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Best time to visit Manchester: month by month
Short answer
May to September is the best time, with highs of 16–21°C and the longest days. Rain is possible in any month: May and July both average around 18–20 rainy days, while June is one of the drier months. Winters are mild but dark, with highs of 7–8°C, and lively with Christmas markets and football.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7°C | 2°C | 17 | low |
| Feb | 9°C | 3°C | 15 | low |
| Mar | 11°C | 3°C | 14 | low |
| Apr | 12°C | 3°C | 11 | medium |
| May | 16°C | 8°C | 18 | medium |
| Jun | 20°C | 11°C | 10 | medium |
| Jul | 21°C | 13°C | 20 | high |
| Aug | 20°C | 13°C | 17 | high |
| Sep | 19°C | 12°C | 13 | medium |
| Oct | 15°C | 9°C | 21 | medium |
| Nov | 10°C | 5°C | 17 | medium |
| Dec | 8°C | 3°C | 20 | high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs rise from 11°C to 16°C; April is one of the drier months with about 11 rainy days.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Highs of 20–21°C and long evenings; June has only about 10 rainy days, while July and August are wetter.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Highs fall from 19°C to 10°C, with October the wettest month (about 21 rainy days); the football season is in full swing.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Mild but dark at 7–9°C, with sunset around 16:00 in December; Christmas markets fill the centre.
Events worth planning around
- Manchester Christmas Markets (mid-November to December)
- Manchester International Festival (July, in odd-numbered years)
- Manchester Pride (August bank holiday weekend)
- Premier League football season (August to May)
When to avoid
October and November are the wettest and greyest. Hotel prices spike on big match and concert weekends, so check dates before booking.
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Common questions
When is the best time to visit Manchester?
May to September for the mildest weather and longest days.
Does it really rain all the time?
It rains on about 140 days a year, often as showers. June and April are among the driest months.
When are the Christmas markets?
From mid-November to around Christmas, in Piccadilly Gardens, Exchange Square and other squares.