Best time to visit · Manchester · United Kingdom
The best time to visit Manchester
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
The best time to visit Manchester is May to September, when days are long and mild enough for canal walks, beer gardens and day trips to the Peak District. Late November and early December are popular for the Christmas markets, and the rest of the winter is cheap and quiet, with most of the main museums indoors and free.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–September
- Shoulder season
- April and October–December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 21°C (70°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 7°C (45°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~15 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March
Seasons
Manchester has a mild, wet maritime climate: rain is spread evenly through the year, winters are cool and rarely freezing for long, and summers are mild rather than hot. The city's rainy reputation is real, but long periods of heavy rain are less common than frequent light showers.
March–May
Spring
Lengthening days and milder weather, with blossom in the parks and frequent showers; May is often the most pleasant month.
June–August
Summer
Long evenings, outdoor festivals and Pride, with mild temperatures and regular showers; hotels fill on concert and match weekends.
September–November
Autumn
The football season, the food festival and university term bring energy; it turns wetter and darker by November, when the Christmas markets open.
December–February
Winter
Cold, damp and dark early, but Christmas markets in December and the lowest prices of the year after New Year.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°C | 2°C | 15 | 8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 8°C | 2°C | 12 | 9.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 10°C | 3°C | 13 | 11.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 13°C | 5°C | 11 | 13.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 16°C | 8°C | 11 | 15.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 19°C | 11°C | 11 | 17 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 21°C | 13°C | 12 | 16.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 20°C | 13°C | 13 | 14.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 18°C | 11°C | 12 | 12.6 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 14°C | 8°C | 15 | 10.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 10°C | 5°C | 15 | 8.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 7°C | 2°C | 15 | 7.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown (late January or February) |
| February | Chinese New Year celebrations (if not in January) |
| April | Manchester Marathon (usually April) |
| May | Great Manchester Run (usually May) |
| June | Parklife festival in Heaton Park (usually June) |
| July | Manchester International Festival — arts festival held in odd-numbered years (usually July) |
| August | Manchester Pride (usually the late-August bank holiday weekend) |
| September | Manchester Food and Drink Festival (usually late September into October) |
| November | Manchester Christmas Markets (usually from mid-November to just before Christmas); Bonfire Night fireworks in parks (around 5 November) |
| December | Christmas markets continue (until about 21 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–March, and the sights are quietest in January–March.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Manchester?
The best time to visit Manchester is May to September, when days are long and mild enough for canal walks, beer gardens and day trips to the Peak District. Late November and early December are popular for the Christmas markets, and the rest of the winter is cheap and quiet, with most of the main museums indoors and free.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Manchester?
Usually in January–March. Cold, damp and dark by about 4:30pm, but hotel prices are at their lowest and the free museums are quiet.
+What is the rainiest month in Manchester?
January, with about 15 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Manchester get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 21°C (70°F) and lows of 13°C (55°F).