Not everyone loves pageantry and not everyone loves rolling pageantry footage either, so while many will be planning a full day in front of the television watching the Coronation, others will be casting their gaze elsewhere for bank holiday entertainment.
Luckily, the city’s cultural programme has not shuddered to a halt in favour of events taking place 200 miles away, and there is a wealth of other things to do, should crowns and sceptres not be your bag.
So, if you looking for some alternative bank holiday entertainment, look not further than our quick round-up of things to do across Manchester this weekend.
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Friday, May 5 - Art Battle Manchester - Daub the Docks at Media City
Making its debut in Salford, Art battle returns and will see the entrance of dock10 studios in MediaCity transformed into a colourful battle ground for one night only, as ten artists go head-to-head to create a masterpiece in just 30 minutes. The interactive art show will run alongside a soundtrack provided by Manchester DJ duo The Soul Twins, who will be playing soul, hip-hop, disco, house, funk, reggae and all the bits in-between, while DJ Peter G, will also be spinning ambient tunes.
Media City, White Tower M50 2NT
Friday, May 5 - Three Little Words launching Canalside Terrace Bar
What better way to kick off the long weekend than in a beer garden or gin terrace sipping on spritzes. Since early April, Three Little Words' mixologists have been serving up delicious cocktails from The Bungalow at Kampus, and now they're launching their terrace bar serving up delicious spirits, spritzes and cocktails. Guests can lounge in the sunshine (fingers crossed) along the canal and order drinks straight from the cocktail van or via QR code. Keep and eye out for the Rum Spritz, featuring One-Eyed Rebel Passionfruit and Coconut Rum and Passoa - it's summer in a glass.
Aytoun St, Manchester M1 3GL
Saturday, May 6 - Marcel Dettmann at The White Hotel
Arguably more along the lines of what Prince Harry might have been getting up to had he not been previously engaged this weekend, why not find yourself at Salford’s predominantly nocturnal White Hotel while Marcel Dettman, long-time resident DJ at underground Berlin rave factory Berghain, clatters out panel-beating techno until well past dawn.
The White Hotel, Dickinson St, Salford M3 7LW
Saturday, May 6 - Diana The Untold and Untrue Story at Cultplex
While it may seem a little on-the-nose to see a drag-comedy involving a fictitious account of the life of the late Princess Diana on the day that her ex-husband ascends to the throne, it might also be precisely the right time to do so, if the Coronation is really not your thing. Written and performed by artist Linus Karp, this inventive multi-media show encompasses drag, audience participation and, as you might expect, puppetry.
Cultplex, 50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M4 4HF
Saturday, May 6 - Swiftogeddon - The Taylor Swift Club Night at 02 Ritz
Swifties, this one is for you. A night dedicated to worshiping at the altar of Taylor Swift with deep cuts, extended mixes, fan favourites and all the new hits. If you have a 'Blank Space' in your diary and are a big fan of the superstar, this night has literally been made for you.
O2 Ritz Manchester Whitworth Street West Manchester M1 5NQ
Saturday, May 6 - Our Place Supper Club at Yellow Hammer in Stockport
If you haven't heard of Our Place yet, where have you been? The supper club series headed up by chef Iain Thomas and marketing manager David O'Connor, is all about showcasing the very best of seasonal and sustainable grub - something that Yellowhammer bakery - the brainchild of Where The Light Gets In Sam Buckley - are all for. So, naturally they've teamed up and this weekend they'll be celebrating some of Manchester's best producers. Expect delicious homemade bread and butter, moreish mushroom tea and succulent saddle of lamb with jersey royals and some lovely natural wines.
15 Lower Hillgate, Stockport SK1 1JQ
Saturday, May 6 - Hugh Cornwell at Manchester Academy
The icon that is former Stranglers guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Hugh Cornwell arrives in Manchester with his Moments of Madness tour, a date long-awaited by fans after it was bumped from last November. Playing tracks from his 2022 album of the same name, it will be a night filled with superlative punk poetry and a few classics thrown in too.
Manchester Academy, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PQ
Sunday, May 7 - Rosie Holt: The Woman’s Hour at The Lowry
For comedian Rosie Holt to be returning to Manchester for a headline show at the Lowry- she was a student here before blowing up on social media - must be particularly pleasing. Having made her name during the pandemic playing the role of a haplessn but worryingly convincing Tory MP, and duping plenty who believed her lampoonery to be the real deal, her withering political commentary is both hilariously prescient and depressingly accurate. Laughing through the tears is the only option.
The Lowry, 50 Dearmans Place, Chapel Wharf, Salford, M3 5LH
Sunday, May 7 - Dur-Dur Band International at Band on the Wall
What better way to ignore the Coronation entirely than by revelling in the fine funk of the revivalist arm of Somalia’s pre-eminent disco collective the Dur-Dur Band, which boasts members of the band’s original line-up. Likely the only remaining remnants of Mogadishu’s thriving disco scene from the 80s, before the country was ravaged by war, this should be a blast.
Band on the Wall, 25 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JZ
Sunday, May 7, Malibu Beach Club at Northern Warehouse
If you don't fancy traipsing off to the nearest beach this weekend - especially as the weather is pretty mixed - then Manchester's new beach club from coconut um brand Malibu might give you that taste of the seaside but without all the dreaded sand. Complete with palm trees and colourful deck chairs, the tropical terrace opens on Friday and will be serving beach-inspired cocktails including Pina Coladas and Miami Vice drinks, while guest DJs play some breezy summer anthems. We'll see you there.
235 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN
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