What's On
Heaton Park has been transformed into a giant beach with fairground rides for the summer
Come to the Beach will be open throughout the entirety of the summer holidays
Ian Brown’s famous grumble about Manchester’s lack of a beach has been put firmly to bed thanks to Heaton Park’s very summery transformation.
Come to the Beach has brought its ‘biggest beach yet’ to Heaton Park for the summer holidays, giving families and friends the chance to enjoy a huge fun fair and an authentic, real-to-life beach right in the heart of the city (the ocean doesn’t come included, sadly).
The event will run throughout the entirety of the summer holidays until the start of September, and boasts an array of fun activities ideal for the full family.
Carousel FunFairs
Alongside an artificial beach equating to 100 tons of sand, there is also a whole schedule of character appearances and children’s entertainment, as well as a seaside fun park with traditional rides and attractions.
The rides are suitable for kids of all ages, from the twister, waltzers and crazy cars, to inflatables and splash boats.
The rides and attractions can be paid for with tokens and, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, guests will be able to buy an unlimited wristband, enabling full access to all the rides for a three-hour session – either 12pm to 3pm, or 3pm to 6pm – for £11.99 per person.
Carousel FunFairs
Children will also get to meet an array of popular TV characters and heroes, including Spider-Man and Encanto’s Mirabel.
Come to the Beach is open every day at Heaton Park from 12pm – 5pm every day until September 4th.
Entry to the beach will be free, with ride and attraction tokens available to purchase individually. However, those looking to save on the pennies will be able to buy the The Family Deal, which is priced at £25 and includes twenty-five tokens to spend within the park.
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.
What's On
Barton Aerodrome announces McFly, JLS and UB40 open-air shows this summer
Make sure you don’t miss these!
Three brand new shows have been announced at Manchester’s Barton Aerodrome this September, adding to the summer gigs already confirmed.
Barton LIVE, a unique concert series set against the backdrop of the aerodrome’s runway, has already confirmed The Jacksons LIVE, 90s Baby Festival and Boogietown North are taking place this summer.
Now McFly, JLS, and UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell will take the stage this September, joining the already bumper lineup.
Barton LIVE
McFly, known for their infectious pop-rock anthems and high-energy performances, with hits like ‘Five Colours in Her Hair’, ‘All About You’, and ‘Obviously’, are heading to the aerodrome on Thursday September 12th.
Then on Saturday September 14th JLS will be gracing the stage with chart-topping hits like ‘Beat Again’, ‘Everybody in Love’, and ‘She Makes Me Wanna’.
Finally, legendary reggae band UB40 featuring Ali Campbell will perform classics like ‘Red Red Wine’, ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’, and ‘Kingston Town’ on Sunday September 15th.
Barton LIVE
New Barton LIVE shows:
- Thursday 12th September – McFly
- Saturday 14th September – JLS
- Sunday 15th September – UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell
Tickets will be available this Friday, April 26th, at 9AM – signing up is essential for access to tickets, sign up HERE.
Barton LIVE full summer series:
- Friday 19th July – The Jacksons LIVE
- Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st July – 90s Baby Festival
- Saturday 27th July – Boogietown North
- Thursday 12th September – McFly
- Saturday 14th September – JLS
- Sunday 15th September – UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell
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