Beyond the 9-5: The Best Things to Do in Manchester this July

Guitar-themed artworks, exhibitions and other installations will appear throughout the city's streets and squares and will feature brightly painted guitars all around the city and surrounding areas for visitors to admire, each featuring a unique design created by artists from across the UK.

Meanwhile, guitars donated by Oasis and other major bands and musicians will form the centrepiece of a specially curated auction of new and 'pre-loved' guitars - with each of the donated guitars also on display in shop windows and other venues across the city too.

7th July to 31 August

Is that you play darts! Grab your colleagues, step up to the oche and enjoy fast-paced games, glorious cocktails and delicious sharing plates in your own playing area.

Flight Club Manchester is home to a captivating bar complete with Matilda the fairground horse and beautiful murals. Unexpected, ridiculous, joy echoes throughout the venue.

The iconic Lowry celebrates a quarter-century of creativity and inspiration in Salford. Since opening its doors in 2000, the Lowry has welcomed 18.5 million visitors and now, it's pulling out all the stops with a spectacular programme of celebratory events, and exhibitions.   To celebrate its 25th anniversary, it has launched its brand-new, free, immersive experience of L.S. Lowry’s painting, ‘Going to the Match’, showing crowds streaming into a football match on a Saturday afternoon.

International Cricket returns to Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, for a BIG summer of cricket as the Three Lions welcome India and South Africa. You can also be part of history on Wednesday 9 July when they host England Women v India Women in a Vitality IT20. (6.30pm start) where they are aiming to set a new record for the highest women's International crowd in the North which is currently held by Headingley at 9,146.

And if you really want to elevate your game, book an overnight stay and enjoy the match from your very own luxury bedroom and private balcony!

England Men v India Men, Rothesay Test; 23rd to 27th July.

Sign-up to YO!'s sushi masterclasses at Manchester Arndale and/or Selfridges Trafford and you'll get to tuck into gyozas on arrival, before learning your Tataki from your Temaki, practising knife skills and getting to create four different delicious items.

These classes are perfect for any budding sushi chefs out there, so whether you’re a Maki Master or Inari newbie you’ll pick up some great new skills to take home as well as a delicious selection of sushi to enjoy.