Manchester’s iconic Victoria Baths will be hosting a festival filled with live music, art exhibitions, street food, and more next month.
All set to transform the beautiful Grade II-listed building into a cultural hub for the day, and gearing up to “put a spring in the step” of the Greater Manchester public, Victoria Baths has confirmed that ‘SpringFest’ will be making an exciting return for 2024.
After last year’s event proved to be a massive success, SpringFest 2024 will be back again in just a couple of weeks time.
The festival will be celebrating music and art from across the region and beyond.
Dennis Queen, Dominic G, Amatiime, and the Guacamaya Latin Band are just some of the artists forming part of the diverse lineup of musical talent on the day, while stunning and eclectic artworks from John Merril, Vanessa Scottm Pool Arts, Mavish Masood, Jessie Tam, and even more names set to be announced, will all be on display.
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Perfect for families, friends, and solo festivalgoers alike, SpringFest also provides a unique opportunity to explore the nooks and crannies of the historic building, all while supporting the venue’s charitable trust too.
The ‘Make, Do, and Bop’ kids social event will be taking over the Gala Pool for “an extra special pool party” with a silent disco scheduled on the day, and although there’s no need to bring your swimming costumes, party clothes and dancing shoes are “definitely encouraged” at the under the sea-themed fancy dress bash.
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There’ll also be lots of lawn games, a book tent, craft activities, and a colouring station for the little ones to get stuck into too.
And, when you naturally work up an appetite and fancy taking a break from all the family-friendly fun, independent street food vendors Dim Sum Su, Wholesome Junkies, and Exclusive Scoop will be serving up the scran, while there’ll also be a selection of savoury bakes and sweet treats in the venue’s-own Tea Room too.
A licensed bar will even be there on the day too, so you can wash it all down with beers, wines, tea and coffee, and a range of other soft drinks.
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The event is taking over the iconic Manchester venue for one day only next month / Credit: Andrew Billington Photography (via Facebook)
SpringFest 2024 is taking over Victoria Baths on Saturday 20 April from 11am – 4pm, with tickets now on sale and setting you back just £8 for general admission with a voluntary donation, and £12 for general admission plus a guided tour, while under-18s go free with a paying adult ticket.
Tickets will also be available on the door, but organisers say booking in advance is “recommended” to secure your spot.
The UK’s biggest fashion thrift market returns to Manchester this weekend
Emily Sergeant
A huge pop-up fashion fair full of vintage, pre-loved, and small business clothing is back in Manchester this weekend.
Clothes Cycle is the UK’s biggest curated second-hand clothing market.
With a focus on championing sustainable clothing and helping fashion fans find a gem they’ll treasure forever, each pop-up market organised by the student-led initiative sees dozens of carefully-curated sellers offering a wide range of styles and items – including plus-sized, gender-neutral, male and female – come together all under one roof.
Taking over the unique space inside the historic Victoria Baths this Sunday (12 May), Clothes Cycle will welcome more than 100 different sellers showcasing everything from bargain vintage finds and designer pieces, to pre-loved wardrobes and picks from local small businesses.
Organisers say the Manchester event will be a combination of in-person thrift shopping, a filtered car boot sale, and the best of sustainable high street stores.
Sellers on the day will be offering up something for everyone on every budget.
With plenty of bargains under £5 up for grabs, you can expect to find vintage clothing of all kinds, alongside the best of streetwear, y2k, retro, archive pieces, luxury brands, current trends, and handmade clothing if you head down on the day, as well as bags, shoes, jewellery, and lots of other accessories.
The UK’s biggest fashion thrift market returns to Manchester this weekend / Credit: Clothes Cycle Markets
If that wasn’t enough, there’ll also be vendors selling home decor, art and prints, greeting cards, plants, ceramics, and so much more, as well as tooth gem and nail art stalls to get involved with.
There’ll even be three DJs blasting out tunes in various rooms throughout the day.
And if all that shopping gets you a bit peckish, there’ll even be some of the city’s best-loved independent street food vendors pitching up to serve a wide range of mouthwatering grub – including pizza, burgers, dumplings, gyros, streak sandwiches, and ice cream, alongside freshly-brewed coffee, and other alcoholic drinks and cocktails.
Clothes Cycle is coming to Victoria Baths in Manchester on Sunday 12 May from 11am-5pm, and tickets are now on sale from £5 online or on the door – with several concessions and VIP ticket options also available.
Dozens of life-sized animatronic dinosaurs are descending on Heaton Park again this summer
Emily Sergeant
Dozens of life-sized animatronic dinosaurs are set to take over the grounds of Heaton Park once again this summer.
Manchester will become the closest thing to Jurassic Park in real life in a couple of months time.
Back by popular demand after proving to be a smash-hit success when it was here last year, our region will transform into “a palaeontologist’s playground” once again, as around 40 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs are descending on the popular park to give dino fans of all ages the chance to get up close and personal with the big beasts.
Dinosaurs in the Park will arrive in Greater Manchester from mid-July and stay until early August, with dinosaurs expected around every corner.
Just as they did last year, visitors can expect an “an educational and enjoyable day out for the whole family” this summer.
Among the dozens of dinos which have all been designed with “meticulous attention to detail” are well-known favourites such as the Stegosaurus, Triceratops and Velociraptor, as well as the lesser-known Dilophosaurus, Kentrosaurus, and Hypacrosaurus.
Explorers will be able to make their way through Heaton Park‘s interactive trail made up of dozens of moving dinosaurs, all while solving puzzles and making the most of a range of hands-on activities along the way.
Dozens of life-sized animatronic dinosaurs to descend on Heaton Park this summer / Credit: Dinosaurs in the Park
There’ll be a palaeontologist tent so you can learn all about dinosaur behaviour, habitats, and the fascinating process of fossilisation, and a ‘Dinosaur Dentist’ section where kids can have a go at brushing the teeth of a T-Rex, while the ‘Dino Dig Pit’ will give young explorers a chance to unearth ancient fossils at an interactive dig site.
Not only that, but there’ll also be a ‘Fun Zone’ with lots of other free attractions and thrilling fairground rides, and a ‘Food Zone’ where explorers can either grab a well-earned bite to eat from the food court or use the space for a picnic after a day of hard work.
Dinosaurs in the Park is “an educational and enjoyable day out for the whole family” / Credit: Dinosaurs in the Park
Dinosaurs in the Park will be taking over Heaton Park from Friday 19 July – Sunday 4 August 2024.
Tickets are now on sale and cost adults and children over three £12 each, while a family ticket costs £46 for a group of four, and children under three go free – and, if you book any time slot after 3pm, you’ll get 20% off your ticket price too.