By Victoria HaynesIn this story:
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Manchester this weekend that double up as a city tour, then we’ve got a treat for you!
From getting behind the camera to mixing cocktails, throwing clay or learning the secrets behind a great meal, creative experiences offer a different way to discover the city. You'll meet local makers, explore Manchester's creative scene and, unlike a traditional tour, have something you've made yourself to show for it afterwards.
Whether you're visiting Manchester for the weekend or you're a local looking for alternative things to do in Manchester, these hands-on experiences are a lovely way to see the city from a different perspective.
Why a creative class beats a bus tour
There's nothing wrong with ticking off Manchester's landmarks, but sometimes the best way to get to know a city is to actually do something there. A creative class gives you the chance to:
- Meet the people behind Manchester's creative scene – learn from local artists, makers, chefs and other talented teachers.
- See familiar places differently – a photography class might have you noticing architecture, street art and tiny details you might not otherwise spot!
- Get a taste of the city – cooking, cocktail and wine experiences offer an entirely different introduction to Manchester.
- Get properly hands-on – rather than following a guide around, you're actively making, mixing, shaping or creating.
- Take a little piece of Manchester home – whether it's a ceramic, candle, painting or new recipe, your souvenir is something you've actually made yourself.
- Find somewhere you might not otherwise visit – creative studios and independent venues can take you beyond the usual tourist trail.
For visitors, it's a chance to explore Manchester creatively rather than simply seeing it. For locals, it's an excuse to look at a familiar city with brand new eyes!
The most creative ways to explore Manchester this weekend
Smartphone photography: see Manchester through a completely different lens
In today's digital age, almost everyone carries a powerful camera in their pocket. So why not use yours to explore Manchester? Under the guidance of an expert photographer, you'll learn how to think about composition, lighting and perspective while putting those techniques into practice around the city.
You'll explore gorgeous architecture, colourful street art and other details you might have otherwise missed. And you don't need any specialist equipment, just your phone and a curious eye!
Try it here:
While you're in the area...
Hop into Federal Café and Bar for a flat white and a slice of their gorgeous banana bread!
Paint and sip: spend an afternoon making something in the heart of the city
If you'd rather slow down and get creative, a paint and sip class makes for a relaxed weekend activity. A friendly instructor will guide you through the painting step by step, giving you plenty of room to put your own spin on the finished piece.
Even if you've never thought of yourself as a painter, it's a lovely way to immerse yourself in Manchester's creative scene and have something to show for it.
Try it here:
While you're in the area...
Pop by Manchester Art Gallery and find some inspiration for your painting (free entry!)
Wine tasting: eat and drink your way through an evening in Manchester
Exploring a city doesn't have to mean spending the whole day on your feet. Sometimes the best way to discover somewhere new is to sit down with a glass of wine and something delicious to eat!
It's particularly good for a date night or a celebratory weekend, but you don't need a special occasion. If your idea of exploring Manchester involves discovering the city's food and drink scene, this is a pretty good place to start.
Try it here:
While you're in the area...
Have a browse in Afflecks, an eclectic indoor market packed with independent stalls.
Runs regularly
Northern Quarter
1 to 40 guests
6 years in business
Candle making: blend your own signature, hand-poured scents
Want to take home a souvenir that smells as good as it looks? This is a lovely way to spend a few hours, as you experiment with different scents before creating your own unique candle.
If your idea of exploring is something a little more slower-paced, this is the one! Skip rushing between attractions and settle into a creative space, with a candle to remember your trip by.
Try it here:
While you're in the area...
Try out Playfoots Cafe and Bar for delicious brunch and coffee.
Pottery: get your hands dirty in one of Manchester's creative studios
In such a creative city, there's no shortage of places you can learn something totally new. In a pottery class, you'll immerse yourself in the creative scene while learning hand-building techniques or having a go at throwing clay.
Instead of simply looking at the city's art and design scene, you'll get to join in with it. And the loveliest part is that you'll have something to show for it (if you're visiting, most studios will post your project to you!)
Try it here:
While you're in the area...
Wander along to Pollen Bakery for a baked treat!
Cocktail making: learn what's in Manchester's best drinks
For something a little livelier, swap the sightseeing bus for a cocktail shaker! You'll learn how to mix, shake and garnish cocktails while discovering more about the ingredients and techniques behind them.
It's particularly well suited to groups looking for creative ways to explore Manchester, whether you're celebrating a birthday, planning a weekend away or simply looking for something fun to do together.
Try it here:
While you're in the area...
Browse vintage and vinyl shops on Oldham Street.
Plan your perfect Manchester weekend
| Your Manchester mood | The creative class to book | Local spot to pair it with | Why it beats a standard city tour |
|
The curious explorer |
Smartphone photography class |
Federal Café and Bar (For a coffee and banana bread fuel-up) |
You ditch the tourist buses to hunt down hidden street art and architectural details through your own camera lens. |
|
The Unwind and unplugger |
Aromatherapy candle making class |
Playfoots Cafe and Bar (For a cosy, relaxed weekend brunch) |
It trades rushing between packed attractions for a calm, sensory studio session where you pour your own custom-scented souvenir. |
|
The hands-on creative |
Beginners wheel throwing class |
Pollen Bakery (For legendary sourdough pastries nearby) |
Instead of just looking at Manchester's famous art scene, you actually get immersed in it! |
|
The art and wine lover |
Paint and sip class |
Manchester Art Gallery (For free pre-class inspiration) |
You get to soak in local culture with a drink in hand and walk away with a finished canvas for your wall rather than a cheap gift-shop trinket. |
|
The foodie explorer |
Sicilian wine tasting and dinner experience |
Afflecks (For exploring retro vintage market stalls) |
You explore Manchester's vibrant food scene from a cosy table, discovering regional flavors without spending all day pounding the pavement. |
|
The weekend socialite |
Italian aperitivo cocktail masterclass |
Oldham Street (For crate-digging vinyl and vintage fashion) |
It turns standard drinks into an interactive masterclass where you learn the craft behind the city’s best bar menus before hitting the town. |
Explore Manchester differently this weekend
You don't need a packed sightseeing schedule to have a memorable weekend in Manchester. Sometimes, the best experiences are the ones where you arrive as a visitor and leave having learned something, met someone new and made something of your own.
So, swap the open-top bus for a paintbrush, a pottery wheel or a cocktail shaker and see where your curiosity takes you. Whether you're visiting for the weekend or simply looking for more creative ways to explore Manchester this weekend, there's a whole creative side of the city waiting to be explored!
Ready to get stuck in? Browse Manchester's creative classes and find an experience to add to your weekend.
