Caffeine lovers are to set unite for an annual celebration later this year, as Manchester Coffee Festival is back for 2022.
Returning to our city once again this November, Manchester Coffee Festival is an independent event that prides itself on opening up the world of specialty coffee and making it accessible to everyone, and it does this by bringing together a wide range of the best coffee companies under one roof to showcase what they do best through talks, tastings, competitions, workshops, demos, and so much more.
The two-day festival is a popular fixture in the city’s annual events calendar, and gives festival-goers the chance to chat with the experts and improve their coffee game.
Ancoats Coffee, Atkinsons, Blossom Coffee, Heart & Graft Coffee Roasters, and Salford Coffee Roasters are some of the local names that festival attendees can expect this year, alongside regulars like Allpress, Climpson & Sons, North Star Coffee Roasters, and Origin.
There’ll also be some new companies popping up too – including The Service Course, Saddleworth Brownies, and Ecoffee Cup.
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Manchester Coffee Festival is back for 2022 this November / Credit: MCF
This year’s festival headline partners include Oatly, La Marzocco UK, Espresso Solutions, and Urnex – which will both provide equipment and product to exhibitors, and will be on hand to chat with those at the festival.
Tickets to Manchester Coffee Festival are now on sale, and feature everything from entry to all the festival talks and panels, as well as a not-to-be-missed opportunity to watch the UK Cup Tasting Champion be crowned, try out all the coffee samples you can handle, and take part in guided tasting session.
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And new for 2022, you can also upgrade your regular ticket to include access to an exclusive workshop with the experts as well.
From coffee roasting colour experiments to home espresso skills, there’s a workshop for everyone.
The two-day event opens up the world of specialty coffee and makes it accessible to everyone / Credit: MCFThere’ll be talks, tastings, competitions, workshops, demos, and so much more / Credit: MCF
Coffee is of course what the festival will be celebrating at its heart, but that’s not all that people have to look forward to.
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Manchester Coffee Festival has also collaborated with BIMM Manchester to curate the music stage lineup for 2022, and there’ll even be a family party hosted by Born To Be Wild Child on the Sunday morning of the festival too.
The 2022 edition of Manchester Coffee Festival has also partnered with Farmers Voice Radio to support the station in its mission to transform the lives of millions of farmers and rural communities through the power of radio.
5% of all ticket sales will be donated directly to Farmers Voice Radio.
A video of all the action from the 2021 edition of Manchester Coffee Festival / Credit: MCF
Manchester Coffee Festival will be taking over the BEC Arena in Stretford on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 November 2022.
Tickets are now available online, and you can grab yours here.
Featured Image – MCF
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Be part of the biggest Great Manchester Run ever
Danny Jones
Runners and regular Mancs alike, start lacing up your trainers and sorting safety pins early, because the Great Manchester Run is back for 2026, and you can be part of it.
With sign-ups flying and bibs selling out fast, we really recommend getting a move on and booking your place now to make sure you’re part of what is, without fail, not just one of the most exciting dates on the local sporting calendar, but always a great day for the city in general.
Returning for its 23rd edition and fourth year being backed by principal sponsors, AJ Bell, we can assure it’ll be as well-attended as ever.
In fact, judging by the numbers already and the increasing crowds of spectators every year, this is looking on course to be the biggest Great Manchester Run to date.
The only question is, are you going to help make it the BEST yet by joining the thousands of others already finding the perfect spot to hang their shiny new medal?
Half-marathon, 10k, junior and mini races
As ever, the Great MCR Run isn’t just limited to one event: there are multiple distances, routes and age groups that can race the route in and around the city centre.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day
So, whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day, there really is fun for all ages.
In all seriousness, even watching the massive metropolitan event stood next to the roads with homemade signs promises plenty of atmosphere, but with fancy dress galore, various different activations in the middle of the city, there’s not a chance you’ll get bored.
Even in the years we’ve missed out on running it ourselves (it sold well in advance last year, for instance), the pure buzz we got from joining countless other Mancs cheering from the pavement is enough to keep us coming back time and time again.
All that being said, if you’re looking to sort the perfect Christmas present for a runner, or simply need more reason to give yourself the kick up the backside you’ve been waiting for and just put your name down, this is it.
Besides the full annual marathon in April, running events simply don’t get bigger in this region than this one, so don’t miss out.
Sign up for the 2026 Great Manchester Run right HERE.
Featured Images — Great Run Company/AJ Bell (supplied)
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A candlelit Queen tribute concert is returning to Manchester
Danny Jones
Yes, you read that right: a candlelit concert dedicated to the one and only Queen, with a spectacular West End Cast and a talented live rock band, is coming to Manchester city centre in January.
In fact, it’s coming home, as this wonderful event started right here in 0161 back in 2021.
Concerts by Candlelight themselves host concerts up and down the country at various points throughout the year, but their much-loved ‘Queen by Candlelight‘ special knows all about lighting up Manc venues.
Having since gone on to become an internationally acclaimed live concert experience, we’re glad we still get to see the ‘Princes of the Universe’ on our doorstep.
Credit: Concerts by Candlelight (supplied)
With the likes of Bridgewater Hall and the magical Manchester Monastery all having played host to the promotion on many ocassions, this time Queen by Candlelight is coming to the legendary Manchester Opera House in the new year.
One of our most historic and legendary theatres, it’s only fitting, really, that they be chosen to welcome a night of equally iconic tunes.
But it’s worth reminding more casual fans that these aren’t just British rock and pop anthems; Queen‘s discography is one that still has global recognition to this day.
That’s why this specific show has been taken to virtually every corner of the world, with the incredibly talented cast of singers and musicians delighting audiences in Dubai, Australia, New Zealand and New York, to domestic crowds here in town and down in London’s West End.
‘Queenies’ or ‘Darlings’, as Freddie Mercury used to call them, can expect all the big hits, from ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘We Are The Champions’, to ‘It’s a Kind of Magic’ and ‘Who Wants to Live Forever’ and plenty more from the back catalogue.
Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store this coming January:
With tickets already flying out fast, we really would recommend securing your seats early before they inevitably sell out.
To quote the promoters themselves, “this spectacular celebration of Queen’s biggest hits is guaranteed to rock you.”
Coming to the Manchester Opera House on Tuesday, 6 January, you can book your tickets for Queen by Candlelight right HERE.
And if you’ve never been to one of their candlelit events before, you only need to see how much of a ball we had at their country event earlier this year to find out how much fun they are…
Emily Sergeant -
27th July 2022 
