50 metre pizza, casks of ale, shopping, dancing and a spot of culture
Festa Italiana Manchester | Cathedral Gardens | Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th June
Manchester's first dedicated Italian food festival takes over the city this weekend for a three-day feast in Cathedral Gardens. Italy no longer felt so far away: authentic Italian pizza (a whopping 50 metres long), wine, beer and music, has landed right on your doorstep.
Cathedral Gardens, Corporation St, M4 3BG (11:00am- 11:00pm; free admission)
Manchester Beer Week Takeover at Dockyard | Friday 23rd - Saturday 24th June
Kicking off the greatly anticipated Beer Week, Dockyard welcomes two guest breweries to take over their cask ales and keg lines. On the ales is Manchester Brewing Co (usually found on North Western Street), while London-based Big Hug will feature on the taps.
Dockyard Spinningfields, Irwell St, M3 3AN (11:00am- 12:am; free admission)
Romeo and Juliet | Ordsall Hall | Friday 23rd June
The Three Inch Fools will be performing Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in the atmospheric surroundings of Ordsall Hall’s gardens. This vibrant, unconventional take on the historic production will enjoy a dynamic mix of musical instruments, props, costumes and camping gear (yes, camping gear)
Ordsall Hall, Ordsall Ln, Salford M5 3AN (7:00pm- 9:30pm; tickets from £10 at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/)
Buckle and Boots Country Festival | Whitebottom Farm | Friday 23rd- 25th June
Ye-ha! Buckle and Boots Country Festival is back for its second year running. Anticipated highlights include internationally renowned Sarah Darling, Australian singer-songwriter Morgan Evans, talented The Southern Companion and duo American Young.
Whitebottom Farm, Marple Bridge, Stockport SK6 5JQ (day tickets £20 and weekend tickets £55 at https://www.skiddle.com/)
Dukes 92
Dukes 92 is a fine place for some good ol’ grub, drinks and with its terrace, sunshine. This popular bar, which boasts a fantastic location in the heart of Castlefield, is the perfect place to top up that tan this weekend; sit back and enjoy the weather (while it lasts), while delving into a sharing board, paired with a few bottles of house wine.
Castle St, M3 4LZ (Mon- Wed 11:00am- 11:00pm, Thurs 11:00am- 12:00am, Fri- Sat 11:00am to 1:00am, Sun 11:30am- 23:00pm)
The Makers Market | Didsbury | Sunday 25th June
Bringing together West Didsbury’s finest food, drink, art and craft, The Makers Market is an event perfect for a warm Sunday afternoon. Stroll around the market, meet the producers and of course sample the goods from cakes to bread, olive oil, cheese and some seriously toothsome street food.
Burton Road, West Didsbury, M20 2LR (11:00am- 4:00pm; free admission)
Billionaire Boy | Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens | Friday 23rd June
David Walliams’ best-selling children book, Billionaire Boy, will be showcased at Fletcher Moss this Friday evening. Grab your picnic and join Mr Spud and his son Joe, for a delightful tale of friendship amongst the scenic views of Didsbury’s botanical gardens.
Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens, Didsbury, M20 2RQ (6:30pm; tickets £16 at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/)
B.eat Street | Great Northern Warehouse | Wednesday 21st - Sunday 25th June
Eats, beats and booze; and with an outside seating area, even some vitamin D. B.eat Street bestows seven mico-diners from some of Manchester’s most acclaimed street food vendors, alongside cocktails, craft gins and wine from The Golden Pineapple, and whiskey, beer and blues from Junior Jackson’s.
Great Northern Warehouse, Deansgate, M3 4EN (Wed- Fri 5:00pm- 12:00am, Sat-Sun 12:00pm- 12:00am; free admission)
Rock Back the Clock | Cale Green Park | Sunday 25th June
Get your jive on this Sunday with 50’s Rock ‘n’ Roll band, Rock Back the Clock. Expect covers from all of your favourite stars: from Jerry Lee, to Janis Martin and of course Elvis. Songs will include hits such as Queen of Hearts, Dance Girl Dance, Tears on my Pillow, Rockin’ My Life Away, I Know Why, Boogie Woogie, Ole Black Joe, plus many more.
Cale Green, Stockport SK2 6JN (1:00pm; free admission)
Coeliac UK’s Gluten Free Food Festival | AJ Bell Stadium | Saturday 24th June
Revelling all things gluten free, Coeliac UK will feature stalls from the likes of Belgium’s Greens Beers, the award winning Hunters Puddings and authentic Chinese restaurant Sweet Mandarin. The festival will also include cookery demonstrations, alongside a dietary specialist talk from leading gastroenterologist Professor David Sanders.
AJ Bell Stadium, Stadium Way, Eccles, M30 7EY (11:00am- 3:00pm; free admission)
