Greater Manchester (UK) enters 2026 following a landmark year in the global spotlight. Highlights included the much-celebrated Oasis reunion, which drew over 1.3 million music tourists to the city; Manchester's debut as the first UK city to guest host Barcelona's La Mercè festival; Manchester Museum being crowned European Museum of the Year; and the 50th anniversary of Japan Week held in the city. The hospitality scene also saw major developments, with the opening of the 224-room Treehouse Hotel and SKOF earning a Michelin star just a year after launching.

Looking ahead, 2026 promises even more. Castlefield Viaduct's 'sky park' will expand, Albert Square will reopen after six years—paving the way for the full return of Manchester Town Hall—and new attractions will emerge, including Mollies Motel at the former Granada Studios, a new entertainment district at Etihad Campus, and Manchester's largest restaurant atop the St Michael's development.

Read on for more stories coming up in 2026:

Culture & Attractions

Power Hall: Science and Industry Museum's 19th-century engines brought back to life
Now open 
After a five-year closure for extensive repairs and a significant reimagining, the Power Hall at the Science and Industry Museum has reopened with the UK's largest collection of working steam engines. The living gallery displays historic 19th and early-20th-century working engines, vividly telling the story of Manchester's pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution, whilst providing visitors with brand-new interactive displays where they can test their problem-solving skills through hands-on activities.

Manchester Town Hall: Albert Square reopens as first phase of major renovation project
Opened in November 2025
The first step in the reopening of Manchester Town Hall, the city's iconic Grade I listed civic building, is set to move forward with the full reopening of Albert Square, one of the largest public squares in Manchester. Transformed and enlarged to be fully pedestrianised, visitors will be able to enjoy the Square and its seasonal markets. The full Town Hall, which has been closed since 2018, is set to reopen to the public within the next two years, ahead of its 150th anniversary in 2027.

RHS Chinese Scholars Garden: New Chinese pavilion set to transform iconic RHS garden
Set for completion in 2026
RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford is continuing to develop its ambitious Chinese Streamside Garden. The Music Pavilion (Qing Yin Pavilion), the first of four interlinked pavilions, is already open, but the full 'Scholar's Garden' is due for completion in 2026. The project, a collaborative effort between the RHS and the local Chinese community, will showcase classical Chinese garden architecture within the British landscape. The four pavilions will represent traditional arts that were historically viewed as essential self-cultivation: music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

Scranchester Tours: new route focused on Chinatown launches
Starts in January 2026
Food and drink tour experts, Scranchester, will launch a new tour route around Chinatown from January 2026. Existing tours exploring Manchester's food ('scran') scene have been popular, with its Eat the City and Ancoats food tours running up to five times a week. The new tour will explore Manchester's Chinatown, the second largest in the UK, taking in the history, sights, and tastes of the neighbourhood.

Salford Rise: New walkway to transform Salford landscape
Set for completion in Summer 2026
Salford, already one of Greater Manchester's greenest boroughs, will soon welcome Salford Rise—a five-acre elevated pedestrian and cycle route. Connecting key areas across the University of Salford, this green corridor is part of a wider £2.5bn regeneration plan, enhancing connectivity and public space in the city's innovation district.

Oldham Coliseum: Historic theatre set to reopen following extensive refurbishment
Opening in 2026
Oldham's much-loved Coliseum Theatre is set to make its long-awaited return in 2026. Originally set for closure due to a lack of funds, the building was saved by a campaign from local actors who helped secure its £10m refurbishment. The theatre, which has roots back to 1887, and a history as a music hall which saw performers including Charlie Chaplin, will reopen in 2026 as a major cultural venue, with a full programme of shows to be announced soon. 

Northern Roots: visitor centre to open in UK's largest urban farm and eco-park
Opening in Summer 2026
Transforming 160 acres of unused land, Northern Roots brings to Oldham a new community hub which will offer activities around food and farming, health and wellbeing, arts, heritage, learning, enterprise and nature recovery. The new Visitor Centre is set to open in summer 2026 and will include a café, shop, production kitchen and two multi-functional spaces, and ambitions to attract 100,00 visitors a year. The eco-park also has plans for a natural swimming pond, equestrian routes, and sports pitches.

Wigan Market Hall: multi-million redevelopment creates new destination in town centre
Set for completion in late 2026
As part of the £135m redevelopment of the former Galleries into the new Fettlers neighbourhood, Wigan's Market Hall is under construction and set to open in late 2026. The 90,000 sq ft space will be the first phase of the project, which will also bring a new food court, entertainment venues, and a Hampton by Hilton hotel to the town centre.

Food and Drink

Chotto Matte: 450-seat rooftop restaurant brings Japanese-Peruvian dining
Opened in October 2025
Covering 20,000 sq ft, Chotto Matte has opened as the largest restaurant in Manchester on the 10th floor of the new St Michael's development. The restaurant seats 450 diners and boasts graffiti-inspired interiors and contemporary art installations, along with two private dining rooms. Guests can enjoy live music and the views of Manchester's skyline, paired with a Japanese and Peruvian menu, and a Mexican-inspired sky bar, Claude's.

Tangerine: new creative venue arrives at Salford Central Station
Opened in October 2025
A new 300-cover independent food hall has opened, nestled under the archways of Salford Central Station. Tangerine brings together food, drinks, music and art through a creative lens, with a daytime offering of an in-house coffee roastery, Ukrainian bakery, florist and a curated wine shop, alongside a collective of independent kitchens. After-hours, the space provides an intimate setting for live music, and will host immersive screenings, installations and experimental art events.

Campfield Market: new independent markets at Grade II listed building
Opened in November 2025

Following its official reopening earlier this year as a tech and AI campus in the up-and-coming St John's neighbourhood, Campfield Market has welcomed 50 artisan shops, a European-inspired food hall, and a local produce market across the three buildings. Partnering with local street food legends GRUB, known for their previous spot in Red Bank, the market will run a rotating lineup of independent traders every Saturday.

Sister Moon: new restaurant and lounge opens atop the recently launched Treehouse Hotel
Coming later in 2026
Perched on the 14th floor of the new Treehouse Hotel Manchester, Sister Moon is a destination restaurant from acclaimed chef Sam Grainger. With a focus on bold, punchy flavours, the menu will be a vibrant fusion of Southeast Asian-inspired dishes. The restaurant will also feature a stand-alone bar and music curated by local artists, promising an elevated dining and social experience with sweeping city views.

Manchester Street Food: a new addition to the city centre's food hall offering
Coming later in 2026
A new food hall by Manchester Street Food – a branch of Edinburgh Street Food - is planned to take over the ground floor of Ducie Street Warehouse, near Piccadilly train station. The building is home to a 194-bedroom aparthotel, Native, and plans would see the current kitchen and bar being replaced by 10 kitchens and a dining space with a capacity of 500 covers, utilising the outdoor terrace and adding two bar areas, whilst keeping the existing 36-seat private cinema.

PINS Social Club: hit bowling bar rolls into Manchester city centre
Coming later in 2026
Heading to the Grade-II listed, art deco Sunlight House, PINS Social Club is scheduled to open its hit bowling and table games bar concept in 2026. The Liverpool-born brand will span three floors over 25,000 sq ft in what will be the brand's second and largest venue. Visitors can expect a main stage on the ground floor for live music, a gaming area with darts, pool, shuffleboard, beer pong, and karaoke, and its own sports bar showing all the major sporting events.

Events highlights

LUMINISCENCE: past meets present in immersive light show at Manchester Cathedral
Between 14 January and 26 March 2026
For its UK premiere, LUMINISCENCE will illuminate Manchester Cathedral with 360° projections that celebrate the region, live choir renditions of iconic Manchester anthems, and a purposefully written poem by BAFTA winner Tim Whitnall narrated by Salford-born Christopher Eccleston. The spectacular experience, which combines live and digital performances, heads to Manchester following successful events in historic landmarks across the globe. A portion of every ticket will go directly to the Cathedral to support its preservation.

The BRIT Awards: Iconic music awards to leave the capital for the first time
February 2026
In a historic first, The BRIT Awards will be hosted outside of London for the first time in its 48-year history. The iconic celebration of British music will come to Co-op Live on Saturday 28 February 2026, featuring some of the biggest acts in music. The event follows Manchester's hosting of the MTV EMAs in 2024 and cements the city's reputation as a growing global music events destination.

The MOBO Awards: Manchester to host 30th anniversary of iconic awards ceremony
March 2026
The MOBO Awards, celebrating Music of Black Origin, are scheduled for Manchester's newest arena, Co-op Live. The MOBOs are a cornerstone of the UK's music scene, recognising the achievements of Black artists across a variety of genres, and in their celebratory 30-year anniversary, they will be hosted in Manchester for the first time in March.

Women's Cricket World Cup: Emirates Old Trafford to host five World Cup matches
June 2026  
The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 will be held in England, with Manchester's iconic Emirates Old Trafford announced as one of the key host venues. The tournament will bring world-class cricket to the city and is set to be a major highlight of the sporting calendar. Adding to the excitement, the stadium will also host two international matches as the England Men's team plays India and Sri Lanka in the Summer. Fans can also stay in the newly refurbished Hilton Garden Inn, attached to the stadium, featuring rooms that overlook the iconic turf.

We Invented the Weekend: Free festival to return to the birthplace of the 'weekend'
June 2026
The free-to-attend festival, We Invented the Weekend, will return to Salford's MediaCity on 6-7 June 2026. The award-winning event celebrates leisure, hobbies, and downtime, and celebrates the historic 'invention of the weekend' - the founding of the five-day working week in Salford in 1847 by workers' rights activist Robert Lowe (who also happens to be the great-great-grandfather of Wigan-raised movie legend, Sir Ian McKellen). 

Rochdale Feel Good Festival 2026: bi-annual event returns for 15th edition
August 2026
Bringing live music, entertainment, and independent food traders to Rochdale, the Feel Good Festival is set to return on Saturday, 8 August 2026, organised by Rochdale Borough Council. Named Greater Manchester Town of Culture for 2025-2026, Rochdale will be spotlighting local businesses and artists, and following the previous edition, a local band will have the chance to open the main stage at Rochdale Town Hall. Ticket details for the main stage will be announced soon. For 2027, the Feel Good Family Picnic is expected to return as a free event for families.

Accommodation

Mollies Motel: Former 1950s TV studios to open as hotel and diner
Opening in December 2025
Its most ambitious project to date will see Mollies, the UK hotel and diner concept come to Manchester, opening its third and largest UK site in the Old Granada TV studios. Taking over 100,000 sq. ft of the historic 1950s building, it will offer 130 bedrooms and a 150-cover diner-style restaurant.

Hampton by Hilton Manchester City Centre: 22-story hotel to open by Manchester Central
Opening in early 2026
A few short steps from the Deansgate-Castlefield train and Metrolink stations, the Hampton by Hilton will be the largest from the brand in Europe, spanning 358 rooms over 22 floors, featuring a dedicated fitness area, meeting space, and on-site dining.  The hotel opens next to Manchester Central, the largest events and conference venue in the city, and sits next to Castlefield Viaduct and easy transport links.

Dakota Manchester Airport: Second Manchester site for luxury hotel
Opening in mid-2026
Following the success of its city centre hotel, Dakota is expanding its luxury offering with a new 154-bedroom hotel at Manchester Airport. The contemporary seven-storey retreat is scheduled to open in 2026. It will feature the brand's signature stylish interiors, a destination bar, and a brasserie-style grill, providing a sophisticated new option for travellers and airport visitors.

The Medlock: Manchester City Football Club to unveil new hotel and entertainment destination
Opening in mid-2026
Manchester City and Radisson Hotel Group will bring a significant new hospitality offering with the opening of a 401-bedroom hotel, The Medlock, at the Etihad Campus. Expected to open in mid-2026, the hotel will further enhance the area's ongoing evolution, providing a major new accommodation and event space connected to the Etihad Stadium and next to Co-op Live. The entertainment destination development also includes new cafes and restaurants, a sky bar, and a museum, which will be open in late 2026.

Anniversaries

100 years of Salford: celebrations to mark 100th anniversary as a city
2026 marks 100 years since Salford was officially granted city status by King George V. To mark the centenary, a new cultural programme Salford 100 has launched, with community celebrations to take place including street parties, exhibitions, and arts festivals, with the We Invented the Weekend festival returning (see above). Salford and Manchester are two of the closest residing cities in the UK, with the former being known for its attractions like Salford Quays and Lowry arts centre, alongside over 60 parks and green spaces.

Free Trade Hall: landmark venue celebrates 170th anniversary
The iconic Free Trade Hall celebrates 170 years of history in 2026, which has included life as a political venue and infamous music venue. Today, the building is home to the five-star The Edwardian Hotel and Peter Street Kitchen restaurant. Notable moments from its history include the storming of suffragettes at a political meeting to demand “votes for women!”, the infamous 'Judas!' Bob Dylan gig, and this year also marks the 50th anniversary of 'the gig that changed the world' when the Sex Pistols performed in an intimate gig that would inspire some of Manchester's greatest music exports.

Victoria Baths: 120 years on for historic municipal swimming pool
Opened in 1906, Victoria Baths served the public for over 80 years with its three pool halls and Turkish Baths. Now managed by the Manchester Victoria Baths Trust, the Grade II* listed building, known at the time as Manchester's 'water palace' is a popular venue for weddings, cultural events, vintage fairs, and film shoots—including Peaky Blinders. Curious visitors can tour Victoria Baths between March and November, during their dedicated Welcome Tuesday guided tours.

Royal Exchange Theatre: packed programme to commemorate 50th anniversary
The Royal Exchange Theatre – the world's largest theatre in the round – celebrates its 50th anniversary with A Homecoming, offering a season of seven productions led by new Artistic Director, Selina Cartmell. The programme reflects the venue's legacy and future, welcoming back notable alumni, including Sir Tom Courtenay, who will appear on film in the season opener, Road. A further line up will feature Private Lives, the 14th production by Noël Coward to grace the Royal Exchange; Even These Things, by Stockport-born Rory Mullarkey; Tony Award-winning Fun Home; King Lear, directed by Matthew Dunster; Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music as the theatre's Christmas show; and the World Premier of Shooters, by Tolu Okanlawon, winner of the 2025 Bruntwood Prize.

The Bridgewater Hall:  celebrating 30 Years of Music at landmark city centre venue
Since opening in 1996, The Bridgewater Hall has hosted world-class performances from resident orchestras like The Hallé and the BBC Philharmonic, alongside leading contemporary artists. To mark its 30th anniversary, the venue will reflect on key moments from its history and offer a glimpse of the future through special concerts, creative collaborations, and community-focused projects. Full programme to be announced soon.

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press@marketingmanchester.com
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