Manchester Food and Drink Festival

The Manchester Food and Drink Festival began life back in 1998 when the city was just beginning to assert itself as a foodie destination. It takes place every September with a hub in Cathedral Gardens plus events at restaurants, bars and venues across the city.

The free-entry Cathedral Gardens hub is the best place to start; here you’ll find a pop-up food and drink village, pop-up bars, an artisan food market and live music.

The festival line-up usually features some big names: past years have seen the likes of Michel Roux, Bill Wyman and Tom Kerridge. Plus there’s plenty of local talent to discover with up-and-coming chefs, producers and traders featuring throughout the festival programme. Look out for restaurant takeovers, workshops, special menus, wine fairs, tastings and offers.