There’s a real variety on offer this weekend
13:16, 01 Aug 2025Updated 16:57, 01 Aug 2025
Green Island festival at Hulme Garden Centre will take place on Saturday(Image: Philip Edward Hyde)
The south of England may have been issued a yellow weather warning for the tail-end of the week, but it looks like Manchester could well to miss out on the worst of the rain.
While we could see occasional spells of heavy showers on Sunday morning, it looks as though things will generally be pretty bright and sunny. That’s great for those of us who have the weekend off work.
As we’re now into summer, there are lots of events taking place across Greater Manchester and beyond, including many family-friendly adventures and free days out. There’s also lots of ‘kids eat free’ offers running at the moment if you’re looking to keep costs down.
So, what’s taking place this weekend? Greater Manchester has a host of festivals offering plenty in terms of theatre, music, food and drink, as well as a new Friday night party and a special pride event.
We’ve rounded up five things taking place across Greater Manchester this weekend. Find out about all the events you won’t want to miss out on below. As always, it’s worth checking event listings in advance as things can often change without much notice.
Heaton Park Food and Drink Festival returns this weekend with chef demos, food stalls and live entertainment(Image: Stephen Midgely Breakpoint Media)Heaton Park Food & Drink Festival 2025
We love a food festival and Heaton Park hosts a really fun one each year with lots of traders, fun-filled activities and live entertainment.
Running on Saturday and Sunday (August 2-3), there will be chef demonstrations, local artisan food and craft stalls, and plenty of music, comedy, and family-friendly performances. Amongst the many street food traders making an appearance are Wagyu Lookin’ At? and Super Bao Street Kitchen.
There will also be live chef demos from MasterChef: The Professionals Champion Alex Webb and the widely-celebrated Manchester chef Mary-Ellen McTague, who is behind the Pip restaurant at the Treehouse Manchester hotel.
There will be live music from the likes of Planet ABBA and Standing on the Shoulders of Oasis, as well as the Magic Matt Show and John Kimmons for the family.
Tickets start from £6.95 for under-16’s and £10.95 for adults, with under 5’s going free. Tickets available here.
Green Island Festival 2025
Saturday (August 2) will mark the second of three Green Island Festival 2025 days as they take over the unique venue of Hulme Community Garden Centre.
Focusing on platforming new and upcoming talent across different genres and specialities, the festival will feature a line-up including the likes of Meduulla, Conor & The Greenskeepers, Cosmo Sofi, Krin, Lemon Soul Band, and Riria.
Free for children aged 13 or under, the festival will run until 9pm with live acts, DJs and activities throughout the day. Tickets and more information here.
Khushi Festival
Oldham Library will host the first day of Khushi Festival, which celebrates the South Asian community(Image: Manchester Evening News)
A stunning range of performances and original community-led work celebrating the South Asian community will take place in Oldham this weekend.
Described as Oldham’s ‘popular festival of happiness’, the event will run from 11am to 4pm on Saturday (August 2) at Oldham Library and 12pm to 3pm on Sunday (August 3) at Northern Roots.
The event will feature a range of free and ticketed performances, exhibitions and open mic from the likes of Saheli Women’s Group, Sonia Sabri Company and Maryam Hussain, as well as events and activities including henna, jewellery making and face painting. There will also be a miniature garden making workshop on the Sunday.
More information can be found here.
Trans Pride
Trans Pride will take over five venues across the city centre on Saturday (August 2) for a celebration of the community.
Expected to be attended by more than 6,000 people, the event will begin with a march through the city centre at 12pm, followed by a range of panels, market stalls, book signings, and workshops for families and young people.
The likes of Fox Fisher, Ben Pechey, and Eva Echo will be taking part in panel discussions, alongside hosts Ben Hodge and Arlo West.
The events will continue into the night with a Trans Pride Gameshow-themed comedy event at Contact Theatre at 7pm and an official afterparty at Islington Mill from 11pm.
More information on Trans Pride can be found here.
Friday Night Live
A night of payday partying (for some of us, anyway…) will be taking place at the family-owned Hideaway Brewing Company, based on Kansas Avenue in Salford.
Located five minutes away from Media City, the event will kick off on Friday from 4pm and run throughout the night. There will be £4 pints between 7pm and 9pm, as well as burgers and live music from Warrington-based four-piece Dogbone UK.
As the poster says, it’s all about the ‘no ticket, no work tomorrow, no excuses’ vibes. More info can be found here.