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Celebrate canal culture with a mini-fest in the Northern Quarter. Music, street art, good food, two marquees and a canal-side, pop-up cinema – all free, sponsored by Skiddle.com, and all at Brownsfield Mill on Port Street this September. Here are our listings of what’s on when – check back for updates and download the flier and map here.
Saturday 7 September
Float-in movie: Finding Nemo gets a special screening by the water’s edge in a pop-up cinema. Deckchairs are provided but remember to bring blankets and warm clothes. 6pm
Eat and drink: The Northern Quarter’s favourite bars and eateries are on hand throughout the weekend with delicious things to eat and drink. Kosmonaut lays on burgers and hot dogs; Kaiser UK brings Piri Piri chicken; Las Paelleras cooks up Spanish street food and Grandpa Greene’s Ice Cream offers an array of icy treats. TAKK also delivers the finest homemade cakes and Icelandic coffee, and 2022NQ hosts a pop-up bar with sheltered seating in association with Bury’s Outstanding Beers. 12pm-10pm
Art: Twelve of the city’s best known street artists and illustrators including Emma Reynolds, Barney Ibbotson and Rose Whittingham create new work, live, for the duration of the festival. 12pm-10pm
Music: Watch the street art masters at work while listening to DJ sets from Pasta Paul, Disco Mums, Good for the Soul and XFM’s Gareth Brooks and Clint Boon. Live music comes courtesy of Thugs on Wolves and Black Lights, and 2022NQ hosts the official Canal Festival after party with a free club night at its underground bar. DJ sets and live music: 12pm-10pm; after party at 2022NQ: 10pm-3am
Kids: Bring the kids during the afternoon for canal-themed activities, including face-painting and craft activities and making shoebox fish tanks and fish on sticks. 2pm-6pm
Sunday 8 September
Float-in movie: Life of Pi undergoes a special canal-side screening in the pop-up cinema. 8pm
Eat and drink: Kosmonaut, TAKK and Kaiser UK serve up canal-side eats, while Stretza joins the party with its woodfired pizza (served from a Citroen H van). 2022NQ and Kosmonaut again supply food and outdoor, covered bars. 12pm-1opm
Art: Check back with the city’s best artists and illustrators to see how their creation of a brand new piece of street art is shaping up. The giant boards that they decorate will be auctioned off for charity at the end of the festival. 12pm-10pm
Music: The musical festivities continue with DJ sets from the Deaf Institute’s Dance Lady Dance, Leggit from The Beat Club, Phil Beckett and Pasta Paul. Literature Thieves and Horses on the Move provide the live music, while local record label, Red Deer Club presents indie duo Songs for Walter. DJ sets and live music 12pm-10pm
Kids: Bring the kids for more canal-themed activities, including face-painting and craft activities and, today, making mini-canal boats, and Rosie & Jim Puppets. 2pm-6pm
Please note: no dogs allowed except Guide Dogs; bags will be searched on entry; alcohol will only be served in accordance with Challenge 21 guidelines (if you are fortunate enough to look younger than 21 please bring a photo ID).
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