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Greater Manchester’s heritage railway is hosting a new vintage festival this late May bank holiday weekend

There'll even be a flypast from an RAF Lancaster Bomber plane.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 6th May 2025

Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is taking a step back in time with its brand new vintage festival later this month.

After delighting families throughout the region with countless successful events over the past couple of years, the Greater Manchester public is now being invited down to East Lancashire Railway (ELR) this late May bank holiday for an unforgettable weekend of ‘soulful tunes’ and ‘timeless classics’ – with music, food, events, and costumes inspired by the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s.

The brand-new Vintage Vibes events is shaping up to be even bigger and better than ever before, all to celebrate the best of years gone by.

Along with previously confirmed headliners including The Real Thing, The Barron Soul DJ, Northern Soul Train, and Sixties Mania, seven new acts are hitting the stages at Bury Bolton Street, Rawtenstall, Ramsbottom, and Heywood Stations along the ELR route.

Local radio personality, David Dockerty, will serve as MC for both days of the event on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May.

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Acoustic specialists The Washboard Resonators, Motown marvel Jackie Marie, disco band Groovemental, and vocal trio Christopher and The Robins are just some of the music acts to perform across the two-day festival, while tribute act Masters of the Scene will round off the weekend in perfect sing-along fashion belting out all your favourite ABBA hits.

The fun doesn’t stop at the main stage either, as vintage entertainer Lilli Moore is set to perform at Heywood Station all afternoon on both days of the event, as is 1940s singer and entertainer Lancashire Belle at Rawtenstall on 24 May and Ramsbottom on 25 May.

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A new vintage festival is coming to Greater Manchester this late May bank holiday weekend / Credit: ELR | Wikimedia Commons

So Retro will be hosting an incredible vintage fair with themed memorabilia, clothing, and vinyl records for sale all weekend.

ELR is also taking those vintage vibes to the sky too, and that’s because the iconic Lancaster bomber will be performing a thrilling flypast on the Saturday to wow spectators with a touch of history and nostalgia.

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Vintage Vibes is taking place across the late May bank holiday weekend from Saturday 24 and Saturday 25 May, and you can find out more and get tickets starting from £13 each on the ELR website here.

Featured Image – ELR

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Stockport’s big block party returns this summer

Danny Jones Danny Jones Stock Party 2025 dates

After a successful debut event last year, Stock Party is officially back for 2025.

Yes, Stockport’s big summer block party returns this June for its second edition and with the ever-thriving town centre now a seemingly more popular destination than ever, you can expect a big turnout.

The Greater Manchester borough has been enjoying a real revival over the past few years, with the Old Town events throughout the marketplace and Underbank attracting thousands throughout the year, not least of all the smash-hit SK1 Records street parties.

Building on that winning formula, Stock Party ’25 is set to make its sophomore outing the biggest yet, bringing together local food and drink vendors, independent traders, entertainment and lots more.

Organised by the award-winning Where The Light Gets In, Track, Cloudwater and Robinsons; Sureshot, Balance and Runaway Breweries, along with numerous other indie businesses from around the 10 boroughs, this Stock Party isn’t just about those within SK – it’s a Greater Mancunian celebration.

Set up in collaboration with Stockport’s Business Improvement District (BID), Totally Stockport and Stockport Council, the town’s famous ‘Robbie’s Brewery’ complex with severe as the main festival square and bar.

Not only will they be pouring the freshest of beers but there will also be a DJ set curated by Bohemian Arts Club – owned by Blossoms frontman Tom Ogden and his wife Katie – to ensure a proper homegrown party atmosphere all day long.

As for those who prefer a pinot noir to a pint, the likes of Isca will be on hand serving up a selection of their natural wines, not to mention a BBQ by Where The Light Gets and sourdough pizza from Honest Crust. We’re feeling parched and peckish just thinking about it.

And that’s not all. Not even close.

stock party festival 2025
free stockport street party
Credit: Stockport BID (supplied)

Stockport’s iconic Underbank district will be filled with tables and chairs enabling festival-goers to enjoy an alfresco beer from a five-tap van located outside Rare Mags, serving up creations Piccadilly Trading Estate‘s popular Cloudwater and Track Breweries.

The Spinn Off, Cracked Actor and the brand new White Lion will also be getting involved with the libations, with local favourites Cafe San Juan, Marley’s Tacos and Ginger’s Ice Cream Emporium all serving up top-notch street food.

In terms of entertainment, visitors can even enjoy a little pottery workshop at nearby Yellowhammer and the aforementioned SK1 Records will also be supplying the tunes.

Come on, you’ve got to admit, this sounds like an absolutely belting day.

stockport block party
Credit: Supplied

Best of all, not only is there plenty of family-friendly activities to keep people of all ages busy but it’s also costs absolutely nothing to enter, meaning you can save your pennies for the suds and scran.

Kicking off from 12 noon on Saturday, 20 July, you can expect the festivities to run on until 9pm, though we’re sure local bars such Cherry Jam and the like will keep the party going long after that.

It’s going to be a summer full of these kind of festivals, as a similar free-to-attend event is happening over in Salford even sooner.

Tis’ the season.

A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again
See you at both, I guess!

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Featured Images — Supplied

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A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again

After a successful run last year, the Salford-based Middlewood Locks Fest is returning for a second time with the promise of an even bigger and better programme of entertainment, food and fun. 

Taking place on Saturday 10 May from 2pm-10pm, the free festival returns to Middlewood Locks..

Whether you’re local or just looking for a great day out, the festival will have something for everyone. There’ll be plenty of activities and pop-up stalls for you to get involved with, including a daytime market as well as children’s interactive workshops.

Get Living is proud to support the festival for the second year, which celebrates local creativity, community spirit and culture. The event is set to take place on the doorstep of New Maker Yards, Get Living’s canal-side neighbourhood.

With a range of one-three bedroom homes available for rent, New Maker Yards blends spacious, stylish apartments with green open spaces, complete with an on-site cafe and a strong community feel – all at the heart of the vibrant Middlewood Locks neighbourhood, where  the festival action is taking place.

For Middlewood Locks Fest, a Makers Market will be taking place throughout the day with items on offer from local makers, artisans, performers and creators, including plants, jewellery, artwork, clothes and produce.

The Canal & River Trust is organising explorer’s activities for kids and families alike, while St Philip’s CE Primary School has worked with artists to create bespoke decorations for the event too.

A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again
A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again. Credit: Karen Wright

If that wasn’t enough for you, how about a special appearance from a canal-side regular as a giant Canadian goose puppet will also be making an appearance to meet festival-goers.

Everything really is catered for here. On top of the makers market and masterclasses, there will also be live music courtesy of a brass band – that sounds like music to my ears.

There’s even the opportunity to go on the water yourself as a handful of rafted canoes will be in use for activities throughout the day.

And of course food is in safe hands too. Street food vendors including Taka Taka Mam will be bringing all the flavours of the Mediterranean and stuffing them into their famous hearty gyros, while city favourites Ginger’s Ice Cream Emporium is popping up from Afflecks to soak up the sun and provide dreamy desserts direct from the canal-side pop-up.

Middlewood Locks Fest in Salford
Middlewood Locks Fest in Salford
Middlewood Locks Fest, a canal-side festival in Salford. Credit: Karen Wright Photography

And when the sun’s out it would be rude not to treat yourself to a tipple, so good thing that the Adams & Rose Bar is making an appearance to fill up your glass with the finest gin and rum selection.

As the night comes to an end, you can dance the night away to some epic tunes thanks to a live DJ while being surrounded by a mesmerising fire and sound installation to close this spectacular celebration.

Kim Quickfall, Regional Director at Get Living, said: “Last year’s Middlewood Locks Fest was
a huge success and we’re excited to be supporting the event again in 2025.

“Bringing people from across Salford and the wider area together, the day will celebrate the best of local culture, enterprise and creativity with activities and events for all.”

Middlewood Locks Fest is returning to Salford on Sunday 10 May from 2pm to 10pm and more information can be found HERE.

For those that can’t make the festival fun, there are plenty of other things to see and do in the area. From the delicious treats at 97 Degrees Coffee to the landmark Aviva Studios cultural hub,  there is plenty to discover in this buzzing neighbourhood.

Explore the 1-3 bedroom homes for rent at New Maker Yards and discover more at getliving.com.

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Featured image: Karen Wright Photography

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