What's Happening In Manchester This New Year?
Manchester 2026: Big Plans, New Beds and Absolutely No Signs of Slowing Down
Manchester has never been great at doing things quietly. If something’s happening, it’s usually loud, ambitious and accompanied by at least three cranes and a heated debate in a WhatsApp group. And as we roll into early 2026, the city isn’t just ticking along - it’s absolutely strutting.
From shiny new hotels popping up faster than oat-milk cafés, to major music events finally admitting the UK exists beyond the M25, Manchester is having one of those moments. The sort where even people from London start saying, “Actually… it’s really good up there.”
Let’s have a look at why 2026 is shaping up to be a belter.
Music, Mayhem and a Massive Arena
Let’s start with the headline grabber: the Brit Awards are coming to Manchester. ACTUAL MANCHESTER!
Yes, that Brits. This Manchester. For the first time ever, the UK’s biggest music awards ceremony is leaving London and pitching up in the North, landing at the colossal Co-op Live arena in February 2026. It’s a proper statement move - and one that confirms what Mancs have been saying for years: if you want atmosphere, you come here.
Co-op Live has already become a heavyweight on the global touring circuit, and hosting the Brits just cements its status as the place for big-ticket events. Expect sold-out hotels, taxis refusing short journeys, and at least one celebrity getting lost near Ancoats while insisting they’re “basically local”.
Sleeping in Style: Manchester’s Hotel Boom
If you’re visiting Manchester in 2026, you won’t be short of places to kip — unless you leave it too late, in which case you’ll be Googling “sofa bed availability Salford”.
The Medlock: Football, Gigs and Fancy Pillows
Over by the Etihad Campus, The Medlock is opening as a new Radisson Blu and it’s a big one - over 400 rooms, sleek interiors and a prime spot for anyone attending a match or a mega-gig.
This hotel is clearly designed for people who like their weekends polished: good food downstairs, comfy rooms upstairs, and no awkward trek back into town when it’s raining sideways. It’s Manchester hospitality with a bit of swagger.
Naturally, given the plushiness of this new Radisson Hotel in Manchester, Secrets Escorts is just dying to try it out. Our elite Manchester escorts are anticipating next-level comfort, top-drawer service and ultimate discretion - all the qualities that make Radisson already a firm fave at Secrets Escorts.
Hilton Goes All-In
Hilton is also clearly backing Manchester in a big way, launching two new city-centre hotels.
First up is a huge Hampton by Hilton, set to be one of the largest in Europe. Think dependable comfort, breakfast that saves you from spending £7 on a croissant elsewhere, and rooms that know exactly what they’re doing.
Then there’s Motto by Hilton near Piccadilly, which leans more towards the “cool city break” crowd. Smaller rooms, great location, and the sort of design that makes you briefly consider rearranging your own flat.
Secrets Escorts loves Hampton hotels - staff are polite, accomodation is stylish and functional and, best of all, there's rarely a problem booking an escort in these Manchester hotels.
Premier Inn Keeps It Sensible
For those who prefer value, reliability and a mattress you already trust with your life, Premier Inn is adding another big site near Rochdale Road. It’s close to Victoria, the Northern Quarter and everything you’d want for a short stay — without blowing your entire budget on accommodation alone.
It’s not flashy, but it’s practical, and frankly, Manchester wouldn’t feel right without a Premier Inn on every other corner.
Naturally, we're big fans of a Premier Inn at Secrets Escorts - anonymity, clean, tidy and functional rooms as well as a wallet-friendly price tag makes these Manchester hotels a go-to for busy clients who want to prioritise budget over luxury.
Boutique Lovers, Rejoice
Meanwhile, King Street Townhouse is getting a refresh in 2026, updating rooms and social spaces while keeping its boutique charm intact. It’s the sort of place you book for a birthday weekend, an anniversary, or just because you want to feel slightly more put together than usual. Secrets Escorts loves the boujee, luxe feel of this hotel and our exclusive Manchester escorts are always delighted to receive an invitation to visit this 5 star Manchester city centre hotspot.
The City Itself Is Getting a Glow-Up
Manchester isn’t just adding beds - it’s reshaping whole chunks of the city.
Piccadilly Gardens: A Second Chance
Piccadilly Gardens is finally getting another go at being… nice. Plans are in motion to make it greener, brighter and more welcoming - essentially less “place you rush through” and more “place you might actually sit”.
Better layouts, clearer paths and improved lighting should help turn it into something resembling a proper city square rather than a confusing bus-adjacent no-man’s-land.
Pomona Island: From Forgotten to Fashionable
Out towards Salford, Pomona Island is undergoing a major transformation. What was once a weird, half-abandoned patch of land is being reimagined with homes, green space, waterside walks - and yes, a hotel (which Secrets Escorts can't wait to try!).
It’s part of a wider push to make Greater Manchester’s waterways something you actually want to spend time around, rather than just pass on a tram while thinking, “That could be nice… one day.”
Getting Around Without Losing the Will to Live
Transport might not sound thrilling, but trust me - this matters.
By the end of 2026, Greater Manchester’s Bee Network is expected to bring trains into the same system as buses and trams. One network, one ticketing approach, less chaos. For visitors, that means fewer moments of standing at a machine whispering “why is this so complicated?”
It’s a big step towards making the city easier to navigate - which is great news for tourists and locals alike.
More Green, Less Grey
Manchester’s also pushing forward with better walking and cycling routes, linking canals, parks and neighbourhoods in a way that feels more intentional. Projects like CyanLines aim to make the city more connected and more liveable without pretending Manchester will ever stop raining.
It’s not about turning the city into something it isn’t; it’s about making it easier to enjoy what’s already here.
So, What’s the Big Picture?
Early 2026 finds Manchester confident, busy and unapologetically ambitious. It’s hosting major international events, adding thousands of hotel rooms, revamping public spaces and finally sorting out transport in a way that makes sense.
It’s still got its grit. It still takes the mick out of itself. But it’s also very clearly a city that knows its worth and isn’t afraid to show it.
Whether you’re visiting for music, football, food, work or just a good weekend away, Manchester in 2026 won’t be short on places to stay or things to do. Just don’t be surprised if you arrive for a short break and leave thinking, “You know what… I could live here.”
And honestly? A lot of people already are.