After a successful debut event last year, Stock Party is officially back for 2025.
Yes, Stockport’s big summer block party returns this June for its second edition and with the ever-thriving town centre now a seemingly more popular destination than ever, you can expect a big turnout.
The Greater Manchester borough has been enjoying a real revival over the past few years, with the Old Town events throughout the marketplace and Underbank attracting thousands throughout the year, not least of all the smash-hit SK1 Records street parties.
Building on that winning formula, Stock Party ’25 is set to make its sophomore outing the biggest yet, bringing together local food and drink vendors, independent traders, entertainment and lots more.
Organised by the award-winning Where The Light Gets In, Track, Cloudwater and Robinsons; Sureshot, Balance and Runaway Breweries, along with numerous other indie businesses from around the 10 boroughs, this Stock Party isn’t just about those within SK – it’s a Greater Mancunian celebration.
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Set up in collaboration with Stockport’s Business Improvement District (BID), Totally Stockport and Stockport Council, the town’s famous ‘Robbie’s Brewery’ complex with severe as the main festival square and bar.
Not only will they be pouring the freshest of beers but there will also be a DJ set curated by Bohemian Arts Club – owned by Blossoms frontman Tom Ogden and his wife Katie – to ensure a proper homegrown party atmosphere all day long.
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As for those who prefer a pinot noir to a pint, the likes of Isca will be on hand serving up a selection of their natural wines, not to mention a BBQ by Where The Light Gets and sourdough pizza from Honest Crust. We’re feeling parched and peckish just thinking about it.
And that’s not all. Not even close.
Credit: Stockport BID (supplied)
Stockport’s iconic Underbank district will be filled with tables and chairs enabling festival-goers to enjoy an alfresco beer from a five-tap van located outside Rare Mags, serving up creations Piccadilly Trading Estate‘s popular Cloudwater and Track Breweries.
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The Spinn Off, Cracked Actor and the brand new White Lion will also be getting involved with the libations, with local favourites Cafe San Juan, Marley’s Tacos and Ginger’s Ice Cream Emporium all serving up top-notch street food.
In terms of entertainment, visitors can even enjoy a little pottery workshop at nearby Yellowhammer and the aforementioned SK1 Records will also be supplying the tunes.
Come on, you’ve got to admit, this sounds like an absolutely belting day.
Credit: Supplied
Best of all, not only is there plenty of family-friendly activities to keep people of all ages busy but it’s also costs absolutely nothing to enter, meaning you can save your pennies for the suds and scran.
Kicking off from 12 noon on Saturday, 20 July, you can expect the festivities to run on until 9pm, though we’re sure local bars such Cherry Jam and the like will keep the party going long after that.
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It’s going to be a summer full of these kind of festivals, as a similar free-to-attend event is happening over in Salford even sooner.
Manchester’s legendary Dragon Parade returns next month to celebrate Chinese New Year 2026
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s legendary Dragon Parade will make its way through the city centre once again next month.
As Manchester gets ready to celebrate Chinese New Year 2026 – which officially begins on Tuesday 17 February and runs through to Tuesday 3 March – and mark the ‘Year of the Horse’, the iconic Dragon Parade will be making its grand return to the streets of our city centre, and bringing a spectacular show of colour and light along with it.
In case you’re unfamiliar with what the Dragon Parade is all about, it’s the focal point of the city’s annual Lunar New Year celebrations – and it’s a real spectacle, to say the least.
The parade is known for attracting thousands of visitors from all across the region each year.
Manchester’s legendary Dragon Parade returns next month to celebrate Chinese New Year 2026 / Credit: Chinese NY Manchester (via X)
Celebrations officially kick off on Saturday 14 February this year, and as the headline of the festivities, the popular parade is set to take place the day after (Sunday 15 February).
Once again, organisers are expecting visitors in their thousands to turn out and watch as the famous 175ft Chinese dragon weaves its way through the city’s main shopping streets.
Official timings and plans for the parade are yet to be announced by the Council, but if previous years are anything to go by, it’ll likely kick off from around midday, starting on the junction of Oxford Street and George Street, and then make its way along Portland Street before concluding in Chinatown for a final performance on Princess Street.
Chinese New Year festivities will take place over a full weekend / Credit: Chinese NY Manchester (via X)
There’ll also be even more cultural celebrations and activities to get involved with throughout Lunar New Year over in Manchester’s popular Chinatown – with live stage performances, traditional lion and dragon dances, and loads of stalls serving up tasty and authentic street food.
And to top it all off, we’ll also soon see the return of Manchester’s famous traditional red lanterns dotted up above all around town too, adding colour to dark winter days.
As always, this year’s celebrations have been organised by the Federation of Chinese Associations of Manchester (FCAM), in partnership with Manchester Business Improvement District (BID) and Manchester City Council.
Featured Image – Chinese NY Manchester (via X) / CityCo
What's On
Chester Zoo announces new spring date for its popular running event to help UK wildlife
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo has announced that its popular Run For Nature is back again this year, and this time, there’s a new spring edition.
The UK’s biggest charity zoo seen success with this event in the past few years, with thousands of runners signing up for one of the North West’s most unique athletic experiences and all funds raised going towards efforts to protect highly-endangered giraffes in Africa.
This year though, the much-loved event’s focus brings conservation ‘a little closer to home’ and will protect some of the UK’s most threatened species instead – with all funds helping to safeguard hedgehogs, kingfishers, otters, harvest mice, and more.
It comes as the UK is currently considered one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth.
Participants will first get to wind through the zoo and enjoy glimpses of elephants, lemurs, and other incredible species along the way, before heading out into the picturesque Cheshire countryside.
Adults can choose from a 10K or 5K route, while younger runners are invited to take part in a one-mile ‘Zoom’ race, open to children aged four-15, which takes place entirely within the zoo’s incredible 130-acre grounds.
All runners will receive free entry to the zoo for the rest of the day as part of their registration, along with a 25% discount for friends and family who come along to show support.
Chester Zoo’s popular 10K charity run is returns with a new spring date / Credit: Chester Zoo
Lorraine Jubb, who is the Fundraising Lead at Chester Zoo, called the Run For Nature a ‘really special event’.
“In previous years, runners have already supported conservation efforts for Asian elephants, Eastern black rhinos and Northern giraffe,” she explained. This springtime though, we’re turning our attention much closer to home in the UK, and to the wildlife we share our gardens, parks and countryside with.
“With one in six species now at risk of extinction in the UK, every runner will be playing a vital role in helping us protect animals and supporting our growing nature recovery work across right across Cheshire.
Danny Jones -
5th May 2025 
