Green Island Festival at Hulme Garden Centre

Johnny James, Managing Editor

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Green Island Festival

2 August-6 September 2025

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Festival-goers at Green Island
Image supplied by Green Island Festival.
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Hulme’s Green Island Festival is back this summer, bringing a three-part series of events to Hulme Garden Centre and the iconic NIAMOS.

Among Manchester’s crowded festival scene, Green Island sets its own pace, offering a peaceful sanctuary away from the busy city centre. And yet it’s located just a stone’s throw away, in the plant-filled sanctuary of Hulme Garden Centre – the green heart of the Hulme community.

Cementing itself as an annual staple in Manchester’s grassroots music scene, Green Island bonds a community for the love of music, art and culture, championing underground, underrepresented, and emerging artists from across the UK, and placing global sounds at the forefront.

The 1,500 capacity festival houses five stages, each bringing a different vibe. Most are nestled among the trees in the garden centre, but there’s also a block party occupying Warwick Street and a couple of stages in the NIAMOS, an historic venue that’s played host to everyone from Nina Simone to Gil Scott-Heron. Wherever you find yourself, the whole festival has a lovely, community vibe, still feeling pleasingly DIY despite its surging popularity.

The Bandstand Stage at Green Island Festival
Image supplied by Green Island Festival.

The first instalment, headlined by Manchester-based MC DRS, along with Zawose Queens and Trees.R.Good, came and went in June, meaning you’ve got two more chances to experience the festival this year.

2 August sees the top spot taken by Conor Michael & The Greenskeepers, bringing jazz-infused hip-hop and sharp lyricism. They’re joined by the poetic flow and soulful hip hop of Meduulla, star of The Rap Game UK. Newly added to the bill is the multi-talented Reuben James, bringing pop, R&B and soul with full-on jazz sensibilities. And sure to be popular is the High Hoops takeover as Manchester’s favourite party-starters bring a full lineup of DJs, including Zuri, Max Ctrl, k.h0lle & Fastlove.

Topping the 6 September bill are the nine-piece powerhouse Nubiyan Twist, blending jazz, funk, and global grooves. We’ll also be watching local jazz-funk outfit Secret Night Gang, who were brilliant at The Blues Kitchen a couple of years ago when they were just starting out – and they’ve since got scores of gigs under their belt. There’s also Evie Moran, Rory A. Green, The Lemur Conspiracy, Salsa Chubasco, and loads more.

Check out the full line-ups for each day via the button below.

Where to go near Green Island Festival at Hulme Garden Centre

Venture Arts
Hulme
Gallery
Venture Arts, Manchester

Venture Arts is a progressive visual arts charity based in Hulme, Manchester, with a small exhibition space. It works alongside learning disabled artists to create and show exciting new collaborative visual artwork.

Clay Studio Manchester
Manchester
Event venue
Clay Studio Manchester

Clay studio was founded in 2016 to provide a dedicated workshop for new graduates, hobby ceramicists and experienced makers. The studio also offers a range of classes for students of all abilities.

Manchester
Theatre
Z-arts

Z-arts was formed in 2000 as a ‘creative space for young people’ with a priority on providing participatory activity.

Hulme
Hulme Playhouse Theatre

The Playhouse Theatre, originally known as the Hulme Hippodrome opened its doors on 6 October 1902. In 2018, the historic venue was relaunched as a community arts centre by NIAMOS – a collective of artists, musicians and local residents.

Manchester
Event venue
Niamos Centre, Manchester

Niamos is a co-operatively run exhibition, arts, and performance space with a micro bakery, music studio’s, a kitchen and a holistic well-being space in the midst of transformation.

Manchester Metropolitan University Brooks building, Birley Campus in Manchester
Manchester
Event venue
MMU Birley Campus

Birley is Manchester Met’s world-class centre for Education and Health Professionals and the university’s flagship community campus.

Manchester
Gallery
Manchester School of Art

The Manchester School of Art, of which the Holden Gallery is a part, is a beautiful neo-Gothic building that’s part of MMU’s All Saints campus.

Homeground
Manchester
Event venue
Homeground

Homeground is HOME’s brand new outdoor venue, providing an open-air space for theatre, food, film, music, comedy and more.

Manchester
University
MMU Student Union

Manchester Metropolitan University Students’ Union building houses a bar and various other facilities for students and staff.

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