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Manchester Events in May

Trending Manchester May Events

18+

Pictish Trail

Friday 1st May 2026

7:00pm - 11:00pm

YES Pink Room, Manchester

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Pictish Trail

YES Pink Room, Manchester

Now Wave presents Pictish Trail at YES Pink Room on 1st May 2026

Band On The Wall, Manchester

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EXTC 'This is Pop'

Band On The Wall, Manchester

XTC's legendary drummer, Terry Chambers, is back on the road with his band EXTC (named and approved by XTC frontman, Andy Partridge).

18+

Reggae Bingo - Manchester - Fri 1st May

Friday 1st May 2026

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Freight Island, Manchester

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Reggae Bingo - Manchester - Fri 1st May

Freight Island, Manchester

Reggae Bingo - Manchester - Fri 1st May 6-9pm Freight Island

18+

Hip Hop, Afrobeats + RnB Til Late

Friday 1st May 2026

7:00pm - 3:00am

The Blues Kitchen, Manchester

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Hip Hop, Afrobeats + RnB Til Late

The Blues Kitchen, Manchester

From Beyonce to Drake and Burna Boy to Lauryn Hill, Manchesters creme de la creme of DJs & musicians play old & new school goodness all night long.

Boko Yout

Sun 22nd February - Mon 22nd June 2026

7:30pm - 11:00pm

YES Basement, Manchester

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Boko Yout

YES Basement, Manchester

Now Wave presents Boko Yout at YES Basement on 22nd February 2026

18+

Karaoke

Fri 1st - Sat 2nd May 2026

8:00pm - 12:00pm

9inety6ix, Manchester

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Karaoke

9inety6ix, Manchester

Karaoke Every Friday and Saturday

18+

Manchester Forever

Saturday 2nd May 2026

2:00pm - 12:00am

Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Manchester

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Manchester Forever

Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Manchester

The biggest celebration of the 90's Manchester Rave Scene! Hardcore // Jungle // Classic DNB // House // Acid // Trance // Old Skool // Techno

18+

Sankeys Saturdays 2nd May

Saturday 2nd May 2026

11:00pm - 4:00am

Sankeys Manchester

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Sankeys Saturdays 2nd May

Sankeys Manchester

The legend returns, a new era for Sankeys begins. No phones. Limited Capacity.

18+

Discharge

Saturday 2nd May 2026

5:00pm - 10:00pm

Holy Diver, Stockport

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Discharge

Holy Diver, Stockport

Discharge Take to the Holy Diver stage with support from Force Fed Lies.

30+

Age Against The Machine Daytime: STRINES (over 30s) 3pm-7pm

Saturday 2nd May 2026

3:00pm - 7:00pm

The Strines Nightingale

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Age Against The Machine Daytime: STRINES (over 30s) 3pm-7pm

The Strines Nightingale

The legendary over 30s party returns to Strines for another daytime party for over 30s this May

Vivaldi Four Seasons by Candlelight

Saturday 2nd May 2026

7:30pm - 9:30pm

St Ann's Church , Manchester

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Vivaldi Four Seasons by Candlelight

St Ann's Church , Manchester

Enjoy an exceptional classical concert by candlelight in the beautiful setting of St Ann's Church.

18+

AMAPIANOLAND - MCR's Afrobeats & Amapiano Bank Holiday Day Party

Saturday 2nd May 2026

4:00pm - 10:00pm

BLVD Manchester

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AMAPIANOLAND - MCR's Afrobeats & Amapiano Bank Holiday Day Party

BLVD Manchester

AMAPIANOLAND - MCR's Afrobeats & Amapiano Bank Holiday Day Party

Bestselling Manchester May Events

These events are selling well, grab tickets while you can...

18+

Anjunadeep Open Air Manchester // Square One at Progress

Saturday 30th May 2026

3:00pm - 11:00pm

Square One At Progress, Manchester

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Anjunadeep Open Air Manchester // Square One at Progress

Square One At Progress, Manchester

Anjunadeep take over Square One at Progress for an all-day open-air summer session. Presale tickets out Wednesday 19 January. Full lineup TBA.

18+

Manchester Forever

Saturday 2nd May 2026

2:00pm - 12:00am

Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Manchester

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Manchester Forever

Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Manchester

The biggest celebration of the 90's Manchester Rave Scene! Hardcore // Jungle // Classic DNB // House // Acid // Trance // Old Skool // Techno

18+

Sankeys Saturdays 9th May

Saturday 9th May 2026

11:00pm - 4:00am

Sankeys Manchester

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Sankeys Saturdays 9th May

Sankeys Manchester

The legend returns, a new era for Sankeys begins. No phones. Limited Capacity.

18+

Sankeys Saturdays 2nd May

Saturday 2nd May 2026

11:00pm - 4:00am

Sankeys Manchester

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Sankeys Saturdays 2nd May

Sankeys Manchester

The legend returns, a new era for Sankeys begins. No phones. Limited Capacity.

14+

Wally Badarou (Live)

Thursday 14th May 2026

Up close & personal with legendary musician and de facto member of Level 42

18+

Emily Catalano || Quiet Is The New Loud Tour

Friday 29th May 2026

8:30pm - 10:30pm

Creatures Comedy Club, Manchester

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Emily Catalano || Quiet Is The New Loud Tour

Creatures Comedy Club, Manchester

Emily Catalano is an LA comic known for dry, slow-paced jokes, viral clips, and sharp double-surprise punchlines. A Time Out "Comic to watch"

North West Music Fest 2026 * Dreams2Reality Stadium Atherton*

Sunday 24th May 2026

12:00pm - 10:00pm

Dreams2Reality Stadium Atherton Collieries AFC, Manchester

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North West Music Fest 2026 * Dreams2Reality Stadium Atherton*

Dreams2Reality Stadium Atherton Collieries AFC, Manchester

NORTHWEST MUSIC FEST IS BACK Bank Holiday Sunday 24th May 2026 After a MASSIVE 2025, we're coming back even BIGGER for 2026

18+

Sankeys Saturdays 23rd May

Saturday 23rd May 2026

11:00pm - 4:00am

Sankeys Manchester

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Sankeys Saturdays 23rd May

Sankeys Manchester

The legend returns, a new era for Sankeys begins. No phones. Limited Capacity.

18+

Sankeys Saturdays 16th May

Saturday 16th May 2026

11:00pm - 4:00am

Sankeys Manchester

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Sankeys Saturdays 16th May

Sankeys Manchester

The legend returns, a new era for Sankeys begins. No phones. Limited Capacity.

18+

Havok's Last Stand - The 30th Birthday Bash

Saturday 9th May 2026

8:00pm - 4:00am

Rebellion, Manchester

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Havok's Last Stand - The 30th Birthday Bash

Rebellion, Manchester

The final Havok is coming. Madchester's legendary techno night is finally ending after 30 years of chaos - One Last Stand - See you on the dancefloor!

18+

Natalie Cuomo - Live|| Creatures Comedy Club

Thursday 7th May 2026

8:30pm - 10:30pm

Creatures Comedy Club, Manchester

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Natalie Cuomo - Live|| Creatures Comedy Club

Creatures Comedy Club, Manchester

NYC comedian Natalie Cuomo tours globally, topped iTunes with her debut album, and has 2.4M followers. Catch her live and on her 2026 EU tour.

Now Wave presents Tinariwen at O2 Ritz, Manchester on 22nd May 2026

There’s no shortage of variety when it comes to what’s on in Manchester in May. Catch electronic sets at Warehouse Project, jazz nights at Matt And Phreds, and indie shows at Band on the Wall. Manchester events in May cover every genre. Browse what’s coming up and grab your ticket now.

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Latest news from around Manchester

Whether it's the latest tour hitting the city or a brand new club opening, our comprehensive news section has a plethora of up to date information on everything going down in your local haunt.