Entertainment in Macclesfield

If you fancy catching a show when you’re in Macclesfield, then MADS Theatre is the place to go. Short for Macclesfield Amateur Dramatics Society, MADS was established in 1947. Its humble beginnings saw rehearsals being carried out in a local butcher shop and a factory canteen.

These days, the set up is somewhat better, with an award-winning venue on Lord Street which features an intimate stage and a nice bar for pre- and post-theatre drinks. Productions are regular and always showcase some of the best local talents, so be sure to check what’s on during your stay.

Approaching their 150th year, Macclesfield Town are a football club with a lot of history. Much of that history has been spent outside the professional English leagues, having yo-yoed in and out of the football league since they first gained promotion to it in 1997 under the leadership of former Manchester United and Northern Ireland footballer Sammy McIlroy. In 2018, ‘The Silkmen’ – nicknamed after the towns proud silk making heritage – gained promotion back to EFL League 2 when they were crowned champions of the National League following a six-year absence.

Home games are played at Moss Rose, which is around a mile-and-a-half walk or drive from our Premier Inn South West hotel. The ground itself holds 6,335, with 2,599 of those being seated. Away fans usually get a choice between the seated Henshaw’s Stand and the non-seated John Askey Terrace, although sometimes only the terraced stand is open. Tickets are around £22 for adults, but you can get in for around £15 if you are happy to stand. There are also cheaper tickets for concessions. If you are looking for somewhere to drink before the game, we recommend The Golden Lion, which is just around the corner on Moss Lane.

If you are more of a rugby union devotee than a football fanatic, then a trip to Priory Park to see Macclesfield RUFC should be on your list during your stay. The ‘blues’, as they are affectionately known, play in the National League 2 North. Although the club has never really hit the heights of rugby stardom since they formed in 1874, there is still plenty of entertainment to be had.

Tickets cost around £10 for non-members, but the club kindly let all under 16’s watch for free. There is also a nice hospitality area which you can book into for lunch and drinks before the game. Matches are usually played on a Thursday, but it’s worth checking the fixture list ahead of your visit.

It’s fair to say that the live music scene in Macclesfield isn’t jam-packed with events. For a more diverse schedule, it would be worth making the short trip to nearby Manchester. View our entertainment guide to Manchester for some tips on the best places to check out while you’re there.

Having said that, if you are visiting in July, then you may be in for a musical treat. Every year, Macclesfield Festival brings together people of the town for a day of music, food, drinks and celebrations. There are different stages to suit different tastes, such as rock, funk and soul, dance and house. The lineup is usually pretty good too, with past guests including Manchester musical institution The Happy Mondays.

Beyond that, there are a number of pubs and bars with a reputation for putting on a good gig. The Swan With Two Necks on Chestergate is a no-nonsense boozer with friendly staff, reasonable prices and a fairly regular gig list. The Nags Head on Waters Green near the train station is much the same, and it prides itself on hosting live music of some sort every weekend.

Lastly, Mash Guru on Back Wallgate in the town centre truly puts the emphasis on the music. The owners come from a musical background, and they aren’t the only ones with heritage – rumour has it that The Beatles once played El Rio, a previous occupant of the building where Mash now plays its vinyl records and hosts its regular gigs.