From 'Galentine's Day' to the cast of Pretty Little Liars, here's the events you can't miss this month.
Windows are steeped in sugary marshmallow pinks and intimidatingly swollen hearts. Teddy’s screech ‘I LOVE YOU’ in mechanical melodies as you browse shopping aisles. And everywhere you look there’s romantic-themed ‘deals’ that flirt and tease your purse strings. Call me a sceptic, a pessimist or even a miserable old sod, but sometimes February’s focus on Valentines’ Day can be a little too much.
Fortunately, February has a whole lot more to offer than a forged romantic encounter. From sample sales and vintage fairs to a Netflix series convention, there’s more to life this month than getting a Valentine.
Manchester Fashion Ball | Manchester Hall, 1 February
Flat caps, fashion and flapper girls – it doesn’t sound like your typical networking night out, which is exactly why you don’t want to miss it. Manchester’ fastest growing group The Fashion Network is paying tribute to the roaring 20’s with a Peaky Blinders themed event full of liquor, live music, flat caps and feathers. Whether you’re well established within the fashion community or looking to make some key contacts, this event promises a great night out for and new contacts a plenty.
Tickets – buy them here
Mindful living show | Manchester Central, 2-3 February
It’s time to forget about FOMO and the buzz of modern day life, and finally master mindfulness. Fortunately, the Mindful Living Show is on hand to help you embrace the therapy trend. Meet well-being experts and join others on their journey to a more mindful lifestyle at this two-day event. Over 70 workshops, seminars and teachings are on offer, designed to help you relax, unwind and explore a new outlook on life in a comfortable setting.
Tickets £9 - £62.50 – buy them here
Judy’s Vintage Fair | Royal Mills, 3 February
Whether you ache for the psychedelic patterns of the 60’s or love to rock fishnets and heady eyeliner like an 80’s Madonna, Judy’s vintage fair has classic pieces to satisfy your wardrobe. Over 45 traders are descending upon Ancoat’s Royal Mills to showcase vintage fashion from the forties to the noughties. Pick up a piece of the past from the aisles of bags, clothes and accessories, then grab a bite to eat at street food vendors Grain MCR, All Fired Up Woodfired Pizza and Claire’s Cakes.
10.00am to 4pm, tickets free – register here
Barrecore at Harvey Nichols | Second Floor, Harvey Nichols, 5 February
Barrecore; ballet moves meet an exercise class setting (as if ballet wasn’t exercise enough). The workout style is popular with A-listers from Millie Macintosh to Rita Ora, thanks to its core-firming ballet-based exercises that require minimal equipment. Forming part of Harvey Nichols wellbeing activities this winter, the department store is hosting a barrecore session complete with a refreshing Seedlip cocktail and gift to take home.
Tickets £15 - register here
Mrs Bears Swap Shop | The Carlton Club, 7 February
Cabaret, clothes and comedians – The Carlton Club is hosting a hybrid fashion and entertainment evening perfect for those who fancy enjoying live entertainment whilst they raid the rails. Performances include live music, comedy and spoken word, whilst the Mrs Bears clothes swap element offering the chance to trade in your wardrobe for some quality second-hand clothes. It’s £5 to swap, free to browse and a percentage of the swapshop fee will go to Mancsgiving, a local fundraising group.
Tickets £5 on the door – find out more information here
Love Hurts: Anti-Valentines by HER MCR | Tribeca, 9 February
Party away V Day traditions at this ant-Valentines celebration. Hosted by HER, the world’s largest dating and social networking app for LGBTQ+ women and queer people, the club night will be raising money for local charity the Lesbian Immigration Support Group. Local DJs, surprise performances and a lot of queer art are all on offer. The event is open to all; whether you’re trans, non-binary, gay, bi or anything in between, simply come as you are.
First 50 tickets £5 – get them here
Pre-loved Kilo Sale | Old Granada Studios, 10 February
Though saddened singletons may despise their solo status, there’s one brilliant perk to not having a significant other come February; you don’t have to be coerced into splurging on an unnecessary declaration of love. Meaning: more money to spend on gifts for yourself (ka-ching). And with a pre-loved kilo sale coming to town priced at £15 per kilo, that means a whole lotta gifts for next to nothing. Visitors buy a £1.50 ticket, grab a bag and fill it up with as much vintage clothing as they like, before weighing it at the scales to pay. Splash out on a Valentine or haul a kilo of cheap, authentic Vintage – we know which we’d prefer…
Tickets just £1.50 or get an advanced £12 per kilo purchase – buy them here
Galentine’s Day Disco | Texture MCR, 10 February
If the impending gloom of V day makes you want to grab your gal pals and just have a good ol’ boogie, then Manchester’s Girl Gang is here to answer your singleton prayers. For the second year running, the female-first group is hosting a Galentine’s Disco; a club night for you and your faves that’s bursting with giggles, glitter and girl bands. Open to all, regardless of gender, age and ethnicity, the night out promises to have you carving up the dance floor to female-fronted tracks faster than you can say ‘valentine.’
Tickets £7 – get them here
Pretty Little Liars cast comes to Manchester | Manchester Central, 10 and 11 February
Whilst you might not meet your one true love this Feb, you could meet the one you’ve spent many the Netflix bingeing sesh with. Hold onto your immaculately curled hair as the cast of High School drama Pretty Little Liars head to Manchester for the Revelations Endgame convention. For £75 (yikes), you can have your photo taken with your favourite stars, get their autographs and ask them whatever you like in the panel talks during the two-day event. The confirmed line-up includes Sasha Pieterse (Alison), Troian Bellisario (Spencer), Keegan Allen (Toby), Ian Harding (Ezra), Drew van Acker (Jason), Huw James Collins (Elliott) and Brant Daughtery (Noel).
Tickets start at £75 – buy them here
Henri Lloyd sample sale | AJ Bell Stadium, Eccles, 10 and 11 February
Lovers of preppy British styling rejoice; this month sees British sailing brand Henri Lloyd host a sample sale in Eccles. From classic crew necks to everyday sweats, the two-day sample sale will showcase men’s and women’s fashion at unbeatable prices. Fresh stock added daily, tickets admit up to 5 people.
Tickets free – register here
Woman & Home x JD Williams Event | The Lowry, 20 February
Join Kath Brown, Editor of Woman & Home as she teams up with JD Williams, inspiring fashion, interior design, blogging and start-up business experts for a lifestyle showcase like no other. Get a sneak peek at JD Williams’ latest collection and meet your favourite faces from magazines for tips on life, fashion, careers and confidence. Complete day with a catwalk fashion show, champagne reception and goody bag worth more than £40.
Tickets £10 – register here
Clothes Swap | PLANT NOMA, 24 February
Fancy some new threads without the guilt of splurging? Then get yourself down to this clothes swap. A shopping addicts dream come true, visitors pay a £3 entry fee before swapping their clothes for tokens (1 item = 1 token), or buy tokens for £2 and get shopping. Hosted by Girl Gang Manchester + Vulva La Revolution, the event is raising money for MASH (Manchester Action on Street Health), a local charity that supports female sex workers in the area - so you can support a good cause and refresh your 2018 wardrobe all in one swift shopping sesh. Drop off your clothes before the event at PLY on Tuesday 20 February (26 Lever St, Manchester M1 1DW - 6:30-8pm) or bring them on the day to get swapping.
Tickets £3 – buy them here
