Popular creative festival to return to Manchester with Dragon’s Den star as headline speaker

Under this year’s theme, Northern Soul, MAD//North will expand across Aviva Studios (home of Factory International) and other spaces, including The Trading Route, and Caravan, within Manchester’s vibrant St John’s creative district, celebrating the North’s unique mix of creativity, community, and cultural confidence.

The festival’s expansion reflects growing demand from brands, agencies and creators for a major northern gathering that blends content, culture and connection. Across two days, 6,000 attendees will experience talks, workshops, installations, and live experiences from some of the most influential voices shaping marketing, creativity, and innovation today.

By taking over the entire Aviva Studios/Factory International site, including The Social, MAD//North 2026 will streamline visitor logistics, making registration quicker, movement between spaces smoother, and the overall experience better for attendees.

The 2026 edition of the UK’s most disruptive marketing festival series will celebrate the spirit of Northern Soul ~ the event’s creative theme ~ with an emphasis on community, creativity, and purpose-driven growth in the marketing and advertising world.

Ian Houghton, co-founder of MAD//Fest said: "We've been bowled over by the support and enthusiasm we've had for MAD//North with businesses from across the north enthusiastically signing up to sponsor, speak and attend. That's rare, exciting and reflective of the flourishing marketing and advertising industry outside of London. It doesn't take a genius to work out that there's more to marketing than what happens in Soho!

"We can't wait to deliver a scaled-up event experience across multiple spaces at Manchester's vibrant St John's creative quarter and deliver MAD//Fest's distinctive mix of inspiration, innovation and networking with unmistakable northern soul."

As one of the UK’s most dynamic business figures and founder of Crafter’s Companion, headline speaker Sara Davies MBE will bring an inspiring perspective on entrepreneurship, creativity, and scaling a brand from the North East to global success.

Sara said: “I’m really excited to be part of MAD//North 2026 and to shine a light on the North’s incredible spirit of innovation. It’s a real privilege to share my journey and explore how creativity, resilience, and community can fuel business growth. I can’t wait to connect with fellow entrepreneurs and marketers, to exchange ideas, and to inspire, and be inspired.”

Content Director for MAD//North, Luke Wilcox, added: “Sara perfectly embodies the entrepreneurial energy that defines the North. Her story proves that innovation doesn’t just live in London ~ it thrives across the North. We’re thrilled to have her headlining MAD//North 2026 to inspire marketers and founders to think bigger, bolder, and with that unmistakable Northern Soul.”

More programme details and additional guest speakers will be announced soon.

Tickets are available now, with an exclusive 20% discount when registering via the MAD//Fest website: https://www.madfestlondon.com/north/.

Simply enter the code REDALERT at checkout to redeem the discount.