JLife rounds up a selection of Manchester’s best summer events.
Parklife – 6th-7th June
The Parklife weekend festival at Heaton Park attracts over 70,000 people a day. With tickets nearly sold out it’s not hard to see why – George Ezra, Jess Glyne, Mark Ronson and Labrinth share the stage with James Bay, Disclosure and Rudimental among others. With Heaton Park on the tram line, it’ll be hard to stay away!
Visit Parklife.uk.com.
Manchester Day – 14th June
Manchester Day is an annual event – from 12pm – 6pm – that celebrates the creativity and diversity of the city. Over 2,500 performers and artists from local communities bring the city centre to life in a fantastic display of colour, sound, music and dance. With this year’s theme ‘Game On’, an anticipated audience of more than 60,000 will make their way to see the vibrant parade snake along the streets. The city’s squares will also host an array of performances, decorations and installations.
Visit Manchesterday.co.uk.
Manchester International Festival – 2nd-19th July
As a commissioning, artist-led festival, Manchester International Festival transforms the city for 20 days into a cultural extravaganza where renowned artists present brand new work alongside special events at various venues across the city. Some of the performances include a contemporary ballet inspired by the book Tree of Codes, and wonder.land – a new musical inspired by Alice in Wonderland.
Visit Mif.co.uk.
Foodies Festival – 17th-19th July
Foodies Festival returns to Tatton Park as part of their 10th anniversary celebrations. As the UK’s largest celebration of food and drink, families can look forward to a fun-packed day out and enjoy new features for this year’s show including a Champagne and Wine Theatre and a Craft Beer, Cider and Spirits Theatre, complementing the other culinary offerings such as the Chefs Theatre, The Cake & Bake Theatre and the Chocolate, Cake and Preserves Village, a BBQ Arena, a Producers Market, The Wine and Cheese Village, the Feasting Table, the Street Food Avenue and the Childrens’ Cookery School.
Visit Foodiesfestival.com.
RHS Flower Show Tatton Park – 22nd-26th July
Every July, the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park celebrates the very best in gardens and occupies a huge amount of the venue’s parkland, where designers, landscape architects, gardeners and people who love plants and flowers come together. A vibrant carnival atmosphere makes this event a great day out for friends and families.
Visit Rhs.org.uk.
24:7 Theatre Festival – 24th-26th July
Inspired by the Edinburgh Fringe, the 24:7 Theatre Festival offers new writers, directors and actors the opportunity to perform their talents to the public. A programme of new plays, monologues, workshops and family friendly pieces will take place at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama at Manchester University.
Visit 247theatrefestival.co.uk.
Manchester Jazz Festival – 31st July – 9th August
2015 marks the 20th anniversary of the Manchester Jazz Festival. As well as championing the region’s best jazz musicians, the festival welcomes people from all over the world – over 10 days, and across an array of the city’s best and eclectic venues, there’s original music for everyone.
Visit Manchesterjazz.com.
Manchester Picnic – August (date to be confirmed)
Now over five years old, the Manchester Picnic welcomes over 25,000 visitors to Piccadilly Gardens over three days. Pop-up gourmet street and picnic traders serve the tasty treats for all the family while entertainment is laid on in the form of live music, games and storytelling.
Visit Cityco.com.