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This weekend, Platt Fields Park is set to transform into one of the most vibrant corners of Manchester. A place usually known for family picnics, casual jogs, and weekend strolls will be overflowing with music, dancing, colour, and the irresistible aroma of roasted yams and spicy stews.
But why? The Manchester Igbo Iriji Festival 2025, a dazzling celebration of culture and community that promises to be one of the city’s most exciting cultural gatherings of the year.
And you’re invited!
The Manchester Igbo Iriji Festival 2025
Dress to impress!
The Iriji Festival, also known as the New Yam Festival, is a centuries-old tradition celebrated by the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. Every year, it marks the end of the rainy season and the beginning of a new planting cycle. Yams, the “king of crops,” are at the heart of the ritual, blessed and shared to give thanks for abundance and to welcome the future with hope.
For the Igbo diaspora in Manchester, it’s a big deal. It’s a link between the generations, a way to keep traditions alive in a new home, and a gift to the wider community.
“In Nigeria, there are many ethnic groups, and the Igbo are one of the major tribes,” explained Anene Chiegboka, Chairman of the Igbo Community Greater Manchester.
“We are known for travelling and, wherever we find ourselves, we try to build community and preserve our culture. I’ve been living here for over a decade, with my wife and children, and it’s important to us to pass on our traditions to the next generation.”
Celebrating Manchester’s Multiculturalism
The Manchester Igbo Iriji Festival is a vibrant celebration
Manchester has always been a city of migration and mixing. From Irish workers in the 19th century to Caribbean families in the 1950s and South Asian communities in the 1970s, every wave has added its own rhythm to the city’s heartbeat. African traditions are part of that story too, and the Iriji Festival is becoming a highlight of the city’s cultural calendar, with thousands of people expected to attend this year.
“I love Manchester, it’s my home,” Anene said. “I’ve lived here for more than a decade with my wife and family. But I am also Nigerian. This festival lets us celebrate both sides of our identity, and it’s a chance to share our culture with everyone.”
What is the Igbo Iriji Festival?
A full day of music, food, tradition and dance
If you’ve never been before, prepare yourself: the festival is a full-day immersion of music, dance, food, and tradition, running from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. at Platt Fields Park. And the best part? Entry is completely free.
One of the most anticipated spectacles of the day is the masquerade performance. Dancers cloaked in towering, elaborate costumes whirl and leap across the stage, representing ancestral spirits. It’s theatrical, it’s breathtaking, and it’s unlike anything else in Manchester.
“The masquerade is something really special,” said Anene. “It involves elaborate costumes and performances that are deeply rooted in Igbo tradition.”
Expect the ground to shake with the dancing rhythms of the drum. Children, women, and men perform routines that blend elegance with raw energy, filling the park with movement and sound.
The cutting of the yam
At the heart of the festival lies a powerful ritual: the cutting of the yam. A community elder will slice into the first yam of the season, blessing it and offering thanks. Only after this act can the feast begin. For Igbo families, it’s a sacred moment of gratitude and renewal. For newcomers, it’s a chance to witness a piece of living tradition.
Visitors to the upcoming event are in for a culinary treat, as a vibrant array of vendor stalls will be offering a wide selection of mouthwatering Igbo (African) delicacies and snacks. From savoury bites to sweet delights, attendees can indulge in authentic flavours from across the continent, all available at pocket-friendly prices.
Whether you’re craving spicy suya, jollof rice, abacha, Okpa, roasted corn, roasted or yam porridge, Ukpaka, puff-puff, or refreshing traditional beverages, there’s something to satisfy every palate. The food court promises to be a lively hub of culture and cuisine, celebrating the richness of African and Igbo culinary heritage.
This isn’t an event just for adults, it’s for everyone. Kids can join in the dances, try new foods, and learn about a culture that might be different from their own. For young members of the Igbo community, it’s a chance to see themselves reflected on a big stage, and for parents, it’s reassurance that traditions will endure.
Nigerian delicacies for dinner
Behind the performances and feasts lies something deeper. The festival is about identity, memory, and continuity.
“For us, this festival is a way of life,” Anene explained. “It was handed down to us, and we must preserve and promote it for the younger generation. As part of the diaspora, it also gives our children a sense of belonging and allows us to share our rich cultural heritage with the wider Manchester community.”
This sense of belonging extends beyond the Igbo community. Visitors from every background are welcomed with open arms. Some come out of curiosity, others out of solidarity, but everyone leaves with the same feeling: uplifted.
In recent years, the Igbo Community Greater Manchester (ICM), in collaboration with various state associations, has successfully hosted joint Iriji (New Yam) celebrations, showcasing the strength of unity and cultural pride among the Igbo diaspora. These vibrant festivities have brought together members of Abia Community Manchester, Anambra Welfare Association (AWA), Enugu Progressive Union Manchester (EPUM), Imo Kultural Welfare Union (IKWU), and Ebonyi State Association Greater Manchester (ESAGM).
The joint celebration has not only strengthened inter-community bonds but also provided a platform to preserve and promote the rich heritage of the Igbo people. Through traditional music, dance, and ceremonial rites, the event continues to be a wonderful day of cultural identity celebration and communal harmony in Greater Manchester.
Manchester’s worldwide festivals
The Igbo Iriji Festival joins a proud list of Manchester celebrations: Diwali, Eid in the Park, the Caribbean Carnival, Chinese New Year. Each one tells a story, each one invites neighbours to come closer.
What sets Iriji apart is its deep sense of ritual, its ability to connect people to something ancient while still feeling fresh and joyous.
Why you should go to The Manchester Igbo Iriji Festival 2025
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth heading down, here’s why you should:
It’s free: Entry costs nothing, and parking is just £5.
It’s unique: You won’t find another event quite like this in Manchester.
It’s delicious: Come hungry; you won’t regret it.
It’s educational: Learn about Igbo traditions, history, and artistry.
It’s joyful: Simply put, it’s a day of smiles, dancing, and togetherness.
Though the festival has already grown dramatically in recent years, organisers are dreaming bigger. Plans are underway to expand with workshops, youth programmes, and partnerships with schools. The goal? To make the festival not just a yearly spectacle, but a hub of cultural exchange and learning all year round.
When & where is The Manchester Igbo Iriji Festival 2025
Platt Fields Park, Manchester, Saturday, 6th of September 2025. The event kicks off at 11am and will go on till 10pm. Entry is free, and if you need a place to park it will cost £5.
“People who know the festival always look forward to it, and those who are new will find it an unforgettable experience,” Anene said. “It’s a celebration of culture, family, and community that everyone can enjoy.
You can find out more about the Manchester Igbo Iriji Festival 2025 on their website by clicking here
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