It’s our Queen’s 70th year on the throne, and as I’m sure you are aware – the powers that be have decided to give the British public a couple of extra days off to celebrate, sing ‘Rule Britannia’ and get drunk.
Starting from Thursday 2nd June, the whole of the UK will see thousands of street parties take place, there’s probably even one near you – just ask your neighbours about the plans – I’m sure they’ll know.
Manchester is no different, and there are a LOT of events happening across the four days. We’ve tried to get most of them into this guide, from rooftop parties to BBQs, village fetes to all-night techno club nights. There really is something for everyone – meaning nobody needs to go without saying ‘Cheers!’ to ‘awd Lizzie!
All Weekend
The Manchester Flower Show
Thursday 2nd – Sunday 5th June
This year’s flower show will follow the Queen’s Jubilee Trail across the city. There are 10 professionally designed displays in this year’s show, that all give a nod to the queen’s 70 years of service – you’ll find The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Urban Garden, Queen Bee and the Queen of Pop as part of this year’s celebrations.
First Street Festival Opening Weekend
Thursday 2nd – Sunday 5th June
The opening weekend includes Drag Performances curated by Donna Trump, live music from Juba do Leao and Yemi Bolatiwa, Yoga with Jenny Roche, DJ sets from DJ Paulette, Steve Varden, Mix-Stress, DJ NikNak and DJ Califace J, family-friendly events hosted by Cheddar Gorgeous and performances from Young Identity and AMP (Accessible Music Productions).
God Save The Queen 4-Day Weekender at Ducie Street Warehouse
Wednesday 1st – Sunday 5th June
Ducie Street Warehouse and Native Manchester have announced a jam-packed program of events over the weekend, with live performances, from cabaret to drag queens, and the finest DJs gracing the venue – both inside the warehouse-chic venue and the beautiful South-facing terrace. Alongside this entertainment, the space will be full of delicious food, highlights include the ultimate BBQ experience on the terrace.
Jubilee Weekend Street Party at Hatch
A five-day party weekender, kicking off on Wednesday 1st June right through to Sunday 5th June. All Hatch’s food and drink vendors will be open throughout the festivities providing the most amazing dishes and drinks to make sure people don’t go hungry and, of course, all the retailers will be open across the weekend too. There are drinks offers, live music, and DJ sets across the 4 days – all under the Mancunian Way – safe from the inevitable rain.
All Elizabeths Dine for FREE at The Alan
Yep, it’s as simple as that. If you’re called Elizabeth then you can eat for free at the fantastic The Alan restaurant between Thursday 2nd and Sunday 5th June. You must quote ‘Elizabeth’ when booking and have valid ID.
RHS Garden Bridgewater’s Jubilee Weekend
RHS Garden Bridgewater in Worsley will host a weekend of FREE performances from s Platinum Jubilee weekend with vibrant performances from a range of talented brass bands and celebrate our contribution at Bridgewater to The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative with the planting of the final tree.
Platinum Jubilee Weekend on the East Lancs Railway
Climb aboard a heritage steam train and celebrate the best of 1940s Britain with live music up and down the 12-mile line including Paul Harper, the Lancashire Belle, The Washboard Resonators and many more. A host of vintage stalls will offer clothing and memorabilia and you can even get your groove on with the Backstep Boogie Club.
YES Rooftop Takeover
Thursday 2nd – Saturday 4th June
Three of the finest, most diverse collectives and communities are taking over the rooftop of YES for the Jubilee Weekend. Me Gusta (Thursday 2nd), Tough Act (Friday 3rd) and Rainy City Radio (Saturday 4th), plus 2-4-1 cocktails and half-price pizza offers throughout the weekend. There’s also 50 FREE drinks for early birds across the 3 days too.
Thursday 2nd June
GRUB Cider Fete
Wednesday 1st & Thursday 2nd June
Hogan’s Cider is putting together a line-up of special beverages to enjoy at GRUB over the bank holiday weekend! They’ll be serving up cider and perry, alongside some of Manchester’s finest street food from Bon Streetfood, Goodtimes Tacos and Oi Dumplings. Local DJs will also be spinning some tunes in the sunshine whilst you enjoy GRUB’s marvellous venue.
The Queer’s Jubilee at Sub 101
Thursday 2nd June
Did someone say a non-stop, sexy disco soundtrack? I’m SOLD. Sub 101 will host DJ Fat Britney and Gaydio’s much-loved Dave Cooper for an alternative queer jubilee celebration on Thursday 2nd June. The venue will be transformed into an LGBTQ+ paradise, fit for all kinds of queens.
Stretford Jubilee Fete
Thursday 2nd June
The family-friendly jubilee celebration will be taking place outside Stretford Mall and in the grounds of St Matthew’s Church from 12pm – 6pm. A free and fun day out for all the family, visitors can expect a vibrant festival atmosphere with pop-up play areas, food, drink, live music and more.
Black Friar G&Tea
From Thursday 2nd June
The Black Friar’s ‘Jubilee High G&Tea’ has been created exclusively for the occasion by chef, Ben and will consist of a range of fresh and light sandwiches, alongside scones, cakes and patisseries all baked in house. It comes in at £29 per person, and this also includes a cocktail from Didsbury Gin, who have just partnered with The Black Friar on its brand-new garden bar.
Sticky Heat with Jon Carter at The Carlton Club
Thursday 2nd June
After a 12 year absence from Manchester, the legendary JON CARTER returns to Manchester when he headlines our next Sticky Heat. party at The Carlton Club on Thursday 2nd June. He will be joined by our trio of residents MUDDY FEET, MASSEY & MARCO GIANNINI.
An Evening with Queen
Thursday 2nd June
No, not an evening with THE Queen, but instead Queen the band. Not THE Queen band though – instead you’ll be treated to an incredible Queen tribute band, alongside performances from London’s West End former stars from the hit musical ‘We Will Rock You’
God Rave The Queen at a Secret City Centre Location
Thursday 2nd June
Meat Free are taking over a secret location in the city and suburb club, The White Hotel for the long bank holiday weekend, with an unmissable line-up of DJs. During the day, Ben Sims, Freddy K, DVS1, Stephanie Sykes and more will play the day party that’ll begin at 12:30pm and the night party will see the likes of Rene Wise and SORAYA play White Hotel until 8am.
Friday 3rd June
The Refuge’s Jubilee Street Party
Friday 3rd June
A host of Manchester DJs and bands will be in attendance at The Refuge’s Jubilee Street Party, alongside a showcase of up-and-coming talent and established names from around Manchester playing music with a tongue-in-cheek nod to the Royal Family. The Street Party itself promises to be massive, with everything getting a Refuge ‘twist’. Instead of soggy cucumber sandwiches, think Coronation Chicken Tacos, Pork & Kimchi Sausage Rolls and Mushroom & Truffle Vol-au-vents.
La Discothèque Queen’s Jubilee Bottomless Brunch
Friday 3rd June
On Friday 3rd June 2022, to coincide with the queen’s jubilee celebrations, La Discotheque is inviting fellow patriotic disco lovers to Albert Hall to celebrate Lizzie’s 70 years of service with a bottomless brunch soundtracked by our royal highness’ Diana Ross, Chaka Khan and Donna Summer. There’ll be free-flowing booze all day, alongside a summer picnic of cakes and sandwiches, with vegan options available on request, too.
Trevor Nelson’s Soul Nation at Band On The Wall
Friday 3rd June
Join legendary broadcaster and DJ, Trevor Nelson at Band On The Wall for a huge bank holiday party. The Old School Soul Nation Party will mark two years since Trevor last performed at the newly refurbished venue, and you can expect lots of 80s, 90s and 00s soul, R&B and hip-hop to soundtrack your long weekend!
A Royal Bash at Symphony Park
Friday 3rd June
Circle Square is throwing a Royal bash in Symphony Park at Manchester’s newest neighbourhood this Jubilee Weekend, with a host of pop-up food and drink vendors, games on the lawn and The Blossoming Big Red Bus floral display for the Manchester Flower Show 2022.
The Pen & Pencil’s (Truly Bottomless) Brunch
Friday 3rd June
What’s better than a Bottomless Brunch? How about a TRULY bottomless brunch with not just endless booze but also endless food?! Well, The Pen & Pencil in the Northern Quarter offer exactly that, and they’re hosting a special one-off on Friday 3rd June for the Queen’s Jubilee. It’s £45 per person and you get bottomless everything for a full 3 HOURS!
To book the Bottomless Brunch call 0161 660 3303
Dionne Warwick at Bridgewater Hall
Friday 3rd June
An absolute legend and six-time Grammy Award-winning artist – Dionne Warwick is coming to the Bridgewater Hall for her ‘One Last Time’ farewell tour this Bank Holiday. Regardless of the fact that she’s 81 years old – she’s still got some absolute pipes on her.
Moxy Muzik with Darius Syrossian at Joshua Brooks
Friday 3rd June
Moxy Muzik will be returning to Joshua Brooks this Bank Holiday Friday with Darius Syrossian, alongside Jamie Aramayo B2B with HOCK and DJ sets in the bar from Olive F and Jake Adams.
Saturday 4th June
Twisted Smile 1st Birthday with Leeroy Thornhill (The Prodigy)
Saturday 4th June
Coinciding with the Queen’s Jubilee weekend, Twisted Smile’s 1st birthday celebrations will bring the collective’s unique brand of rave culture back to Gorilla! Joined on the evening by Prodigy keyboardist, Leeroy Thornhill the evening will have a focus on old skool club classics and plenty of freaky dancing.
Stockport Market Street Party
Saturday 4th June
Hosted on the Underbanks, Stockport’s Secret Party will feature live music from The Tall Faces Band as well as local duo Blank Cheque, and DJ sets from DJ Clint Boon and SK1 Records. The music will range from the 1950s, when the Coronation of Her Majesty the Queen took place, to the present day. There will be lots of activities for families including a jewellery making workshop to celebrate the history of Winters Jewellers, an opportunity to paint a family portrait to celebrate local history through family, and a comic book workshop with a local comic book artist.
NIAMOS x Dub Smugglers ‘Rent Party’
Saturday 4th June
NIAMOS in Hulme will be raising funds with a massive party on Saturday 4th from 8pm until the early hours. The line-up includes: Nucleus Roots, Zed Bias, OneDa Live PA, Dub Phizix, BLOC2BLOC and more. It’ll be hosted by Skittles, Tman and Sparkz
Sunday 5th June
A Big Thank You at The Yard
Sunday 5th June
As part of National Thank You Day and the Queen’s Jubilee, The Yard in Cheetham Hill will have a day of creative workshops, special performances, one BIG sing and an exclusive live podcast with ex BBC presenter Alan Sykes. There will be food and drink, time to network and connect with your community and most importantly, lots of music!
Bongo’s Bingo at Albert Hall
Sunday 5th June
Brace yourself for a big Bongo’s Bingo Jubilee special at the Albert Hall on the Bank Holiday Sunday – with all the usual madness, mischief and shared euphoria, with hits from across the ages all night long – imagine N Trance’s Set You Free filtered via S Club and Gerry Cinnamon, to renditions of Total Eclipse of the Heart.
Moxy Jubilee Pooch Party
Sunday 5th June
Moxy will be hosting a special Jubilee edition of their POOCH PARTIES this Bank Holiday Sunday with fun for both humans and dogs. Each guest will receive a British-themed cocktail and ‘puppucino’ on arrival, before embarking on an afternoon of fun activities, competitions and dog-related banter. Expect a DJ, doggie ice cream, interactive games to play with your dog from ball pit to tunnels and a photo booth, with endless British-themed props for you and your companion.