04/11/2026
As the days get darker, we are looking ahead to next summer and the return of We Invented the Weekend, the largest free festival in Greater Manchester. In June 2026 the festival saw over 100K visitors come together at MediaCity and Salford Quays to celebrate the amazing variety of ways we spend our free time – in the very place the weekend was invented.
The programme for 2027 is still in development but will include an eclectic mix of live music, action-packed sports, dance, family fun, theatre, DJ sets, exclusive tours, party boats, art and creative workshops, gardening and making, thought-provoking talks, street food, wellbeing sessions and much, much more. And as always ALL activities are FREE.
Wayne Hemingway, Hemingway Design (co-founder of the festival) said:
“It’s brilliant that we get to announce the dates of next year’s We Invented the Weekend on the anniversary of the day in 1843 when workers from across Salford and Manchester got to take their very first Saturday afternoon off. That first Saturday afternoon helped pave the way for something most of us now consider almost sacred: the weekend.
“It’s hard to imagine what our lives would look like without one but 183 years ago, Robert Lowes recognised that free time was important, so We Invented the Weekend, celebrates not Lowes the Victorian campaigner, but the thing he was fighting for: time to live.”
We Invented the Weekend festival has developed with continued support from some incredible partners, including Lowry, the festival’s principal cultural partner and a major contributor to its creative programme, alongside MediaCity, GMCA, Salford City Council, Arts Council, BBC, Lowry, University of Salford, Transport for Greater Manchester and many more. Working together to celebrate the history of the weekend and offering something for everyone.
Diana Hamilton Head of Programme, Quays Culture said:
“We Invented the Weekend is made possible by the incredible support from partners and the brilliant creativity of artists and communities from across Salford, Greater Manchester and beyond. Last year Lowry threw open their doors with a hive of activity and brought North West End Live to the Plaza, we brought opera together with football, we got families to reimagine what outdoor play could look like, we BMXed, skipped, paraded, danced and crafted.
“And like all Quays Culture events everything is free – which is more important now than ever before. We are in the middle of developing the programme for 2027, so watch this space, it is already really exciting!”
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said:
“I’m absolutely delighted to welcome the return of We Invented the Weekend in 2027. Over the past few years, the festival has become a highlight of Greater Manchester’s cultural calendar, celebrating creativity, community and the importance of making the most of our free time with family and friends.
“This is an event we have great fondness for and a strong commitment to supporting. It’s an event everyone looks forward to and it’s fantastic for Salford to be at the heart of it, showcasing everything that makes our city such a vibrant, innovative and welcoming place. The festival brings together residents, visitors, artists, community groups and businesses, creating opportunities for people to connect, discover something new and enjoy unforgettable experiences.
“As we continue to build on the success of previous years, I look forward to seeing thousands of people once again come together on our waterfront to celebrate the spirit of the weekend. We Invented the Weekend is a fantastic example of how culture can bring communities together, boost local pride and shine a spotlight on everything we have to offer.”
Feedback from visitors this year was overwhelmingly positive with festival goers expressing a shared appreciation for the free festival, with many emphasising the sense of community, the variety of activities on offer and were delighted to discover Salford’s connection to the origin of the weekend:
“If there’s one event at MediaCity in the year to come to then it is this one!”
“What I particularly enjoyed this year was the demographic of people taking part. From little ones and teenagers to mums, dads, and pensioners, it felt incredibly inclusive and welcoming.”
“Loved the mix of types of people, there are probably lots of people that maybe wouldn’t engage with cultural activity otherwise because it’s free and easy to access.”
“You wish it could be like this every weekend and every day, you want to see more and more of this stuff really.”
We Invented the Weekend festival returns to MediaCity and Salford Quays on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th June 2027. Offering over 200 free activities and celebrating all the ways people choose to spend their weekends, in the very place it was invented.
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