WHAT A WEEKEND! THANK YOU FOR JOINING US! • WHAT A WEEKEND! THANK YOU FOR JOINING US! • 
WHAT A WEEKEND! THANK YOU FOR JOINING US! • WHAT A WEEKEND! THANK YOU FOR JOINING US! • 

20 ways to spend your weekend

There are over 200 free events and activities at We Invented the Weekend; from sport to music, craft and gardening workshops, talks, amazing food and drink and a host of joyful mass participation moments.

In no particular order, here’s a starter for 20 to help you get planning – check the programme and What’s On to see the full line up in all its glory. Everyone’s welcome, see you this weekend.

  • Gladiators
    Contenders ready?! Join legends Athena, Comet, Viper, and Apollo as they take over the main stage, plus, don’t miss out on exclusive meet and greet opportunities.
    Saturday 14:00 and 16:30
  • CBeebies Bedtime Stories Live
    CBeebies presenters Rebecca Keatley, Evie, Joanna and Dodge, as well as many more, join guest readers such as Great British Sewing Bee star Patrick Grant, Mr Motivator, and Gladiators Athena and Comet.
    Saturday & Sunday, various times – check listings
  • BMX Freestyle with British Cycling
    Pedal into action with British Cycling for an adrenaline-pumping BMX Freestyle experience that’s perfect for riders aged five to 12 years old. Try out BMX Freestyle in a safe environment, all equipment provided.
    Saturday & Sunday 10:00 – 17:00
  • Bluey, Duggee and Supertato
    Keep your eyes peeled for your favourite CBeebies characters; and catch them doing some performances on stages around the site too.
    Saturday & Sunday, various times – check listings
  • The Swings
    Watch as aerialists swing, climb, play and perform on giant swings – then have a go yourself! Feel the rush of air past your face and be inspired by our aerialists with what you can do with a swing!
    Saturday & Sunday, various times – check listings
  • Opera North Workshop and Mass sing-a-long
    Join Lowry partner company Opera North for a workshop earlier in the day to learn how to sing Opera. Join all the other participants and an Opera North opera singer for a “mass sing” in the afternoon on the Lowry Plaza.
    Saturday Workshops: 12:45 and 14:00; Mass sing-a-long: 15:30
  • Mikey D.O.N
    DJ Mikey D.O.N brings impressive skill and vast musical wisdom to We Invented the Weekend with his eclectic mix of HipHop, reggae, and dancehall beats, Mikey D.O.N will take you on a musical adventure that spans decades and genres, whether you’re a long-time fan or new to his beats.
    Saturday 12:50 – 13:30 on Boat Cruise, 14:00 – 15:00 on Freetime Stage
  • Gardening Workshops with RHS Bridgewater
    Stop by The Green in the MediaCity and join RHS Bridgewater for a variety of gardening workshops and activities for all ages. Including planting, talks and demos and free expert plant advice.
    Saturday & Sunday 10:00 – 17:00
  • Unity Radio presents Zed Bias
    Manchester’s very own DJ, producer and remixer, Zed Bias, has been in the music game for more than two decades. Fresh from a tour Down Under, Zed’s bringing his infamous garage and dubstep sounds to the Piazza Stage for a two-hour set to finish off the first day of We Invented the Weekend right. Catch this OG legend live.
    Saturday 18:00 – 20:00
  • Ethical shopping with Charity Super.MKT, Melanin Markets and Community Clothing
    Charity Super.MKT returns with a range of local and national charities. Buy fashion clothing and accessories safe in the knowledge every pound spent furthers environmental benefits and social good. Minimal waste, maximum benefits! Visit Great British Sewing Bee’s Patrick Grant in the Community Clothing pop-up shop where all clothes are made sustainably in Blackburn, and in a first for WITW, Melanin Markets will showcase ten black-owned independent businesses and traders.
    Saturday & Sunday 10:00 – 18:00
  • Sounds From the Other City
    We’re delighted to see SFTOC, Salford’s annual festival of new music and art,  return to We Invented The Weekend, taking over 3 festival spaces with a wealth of local talent including Prido, Katbrownsugar and many more.
    Sunday 11:00 – 17:00
  • The Northern Session
    Get ready for a day-long celebration of all things Northern Soul, with DJs, performances, dance workshops and Q&A with well-known Northern Soul DJ Richard Searling plus special guests.
    Sunday 11:00 – 17:00
  • Dirty Old Town
    Witness Salford musical history come to life with folk legend Peggy Seeger, who’ll debut an abandoned verse of Ewan MacColl’s ‘Dirty Old Town’ almost 75 years after it was written about Salford. The performance will be preceded by a Q&A with  Peggy and Mike Sweeney.
    Sunday 11:30 – 12:45
  • Salford Pride Sailing with Bailey J Mill
    Join Salford Pride as they sail across the Quays for a fun LGBTQ+ party, with the social media legend themselves, Bailey J Mills. 45 mins of pure laughter and dancing!
    Sunday 13:45
  • Rest as a Radical Act – talk with Scottee, Emma Campbell and Liam Brodigan
    Rest is sometimes seen as a luxury by those who want to ‘get ahead’. We’re being asked to do more, to achieve more, to live ‘fuller lives’. But many of us are experiencing burnout. Something needs to change.
    Sunday 14:00
  • People’s Catwalk
    Step into the spotlight with a fashion show where YOU hit the catwalk! The People’s Catwalk – Sunday Best is where tradition meets modern expression in a celebration of personal style and community spirit, with Darren Pritchard and Ghetto Fabulous on hand to make it EXTRA!
    Sunday 13:20
  • DJ Paulette
    Witness legend, DJ Paulette, in action as she closes We Invented the Weekend with a 2.5 hour party set dropping everything from disco to house to techno. Proudly rooted in Manchester, Paulette’s etched her name in the annals of dance music history over her illustrious 30-year career.
    Sunday 15:30 – 18:00
  • Music and Dance with Afrocats
    Join local award-winning charity Afrocats for songs, drums and voices telling African stories. Including participatory workshop for children and families and a chance to Dance around the World!
    Sunday 13:30 and 14:40
  • Chess at WITW
    Grandmaster Gawain Jones and International Master Malcolm Pein take on all-comers in simultaneous displays. England international Gawain will host a Puzzle Rush competition on the giant screen and there will be chess sets for casual chess and Blitz chess.
    Sunday 11:00 – 16:00
  • Dreamed A Dream workshops and the Free Time Parade
    Join the Dreamed a Dream placard-making workshop then express yourself as we march through the festival and beyond in the Free Time Parade. Inspired by the Salford anthem ‘Dirty Old Town’, we’re inviting everyone to delve deep, revealing their aspirations and dreams for the future under the cloak of complete anonymity in our ‘Dream Booths’
    Workshops Saturday & Saturday 10:00 – 17:00
    Free Time Parade Sunday 1635 – 1735