Hulme’s beloved Community Garden Centre is once again set to turn into a fun and floral music venue as Green Island Festival returns for 2023.
Entering its third year on the circuit, the cult-hitHulme festival arrives this summer, spreading across three incredible days of music, culture, afterparties and, naturally, plenty of plants.
Hulme Community Garden Centre is exactly what it says on the tin: an important and much-celebrated institution in the local community and has served as an important non-profit for the surrounding Greater Manchester area since 2001.
That being said, while we love flexing our green thumbs and seeing the incredible work they do all year-round, there is no better to be there than when Green Island Festival rocks up.
Teaming up with the likes of BBC Introducing, local brewing legends Seven Bro7hers, Ruffy’s Lab, as well as Northern Lights Home x The Garden, the organisers are looking to deliver the best Green Island Festival to date.
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If last year’s festival was anything to go by, they’re going to rip the leafy roof off this place. Well, there isn’t one — it’s mainly a lot of plants, trees and tents, but you catch our drift.
Promising three stages packed with live music, pumping afterparties round the corner at iconic local institution NIAMOS, to pre-festival DJ courses from Reform Radio, sensational local food and booze, as well as plenty of other family-friendly activities during the day. There really is something for everyone.
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The lineup‘s looking absolutely great already, with some of the best up-and-coming local artists already on board as the festival series aims to champion all manner of genres and enrich Manchester’s music scene by spotlighting underground and criminally underrepresented musicians. That’s what we like to hear.
Green Island Festival 2023 starts on 17 June, with a follow-up night on 29 July before the final chapter draws the party to a close on 9 September.
Unbelievably, if you want to come along (and you should), it will only set you back £12.50 for each individual day or afterparty you want to attend and since accessibility is fundamental to the founders’ vision, you can grab yourself a pass that covers both for just £22.50. Absolutely class.
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We’re not lying when we say we’re genuinely debating doing all three dates. Why not?
You can grab your tickets for this year’s Green Island Festival at Hulme Community Garden Centre HERE.
The UK’s biggest LEGO convention is coming back to Manchester next month
Emily Sergeant
The biggest LEGO event in the UK is returning to Manchester next month.
After proving to be such a massive sell-out success last year, Bricktastic – the ‘ultimate’ LEGO convention – will be returning to Manchester next month, just in time for half term, with even more incredible LEGO models, activities, and fun for all the family.
Already shaping up to be one of the most exciting LEGO events in the UK, with tickets already on sale and selling fast, fans can expect to see more than 300 exhibitors from around the world showcasing original LEGO creations, also known as MOCs (Models of Own Creation), all under one roof at Manchester Central.
Whether you’re a fan of Star Wars, Friends, or Harry Potter, you’ll find your favourite LEGO themes and more at the event next month.
You’ll also be able to meet the talented model creators and uncover the stories behind their spectacular builds.
This LEGO convention isn’t just about admiring the models though, it’s about creating your own too, as at Bricktastic, you can build a section of our giant LEGO mosaic featuring more 100,000 bricks, dive into the brick pits filled with system or DUPLO® bricks for the little ones, and leave your own personal tag on the LEGO graffiti walls.
Basically, you can create anything you like and then leave your masterpiece on display for others to enjoy when they visit.
The UK’s biggest LEGO convention is coming back to Manchester next month / Credit: Shirlane Forrest
There’ll also be a wide variety of shopping opportunities at Bricktastic 2026, with something for every budget, no matter what you’re searching for.
And all proceeds from Bricktastic 2026 will help to fund LEGO deliveries to children in hospitals through the Fairy Bricks charity.
Bricktastic 2026 is taking place at Manchester Central on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February 2026, and tickets are on sale now.
Tickets will be required for all visitors. Your ticket will have a timed entry but not a timed exit, so you can stay as long as you like, and if you want to take a break for a coffee or lunch, then simply collect a wristband to return whenever you’re ready.
An interactive jury experience is happening in Manchester – and it’s selling out FAST
Danny Jones
Yes, you might have heard about different bits of ‘immersive theatre’ here in Manchester before, you may have even tried some of them before, but have you ever been part of an interactive jury experienceinspired by true events?
Didn’t think so.
We’ve come across some pretty unorthodox performance art in our time – the soon-to-arrive Star Wars burlesque show being just one recent example; having said that, this might be one of the coolest concepts around right now.
Calling the next case into court, we have ‘The Jury Experience: Diamonds, Lies, and a Dead Man’, which combines a live crime thriller with the classic jewel heist format, whodunnit tropes and more.
Organised by Fever Events and scripted and staged with help from award-winning creative directors, Les Enfants Terribles, this latest edition of The Jury Experience is one of just many in a long line of intriguing courtroom dramas that YOU get to take part in.
We don’t want to give too much away and spoil the magic, but let’s just say you get to play a key role in seeing who goes down for the theft or a multi-million dollar family treasure.
Using your phone and/or paddles to cast your votes and sway decisions, there aren’t just key moments – the audience themselves are the final verdict.
Think you handle the responsibility, or better still, will you relish the sense of power?
As for ‘Diamonds, Lies, and a Dead Man’, here’s your teaser: “You’ve been called for jury duty. Scandal brews as a disgraced ex-driver stands trial for stealing global superstar Lana Tonneti’s $20m necklace.
“But is Lana telling the truth? Throughout the show, analyse witness testimonies, examine the evidence, answer complex questions, and try to uncover what really happened.
“Every word matters. Every detail counts. And at the end, you must cast the vote that determines the fate of the accused.”
Taking place at the stunning Stoller Hall and lasting just over an hour, this strictly 12+ event (kids under 19 must be accompanied by an adult)
While tickets to the first two productions this month have already sold out, tickets for the March and April nights are still available. You can find out more about dates, timings, and other cases, as well as grab your tickets right HERE.
Danny Jones -
7th April 2023 
