer garden
For a city better known for its drizzle, we don't half have a lot of places to drink outdoors.
Castlefield 's vast waterside terraces make it one of the most popular spots in the city in warmer weather, while Spinningfields and Canal Street also have plenty of outside space to eat and drink al fresco.
There are plenty more beer gardens, rooftop bars and outdoor terraces around Manchester too.
We've rounded up our favourites here .
Watch the duck race
It's one of Manchester's most popular Easter events and the sun is set to shine on this year's Duck Race.
Thousands of families are expected to line the banks of the Irwell as thousands of yellow rubber ducks are released into the river at New Bailey.
This year will mark the 10th anniversary of the race at New Bailey and will feature music and entertainment, fairground rides, food stalls, stilt walkers and of course the famous giant dressed ducks such as Count Duckula, Tim Beake and many more.
All proceeds from the event will go to the children's charity Brainwave , which helps children with disabilities reach their potential.
Visit the website to buy your own £1 duck to join the race.
Good Friday, April 19, from 11am at New Bailey, Salford, M3 5JL | brainwave.org.uk/event/2019-manchester-duck-race
Free things to do with the family over Easter weekend in Greater Manchester
Hit the beach
As Ian Brown once famously said, Manchester has everything except a beach - but luckily you don't have to go very far to find one.
From bustling Blackpool to the wild dunes of Formby, the seaside is closer than you think.
Here are 10 you could be beside within a two-hour drive.
Closer to home, there's a hidden beach on our doorstep that you might not know about too , on the edge of Gaddings Dam near Todmorden, West Yorkshire.
Take a hike
There's nothing better than getting out into the great outdoors when the sun is beaming down.
Whether it's a gentle hillside stroll or strenuous mountain hike, nothing quite blows those cobwebs away like a few hours up on the moors.
And with the Peak District on our doorstep, accessing the stunning scenery is easy.
Here are eight walks for you to enjoy within an hour's drive of Manchester.
Have a picnic in the park
There’s no shortage of green spaces to spread out your picnic blanket in Greater Manchester.
From public parks to National Trust sites and country parks, we've rounded up a few of our favourite picnic spots in and around Greater Manchester .
If you're looking for parks with play areas and other family-friendly facilities, look no further than this list .
Visit a castle
Whether you want to pretend you're in Game of Thrones or just enjoy the historical architecture, there are some fantastic castles a short drive away from Greater Manchester.
They range from small medieval ruins on the hills to giant country estates which are still lived in.
We've put together a list of 11 great castles and towers you can visit which are all within an hour's drive of the region on a nice sunny day.
You can read the full list here .
Go for an ice cream
From soft scoop to sorbet, nothing beats a icy cold cone on a hot, sunny day.
From little kids to big kids, everyone loves a scoop or two when the sun pops out.
We've rounded up some of the best ice cream parlours to try across Greater Manchester and beyond .
Go on, we'll have a Flake in it.
Visit a country estate
Greater Manchester and its surrounding countryside is graced with some magnificent country estates and stately home.
From deer spotting in rugged open grounds to pristine, manicured gardens, they make a great day out in the sunshine.
Here are nine nearby .
