Manchester’s picturesque Flower Festival is back this late May bank holiday weekend, and this year, it’s going global.
Now in its eighth year, and always billed as being the city’s most Instagrammable event in the annual calendar, The Manchester Flower Festival is a fabulous floral spectacle that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors into Manchester city centre.
This year’s festival, which is organised annually by Manchester BID, will be celebrating Manchester and other great cities around the world.
From the vibrant tulip fields of Amsterdam, to the urban energy of New York’s Statue of Liberty, and the high-tech influence of Singapore, this year’s theme is wide open for interpretation, and contributing gardeners will each interpret the beauty of cities through iconic landmarks, floral heritage, or personal connections to global hotspots.
From the romance of Paris, to the vibrancy of Mumbai, the spirit of Manchester, and everything in between, you can expect to see each city brought to life in flowers on a trail dotted all around our city centre.
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Returning, as always, this late May bank holiday weekend from Friday 23 through to Monday 26 May, organisers say the themed flower trail will feature jaw-dropping creations by some of the UK’s most exciting florists, artists, and designers.
You can expect to see surprises around every corner of the city and plenty of photo opportunities along the way.
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Manchester city centre will be filled with fresh blooms this summer as the annual Flower Festival returns / Credit: ManchesterBID
Printworks, Manchester Arndale, New Cathedral Street, St Ann’s Square, King Street, and Royal Exchange are just some of the well-known Manchester locations making up part of the trail next month.
While the striking floral trail is always the star of the show at the Flower Festival each this, that’s not all visitors have to look forward to, as there’ll also ben lots of live entertainment, interactive workshops, a cocktail trail, and arts and crafts markets too.
You’ll also find flower-filled bars, pop-up gardens and alfresco dining spots, perfect for soaking up the atmosphere and the sunshine.
Manchester Flower Festival 2025 is taking over the city centre this late May bank holiday weekend from Friday 23 through to Monday 26 May, and you can find out more here.
Featured Image – Manchester BID (via Supplied)
What's On
Popular grassroots music festival to return to hidden Manchester street with new fringe events
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s much-loved grassroots music festival is back next month, and this year, there’s some new fringe events too.
Set across a handful of popular venues up on Deansgate Mews – including The Lion’s Den, Low Four Studios and The Mews Bar – Deansgate Mews Festival is returning for its sixth year this late May bank holiday weekend.
More than 40 music artists will be performing on a mix of outdoor and intimate indoor stages.
But that’s not all, as in what’s set to be an exciting new chapter for 2026, the festival is expanding beyond its core programme with the launch of the first-ever Mews Fest Fringe too.
Popular grassroots music festival Mews Fest returns this late May bank holiday / Credit: Supplied
The inaugural Mews Fest Fringe will be hosted in a large unit within Great Northern Warehouse, which will be transformed into a ‘vibrant’ hub celebrating music, art and independent culture.
Designed as a platform for Manchester’s creative community, the festival space will welcome artists, designers, collectors, and creative entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their work while connecting with festival-goers.
At the Fringe event, you can expect everything from record sellers and vinyl collectors, to vintage clothes, arts and crafts makers, independent creatives, and even bands selling merchandise.
This year there’s also the addition of the Mews Fest Fringe / Credit: Supplied
Already known for its strong grassroots ethos and growing reputation, Mews Fest continues to champion local talent and independent culture – but now with the addition of the Fringe event, the stage is set for its most ‘ambitious and inclusive’ edition to date.
Oh and the best bit? Both festivals will be free to attend, with no need to book tickets beforehand.
Mews Fest and Mews Fest Fringe will take over Deansgate Mews next month on late May bank holiday weekend from Friday 22 – Monday 26 May.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Peter Kay announces four intimate charity shows in Greater Manchester – but only for these postcodes
Emily Sergeant
Peter Kay has just announced four intimate shows to raise money for a very worthy cause… but you can only get tickets if you live in these particular postcodes.
Comedy legend Peter Kay is set to return home to the Bolton Albert Halls for four very special hometown shows in this summer, marking his first performances at the venue more than two decades.
Taking to the very stage where he recorded the UK’s biggest-selling stand-up DVD, it’s set to be a proper nostalgic homecoming for one of Britain’s most beloved comedians.
The summer shows – which are taking place from 9 – 11 July 2026, even including a matinee performance – this is a rare chance for local fans to be part of something incredibly special, with all funds raised going to Bolton Hospice.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… you’ll only be able to get tickets if you live in Bolton (and some parts of Bury), as it’s strictly limited to BL postcodes.
Peter Kay Live at the Bolton Albert Halls – 2026 Dates
Thursday 9 July (Evening)
Friday 10 July (Evening)
Saturday 11 July (Matinee)
Saturday 11 July (Evening)
Tickets officially go on sale Friday 24 April at 10am, and you can get your hands on them here.
Emily Sergeant -
1st May 2025 
