Green Island Festival returns to Hulme with a grassroots celebration of global sounds & brand-new family area

Hulme’s much-loved Green Island Festival returns this June, marking the first of this year’s three-chapter format.

Now in its sixth year, and coming off the back of sold-out shows in 2025, Green Island will return to the unique backdrop of Hulme Community Garden Centre and NIAMOS on Sat 6 Jun, followed by instalments on Sat 25 Jul and Sat 5 Sep.

Each edition of this year’s Green Island Festival will continue its long-standing commitment to showcasing sounds from across the globe, community-led programming, accessibility, inclusivity and the championing of grassroots music culture.

To ensure Green Island 2026 is a party for all, there will be a brand-new family area with a dedicated daytime programme curated by Z-arts. The Imaginarium invites families to make, move, and explore together through nature-inspired creative activities in a relaxed and joyful space.

Green Island Festival: June

June headliners, Azamiah, a crossover phenomenon who draw on jazz roots while touching on everything from electronica to dubby low-end, promise to take audiences on a journey across moody and light landscapes. Also topping June’s bill are Karma Sheen, merging Hindustani classical music, 60s-inspired rock and Sufi lyricism.

Elsewhere, Manchester’s own Meme Gold and DJ Paulette take over the Street Stage block party, while producer, DJ, label boss and NTS selector Ruf Dug returns to the Bandstand Stage to present his immensely popular annual takeover, Ruf Kutz.

Grammy Award–winning duo, Blue Lab Beats, bring their signature mashup of hip-hop, soul, electronic and Afro-influenced sounds to the NIAMOS Stage, while the Marquee Stage remains dedicated to unearthing up-and-coming musicians, and will feature sets from Welsh singer-songwriter Moli, and folk-rooted, politically charged Zawedde.

Green Island Festival: July

In July, BCUC (Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness), the acclaimed South African band known for powerful, immersive live performances, bring their fusion of punk, funk, indigenous rhythms and politically conscious messaging, three years on from their Green Island debut, one which saw them shut down the main stage.

July also welcomes the otherworldly Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek to the NIAMOS Stage — expect a wholly unique experience of Anatolian folk mixed with influences of psychedelia, pop and 70s soul. Beloved Mancunian party starters Supernature Disco x Out Since Friday will run The Selector Stage, and the legendary 808 State head up proceedings on The Street Stage.

Green Island Festival: September

September welcomes Mancunian icon, A Guy Called Gerald, to the Street Stage, JayaHadADream, one of the UK’s most exciting emerging talents, is locked in for the NIAMOS Stage, and Freedom Masses Soundsystem celebrate an incredible 41 years on the scene over on the Bandstand.

NAM Soundsystem will take over the Selector Stage with a plethora of dedicated crate-diggers, including Lucy Watson, Nam, P2P, Rev Austin, Shelarus and Y-Sir. Meanwhile, the Bandstand Stage presents legendary reggae soundsystem, Dub Jam.

Green Island will again be partnering with Play It Green, so that every ticket sold contributes to reforestation. The festival will also raise money for Eat Well MCR, with the option to add £1 to all purchases from food and drink traders, the donation will help provide meals to families living in temporary accommodation, women taking refuge in sheltered accommodation, and families experiencing food poverty and inequality.

Each date, the festival will run from 12pm – 9.30pm. Under 13s go free. Book your tickets using the button below.