Summer Arts and Crafts Market at St. Ann’s Square

It’s natural to yearn for the Manchester Christmas Markets while they’re away, but there will be plenty of time to enjoy mugs of gluhwein on sodden streets later in the year. For the minute, there are little bits of sun every now and then, people are daring to wear shorts and everything is okay – and with that, Manchester welcomes the Summer Arts & Crafts fair to St Ann’s Square. Instead of mulled wine, there will be pitchers of Pimms – served by an official vendor, no less – and the winter hog roast is replaced by… well, a summer hog roast, as well as Thai Pies, exotic burgers (think ostrich meat) and a charcoal pit, among others. The less foodie stalls will be are split up into some very distinct categories: jewellery, health and beauty, homeware, photography, sculpture and painting, with a wealth of different stalls to pick from. When you’re wearing your thickest parker in the middle of December, you’ll look back at this as the happiest time in your life.

Thu 1 Aug – Sun 11 Aug, St. Ann’s Square, City Centre, times vary from stall to stall