What's On
A huge beer festival is coming to town and the food lineup has just been revealed
Calling all craft beer lovers
Having just announced its colossal lineup of local restaurants and breweries, the Manchester Craft Beer festival is set to be one hell of an event.
Whether you’re a lover of sour beers, IPA is your go-to tipple, you keep it simple with lager, or whether you’re wanting to simply take it easy with low ABV beers, the MCBF is here to celebrate beer in all of its glory with the help of fifty world class breweries.
Representing Manchester will be local brewing legends Manchester Union, Marble, Pomona Island, Track Brewing Co, Beatznikz Republic, and the brand new Bundobust Brew Pub.
@manchestercraftbeerfestival / Instagram
Coming from overseas, on the other hand, breweries such as Norway’s Lervig, Denmark’s Mikkeller and Netherlands’ Fontaal and Kees will be on hand to give you a taste of their homeland brews.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – some seriously decent scran will be needed to soak up all of this beer, won’t it?
Well, the MCBF has also partnered with the Kantina Weekender, a self-described ‘feast for the city’ celebrating the joy of food and drink in all of their depths and diversity.
@photobephoto / Manchester Craft Beer Festival
And naturally, where there are beers there are burgers, too. Patty Queen will be serving up LA inspired burgers, fries and shakes – some of the best burgers you can get outside of Santa Monica.
Alternatively, Belzan Pasta Kitchen will be dishing up some authentic Italian grub infused with seasonal British produce, Madre X AngloThai will be on hand to serve non-traditional, upscaled, tacos packed full of delicious Thai flavours, and Higher Ground X Things Palace will be collaborating to offer incredible Asian feasts.
And for the veggies and vegans in attendance – fear not! Freight Island’s in-house residents Plant Grill are teaming up with Green Lights to rustle up some fantastic plant-based dishes.
@manchestercraftbeerfestival / Instagram
There will also be DJ sets throughout the event by acclaimed local artists Craig Charles, Daddy G, Django Django and Queen B.
The festival will be taking place at Depot Mayfield between July 23rd-July 24th. Each ticket is priced at £49.50 and allocates guests entry to a five-hour session on the Friday or Saturday, includes all beer, access to all food traders and a special festival beer glass.
Tickets are on sale now here if you want to get involved.
What's On
New makers market with everything from dog accessories to house plants and jewellery coming to Manchester
Get this one in your diary!
A brand new makers market is coming to Manchester this late May Bank Holiday weekend, with something for everyone.
Taking place at New Jackson – a new urban neighbourhood located at the southern gateway to the city – Manchester Made Market will be held on Saturday May 25th and Sunday May 26th.
Over the two days you’ll be able to browse a selection of local artisanal traders and small businesses from across the region.
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There’ll be everything, from food produce, homewares, crafts and creations to dog accessories, house plants, jewellery and homemade soap.
Among the traders will be Manchester and Cheshire-based florist and floral artists Dot & Flora, graphic artist Ablott MCR selling music prints, HGT with crochet fashion and homeware designs, and artisan candlemakers Leaves and Prickles.
Elsewhere, there will be essential oils and other treatments from Grounded Wellness, permanent jewellery from Sealed Links, and desserts from Cake With Heart.
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There will be plenty of street food options to keep you topped up while you shop, including The Wild Grill, Food Sorcery, Salvi’s and new favourite Medlock Canteen.
Neighbourhood Brew will be supplying some great drinks as well.
Supported by Renaker, the market is free, but you can upgrade your experience with a limited, free VIP ticket with access to the dedicated bar area.
What's On
Manchester Flower Festival returns with tributes to Sarah Harding and Caroline Aherne
It’s taking place later this month!
The legendary Manchester Flower Festival is returning to our city later this month, complete with pop-ups, installations and tributes to some local icons.
Taking place over the late May Bank Holiday, the event will be headlined by its ‘Floral Trail’.
This year’s theme is Manchester Icons, with a host of names past and present being honoured in flower form, including the late comedy legend Caroline Aherne, pop star Sarah Harding and suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst.
The Vain Photography / Manchester Flower Festival
Collaborating with Manchester illustrator Stanley Chow, floral designer Liv Woodward will create a portrait of Caroline Aherne at the Floral Marquee on New Cathedral Street, using sustainably sourced plants and flowers.
Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding will be remembered in a ‘tribute garden’, sponsored by the AO Arena, with visitors able to donate to the Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal by scanning the QR code at the display.
The homage to Pankhurst has been created by female-led Decordia, featuring an ornate wooden Manchester Town Hall-inspired planter with sashes, posters and colourful icons, alongside a wicker figure of the suffragette herself.
This can be found at the corner of Cross Street and King Street, adorned with purple, green and white plants – the colours of the suffragette movement.
The Vain Photography / Manchester Flower Festival
Other local legends will also be honoured with their own installations, including Happy Mondays vocalist Rowetta and iconic Manchester brewery Boddingtons .
Fringe events will be taking place too, at locations including Northern Quarter art shop Fred Aldous, The Bridgewater Hall, the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel and the National Trust’s Castlefield Viaduct.
Selfridges Exchange Square, El Gato Negro, Tast Catala, Franco Manca, Grand Pacific Manchester and Urban Playground will also be taking part, with alfresco dining, festival-related dishes and cocktails.
The Vain Photography / Manchester Flower Festival
Now in its seventh year, the Flower Festival, which is put together by Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District, attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year, with live entertainment, workshops, and arts and crafts markets.
It all happens from May 24th to May 27th – head over to the website HERE to find more information.
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