New Mills Festival 2017

Chris Horkan

Visit now

New Mills Festival

8-24 September 2017

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

New Mills Festival
Book now

Just a short train ride from Manchester, New Mills is in the heart of the Peak District – and for two weeks this September, the picturesque town plays host to a festival of talks, walks, concerts, exhibitions, trails and more, culminating with a spectacular lantern procession through The Torrs Gorge and a street party in the town.

Running since the 1990s, New Mills Festival provides a focal point for the community, with an estimated 20,000 people participating in 2016. Highlights this year include Manchester (via Marple) art pop band Dutch Uncles, who kick off the festival with the opening gig on Saturday 9 September. Seven-piece gypsy folk group Holy Moly & The Crackers provide another musical highlight, when the close the festival in energetic fashion on Sunday 24 September.

In between, get involved in lantern-making and pinhole camera workshops, join the town-wide Art Trail, enjoy some poetry or a film screening, and sign up for the popular Drink & Draw event (‘we provide the model and music, you bring your sketching materials and tipple of your choice’).

Across 16 days and nights, New Mills Festival offers something for everyone.

Where to go near New Mills Festival 2017

Deansgate
Restaurant
Podium

Podium delivers high-end, seasonal dishes, largely geared around produce and ideas from the British Isles, but with a few deft twists and turns.

Tai Wu
Manchester
Restaurant
Tai Wu

Long-standing, trend-swerving Chinese restaurant on Manchester’s Upper Brook Street, with a reputation for authentic dim sum and traditional Cantonese cuisine.

Manchester
Food hall
BAB Korean Food

A highlight of Manchester’s K-Food space, Bab Korean Food serves up authentic, well-made dishes at the Kargo MKT food hall in MediaCity.

Dimitri's
Castlefield
Restaurant
Dimitri’s

Longstanding Greek taverna Dimtri’s delivers traditional, fuss-free Greek food, aimed at everyone from courting couples to multi-generational families in Manchester.

Kong's NQ
Manchester
Restaurant
Kong’s NQ

Kong’s isn’t like other chicken shops. This much-loved Northern Quarter restaurant is all about high-grade ingredients and expert preparation.

Castlefield
Restaurant
Trading Route

Trading Route serves up time-honoured Sunday grub, in a modern Manchester setting. Worth a visit for the expertly-curated soundtrack alone.

Side view of mixed race business colleagues sitting and watching presentation with audience and clapping hands
Theatre
Burnley Youth Theatre

Burnley Youth Theatre is a vibrant youth arts organisation based at our purpose built venue in Burnley, Pennine Lancashire.

Bar pub 3
Leeds
Restaurant
Arcadia Ale House

Arcadia Ale house is a sports bar located in the Headingly area of Leeds with a range of drinks offers throughout the week.

Restaurant
Leeds
Restaurant
Pasta Romagna

Pasta Romagna is a family owned, independent restaurant in the heart of the city centre. Bringing you homestyle Italian cuisine since 1982.

wine bar 2
Leeds
Restaurant
Farrands

Farrands is an independent bar located in the heart of Leeds city centre, specialising in a range of fine wine, beer and specialist cocktails.

What's on: Festivals

FestivalsLiverpool
Outer Waves Festival 2026

Two nights of doom folk, industrial punk and world premiere commissions are in store at Liverpool’s most adventurous festival.

From £50

Culture Guides

Hofesh Shechter - Theatre of Dreams at Lowry
Theatre

Dark comedy, visceral dance theatre, Fringe hits and open-air performances on a railway viaduct - try something new this season.

Mermaid Chunky by Simon Pizzey.
Music

From manifesto-wielding DJs to bands blurring gigs with performance art, our music guide is newly stocked with artists who see live music as a place for risk.

Food and Drink in the North

It’s the early-May edition of the Food and Drink Guide and here's where to eat and drink while living out your warm-weather dreams.

a beach. red bricks are laid out in a spiral shape on the sand.
Exhibitions

We’ve got five new Manchester exhibitions this month, from thought-provoking photography to environmental art and community-led projects.

Emily Lloyd-Saini as Grace in Space and Harrie Hayes as Lieutenant Strong in Horrible Science
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.