So that’s it for bank holidays now, as our next one isn’t until Christmas Day – when truthfully people are far more concerned about turkey and presents than they are about bank holidays. But all is not lost! There are plenty of free things to cram into this weekend… even if it is just your bog-standard two-dayer.
Levenshulme night market
The Levy market is always a sure thing for a good day out, offering the chance to browse the stalls, scoff on the North West’s finest street food and wash it down with a beer or two. What’s not to love? After scooping the West Zone Enterprise award at this year’s Towns Alive Awards, this weekend’s bash sees a slight change to the regular format, with the normal Saturday affair being cast aside in favour of an exciting night market on Friday. You can expect all of the usual suspects like Fire and Salt BBQ, Ginger’s Comfort Emporium and Winter Tarn Cheese, but all under the romantic glow of a setting sun.
Fri 29 Aug, shopper’s car park (next to Levenshulme station), M19 3PJ, 4 – 9pm, FREE, www.levymarket.com
WestFest ft. Reserve Wines, Thyme Out + more (pictured)
Celebrating the unique and thriving independent spirit of West Didsbury, WestFest returns this weekend to showcase the best that the neighbourhood has to offer. Rather than bringing in Manchester’s wel-known army of street traders, WestFest keeps things ultra-local by limiting action to the independent businesses of Burton Road, Lapwing Lane and Nell Lane. There will be lots of live music at Thyme Out Deli, Reserve Wines will be hosting a pop-up prosecco bar, whilst a weather-permitting BBQ will be pitched up outside Mary and Archies – along with special menus, discounts, kids’ entertainment and more.
Sat 30 – Sun 31 Aug, Various venues across West Didsbury, Starts around midday, FREE, www.westfest.org.uk
The Manchester Picnic
Each year Piccadilly Gardens hosts a large-scale picnic that is always popular among locals and day-trippers alike, having attracted a whopping 25,000 people in 2013. This year looks set for equally high hopes, with 17 of the region’s best street food vendors setting up shop alongside DJs, entertainment, live acoustic music, a teddy bears’ picnic and more for a day ticking all the boxes. Well-loved confirmed traders include Chaat Cart, Papa G’s, Fire and Salt BBQ, Ginger’s Comfort Emporium and Choccy Churros, meaning that tummies will most definitely not be leaving disappointed. Read our full preview here.
Fri 29 – Sun 31 Aug, Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, 11am – 7pm, FREE entry, www.facebook.com
- Words:
- Jess Hardiman
- Published on:
- Thu 28 Aug 2014
