This May Bank Holiday weekend, Great Northern Warehouse will once again transform into a hub for grassroots music, independent culture and family friendly activities as Mews Fest returns for its sixth year with its biggest programme to date.
Running from Fri 22 to Sun 24 May, the free festival will host three days of live music, DJs, food, drink and creative pop-ups across Deansgate Mews and various spaces around the warehouse, while introducing the first ever Mews Fest Fringe for 2026.
As always, the festival’s focus remains firmly on Manchester’s indie music scene, with venues including Lion’s Den, Low Four Studios and The Mews Bar hosting a packed schedule of bands and DJs across the weekend. Visitors can expect a mix of outdoor performances and intimate indoor sets stretching across Deansgate Mews, led by headliners Red Earth, The Rolling People, Cutscene, Tulpa, Gold Cup and Prangers.
New for this year, the Mews Fest Fringe will take over Unit 5 inside the warehouse across Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 7pm, promising an easygoing creative space focused on independent retail, live art and family activities. Developed as an extension of the festival’s community driven ethos, the Fringe will feature DJs soundtracking the day alongside seating areas, workshops, installations and market stalls from local artists, bands, makers and collectors.
Visitors can browse vinyl and records from Hydra Vinyl, while illustrator and printmaker cpdwg will showcase a selection of hand drawn fine art prints exploring playful shifts in scale and perspective. Manchester artist Toni Miller Paints will also bring discounted and ex-exhibition works to the space, alongside Sally Marshall Art, whose mixed media pieces range from painted skateboards and mirrors to drumskins, trainers and prints.
Elsewhere, Rosedale Botanics will offer houseplants and accessories for budding domestic horticulturalists, while artist Sarah Betts hosts live speed portrait sessions, offering festivalgoers the unique chance to have hand drawn portraits completed in just a few minutes. Urban sketch artist Sophie Nixon will also showcase original sketches and prints celebrating some of Manchester’s best loved buildings, pubs and venues.
Alongside the stalls, the Fringe programme will include a series of interactive workshops and installations designed for both adults and children. Visitors can take part in free badge making and guitar decorating sessions, while the large scale Chaos Canvas installation invites guests to draw directly onto the walls of a giant white painted room using thousands of crayons provided throughout the weekend.
Families can also head outside for the return of Mini Mews Fest on Saturday from 12pm to 4pm, where younger visitors can take part in free activities including nature crown making and an edible trail beside the Village Hall. The Little Northerners Play Space will also remain open for those looking for a quieter break between performances and activities.
Across the site, food and drink venues will be serving sumptuous fare every day, with Another Hand moving onto its outdoor terrace for flatbreads on Sunday, while Siam Smiles adds BBQ specials to its regular menu. Visitors can also sample cocktails, wine and small plates from The Mews Bar, expanded outdoor bars at Lion’s Den and drinks flowing freely at Low Four Studios and Tabitha’s.
Festivalgoers will also get the first look at new bar Frank’s, which opens for the first time this weekend to serve a variety of beers and cocktails, alongside a special pop up from Amo by Salvi’s. Across the weekend, the concept will serve focaccia sandwiches, cannoli, coffee, spritzes and a special donut collaboration with Baby Mayhem.
Sponsored by AO Arena, this year’s edition will also raise money for Forever Manchester through collection buckets across the site and a raffle offering the chance to win two tickets to see Lily Allen at the arena next month.
Find out more HERE.
- Words:
- Wolf McFarlane
- Published on:
- Wed 20 May 2026
