A SPIRIT OF INNOVATION
The weekend – invented in Salford
The weekend was invented in Greater Manchester in 1843 when Salford Lyceum Director and workers’ rights activist Robert Lowes (Sir Ian McKellen’s Great Grandfather) campaigned to win workers the right to leisure time on Saturday afternoons. In this triumph, Greater Manchester gave an enormous gift to the world, and We Invented the Weekend honours this, in true style, in Salford, celebrating leisure time, free time, quality time and me-time.
Alice Webb, CEO of MediaCity and dock10 said:
“The weekend was invented right here in Salford and to this day that spirit of innovation and invention runs deep in our veins at MediaCity, which is why we’re delighted to be hosting the We Invented the Weekend festival again this year. The festival grows stronger and stronger, and we can’t wait to welcome people from across the region and beyond to celebrate the spirit of freedom the weekend gives us all.”
Wayne Hemingway MBE, co-founder of We Invented the Weekend festival said:
“We Invented the Weekend is a truly unique summer celebration that brings together a huge variety of free activities all in one place, and we’re thrilled to bring it back for 2026. We’re excited by all the new events on offer for this year and with events like Club Culture, there’s no excuse not to get your dancing shoes on. This festival is incredibly special because it recognises that we all love to do different things with our free time – we just decided to bring it all together all at once. So come along, with your kids, with your friends, on your own, listen to music, join a debate, eat great food, take part in some sport or crafting , explore a weekend activity you may have always wished to try or sit back and watch the world go by – it’s up to you and best of all it is totally, completely and utterly FREE!”
Julia Fawcett CBE, Chief Executive of Lowry said:
“Lowry is delighted that We Invented the Weekend is back this year. We are a proud founding partner and cannot wait to share this brilliantly original festival with everyone from Salford and beyond. As usual Lowry will be hosting events in our building and around the Quays, and we can’t wait for people to get involved and share their perfect weekend with family, friends and neighbours.”
Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor, added:
“The weekend was invented in Salford and we are very proud of that, so it is wonderful that this completely free festival is back in the city for 2026. It is perhaps made even more special this year because Salford is also celebrating its 100th anniversary, giving us multiple opportunities to share the rich and vibrant culture that is on offer in this brilliant City. We Invented the Weekend festival shapes a moment, across one weekend, where everyone can come together as a community and celebrate their free-time together. I cannot wait to see what the 2026 festival brings and to share it with communities in Salford and beyond.”
We Invented The Weekend will take place on 6 & 7 June in MediaCity and Salford Quays. The full festival programme will be announced in the Spring so watch this space for more.