Free Salford festival We Invented the Weekend announces more than 200 activities

Friday, 24 April 2026 08:50

By David Murphy

We Invented the Weekend will return to Salford Quays and MediaCity on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June 2026 with more than 200 free activities.

Organisers say about 80,000 visitors are expected at the third edition of the festival.

The programme includes live music, sport, theatre, family activities, talks, boat parties, food, workshops and wellbeing sessions.

English National Opera and Walk the Plank will present Perfect Pitch, a large scale performance bringing together opera and football. The finale is due to feature more than 400 singers and will include Puccini’s Nessun Dorma.

Lowry will host family activities, backstage tours, creative sessions and a North West End Live showcase with songs from SIX, Les Miserables and Disney musicals.

A Play Street area will celebrate Salford’s history of play streets, with activities including skipping, chalk drawing, games and skateboarding.

A new Club Culture area will focus on electronic dance music, with DJ sets, workshops and panel talks.

Sports activities will include BMX, guided bike rides, running clubs, boxing, Taekwondo, football, open water swimming tasters and yoga.

The festival will also include appearances and events linked to CBeebies, Peter Hook, Mark Radcliffe, Afrodeutsche, Afriquoi, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, Sounds From The Other City, GRUB, the RHS and Patrick Grant.

Most activities will be drop in and unticketed.

The festival marks the history of the weekend in Greater Manchester, linked to Robert Lowes and the campaign for mill workers to have Saturday afternoons as leisure time.

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our City?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@salfordcityradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

Reform candidate elected in Salford as party wins first council seat in city

Michael James Felse the Reform UK candidate has been elected as a councillor in Salford, marking the party’s first seat in the city. The newly elected member said the result reflected a demand for change among local voters.
RECAP: Updates from Barton and Winton by election count

Voters in Barton and Winton are going to the polls today to elect a new city councillor. The by election follows the death of long serving councillor David Lancaster MBE earlier this year.
New body cameras rolled out to firefighters across Greater Manchester after Arena Attack Inquiry

Firefighters across Greater Manchester are now being equipped with body worn cameras following recommendations from the Manchester Arena Inquiry. The rollout aims to improve decision making, safety and transparency during incidents.
Barton and Winton ward by-election

A by-election for has been called on Wednesday 22 April 2026, to elect a new City Councillor for the Barton and Winton Ward.
Crowds gather in rain for annual Easter duck race at Salford Quays

Hundreds of people turned out despite wet weather to watch a charity duck race at Salford Quays on Good Friday. The annual event saw yellow rubber ducks released into the water to raise funds for children’s healthcare.
Salford man jailed after fraudulently claiming £150,000 pounds in Covid business loans

A Salford businessman has been jailed after admitting fraud offences linked to Covid support loans worth £150,000 pounds.