Manchester festivals: a starter pack
Take a look at our guide to the biggest festivals in Manchester including Parklife, Pride, Manchester Jazz Festival and more
Updated 13 May 2026
When spring hits, festival season starts in Manchester and the atmosphere in the city centre goes up a few gears.
Head into town on any weekend between May and October and there’ll likely be something going on with niche music festivals, flower festivals, beer festivals, library festivals and horror festivals all part of our annual calendar of celebrations.
Here we’ve gathered together the six biggest events to hit the city every year (or every two years in the case of MIF). These are the ones that bring audiences and artists from far and wide to our city, and light up the calendar for locals too. Which ones will you be going to?
Want to know about Manchester’s best summer music festivals? Check out our guide: Parklife to Psych Fest: The best Manchester music festivals for summer 2026
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St John'sMore detailsManchester International Festival
Manchester International Festival, or MIF, is the city’s biennial arts festival. It’s two weeks of the year where you’re never quite sure what you might stumble across in the city’s parks, squares and unused spaces.
Dates: the next Manchester International Festival is summer 2027
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Manchester City CentreMore detailsManchester Jazz Festival
Manchester Jazz Festival brings the best new emerging jazz artists, homegrown talent, and living jazz legends to the city centre every May for ten days of live performances, many of which are free.
Dates: 15-24 May 2026Who’s on: China Moses, Andy Sheppard Trio, Yellowjackets, Toni Kofi/Denys Baptiste Quintet, Cassie Kinoshi’s seed, Bel Cobain, Lau Noah, NOUT, Cotonete, Sarsen Drift + Tom Cawley, Olivia Cuttill & Friends, Orchestra Mambo International
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Manchester City CentreMore detailsManchester Literature Festival
Manchester Literature Festival has grown considerably in size and stature since it debuted back in 2006. Held annually in October, it’s now known as one of the north’s leading festivals for book-lovers.
Dates: 9-25 October 2026
Who’s on: the 2026 MLF October programme will be announced in August but they’re running events throughout the spring and summer – read on for more details.
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Gay VillageMore detailsManchester Village Pride
Manchester Village Pride was set up early in 2026 after Manchester Pride went into voluntary liquidation following the 2025 festival. It is hoped that the new organisers will provide more certainty around the future of the Pride festival in Manchester and ensure it is an “inclusive, safe and celebratory event” rooted in the community which created it.
Dates: 28-31 August 2026
Who’s on: Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard, and R&B and hip hop collective Booty Luv and Big Brovaz.
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PrestwichMore detailsParklife Festival
It’s the big one, at least for the under-25s amongst us. Parklife is a huge two-day music festival held every June at Heaton Park. Featuring top artists across the worlds of electronic, dance, rap and pop, it brings a massive number of music fans to the city in all their neon-wearing, glitter-loving glory.
Dates: 20-21 June
Who’s on: Calvin Harris, Sammy Virji, Skepta, Zara Larsson, Chris Stussy, Kettama, Ewan McVicar, Marlon Hoffstadt, Mall Grab, Cloonee, SOSA, Rossi, East End Dubs, Bou, Dimension
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Media CityMore detailsWe Invented The Weekend
We Invented the Weekend festival is a massive, free, two-day celebration of all the cool stuff people do in their free time. Head to Salford Quays and Media City for a weekend of free music, sport, dance, talks, food and drink, craft-making and live performances, with activities, shows and events for all ages, including lots of family-friendly options.
Dates: 6-7 June 2026
What’s on: Perfect Pitch, an epic World Cup-inspired performance by English National Opera and Walk the Plank, Play Street, an interactive children’s zone, Peter Hook in discussion with Mark Radcliffe, a special appearance from a star of the musical SIX, headline sets from Afrodeutsche and a live performance by Afriquoi
