We Invented the Weekend, the ambitious and free festival, is set to take over MediaCity and Salford Quays this weekend on June 15th and 16th, 2024. With over 200 activities planned, this festival promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for everyone, no matter how you like to spend your weekends.
Last years event was an absolute blast and was well received and well attended and this years event looks to be even bigger and better.
Music Extravaganza
The festival boasts an impressive musical lineup, including Northern Music Awards’ Best DJ DJ Paulette, Secret Night Gang, DJ Roesh, and Unity Radio’s Zed Bias. Festival-goers can also enjoy performances by the funky disco group, Eves Drop Collective, and the Playhouse Project. The music extends to boat parties on the waterways, featuring acts such as Salford Pride’s Bailey J Mills, post-punk trio LIINES, and a Power Ballads boat. Additionally, Hacienda legend DJ Paulette will spin classics on the Piazza stage, with DJ Mix Stress bringing her unique mix to the decks. Salford’s Sounds from The Other City will take over Central Bay, inviting visitors to dance by the waterfront.
Family Fun
For families, the festival offers a host of activities including fun-filled CBeebies themed dance workouts with fitness instructor Mr. Motivator and performances by everyone’s favorite cartoon dog, Bluey. The BBC Philharmonic will take families on a journey through Musical Storyland, where fairy tales and folk tales are re-imagined with magical music. The Lowry will present an aerial dance duet, behind-the-scenes theatre tours, gallery tours of the LS Lowry Exhibition, and a flash mob from SIX The Musical. Outside The Lowry, the Plaza stage will host a family disco-tastic DJ party by Our Kid Social, and Opera North will offer an introductory opera workshop.
Sports and Wellbeing
Sports enthusiasts can engage in BMXing sessions with British Cycling, earn medals by walking the Bupa Loop, showcase football skills with Manchester United Street Reds, climb walls, and try skating or scooting with Graystone Action Sports. For those seeking relaxation, inclusive yoga practices led by actor and artist Scottee, along with sound baths and crystal healing sessions, will be available. The BBC’s Super Movers for Every Body campaign will also showcase inclusive sport activities created in collaboration with the Premier League and ParalympicsGB.
Retail Therapy and Food
The Melanin Markets will debut at the festival, showcasing 10 black-owned independent businesses. Patrick Grant, founder of Community Clothing and presenter of BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee, will join the talks programme and bring the Community Clothing shop. Charity Super.Mkt will offer a curated collection of fashion, accessories, and homewares from various charity retailers. Quayside MediaCity will feature food and drink highlights from Jerk Junction, Super Fry Guys, and Hot & Wild.
Gardening and Green Initiatives
RHS Bridgewater will offer various gardening workshops as part of the ‘We Get Green’ strand of the festival. Title sponsor Auto Trader will highlight sustainable activities, including an e-bike track and promoting electric cars and caravanning, with a chance to win a brand new electric car.
Joyful Participation
Darren Pritchard and Ghetto Fabulous will lead The People’s Catwalk – Sunday Best, a fashion show celebrating personal style and community spirit. The Free Time Parade, a highlight from 2023, will return, inviting everyone to participate in a mass parade celebrating free time.
Education and Talks
The festival’s We Think Big talks, presented by The University of Salford, will feature Patrick Grant discussing his new book, ‘Less: Stop Buying So Much Rubbish: How Having Fewer, Better Things Can Make Us Happier’. Other speakers include fashion PR Neil Summers, Kings Arms owner Lisa Connor, yoga instructor Scottee, and Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester Sacha Lord, covering topics from Salford pub culture to the future of the high street.
We Invented the Weekend celebrates Greater Manchester’s legacy, where the weekend was originally invented in 1843. Last year, the festival attracted 60,000 visitors and generated over £3.2 million for the local economy.
Co-founder Wayne Hemingway MBE expressed his excitement:
“We Invented the Weekend celebrates Greater Manchester’s gift to the world in a truly unique and special way. The two-day programme invites all to come down to MediaCity and Salford Quays to try out something new from the 200 plus free activities, workshops, and performances we have planned. We Invented the Weekend 2024 will be another unforgettable moment in the calendar!”
Don’t miss out on this extraordinary weekend event. Join us at MediaCity and Salford Quays on June 15th and 16th for a festival experience like no other. For more information, visit We Invented the Weekend.
