Freight Island

Ian Jones, Food and Drink Editor
Freight Island

Since opening in those crazy days of summer 2020, Freight Island has successfully transformed itself into one of the North’s most exciting urban market and entertainment spaces.

And now, it’s back for its fifth year with a sparkling new line-up of events and happenings. Let’s dive in.

It’s all set to reopen on Thursday 3rd April with a fresh new look, new kitchens, and its biggest ever free spring/summer festival series.

This season sees the arrival of Ornella’s Little Kitchen, offering an intimate restaurant setting with table service, alongside other additions such as MOREJOY Chinese BBQ, Gooey’s indulgent weekend French toast, and Hello Oriental’s signature desserts. Returning house favourites, including Patterson’s, Burgerism, and Mega Gyros, will also launch new menus for a refreshed dining experience.

The free festival series is set to be the biggest yet, featuring world-class DJs, live acts, and club nights, with performances from David Rodigan, DJ Paulette, Greg Wilson, Congo Natty, Crazy P (DJ Set), Moovin Festival, and more.

From music to food and drink, with some awe-inspiring bookings along the way, Freight Island is a one-stop shop for all things fun in 2025.

Mayfield Depot, 11 Baring StManchesterM1 2PY View map
Visit now

Opening Hours

  • Saturday12:00pm - 12:00am
  • Sunday12:00pm - 10:00pm

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

What's on near Freight Island

Rock and Goal
Until
ActivityManchester
Rock and Goal Tour

Join Joe Feeley a Mancunian through and through, who guides you into Manchester’s two pillars of cultural excellence with his Rock and Goal tour.

From £9.99
The Same Deep Water as You at PINK
ExhibitionsStockport
The Same Deep Water as You at PINK

Get involved in this artistic and ambitious takeover of PINK’s three-storey venue, weaving together live performance, video, sculpture and sound.

Free entry
jonathan schofield giving tour
Manchester
The Kimpton Clocktower Tour

Explore the incredible history behind one of Britain’s grandest and most storied commercial buildings: Manchester’s Grade II listed Kimpton Clocktower Hotel.

From £20
Until
ComedyManchester
Creatures of the Night Comedy Club

An insanely committed seven-nights-a-week, Creatures of the Night Comedy Club opens its doors (20.30-22.30 typically, though please check) for evening after evening of side-splitting comedy.

From £5.00
Craft Beer Tour Around Manchester
Until
ActivityManchester
Craft Beer Tour Manchester

Join Craft Beer Tour Manchester for a journey through some of the cities best local breweries and artisanal beer serving bars. Discover the personality of Manchester’s beer through a diverse

From £35

Where to go near Freight Island

Mayfield Park (Map location 13) - Manchester Bloomtown Map photos
Manchester
Mayfield Park

Manchester has a new green heart: The 6.5 acre Mayfield Park, complete with the largest public playground in the city.

One Star Doner Bar
Manchester
Bar or Pub
One Star Doner Bar

One Star Döner Bar is the latest addition to the fast-growing Escape To Freight Island, the exciting urban market located at Depot Mayfield.

Manchester
Music venue
The Star & Garter

The Star and Garter is a legendary Manchester pub and music venue located in a grade II listed building on Fairfield Street.

Manchester
Restaurant
GRUB Manchester

Manchester’s original vegan street food festival returns at the end of this month to celebrate Veganuary.

Manchester
Restaurant
Mayfield

Mayfield is about to be reborn. Innovation, audacity and imagination are in the air, as energy, ideas and life return to this neglected part of Manchester city centre.

Manchester
Event venue
Depot Mayfield

A former railway station now acting as a multi-purpose event space and home to various pop-up events

ABC Taproom
Manchester
Bar or Pub
ABC Taproom

ABC Taproom is part of the Alphabet Brewing Co. Open Friday and Saturday nights, go here to enjoy some of Manchester’s very best beer.

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Hannah Platt 'Playing Out', courtesy of Threshold, photograph by Jules Lister.
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