Welcome to the ASICS Manchester Half 2026 Weekend Guide!
The ASICS Manchester Half is almost here and there’s plenty to look forward to both on and off the course.
Whether you’re taking part, supporting a participant or simply joining us for the weekend, we’ve rounded up some of the best things to see and do across Greater Manchester. From live music and comedy to family-friendly activities, exhibitions and plenty of ways to get event ready and soak up the atmosphere, there’s something for everyone.
THE ASICS HOUSE MANCHESTER
📍WHERE : NORTH BAR: CIRCLE SQUARE, MANCHESTER
⌚WHEN : AFTERNOON OF WEDNESDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER – SUNDAY 4TH OCTOBER
ASICS are bringing the energy to Manchester this October for the ASICS Manchester Half 2026. Check out all the exciting activities ASICS will be putting on to give you the best possible experience in Manchester.
- 👕 Kit personalisation and one to one support from our ASICS running specialists
- 🏃➡️ Community shakeout runs with our Front Runners, including the official shakeout run on the Saturday
- 🎤 Panel sessions to set you up for event day
🎭THEATRE & ENTERTAINMENT 🎭
The Creatures of the Night Comedy Club
- 📍 WHERE - The Creatures of the Night Comedy Club, 42-44 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LE
- ⌚ WHEN- 7pm
- Pay What You Think shows offer live comedy for just £1 entry, with audiences deciding what the show was worth at the end via a bucket contribution.
Dirty Dancing
- 📍 WHERE - Palace Theatre, 97 Oxford St, Manchester M1 6FT
- ⌚ TIME- 5pm or 8:30pm
🔗 Tickets for Dirty Dancing | Palace Theatre
Chris Ramsey
- 📍 WHERE – The Opera House, 3 Quay St, Manchester M3 3HP
- ⌚ WHEN– 7:30pm
🔗 Tickets for Chris Ramsey | The Opera House
Pride and Prejudice
- 📍 WHERE – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse, Barrington Rd, Altrincham WA14 1HZ
- ⌚WHEN – 7:30pm
🔗 Tickets for Pride and Prejudice | Altrincham Garrick Playhouse
🎶LIVE MUSIC & GIGS 🎶
Youthmovies & Zac Clowes
- 📍 WHERE – Soup, 31-33 Spear St, Manchester M1 1DF
- ⌚ WHEN – 7:30pm-10pm
🔗 Tickets for Youthmovies & Zac Clowes| Soup
The Wonder Stuff
- 📍 WHERE – O2 Victoria Warehouse
- ⌚ WHEN– 7pm
THE ASICS HOUSE MANCHESTER
📍WHERE : NORTH BAR: CIRCLE SQUARE, MANCHESTER
⌚WHEN : AFTERNOON OF WEDNESDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER – SUNDAY 4TH OCTOBER
ASICS are bringing the energy to Manchester this October for the ASICS Manchester Half 2026. Check out all the exciting activities ASICS will be putting on to give you the best possible experience in Manchester.
- 👕 Kit personalisation and one to one support from our ASICS running specialists
- 🏃➡️ Community shakeout runs with our Front Runners, including the official shakeout run on the Saturday
- 🎤 Panel sessions to set you up for event day
🎭THEATRE & ENTERTAINMENT 🎭
Dirty Dancing
- 📍 WHERE - Palace Theatre, 97 Oxford St, Manchester M1 6FT
- ⌚ WHEN - 2:30pm or 7:30pm
🔗 Tickets for Dirty Dancing | Palace Theatre
Pride and Prejudice
- 📍 WHERE - Altrincham Garrick Playhouse, Barrington Rd, Altrincham WA14 1HZ
- ⌚ WHEN - 2:30pm or 7:30pm
🔗 Tickets for Pride and Prejudice | Altrincham Garrick Playhouse
- 📍WHERE: The Lowry
- ⌚WHEN: 10am-5pm
- Let little imaginations run wild at The Lowry’s free Wild Things exhibition, bringing much-loved children’s books to life through almost 100 original illustrations. Discover favourites including Elmer, Dear Zoo and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, alongside fun interactive activities and games designed especially for under-7s.
🔗 Plan your visit to The Lowry
🏛️MUSEUM 🏛️
- 📍WHERE: The Lowry Museum of Transport Greater Manchester
- ⌚WHEN: 10am-4:30pm
- Buses, trams and much more! Look at classic vehicles and find out more about the evolution of public transport in Greater Manchester.
🔗 Plan your visit to the Museum of Transport Greater Manchester
People’s History Museum
- 📍WHERE: People’s History Museum
- ⌚WHEN: 10am-5pm
- A visit to the People’s History Museum explores the past, present and future of ideas worth fighting for. Children can get involved with Banner Bingo and discover more through the Storytelling Zone, making it a fun and engaging visit for the whole family.
🔗 Plan your visit to the People’s History Museum
National Football Museum
- 📍WHERE: National Football Museum
- ⌚WHEN: 10am-5pm
- Discover football themed interactive fun for all the family. Don’t miss the last month of the Head, Shoulders, Knees & Goals exhibition!
🔗 Plan your visit to the National Football Museum
Science & Industry Museum
- 📍WHERE: Science & Industry Museum
- ⌚WHEN: 10am-5pm
- A great place to explore Manchester’s industrial past, from the city’s role in the Industrial Revolution to the inventions and innovations that helped shape the modern world. Children will love the Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos exhibition, where they can discover the weird and wonderful world of space and science. Booking is required.
🎉EVENT DAY🎉
🐝EVENT VILLAGE 🐝
The ASICS Celebration Zone
Celebrate with ASICS by getting your ASICS Manchester Half Finisher picture, sign up to OneASICS & to be in with a chance to win some exclusive goodies, including ASICS caps, 15% off offers & free items from ASICS House Manchester.
Not yet signed up? Head here to join and unlock the benefits.
Official Charities
If you have supported one of our Official Charities, you have done something incredible and they will be there to thank you once you cross the finish line. The Official Charity Zone is in the Athlete’s Village.
Bupa Recovery Zone
Head to the Bupa Recovery Zone to kick-start your rest and recovery. The team includes physiotherapists who'll guide you through the most important stretches using Theraguns, mats and Jet boots to ensure this is the perfect place to unwind.
Vitamin Well Victory Vault
After months of training for the ASICS Manchester Half, you deserve access to an exclusive celebration. Why not head to the top secret celebration at the Vitamin Well Victory Vault? This immersive moment will feel like unlocking a hidden reward. Intrigued? So are we!
P.S. you can also pick up a chilled Vitamin Well - where flavour meets function.
ESN Performance Hub
Test your supporters performance at ESN and they can be in with a chance to win exclusive ESN product. You can collect your own taste of the Hydroload, as well as pick up a limited number of ESN Fuel Pack goodie bags.
THE ASICS HOUSE MANCHESTER
📍WHERE : NORTH BAR: CIRCLE SQUARE, MANCHESTER
⌚WHEN : AFTERNOON OF WEDNESDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER – SUNDAY 4TH OCTOBER
ASICS are bringing the energy to Manchester this October for the ASICS Manchester Half 2026. Check out all the exciting activities ASICS will be putting on to give you the best possible experience in Manchester.
- 👕 Kit personalisation and one to one support from our ASICS running specialists
- 🏃➡️ Community shakeout runs with our Front Runners, including the official shakeout run on the Saturday
- 🎤 Panel sessions to set you up for event day
