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 local Manc content creator is looking to set a world record by running around Old Trafford
Danny Jones
A local content creator, who specialises in running/hiking content (and sandwiches), is looking to raise money and potentially set a world record by jogging around Old Trafford.
Oh, and by jogging, we mean running – for a really, REALLY long time…
If you’ve never come across his channel before, let us introduce you to local influencer and videographer Sam Matthew, a.k.a. ‘Peaks and Pubs‘.
Boasting plenty of fans on both Instagram and TikTok within the world of trail running, the outdoors community and beyond, he’s set to toastreaching a very specific achievement by “turning a milestone into a mission” and doing laps around Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United Football Club.
As explained in the video, he’s now surpassed 74,310 followers, i.e. the same capacity of supporters you can fit inside the Theatre of Dreams itself.
We know, it’s distance running and feats of endurance aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but they are a great way of raising money and awareness, not to mention possibly getting yourself in the official Guinness Book of World Records.
Explaining the challenge in the caption of the video, Sam writes: “There’s now enough of you lot following this daft account of mine on here to fill a stadium I’ve adored since I was a little boy. And that genuinely means so much to me.
“So why not celebrate the occasion by punishing my legs and raising money for good causes along the way? Donations are, of course, the aim, but I understand that not everybody is in the position to do that, so any engagement on this post is hugely appreciated.
“I mean it from the bottom of my heart that you lot genuinely make this all happen for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful that I get to do silly stuff like this on a random Wednesday [29 October]. Giving off pure ‘your unemployed friend on a Wednesday’ vibes, but I love it!”
Raising money for the club’s in-house Manchester United Foundation, which has already shown its support for the upcoming ultra-marathon distance event, they are also looking to generate crucial funds with the return of another annual charity event too.
The Foundation does some incredible work all year-round, if you’d rather swap running around Old Trafford for sleeping.
Once again, Sam will be kicking off the serious step-count from approximately 9am this Wednesday (28 Oct), he’s estimating it’ll take him around a whopping nine and a half hours, “with plenty of breaks for food and fluids”, thank god.
As the man behind most of the Bada Bing videos, we expect plenty of butties to fuel the running.
Furthermore, although he’s set to take on the distance solo for the morning, he’s invited as many people who fancy getting involved to come and join him for a lap or two from 12 noon onwards; hopefully, he’ll see the Guinness people popping along to see if he registers a world record while he’s at it, too.
We hope there are a few pints at the pub waiting for you at the end, as always, Sam.
Featured Images — Peaks and Pubs (supplied)/The Manc Group
What's On
A live Shaun the Sheep stage show and circus is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
Brace yourselves, because one of the best fun-for-all-ages events is coming to Manchester: the official Shaun the Sheep stage and circus show is coming to Factory International.
This isn’t just one to keep the children entertained; we already know plenty of big kids who grew up on Shaun, Shirley, and the rest of the sheep are already thinking about grabbing tickets.
Created by Nick Park, the same man responsible for Wallace and Gromit, this live stage production and incredibly practical circus show of the beloved British cartoon is already critically acclaimed.
Now set to make its full European debut right here in our city, Shaun the Sheep’s Circus Show teams up with leading performance company Circa to bring the TV show to life this winter.
‘It’s gonna be un-BAAA-leivable’.
Conceived not only by the award-winning minds at Aardman Animation, but the experienced performers at Circa, this ‘in the flesh’ (and wool) interpretation of the slapstick CBBC classic will not only delight younger audiences, but bring plenty of energy to keep the adults entertained too.
Promising a “live circus performance, simultaneously blurring the lines between movement, dance, theatre and circus for a visual spectacle packed with wit”, you can expect acrobatics and circus skills.
Stunts will include the likes of tumbling, juggling, aerial hoop, aerial silks, trapeze, Spanish web and Chinese pole, just to name a few.
And, of course, there’ll be plenty of Aardman’s signature heartwarming comedy in W&G, Chicken Run, Arthur Christmas, Flushed Away and more.
Naturally, all the usual suspects will be on show to: Shaun, Bitzer, The Farmer and the rest of the Flock – and yes, in case the trailer didn’t give it away, they are people who are not just dressed up as adorable real-life lambs but bouncing, flipping and flying all over the stage.
Coming to Aviva Studios this festive period, it’ll be taking place in The Hall: one of the venue’s largest and most dynamic rooms, with the state-of-the-art building famously able to alter the size of individual stages and spaces depending on the event.
John McGrath, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Factory International, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Circa and Aardman to present the European premiere of this fun-filled show at our home in Aviva Studios.
“Circa presents award-winning circus performances to audiences across the globe, and their collaboration with Aardman Studios creates a unique offering for families, circus fans and everyone who loves Shaun the Sheep“
Running from Tuesday, 11 December 2025 until Sunday, 4 January 2026, they’ve also ensured affordable admission from just £10; you can grab your tickets now.
Emily Sergeant -
15th February 2024 
