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Salford’s popular We Invented the Weekend festival confirms 2024 return and teases ‘unforgettable’ lineup

The cultural celebration will be descending on MediaCity once again this summer.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 1st February 2024

One of Salford’s best-loved cultural celebrations has confirmed it’ll be making a 2024 return once again this summer.

That’s right, We Invented the Weekend is back for another year of fun.

After a hugely-successful launch year last summer – which saw 60,000 visitors descend onto MediaCity and its neighbouring Salford areas – We Invented the Weekend will once again transform Salford Quays into a hub of family-friendly fun this June, all in a bid to “celebrate what people get up to over the weekend”.

An exciting programme of performances and activities has been teased this week – including an “unforgettable” Sunday afternoon DJ set from Manc icon, DJ Paulette.

The 2024 edition of the festival will take over MediaCity on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June.

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Although the full lineup is yet to be released, organisers say festivalgoers can expect an specially-curated programme of over 200 events and activities, with something for people of all ages and backgrounds to get stuck into.

As well as DJ Paulette’s special Sunday afternoon set, there’s also set to be more “unmissable” headline moments scattered throughout the weekend celebrations.

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And the best bit about it all? The festival is completely FREE to head on down to.

Salford’s popular We Invented the Weekend festival confirms 2024 return / Credit: Mark Waugh (via Supplied)

“The concept of We Invented the Weekend is like no other,” commented festival co-founder, Wayne Hemingway.

“And based off the tens of thousands of people who visited on that wonderfully sunny, uplifting weekend last year, it’s clear people are understanding the ethos and meaning of the festival, so it’s incredibly impactful to be able to put on We Invented the Weekend as a free large-scale event in the place where the weekend was created in 1843.

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“The event doesn’t just celebrate what we all get up to at the weekend, but is also a moment to recognise the culture, heritage, and legacy of Salford and Greater Manchester.”

The popular cultural celebration will be descending on Salford Quays once again this summer / Credit: Supplied

2023’s edition of the festival saw well-known names like the BBC, the RHS, The Lowry, and Manchester‘s legendary Science and Industry Museum host special events, plus loads of local creatives and community-run organisations presented over 200 free performances and activities to help MediaCity achieve its highest footfall moment in its history.

Not only that, the 2023 festival also brought in more than £3.2 million to the local economy too, so it’s no wonder organisers are bringing it back for more again this summer, right?

And we can’t wait.

Read more:

We Invented the Weekend 2024 is happening down at MediaCity on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June, and you can find out more here.

Featured Image – Mark Waugh (via Supplied)

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Travel warning issued as Manchester braces for busiest day of the year so far

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Travel warning issued ahead of busiest weekend of the year for Manchester Marathon

A ‘plan ahead’ travel warning has been issued for this weekend as the Manchester Marathon brings the busiest day of the year so far on the tram network.

Tens of thousands of people will hit the streets to take part in the race itself, with thousands more cheering them on from the sidelines.

This year’s Manchester Marathon route takes 36,000 runners through Sale, Stretford and Timperley before finishing up at a new finish line on Oxford Road – and there’ll be some big changes to your usual travel routes to accommodate this.

TfGM has said that Bee Network trams will be very busy before, during and after the 26.2 mile race, especially in Manchester and Trafford, with a number of road closures in place too.

Taking place on Sunday 27 April, the Manchester Marathon will coincide with Manchester’s popular St George’s Day parade which starts and ends across town around Oldham Road and Great Ancoats Street.

People are being encouraged to plan their journeys carefully this weekend, as it’s expected to be the busiest day of the year on the Bee Network trams.

The Manchester Marathon last year set a new personal best for the tram network, with 175,000 tram journeys racked up – the highest ever recorded on a single Sunday.

Trams will be the best choice to get around the Manchester Marathon course with key stops along the route including Sale, Timperley and Chorlton.

Many road closures will also be in place but at different times of day, so make sure you check HERE for the latest.

This will impact bus services, which will be on diversion from 8am until the end of service on Sunday, with traffic and congestion expected on surrounding roads.

Runners heading to the start line will only be able to access the athletes’ village from Old Trafford and Trafford Bar tram stops up until 9am. Participants arriving after 9am should get off at Wharfside or Exchange Quay instead.

Metrolink is promising to deploy as many double trams as possible across the network, with additional services between Piccadilly and Timperley.

Manchester Marathon guide 2025 important info

As for other modes of transport, those who wish to drive should make us of Park and Ride facilities where possible; and those on the train should note that Salford Central remains closed with bus replacements in place.

Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Director at TfGM said: “The Manchester Marathon is a highlight of the Manchester city centre calendar and our job is to make sure everyone can get to and from the event as smoothly as possible.

“We want everyone to have a great day – whether they are taking on the run themselves or cheering on a friend or loved one – and would urge people to plan their journey in advance, leave plenty of time and check the Bee Network app or website for the most up-to-date information.

“The start and finish lines will be especially busy so if you are coming to watch you may be better off catching the tram to Sale, Timperley or Chorlton, grabbing a coffee and claiming afront row seat to cheer runners on.

“Using public transport is the best way to avoid congestion and delays – and with Tap and Go contactless payments it’s never been easier or more seamless to get around Greater Manchester by bus and tram.”

Passengers can now travel seamlessly between bus and tram and pay for their journey by tapping on when boarding a bus without the need for a ticket, making it the quickest and easiest way to pay for travel.

People travelling on Bee Network buses on Marathon Day can simply tap in and pay £5 for the day on as many buses as they need and just £4.90 on the tram. You can use all Bee Network buses as much as you want all day from just £5.40*.

Kirsty Wilde, Operations Director, from Manchester Marathon organisers A.S.O. UK, said: “The TfGM tram service is an invaluable part of our event, which allows thousands of participants and supporters to navigate around the city. With a record-breaking 36,000 participants set to take part on Sunday 27th April – and more exciting activities taking place over the weekend as a whole – we’re anticipating a rise in tram journeys, which will subsequently bring economic benefits to local vendors, the hospitality sector, and retail businesses.

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“We’d like to thank Transport for Greater Manchester for its continued hard work helping to facilitate what will be the largest event yet, and would also like to say a big thank you to the residents and businesses across Greater Manchester for their understanding and support.”

For further information and travel advice visit the dedicated Manchester Marathon page on the Bee Network website.

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Featured image: Supplied

What's On

Science and Industry Museum reveals CGIs of iconic Power Hall that’s been closed for years

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Science and Industry Museum reveals CGIs of iconic Power Hall that's been closed for years

One of the Science and Industry Museum’s most iconic attractions will reopen this summer – and the beloved museum has revealed a sneak peak of how things will look.

The museum has shared CGIs of the reimagined Power Hall: The Law Family Gallery, where visitors will be able to explore a lively working gallery full of engines and rail vehicles.

The popular part of the museum closed for urgent repairs in 2019 and has since been undergoing conservation work and a new look created by award-winning designers Studio MUTT.

The sounds, smells and sights of Manchester’s past and present industry will be brought to the Power Hall when it reopens.

Visitors will soon again be able to rediscover objects and learn the stories behind those who powered Manchester’s industry.

There’ll be three main themes within the Power Hall – Making More, which will explore how engines helped people make more, faster, with steam engines installed at factories and mills.

Then there’ll be Powering Lives, which will examine how engines power the electricity network we all plug into every day.

And also Connecting Places, which looks at how locomotives have connected communities around the world, starting at the site of the museum which sparked a transport revolution in 1830.

Science and Industry Museum reveals CGIs of iconic Power Hall that’s been closed for years

Kate Chatfield, Interpretation and Content Manager at the Science and Industry Museum, said: “Power Hall: The Law Family Gallery will be a must-see Manchester experience – a living gallery that showcases a unique collection of historic 19th and early 20th century working engines to tell the story of Manchester as an epicentre for the engine-driven ideas and industry that shaped the world as we know it today.

“Our most iconic objects will be available to explore like never before as we bring to life the people behind the power through stories of the engineers, makers and technicians who use their skills and senses to create and care for engines, both today and in the past.”

The work on the Power Hall is part of a multi-million-pound regeneration project across the Science and Industry Museum, which is conserving and reimagining these historic buildings.

The Power Hall has been future-proofed in the six years it’s been closed to the public, including urgent roof and timber repairs.

Further information about what to see and do and the Power Hall’s opening date will be announced in the coming weeks. Sign up to the museum’s mailing list to be among the first to hear more.

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Power Hall: The Law Family Gallery project has been made possible with support from The Law Family Charitable Foundation, the Wolfson Foundation, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Headley Trust, Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, Atmos International, The Beaverbrooks Charitable Trust, The Zochonis Charitable Trust and other donors who choose to remain anonymous.

Special thanks to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for their significant contribution to the gallery, and to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for funding the decarbonisation of the Power Hall through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, delivered by Salix Finance.

Featured image: Supplied

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