Fashion designers, free workshops, yoga events and more - these April events will kick start your spring
Those who spent Easter weekend guzzling their bodyweight in chocolate, fear not; April is offering a calendar of events to revive your healthy lifestyle fix. From free fitness classes and sports events to lifestyle exhibitions and mindfulness workshops, April is set to get you live and kicking ahead of the spring season.
From yoga workshops, to vegan food festivals, here’s our pick of the top lifestyle events this month.
Sunrise Yoga in the clouds | Cloud 23, Hilton, every Wednesday
Back by popular demand, Cloud 23 will be hosting weekly sunrise yoga classes starting this month. Enjoy panoramic views of the city as you perfect your warrior pose, before boosting your energy levels with a healthy breakfast of granola and yoghurt, smoothie and coffee. Classes are run by local instructor Will Mitchell and run 7.30am-8.30am, with free time afterwards to enjoy breakfast. It’s the perfect mid-week motivation to see you through humpday.
Tickets £15, including breakfast 7.30am start – register here
Gung-Ho! Inflatable Obstacle Course | Heaton Park, Manchester, 7 April
If April is the month you usually ramp up your workout routine, then check out the Gung-Ho! 5k obstacle. Forget your typical 5k race as Gung-Ho! Invites you to run across an inflatable obstacle course, complete with Europe’s biggest inflatable water slide. Think bubbles, bizarre obstacles and a 5k experience unlike anything you’ve ever done before.
Individual tickets start at £45 – get them here
Mindful writing workshop | Central Library, 7 April
Explore the art of mindfulness amidst the stunning setting of central library at this two-hour workshop. Hosted by Tom George, a writer and musician with a special interest in mental health and wellbeing, and poet and therapist Dennis Richards, this immersive workshop aims to create calm minds and focused attentions. The workshop incorporates meditation and discussion, as well as a selection of playful, collaborative writing exercises that are designed to tap into your creative potential.
Tickets £20 / £16 concessions
12.00pm – 4.00pm – register here
Northern Vegan Festival | Manchester Central, 7 April
Vegan’s unite; Northern Vegan Festival is returning to Manchester for the second year running, bringing with it over 200 stalls of natural brands, 10 world food caterers, yoga workshops, kids activities and tonnes of freebies. Cooking demonstrations will be on hand to help you whip up nutritious vegan treats, whilst lifestyle gurus will offer inspirational advice to transform your outlook. The event is run by volunteers and 100% off all ticket sales goes to animal charities.
Tickets £5 on the door, £15 advance with a goody bag – visit the website for more information
Debenhams' Confidence Roadshow | Market Street store, 12 April
Join plus size influencer Callie Thorpe alongside a panel of exciting women with their own confidence stories to tell at Debenhams' Confidence Roadshow. A recent study conducted by the retailer revealed that 60% of women wish they could have more confidence in how they look - so Debenhams has made it their mission this month to give women's confidence a boost. Events are running nationwide, with the Market Street store hosting Manchester's session. Hear real-life advice, meet inspirational women and enjoy a free glass of prosecco at this free event.
6pm - 7pm, tickets free
RSVP to elsa.heron@debenhams.com
SS18 Self Portrait Collection Event | Selfridges Trafford, 12 April
Seen on everyone from Jennifer Lopez to Reese Witherspoon, the Self Portrait 'It Dress' with signature lace detailing has a huge Hollywood fanbase. Fresh from the New York Fashion week catwalks, Mr Self Portrait himself, Han Chong, will introduce his new spring/summer '18 collection at Selfridges, Trafford this month. Find him at womenswear on upper level, Selfridges Trafford, 7 until 9pm.
Jutah Studios One Year Birthday Party |54 Port Street, 12 April
What better way to celebrate a successful first year in business than with live music, a pop-up barbershop, free pizza, wine and beer tasting and a tattoo tea party? Menswear boutique, Jutah Studios, will open doors to guests and customers for a day of shopping and partying on the 12 April. Join the festivities and shop the clothes with a neat 20% off sale items.
Find out more about Jutah Studios on the website
Dead Legacy store opening | The Hatch, Oxford Road, 16 April
If you’re a fan of bold t-shirts and sports-inspired layers, then this is one to watch. Online brand Dead Legacy is celebrating its 9th birthday by taking to the streets of Manchester with its first ever store opening on Oxford Road. Hosted at The Hatch, the new store will showcase the brand’s summer collection, alongside best-selling statement t-shirts and its exclusive premium collection range. The brand is inspired by sports and modern life, so expect relaxed fits and revamped basics. Dead Legacy is also offering a 25% student discount to students with a valid NUS card to celebrate the new store launch.
Lululemon free Acroyoga class | Saint Anns Place, 18 April
Luxe athleisure brand Lululemon is offering to ramp up your workout this April with a free Acroyoga class. For those unfamiliar with the yoga trend, acroyoga is a hybrid workout combining yoga moves with acrobatic techniques. Participants will be partnered up before learning how to use each other’s bodyweight to create suspended yoga moves. Tricky though it may look, don’t let a google search put you off – the class is suitable for beginners and experts will guide you through each move.
Tickets free – register here
SheSaysMCR Diversity Talk | KPMG, St Peter’s Square, 19 April
Hosted by SheSaysMCR, a community group that partners women with inspirational mentors to develop leadership skills, this event hopes to encourage change by discussing the current state of diversity in the UK. Confirmed speakers include Engineer Adaobi Adibe, who invests in disruptive tech companies through her work with Campus Capital, Rosie Moth, CMO of telecoms company The Red Seven Group, Kirsty Styles, a technology journalist and economics podcaster and Chelsea Slater, a campaigner for equality in the tech sector and founder of teenage girls coding camp InnovateHer.
Tickets free – register here
Om Yoga Show | Event City, Manchester, 20, 21, 22 April
Whether you’ve only just embarked on your spiritual journey or you’re a fully-fledged yogi, the Om Yoga Show is the place to go for musings on meditation, mindfulness and yoga skills. Yoga gurus will share their expertise for a range of yoga styles, whilst a host of free classes will let you put what you’ve learnt into practice.
Tickets start at £5 – book here
Vegan Life Live | Event City, Manchester, 20, 21, 22 April
Forget everything you know about the vegan lifestyle and immerse yourself in all things vegan at this three day event. From the health benefits of plant-based food to how to build a successful vegan business, Vegan Life Live promises to arm you with all the information you need to live a healthy, successful vegan lifestyle.
Advanced tickets start at £7.50 / £9 on the door – register here
Make for Mind’s Sake Rag Rug Workshop | Partisan, Cheetham Hill Road, 25 April
Join guest artist Ruby Kirby to learn how to make your own DIY Rag Rug at this creative workshop hosted by Wednesday’s Child. Recognising the impact art can have on mental health, the workshop strives to be a safe space for those who define as women and non-binary to enable empowerment and improve self-care through creative expression. Materials, tea and cake are provided, but participants are invited to also bring their own.
Tickets £2 on the door, but reservation is essential – reserve a place here
