Dance battles, circus parades, and boozy days out
Manchester is absolutely buzzing this month. You could spend every weekend dancing if you wanted, with festivals covering the musical spectrum from fast-stepping Irish jigs to glitchy, low-fi techo, to neck-destroying metal and prog rock. There's also a new festival for romance book fans at Central library, a wellness festival at Wythenshawe Park, and the street performance spectacle that is Manchester Day in the city centre. Where is everyone getting their energy from? We're exhausted just writing about it all.
The National at Sounds of the City
Castlefield Bowl
4 July
There's still some tickets available for The National's outdoor show at Castlefield Bowl this week but you'll have to be quick. Support is from This is the Kit. Find out more.
Manchester Craft Beer Festival
5-6 July
Over 80 breweries alongside street food, live music, DJs, talks, tastings and festival walking tours. And all your beer is included in the ticket. Find out more.
Wimbledon on the big screen
St Ann’s Square
4-7 July
The Lawn Tennis Association is bringing its Wimbledon fan zone to St Ann's Square. Watch the tennis action live on the big screen and have a go yourself on the mini tennis courts. Find out more.
Wellnergy
6 July
The healthiest festival experience you'll have this summer - it's a full day of music, food, classes, workshops, shopping and good times - all centred around the theme of wellness. Find out more.
Road to Victory Euros 2024 Fan Park
6 July
Watch England cruise to victory on Saturday (it will happen) at the UK's biggest screening of the match. The arena will be transformed into a fan park with games, penalty shoot-outs, a family zone, half time entertainment and lots more footy-orientated fun. Find out more.
Love Stories etc Festival
13 July
If you like reading or writing modern romantic fiction, this new one-day festival is for you. It features loads of top authors, plus workshops for writers led by industry experts. Find out more.
Manchester Rum Festival
13 July
Now in its eighth year, this rum-fuelled celebration features rum brands from all over the world, Caribbean food, calypso-inspired DJ sets, tastings, and all-round good vibes. Find out more.
Mvson World
Progress Centre, Ardwick
13 July
The third edition of the underground music festival from Manchester-based DJ and production trio Mason Collective. With two stages featuring homegrown and international names, plus a wellness space, interactive art, food vendors and a creative market, it’ll be one of the dance events of the summer. Find out more.
Craic by the Creek
Whitebottom Farm, Etherow Park
19-21 July
Imagine St Patrick's Day went on for a whole weekend - that's the vibe at this festival of Irish and country music. Go for the day or take a tent. There's only a few tickets left so act quick. Find out more.
Beavertown Collaboration Sessions: Manchester
20 July
Beavertown Brewery’s day party lands at Depot Mayfield on Saturday with two stages of cross-genre collaborations headlined by Anish Kumar, Leon Vynehall and Moxie, and Ruf Dug and Tia Cousins. Head down there for dancing, street food, and of course Beavertown’s finest beers on tap. Get tickets.
Manchester Day
Manchester city centre
27 July
The theme for this year's Manchester Day celebrations is 'Let the games begin!' Inspired by a summer of sport, the city centre will be filled with music, performances, dancing and have-a-go activities. Look out for the world's slowest race, a hip hop wrestling ring, a best Dad dancer competition and lots more. Find out more.
Radar Festival
26-28 July
Winner of the UK's best new festival back in 2022, Radar Fest returns to Victoria Warehouse for a weekend of moshing, metal and progressive rock This year's headliners are The Midnight, TesseracT and Leprous plus there'll be prog masterclasses, afterparties, artist Q and As and more. Find out more.
Red Bull Dance Your Style UK Final
27 July
Watch some of the UK’s best street dancers battle it out in a one-on-one competition where each track is randomly selected and unknown to the dancer - then vote for who you think should go on to represent the UK in the internationals. There’ll be dance workshops and giveaways too. Find out more.
MegaCon Live
27-28 July
Cosplay kids, steampunks and anime fans will be converging on Manchester Central in the last weekend of July for this comic convention. It's a full day out with a kids mega zone, a gaming zone, special guests and lots happening throughout the weekend. Find out more.
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