Manchester Punk Festival

For all the noise, Manchester Punk Festival is a friendly and inclusive event that takes place over the Easter weekend in and around Manchester’s Oxford Road corridor. It’s the sort of place where bands play to audiences of friends and people who’ve never heard of them – but nonetheless always get a loud, supportive reaction.

This eclectic and energetic weekender mixes DIY punk rock with podcasts, poetry, stand-up comedy and empowering information stalls about everything from non-violent hunt saboteurs to safe gigs for women.

Manchester Punk Festival 2025

This year Manchester Punk Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary – marking the occasion by winning the 2024 Best Small Festival at the UK Festival Awards.

Running from 18 – 20 April across venues which include Gorilla, YES, Rebellion and The Bread Shed as well as The Union at Manchester Metropolitan University, this festival is an important part of the country’s DIY Punk scene.

2025’s headliners include top tier American punks The Menzingers, Dillinger Four and Strung Out. Los Fastidios and The Sewer Cats are Confidential Guides’ must-see acts for 2025.