We Invented The Weekend

Get ready to dance, create, and celebrate as We Invented the Weekend returns, bigger and better than ever, to MediaCity and Salford Quays this June.

The completely free event takes place on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June, and includes over 200 activities, with the programme taking in everything from music to sport, talks to family activities, retail therapy to mass participation events.

The inspiration for this packed weekend festival goes right back to 1843 when workers’ rights activists launched a campaign to finish early on Saturdays. Headed up by Robert Lowes (Salford Lyceum director, activist and also Sir Ian McKellen’s grandfather), the movement successfully fought to win workers the right to leisure time on a Saturday. And so the weekend was invented, and so it is celebrated with this festival, in its birthplace of Salford.

Digging into the programme, music highlights include Manchester’s own Secret Night Gang, bringing a silky blend of soul, R&B, gospel and funk, plus a whole host of DJs: among them DJ Paulette, Zed Bias, DJ Roesh, Eves Drop Collective and – one for families – The Playhouse Project. And the party won’t just be on land – there’s a host of free boat parties hosted by the likes of Pride with drag performer Bailey J Mills, Manchester Lit & Phil and post punk trio LIINES. Central Bay, meanwhile, will be soundtracked by Salford underground favourites Sounds from The Other City, who’ll be inviting festival-goers to dance to a range of DJs on the waterfront terraces.

There’s also an incredible amount of activities planned for families, from CBeebies-themed dance workouts with Mr Motivator to an event with The BBC Philharmonic, who’ll take kids through a Musical Storyland where folk and fairy tales are re-imagined with live music. Everyone’s favourite cartoon dog Bluey will make an appearance, as will a live version of CBeebies Bedtime Stories. There’s lots going on The Lowry, too, including an exhilarating aerial dance duet from All or Nothing on The Swings, a 5m high installation at the end of the Lowry pier.

As for sporty things, there are BMXing sessions with British Cycling, footie skills showcases with Manchester United Street Reds, plus climbing, skating and scooting with the team from Graystone Action Sports. Or if it’s more wellbeing-focused activities you’re into, there’s yoga, sound baths and even crystal healing. Or maybe good old fashioned retail therapy ticks your box. For the first time ever at the festival, Melanin Markets will be showcasing 10 Black-owned independent businesses and traders, alongside fashion and homeware by Charity Super.Mkt and Community Clothing.

Each year the festival hosts a series of We Think Big talks, with 2024’s guests including Patrick Grant,  who’ll be discussing his new book Less: Stop Buying So Much Rubbish: How Having Fewer, Better Things Can Make Us Happier, with more talks from fashion PR and outdoor lover Neil Summers, Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester Sacha Lord and festival co-founder, Wayne Hemmingway MBE. Add to this mass participation events like The People’s Catwalk and the much-loved Free Time Parade, plus an array of food and drink traders including Jerk Junction, Super Fry Guys and Hot & Wild, and it’s fair to say we’re spoilt for choice.

All of the above is free, though a small number of events may be bookable. Find out more information on that via the ‘Visit now’ button below.