This weekend will see a free three-day festival, pop concerts and Pride celebrations take over the city and surrounding areas
14:28, 30 May 2025Updated 14:32, 30 May 2025
Swinton Sounds returns this weekend (Image: Joe Smith Photography)
Though it might not feel like it, we’re well on our way to summer, with a host of festivals and events in the pipeline. Summer 2025 is looking especially good for those in Manchester with some big-ticket events just weeks away.
From Oasis’ huge reunion tour, which will see Heaton Park packed out for five nights this July, to the return of Manchester International Festival spilling out across the city, it’s shaping up rather nicely.
There’s still plenty happening in the run up too, and in a couple of weeks time the likes of Charli xcx, 50 Cent and Jorja Smith will take to the Parklife stage for a weekend of live music covering dance, house, hip hop, R&B and everything in between.
This weekend though, whether you’re keeping it close to home or fancy a trip to town or another borough, we’ve got a selection of events that might just pique your interest.
Swinton Sounds(Image: Joe Smith Photography)
A free, three-day festival of pop-up live music, performance, food, drink, and family fun is back for the third time and running from Friday, 30 May to Sunday, 1 June at some of Swinton’s favourite venues and well-known locations.Throughout the weekend, local venues including Swinton Grand Palais, The Swinton Hop House, and The Wobbly Stool, as well as Swinton Square, and the beautiful Victoria Park will be full of the sounds of a line-up of Greater Manchester’s best musicians and DJs in a programme curated by From the Other (the team behind Sounds from the Other City).
There will also be lots of family-based fun to be had too, with a variety of art and craft based activities on offer.
Swinton Grand Palais, Swinton Square, The Swinton Hop House, The Wobbly Stool, Victoria Park.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor at The ApolloSophie Ellis Bextor on the main stage(Image: Gerard Binks)
From kitchen discos to major music venues, this May and June, popstar Sophie Ellie-Bextor is back out on the road and treating fans to her biggest ever UK tour.
Sophie has recently toured sold-out headline shows across Europe and the US, supported Nile Rodgers, and appeared at festivals across the world, including performing with Peggy Gou during her set at Glastonbury, following her own set on the Pyramid Stage in 2023.
The ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ songstress will be bringing a show jampacked with disco fun to Manchester on Saturday night as she takes to the stage at The Apollo – and there’s still some tickets left. Bringing her signature disco-pop sound and infectious energy to the stage, fans can look forward to renditions of her big hits including ‘Take Me Home’, ‘Get Over You’, ‘Heartbreak (Make Me a Dancer)’, and her most recent single ‘Freedom of the Night’.
Saturday, May 31 at Manchester Apollo.
Vintage Folk Warehouse
Discover Manchester ‘most affordable’ thrift sale at Vintage Folk Warehouse this weekend.
Opening up their city centre warehouse from May 31 to June 1, from 11am until 4pm, fashion fans will be able to browse more than 40 rails of second-hand clothing from £3-£20, featuring Carhartt, North Face, and Y2K styles.
Based near Piccadilly Station, this sustainable shopping experience is free to attend, and stock is refreshed on Sunday so there’s always something new to try. Cash, Card, Apple Pay, PayPal, and contactless are all accepted too.
16 Piccadilly Trading Estate, Manchester, M1 2NP.
Earls x Micky’s – BoltonEarl’s is a new deli and late-night drinking spot in Bolton (Image: RICHARD CARROLL 2023)
It only opened at the start of this year, but Earl’s, the late-night drinking spot and deli in Bolton, has made a name for itself. This weekend, it’s raising the bar even higher with a huge collaboration.
This Saturday, Earl’s host independent sandwich favourites Micky’s for a one-off event – an ultimate battle of the butties.
Punters can try out six sandwiches, including Micky’s classics like chicken parm and Diego, or Earl’s favourites such as Spicy Italian and fried chicken, or sit on the fence and try a special collab between Earl’s and Micky’s – Bolton’s first mortadella schnitzel.
621 Chorley Old Rd, Bolton BL1 6BJ
Stockport PrideStockport Pride returns this weekend to the town centre(Image: Manchester Evening News)
As we enter Pride month, Stockport will be out in force to support its LGBTQ+ community as it celebrates Stockport Pride 2025. from 11am until 7pm on Sunday, June 1, the roads and streets around the Market Place will come alive with live music, drag acts, a parade, food and drink stalls and community events.
For those wanting to take part in this year’s parade, they’ll be meeting from 11:30am on the Underbanks in Stockport town centre, on the pedestrianised area between Robinsons and the bottom of Mealhouse Brow.
At noon, the parade will be heading towards Merseyway, going straight ahead across the junction at the White Lion. It will turn left at Beaverbrooks, heading towards the covered section of Merseyway.
Meanwhile, in Stockport Market there there will be local charities, community groups, clothing, crafts, food, drink and much more. And, on the Martyn Hett Stage in Castle Yard within Stockport Market Place, a packed lineup of musicians, speakers and DJs to enjoy.
Stockport’s Historic Market Place, Stockport SK1 1YJ.