Manchester’s schedule of summer events just keeps getting better, as now a brand-new multi-venue LGBTQ+ film and TV festival is coming to the city centre.
The debut city-wide festival simply entitled ‘SCENE’ will be celebrating queer stories on the big and small screen over the course of a full seven days, with special screenings, exclusive panels featuring figures from within the industry, special guests and more.
The event will not only be a huge celebration of LGBTQ+ culture but serve as a massive contribution to the community as well.
A Manchester Pride Festival official partner event for 2024 too, Canal Street and the Gay Village as a whole will be joining a whole host of venues helping bring this wonderful festival’s inaugural event to life.
The weeklong event will kick off with an exclusive opening night featuring a celebration panel and after-party to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the influential drama, Queer as Folk.
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One of the most beloved and groundbreaking British series ever, the show spotlighted Manchester’s Canal Street and this year’s celebration will see appearances from writer Russell T Davies, executive producer Nicola Shindlerand actress Denise Black (Hazel Tyler), with more names still to be announced.
This is just one of many star-studded events taking place throughout the LGBTQ festival, including a special screening of BBC hit drama, Lost Boys & Fairies, followed by one of many Q&As from the TV show’s writer and main star, and a showing of documentary film, Striking With Pride: United at the Coalface Pop, at The People’s History Museum.
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Another partnered festival venue is the HOME cinema and arts centre, which will honour the legendary John Waters with screenings of cult favourite films Pink Flamingos and Female Trouble, as well as a raucous circus takeover from ‘The Filthiest Carnival Alive’ on the Saturday.
To say there is a lot going on is putting it mildly, with tickets to all events either £15 or under and many of them being just a fiver or completely free – there’s even a free outdoor screen on at First Street throughout.
We Were Here (David Weissman)Home CinemaQueer As FolkCredit: SCENE LGBTQ+ Film and TV Festival (supplied)
And beyond enriching local recognition of this city’s queer SCENE (see what we did there?), how else will the festival be contributing to the community?
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Well, ticket profits will be donated directly to the Manchester Pride Charity as an official partner event of the festival, with promoters Skiddle also donating the booking fee for any SCENE events purchased through their site too. You just love to see it.
Head of Events at CityCo, producers of SCENE Festival 2024, Gary Williams, said: “We are excited to bring this celebration of LGBTQ+ Film & TV to Manchester as part of Manchester Pride’s festivities. SCENE promises a week of solidarity, diversity, and enjoyment.
“LGBTQIA+ representation on screen allows us to share our stories, break down barriers, and grow our community. We can’t wait to champion queer content and celebrate together this summer.”
The first-ever SCENE LGBTQ+ Film and TV Festival takes place from Friday, 16 August to Thursday, 22 August and what better way to kick into the wider 2024 Manchester Pride celebrations than this? You can find a full events calendar and grab your tickets HERE.
A huge Irish festival with iconic music stars, markets, food and more is coming to Greater Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A massive Irish music festival with masses of food, drink, crafts, workshops and surprises is returning to Greater Manchester this summer.
Craic by the Creek 2025 will bring together all the best bits of the Emerald Isle for a weekend-long knees-up in a gorgeous countryside location on our doorstep in July.
There’s a huge music line-up (with plenty more still to be announced) featuring Boyzlife, made up of Keith Duffy from Boyzone and Brian McFadden from Westlife.
And this fun-filled Irish Music Festival is the only one of its kind offering full weekend camping, at the beautiful village of Compstall in Stockport.
The countdown is now officially on for this unmissable celebration of Irish music, culture, and community spirit, which will take place between 18 and 20 July.
Craic by the Creek has been hailed as the greatest Irish music festival in the UK and is back for 2025 bigger than ever.
Already announced to perform live along with Boyzlife are The Tumbling Paddies, Derek Ryan, All Folk’d Up, Johnny Brady, The Kilkennys and loads more.
There are still more acts to be revealed in this stacked line-up.
And it’s not just about the music at Craic by the Creek – there’s also a bustling Irish-themed craft market with handmade goods, Irish-inspired food and drink, social dance workshops, and plenty of surprises.
Expect a weekend of tunes, traditions, community vibes and campfire craic.
Craic by the Creek will take place between 18 and 20 July, 2025 – tickets are on sale now via Skiddle, and they’re already flying.
Cheshire Oaks is hosting a FREE exclusive gig this summer to celebrate its 30th anniversary
Daisy Jackson
Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet will be celebrating its 30th anniversary with a huge, free concert that’ll hark back to the 2000s.
The hugely popular shopping destination, where visitors can save big on luxury brands, will be inviting customers to a totally free summer gig on a stage built on site.
It’s part of the wider 30th anniversary celebrations, and will include a headline performance from a top-secret 2000s music act.
All they’ve revealed about the headliner so far is that they have a catalogue of number one singles and beloved hits…
But also on the line-up that has been confirmed is a DJ set from Take That legend Howard Donald, and a hosting slot from Hits Radio DJ Kimberly Wyatt.
There are still supporting acts to be announced in due course, with Cheshire Oaks promising ‘high energy and big personality’.
Taking place in the evening of Friday 6 June, the Cheshire Oaks 30th anniversary party will be free to shoppers and visitors.
And a select group of VIPs from the local community will have the opportunity to meet the mystery headliner in person.
Cheshire Oaks is hosting a FREE exclusive gig this summer to celebrate its 30th anniversary
Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet will be giving back to its local charity partners, including The Hospice of The Good Shepherd, Koala, Flynns Port in the Storm and Claire House amongst others, as well as its staff and their families, with exclusive golden circle access for the best seats in the house.
The anniversary gig is part of the shopping village’s ongoing celebration of its three-decade-long history.
Earlier this year, Cheshire Oaks unveiled its 2025 Style Report, revealing that 63% of Brits now prefer shopping in person rather than online, as well as the resurgence of nostalgic fashion trends from the 90s, from baggy trousers to full denim looks.
It’s the UK’s largest designer outlet, with more than 400,000 sq ft of retail space and more than 165 brands.
Kenny Murray, general manager at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, said: “This anniversary is a moment to celebrate the rich history and vibrant future of Cheshire Oaks. We have evolved continuously over the last three decades, and now it’s time to celebrate in true style.
“Over our 30 years we’ve built a real sense of community that makes this centre special and we want to celebrate this milestone with the local area and people so close to our heart.
“This summer’s music event, crowned by a secret headline act, promises to be a truly special experience, and a way that we can give back to the loyal customers who have trusted us to bring them the latest fashion trends since the 90s, we can’t wait to enjoy it with them.”
For more information about Cheshire Oaks and its upcoming summer gig, head HERE.
Danny Jones -
14th July 2024 
