The UK’s biggest chicken wing festival is making a grand return to Manchester once again in a couple of weeks time.
But this year, it’s taking over a brand-new location.
After several successful years in our city, Wing Fest is back to pay homage to one of the world’s favourite dishes later this month, and will be celebrating the festival’s 10th anniversary by championing independent food traders from across the UK, who’ll all be gathering under one roof to compete against each other and showcase their culinary talents.
Taking over the iconic Victoria Baths, just outside Manchester city centre, from Friday 20 – Sunday 22 September, Wing Fest Manchester will be divided into different evening and afternoon sessions this year, which means less time waiting and more time eating wings.
Organisers are hoping this new structure will make a “more seamless festival experience”.
Anyone heading down to Wing Fest this year is being told to expect “profound poultry eating”, live music, axe throwing, and beer and bourbon drinking of “epic proportion”.
Festivalgoers can also expect a “seriously saucy” lineup of traders for 2024 too, as local favourites Honey Buns are confirmed to be there, alongside loads of national award-winners from further afield.
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As always, all the traders at this year’s festival will be competing to win your vote and guarantee their spot in the Hall of Flame – with chicken wing fans having the opportunity to cast their votes across categories like ‘Best Buffalo Wing’, ‘Best Wild Wing’, Best BBQ Wing’, and more.
There’s also some epic eating competitions on the lineup too, as well various BBQ demonstrations from some of the best in the business.
Wing Fest returns to Manchester this month in a brand-new location / Credit: Wing Fest UK (via Facebook)
Of course, the UK’s hottest wing challenge, the Lava Wing Challenge – which is renowned for the carnage it causes – will be back for 2024, and as it usually does, you can expect it to get “seriously heated” among competitors, while the Flying Goose Wing Eating Competition sees entrants compete against each other to see who can eat the most chicken wings in the fastest time.
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Wing Fest 2024 will take over Victoria Baths from Friday 20 – Sunday 22 September, and tickets are now on sale, setting you back £22.50 each.
Tickets include a Wing Fest signature trucker hat, axe throwing, all entertainment, competitions, and live music, and you can get your hands on them here.
Featured Image – Wing Fest UK (via Facebook)
What's On
Manchester Cathedral to be lit up with ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection this winter
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Cathedral is set to be lit up with ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection show this winter.
After captivating more than a million spectators globally and illuminating dozens of the world’s most extraordinary historic landmarks over the past couple of years, LUMINISCENCE is set to make its highly anticipated UK debut this winter – and Manchester Cathedral has been chosen as the lucky location for this dazzling event.
Combining 360° video mapping, new orchestral arrangements of iconic songs, and a narrative story celebrating everything that makes Manchester and its residents so special, visitors will be invited to step into a ‘spellbinding fusion’ of light, sound, and storytelling.
LUMINISCENCE is set to pay tribute to Manchester’s rich cultural heritage through specially arranged orchestral renditions of iconic anthems – with the setlist including songs by Oasis, The Verve, Joy Division, and Elbow, just to name a few.
Manchester Cathedral is set to be lit up with a ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection this winter / Credit: Supplied
A brand-new script has been written for the show by BAFTA award winning writer Tim Whitnall, while narration will be provided by legendary local actor, Christopher Eccleston.
The show will be brought to life further by Manchester Collectives Gospel Choir, who’ll add a soaring choral dimension to what sounds set to be an already-powerful immersive experience.
Light from a battalion of high-power projectors becomes the storyteller inside the Cathedral, transforming the ancient architecture into a vast living canvas where every statue, carving, pillar, and stained-glass window comes to life.
LUMINISCENCE takes over Manchester Cathedral from Wednesday 14 January through to 26 March 2026, and audiences are encouraged to book early to avoid missing this unique experience as there’ll be strict capacity during the limited run.
Audiences can choose between Gold and Silver ticket tiers, offering options to suit every budget.
Gold tickets include fast-track entry and a glass of fizz on arrival, while Silver tickets for adults start from £29 (including a 10% booking fee), with concession prices available too.
Tickets go on general sale on Tuesday 18 November, and you can book them here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Comedy sensation Matt Rife announces new arena tour with Manchester show
Daisy Jackson
Comedian Matt Rife has just announced a brand-new world tour, with an arena show in Manchester on the cards.
The American comic, who has a whopping 11m followers on Instagram and 20m on TikTok, will be performing a night at the AO Arena on his extended Stay Golden World Tour, with tickets on sale Friday.
It’s one of 40+ new dates across North America and Europe, on a tour which will feature a 360 degree in-the-round stage at select venues.
The record-breaking comedian had already announced shows across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Canada, and performed shows across the States.
He’s been the youngest comedian to ever sell out New York’s Madison Square Garden – and he did two sold-out nights.
He’s shattered ticket sale records at arenas right across the USA, too.
Matt Rife has become one of the hottest names in comedy thanks to his razor-sharp crowd work and massive social media following, with over 44.6 million followers and more than three billion views globally, as well as chart-topping Netflix specials.
The 30-year-old entertainer will release a new Netflix special – Matt Rife: Unwrapped – on 2 December this year.
The ‘Christmas Crowd Work Special’ will ‘explore gifts, traditions and who’s made it on the naughty or nice list this year’.
Matt Rife will be at the AO Arena in Manchester on
Tickets for Matt Rife in Manchester at the AO Arena will go on sale from Wednesday 12 November for artist presale, and general sale will begin from 2pm on Friday 14 November – you can get your tickets HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
4th September 2024 
