03 & 04 June 2023 Festival programme now live! •  03 & 04 June 2023 Festival programme now live! • 
03 & 04 June 2023 Festival programme now live! •  03 & 04 June 2023 Festival programme now live! • 

We Invented the Weekend is a bold and unmissable FREE festival taking place at MediaCity and Salford Quays on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th June.

Download the festival highlights and map

The weekend was invented in Greater Manchester in 1843, when Salford workers’ rights activist, Robert Lowes (also Sir Ian McKellen’s Great Grandfather) campaigned to win workers the right to leisure time on Saturday afternoons.

We Invented the Weekend will honour this, in true style, with 200+ free activities celebrating and sharing all the things people love about the weekend covering live music, sport, dancing, performances, gardening, talks and creative workshops… there really is something for everyone!

START PLANNING YOUR FESTIVAL WEEKEND!

Festival Highlights

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Charity Super.Mkt

Charity Super.Mkt at MediaCity

Enjoy a spot of sustainable retail therapy as over 10 of the nation's best charity retailers present a curated collection of quality, second-hand fashion and accessories.

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Playhouse Project

Playhouse Project

It’s time to party – family style. Fronted by P-Ro & MC Kwasi, Playhouse Project will be bringing banger after banger with soulful house, rare funk and broken beat from all across the globe. Conker Crew will be joining with nature-based knees up activities, plus bubbles, balloons and plenty of colouring in!

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Cloud Gardener

RHS Bridgewater presents expert talks: Jason Williams, The Cloud Gardener

Join Jason Williams aka The Cloud Gardener as talks all things balcony gardening and how urban gardening can work wonders for our mental health.

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We Think Big talks

Upbeat and topical talks and debates hosted by the University of Salford. From sustainable fashion to the impact of what we eat and how we travel, hear from local and national industry experts on important subjects of today. Book your free space now!

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MediaCity

Where to find us

MediaCity is an iconic waterside destination that’s part of Salford Quays in Salford, Greater Manchester and is throwing open it’s spaces and places to host the Festival of Free Time!

Home to some of the world’s most exciting creative, tech and media brands, MediaCity is a place bursting with creativity, independent food and drink, local art and immersive events – there’s something for everyone.

GETTING HERE

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