MACFEST unveils a rich and reflective Ramadan and Eid programme for 2026

From illuminating explorations of faith and food heritage in Eastern Europe to communal Iftars centred on civic dialogue, alongside multilingual poetry recitals and a rousing live musical finale in Salford, MACFEST’s 2026 Ramadan and Eid programme presents a thoughtfully curated season of events bringing communities together throughout the holy month and beyond.

Beginning at 2pm on Sat 21 Feb, MACFEST hosts a free online event to mark Ramadan in Romania, led by Dr Eda Gliga-Baubec, PhD. Offering a compelling insight into the lived experiences of Romania’s Muslim community, the digital gathering explores how Ramadan traditions including Iftar meals, communal prayers and family customs were preserved under communism and how they have flourished again in democratic Romania, while highlighting the centuries-old recipes which continue to unite families and neighbours. Lasting around ninety minutes, the session examines Ramadan as both spiritual renewal and a vital thread of cultural memory and identity.

At 2pm the following afternoon, MACFEST launches its MACFEST Food Festival, with a particular focus on sustainability, through a free online conversation titled Forgotten Foods: Memories and Recipes from Muslim South Asia. Led by Professor Siobhan Lambert-Hurley, the historian and author discusses her acclaimed book with award-winning media correspondent and writer Shamim Chowdhury, examining how heritage food has been rediscovered and reinterpreted across South Asia. Reflecting on the boom in historic cuisines alongside the need for rigorous historical research, the discussion traces collaborative efforts between scholars, writers and chefs to recover fading culinary traditions which have profoundly shaped Muslim kitchens in the region.

On Sun 15 Mar, International Cuisine: Our Grandmothers’ Recipes brings together culinary storyteller Yvonne Maffei and TV host Syirin Said for another free online panel as part of the Muslim Women’s Arts Festival. Sharing personal memories and cultural insights, the pair explore handwritten recipes, kitchen rituals and the intergenerational knowledge passed down through family food traditions, reflecting on how heritage dishes can be preserved and thoughtfully adapted for contemporary tables.

From 12pm to 4pm on Wed 10 Jun, the festival moves outdoors with Orchard and Sustainability: Picnic in the Apple Orchard at Grass Roots Oldham’s Northern Lily site in Failsworth. This donation-based gathering invites participants of all ages to enjoy a relaxed afternoon in a working apple orchard, guided by Victoria Holden, Director of Northern Lily. Combining gentle exploration of apples with discussions around environmental initiatives and eco-conscious living, the picnic offers a reflective pause to reconnect with nature and community in a tranquil setting.

Returning online at 2pm on Sat 27 Jun, Food and Fashion: Fez, a Model City of Sustainability offers a thought-provoking panel exploring the intersection of food systems, artisanal craft and environmental stewardship in Morocco. Featuring Fatima Manar, advocate for sustainable development and cultural preservation, the discussion examines how the historic city of Fez is emerging as a living example of community-led sustainability rooted in tradition and local practice.

As spring unfolds, MACFEST celebrates the written and spoken word with a free online Eid Celebration with Multilingual Mushaira and International Poetry event at 3.30pm on Sun 17 May. Showcasing poets from the UK, USA, India and Denmark, the session offers recitals in Urdu, Arabic, Bengali and English, weaving together a rich tapestry of spirituality, identity, culture and human connection.

International voices include Sadaf Mirza, Dr Malik Al Nasir DLitt, Harmesh Manghra and Paul Wadud, in an afternoon designed to reflect the global breadth of Muslim literary traditions.

Rounding off the season on Sat 13 Jun, MACFEST presents another unmissable edition of its celebratory musical evening at Lowry . Taking place in The Studio from 6pm, the ticketed event features performances from Hamza Robertson and Friends and the Urooj Qawali Group, promising a vibrant showcase of devotional and contemporary sounds from across the North West, offering a fittingly uplifting finale to this year’s Ramadan and Eid festivities.

For full MACFEST 2026 listings and tickets, visit the festival website below.