One of Greater Manchester’s best-loved outdoor dining concepts has returned for 2024, and there’s a proper tasty lineup of traders.
‘Kargo on the Docks’ – which is MediaCity‘s al fresco dining pop-up, in place of the former Box On The Docks – has had itself a bit of a “glow up” and has taken over the waterfront and gardens with a fresh wave of local food traders and stunning artwork by Salford-based creatives, all as the sun shines down on Salford Quays this summer.
A handful of the region’s most popular independents have set themselves up Quayside inside the concept’s signature re-imagined shipping containers.
For the first time ever, Salford legends Leopard Pie are now serving up their delicious – and trademarked – Honey Butter Rings, alongside authentic Neapolitan pizzas, from their very-own Honey Butter Ring Hut.
Other new food offerings come from the likes of Manchester’s beloved Parmogeddon, and Kargo MKT favourite, ThatZiki.
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Loads of local indie food vendors have taken over the Salford Quays waterfront for the summer / Credit: Supplied
So Famous and Block Steak Shop are some of the other local foodie favourites you can find down on the waterfront this summer.
Over the past few weeks, a collection of talented local artists, including Fernandes Makes, Kelly Ma and Caroline Daly, have returned to MediaCity to adorn the newly-added shipping containers with collaborative artworks and installations, and ultimately, bring a fresh summer vibe to its gardens.
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Not only that, but there’s now also a brand-new art trail display throughout the gardens too, featuring artwork from MikeSian Studio, A Studio Called Jane, Luke Passey, and Tasha Whittle.
MediaCity’s popular outdoor dining concept has had a “glow up” for 2024 / Credit: Mark Waugh (via Supplied)
Speaking following the long-awaited return of the popular outdoor dining event, Matt Bigland, who is the Founder and CEO of Blend Family – the company operating the new-look Kargo on the Docks – commented: “This is an exciting development for us and we’re looking forward to bringing all that Kargo offers to MediaCity in a brand-new format.
“The success of Kargo.MKT and Kargo Go has paved the way for this new venture and we’re pleased to be expanding our incredible line-up of food vendors on offer at MediaCity and Quayside.”
Kargo on the Docks will be open Tuesday to Sunday.
Food will be served from 11.30am-9pm, while the bar operates between 10am-11pm, and there’ll also be a range of pop-up events hosted throughout the summer too, with more announcements set to be made in the coming months, so keep your eyes peeled.
Featured Image – Mark Waugh (via Supplied)
What's On
Gladiators Live Tour to make ‘triumphant’ return to Manchester on UK arena tour
Emily Sergeant
The Gladiators Live Tour will make a triumphant return in 2026.
Following its explosive debut in 2025 and overwhelming fan demand, the Gladiators Live Tour is set to head out on a UK tour later this year, bringing the iconic phenomenon back to arenas nationwide for an electrifying new run of shows, and making a stop off in Manchester, of course.
Audiences will, once again, have the chance to experience the action-packed spectacle featuring the stars of the hit BBC reboot series on an epic scale.
The 2025 live tour thrilled audiences nationwide, selling over 200,000 tickets and proving the arena spectacular is ‘bigger, bolder, and more electrifying’ than ever, and that energy is only set to continue this year when the show returns to Manchester’s popular AO Arena.
GLADIATORS, READY!
Following its epic debut in 2025 the triumphant live show brings the energy to Manchester on 14 & 15 Nov!
This adrenaline-fuelled event sees the legendary Gladiators storm back into the arena to face fearless contenders in a heart-pounding live adaptation of the smash-hit television phenomenon.
Expect iconic fan-favourite events, breathtaking stunts, epic head-to-head battles and the unforgettable Eliminator finale.
Featuring stars from the hit BBC series, audiences are being told to expect a truly immersive, high-octane experience, as arenas are transformed into modern gladiatorial battlegrounds complete with purpose-built sets, spectacular lighting, and cinematic staging.
The Gladiators Live Tour 2026 kicks off in Aberdeen on 10 October, before heading to other major cities like Glasgow, London, and Birmingham, as well as northern locations like Leeds and Newcastle, and of course, Manchester’s AO Arena for two nights on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November.
Tickets officially go on sale this Friday 27 March, with two shows per day available, and you can grab them when they go live here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
An official and completely FREE Manchester Marathon fan zone is returning for 2026
Danny Jones
Yes, last year’s newest and official Manchester Marathon fan zone is returning for 2026, promising more positive pre- and post-race vibes than the first time around.
Here’s hoping for some lovely sunshine to go along with the atmosphere on 19 April.
Set to host the city centre’s runners and spectators for just the second time, Circle Square’s Symphony Park will be home to the 2026 Manc Marathon fan park, complete with independent pop-ups, big screens to watch all the action on, plus plenty more.
Best of all, it’s completely free to enter all day long for participants and those of you cheering your loved ones along, as well as being an ideal all-ages spot for families to relax and enjoy.
Located just moments from the finish line, just outside the University of Manchester along Oxford Road Corridor, you simply follow it down towards the tall Vita Group and Bruntwood SciTech buildings.
Circle Square itself hosts many events and activities all throughout the year, and they couldn’t resist getting back in on the raceday party once again, as more legends are set to take part than ever.
For context, 2025 saw more than 35,000 sign-ups, but this April is expected to see a whopping sold-out crowd exceeding 42,000 – a record number for the annual event.
With that in mind, finding a place to fit all of them and the countless fans who come along to cheer them on from the sidelines is paramount, so it’s a good job the Symphony Park x MCR Marathon fan zone will be open from 9am on the day.
Here are some more scenes from the last edition:
Credit: Jody Hartley (supplied)
Although more are set to be revealed nearer the time, visitors can expect “a lively schedule of entertainment, food and drink pop-ups, family-friendly activities and special offers from our community of independent businesses and brands.”
Set to close around 5pm as the hordes of runners will doubt either head home for a long bath, leg rub or straight to the pub for their victory pints, we can assure you lots of time will be spent on the square.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd July 2024 
