Manchester is hosting its very-own ‘Lass Fest’ with loads of special events to celebrate International Women’s Day next month.
International Women’s Day is coming up in a couple of weeks time on Friday 8 March, and in a bid to mark the annual occasion and properly celebrate all the brilliant women and girls from Greater Manchester and beyond, GRUB will be hosting a special ‘Lass Fest’ – with four days of special events and activities planned.
It’ll be returning for another year, and taking over three Manchester venues, Cultplex, the newly-returned Fairfield Social Club, and GRUB itself – all tucked away down in the Green Quarter part of the city centre.
And this year’s festival is gearing up to be the biggest one yet, so there’s lots to look forward to.
Festivalgoers can expect food, drinks, music, art, shopping, comedy, cabaret, games, films, and more, all to celebrate amazing women in our region.
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Themed charity quizzes and raffles, crafting and painting workshops, sip and paint classes, live music and burlesque shows, comedy nights, a music video watch party, screenings of both classics and alternative ‘girl movies’, an inclusive chance to explore the world of Dungeons & Dragons, ‘Speed Mateing’ events, and so much more is on the exciting lineup across the four days.
Not only that, but throughout the festival, you’ll also be able to grab grub from local female-owned street food businesses – including No Meat No Cry, Desert Island Dumplings, Rio Mex, Tiny Beast Bakes, and Munchie Mummy’s.
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GRUB is hosting its very-own ‘Lass Fest’ to celebrate International Women’s Day next month / Credit: GRUB
Of course, International Women’s Day on the Friday of the four-day event is a stand-out day on the lineup.
On the all-important day itself, there’s an interactive macrame workshop, guided wine and spirit tasting session, Ember Travixen’s IWD-themed female empowerment cabaret show, and a special ‘Girl Power’ edition of GRUB’s popular Disco Bingo all set to take place.
Sunday also brings more event highlights, as it also happens to be Mother’s Day as well, and there’ll be the return of the third annual ‘Feminist Market’ to celebrate.
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There’s something for everyone to get involved with over the four-day event / Credit: GRUB
Here, there’ll be the chance to shop unique creations from independent local makers and artists who’ll be showcasing handcrafted items and designs embodying empowerment and creativity, and support them as they share their one-of-a-kind pieces that each carry the spirit of feminism.
With a lineup this jam-packed, there absolutely is something for everyone of all ages, genders, sexualities, races, and backgrounds to get involved with.
Find out more and grab tickets from the GRUB website here.
Featured Image – GRUB
What's On
A brand-new live music series with big Northern names is coming to Blackpool
Danny Jones
An all-new live music series is coming to the beloved Northern seaside town of Blackpool, and there’s already plenty of big regional names booked for the inaugural slate of gigs.
What’s more, you won’t have to wait long for it to get underway, as the first date is this July.
Being organised by well-known local record label and promoters Scruff of the Neck, the brand-new multi-date event marks its debut edition through the summer and all the way into autumn.
Announcing a raft of 27 different acts in total, the inaugural Blackpool Live looks set to be a belter – and we’d be very surprised if this first year isn’t the start of something very special…
BLACKPOOL LIVE 2026
We are proud to reveal the full lineup of 27 amazing artists all heading to Blackpool this summer as we bring the best live music to one of the UK’s premier getaway locations. pic.twitter.com/kWVGtqbl4T
— Scruff of the Neck (@scruffoftheneck) June 26, 2026
As you can see, already confirmed for Blackpool Live 2026 are the likes of Feeder, Doves, The Fratellis, resurgent indie landfill throwbacks, The Enemy, Happy Mondays, The Pigeon Detectives, and even Oasis’ reunion support stars, Cast.
But even the so-called ‘warm up’ slots for each day of shows are filled with plenty of popular up-and-coming talent, as well as already established headliners in their own right.
From youngsters like our very own Alex Spencer, as well as fellow Mancs IST IST and Slow Readers Club (just to name a handful) to the likes of We Are Scientists, Inspiral Carpets, The Futureheads and more, the maiden live music crowds set to descend on Blackpool’s Winter Gardens are set to be spoilt.
Spread across multiple stages over the next few months, this fledgling event is not only a celebration of bands and artists from across the North, but a great way to spotlight grassroots music venues and the town in general.
Designed by illustrator Rod Hunt, you can see a map giving you an overview of key sites that will be partnering with the festival down below.
Credit: Rod Hunt (supplied)
Inspired by a trip founder Mark Lippmann and some friends took back in 2006 – travelling all the way from Hazel Grove in Stockport to see Arctic Monkeys at the historic Empress Ballroom – this fresh live music promotion is a story two decades in the making.
After an initial smaller outing with just three groups on the bill last year, 2026 is the first proper iteration of the Blackpool Live vision.
Speaking ahead of its launch, Lippmann said in a statement: “People always ask what the best gig you’ve ever been to was, but when you think about it, you remember so much more than the band. You remember who you were with, what you did before the show and how the whole day felt.
“Blackpool is uniquely placed to create those experiences. You can jump on a train, spend the day by the sea and finish it watching incredible live music in one of Britain’s most iconic venues. That’s what Blackpool Live is really about.”
You can find out more information about all of the headline shows and grab your tickets right HERE.
Featured Images — Press shots (Sonic PR)/Rob M Whittaker (via WikiCommons)/WHP (supplied)
What's On
Manchester’s free summer picnic is coming back to Oxford Road
Danny Jones
Manchester’s free ‘Summer in the City Picnic’ is returning to the Oxford Road Corridor later this year, promising plenty of live music and entertainment, family-friendly fun, outdoor activities and lots more.
Coming back to Circle Square for the second time, the now annual and completely free city centre festival will set up for its sophomore edition right on Symphony Park.
Surrounded by numerous local businesses located within the thriving Bruntwood SciTech and Vita Group neighbourhood, this mini-district is once again set to draw in crowds from all over Manchester.
With that in mind, get your coolers, picnic baskets and blankets ready: it’s time for some alfresco fanfare.
Kicking off next month for one day only, Circle Square‘s ‘Summer in the City Picnic’ 2.0 will get underway pretty much from the outset, with the organisers promising a full day of festivities.
Visitors can look forward to an even more jam-packed schedule than last year, with creative workshops and interactive experiences, DJs right through to the evening, alongside roaming steel drum performances and even silent disco adventures, just to name a few.
Other events include: sip and paint sessions, pop-up mini golf and basketball shoot-outs; ‘foot pool’, a seasonal bouquet bar, as well as a dedicated picnic space for dogs, complete with bespoke pup portraits. Adorable.
2025 saw plenty of furry friends steal the show and become local celebrities for the day, and we’re sure ’26 will be no different.
The long picnic tables will once again take centre stage, creating a relaxed space for families and friends to come together over great food from Circle Square’s wide mix of indie restaurants and cafes, such as Gooey, Onda, Hello Oriental, Half Dozen Other, Saffa Soul, North Bar, Monkey Trio and more.
Punters are, obviously, to bring along their own picnic bits, packed lunches and favourite scran, but it’s nice to have the option of treating yourself to stuff on-site.
Better still, Circle Square’s proximity not only to Oxford Road train station, but the St Peter’s Square tram stop and various bus routes (even Piccadilly isn’t really that far) means that this is super accessible for anyone interested – not to mention that it’s completely free and open to all members of the public.
Taking place on Saturday, 8 August, we hope to see you there and hopefully with the sun shining.
Emily Sergeant -
15th February 2024 
