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 City to open pop-up pub in honour of John Stones and Bernardo Silva
Danny Jones
Manchester City are setting up a special pop-up to celebrate John Stones and Bernardo Silva as they prepare to leave at the end of this season.
Having spent nearly two full decades at the Etihad Stadium between them, Stones and Silva will be toasting their departure in true Northern fashion: with their very own Man City pub of the same name.
Come on, you have to admit it: ‘The Stones and Silva’ has a nice ring to it.
Opening for just a few days later this month, before the conclusion of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign and their final appearances in City colours, this is your time to cheers their careers.
Pouring pints from Thursday, 21 May until the end, Cityzens are being encouraged to come along and raise a glass to two of their team’s most successful stars.
Taking over the legendary Star and Garter on Fairfield Street in Manchester city centre, as per an official press release from the club, “The Stones & Silva will feature themed décor inspired by the pair’s unforgettable moments in sky blue.”
As arguably two of the most important players during the Manc side’s most prolific period for winning silverware, it feels only fitting that Blues give them a proper send-off.
Entry will be available on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the event, and you can expect plenty of supporters to come through the doors.
The chosen picture for the pub’s hanging inn sign is inspired by the iconic snap of the Gallagher brothers back at the start of the Oasis mania.
MCFC’s The Stones and Silva pop-up pub will open at the following times:
Thursday, 21 May: 4pm-11pm
Friday, 22 May: 4pm-11pm
Saturday, 23 May: 12pm-11pm
Sunday, 24 May: 12pm-8pm
Better still, in collaboration with official partners Asahi, the first 100 fans through the doors each day will be able to get their hands on a FREE beer. Be rude not to at least try and turn up early…
Elsewhere at the club, the drinks have already been flowing in and around Etihad Campus, as Man City Women finally lifted another league title. See some of the party scenes down below.
Featured Images — Manchester City Football Club (publicity pictures)
What's On
Smash-hit West End musical Trainspotting is coming to Manchester later this year
Emily Sergeant
Trainspotting The Musical is coming to Manchester.
30 years on from the film that changed everything, and following its successful world premiere run in London’s West End, Trainspotting The Musical is heading out on a major UK tour later this year, and will be taking to one of Manchester‘s most iconic stages in the autumn.
Written by Irvine Welsh – as adapted from his best-selling debut novel – and directed and developed by Caroline Jay Ranger, Trainspotting The Musical has been described by critics as ‘radical, invigorating and life-affirming’ since its premiere.
It’s said to be an unforgettable production that’ll have even the most sceptical audiences leave on a ‘consciousness-altering high.’
➕ ATG+ PRESALE ➕
CHOOSE LIFE.
Trainspotting: The Musical is coming to the Palace Theatre this November. Written by Irvine Welsh.
Groups presale 👉 Tues 12 May 10am General sale 👉 Wed 13 May 10am
— Palace & Opera Mcr (@PalaceAndOpera) May 11, 2026
In 1996, the breakthrough British film of the same name was released and became the biggest grossing UK film of the year, winning a slew of awards in the process – including a BAFTA for Best Screenplay, and even being ranked tenth in the BFI’s top 100 greatest British films of the 20th century.
Now, three decades later, the industrial drug crazed working-class heroes of British youth culture are back… but this time, live on stage.
Trainspotting The Musical is coming to Manchester later this year / Credit: Supplied
“I believe the musical has a bigger, loudly beating human heart than either the book or the film,” creator Irvine Welsh commented as the UK tour was announced this week.
“People need to think about the world we’re living in, and we offer that inspection, but they also need to sing their hearts out and laugh their heads off. It’s what being human is all about. We’ve put together an incredible Scottish cast and I can’t wait to see them bring the musical to life.”
Trainspotting The Musical will taking to the stage at Manchester Palace Theatre later this year from Monday 2 – Saturday 7 November 2026, and tickets officially go on general sale tomorrow (Wednesday 13 May) from 10am.
Emily Sergeant -
4th September 2024 
