We Invented The Weekend Festival announces huge range of free events at MediaCity - full details

A ‘bold and imaginative’ festival which is also free will return to Greater Manchester this summer. Organisers of ‘We Invented The Weekend’ have announced a full programme for the 2024 event, which will take place on June 15 and 16. 

The festival celebrates the differences in how people spend their free time in the location where the weekend was originally invented in 1843. A break from the working week was developed in the region, and now we all have plenty of different ways to wind down. 

A new feature of the festival in 2024 will be ‘The People’s Catwalk- Sunday Best’. This will pay tribute to the age old concept of wearing ‘best clothes’ on a Sunday, as opposed to clothes we worked in. The catwalk is set to be a flurry of style, featuring individuals, groups and communities from all walks of life strutting their stuff. 

Much of the festival will take place around Salford Quays and MediaCity, with The Lowry playing a key role too. This includes dance training for all the family and a festival favourite art class from Salfordian Goggleboxer Helena Worthington. 

Festival attendees can also take part in a Northern Soul all-dayer in The Lowry’s iconic compass room and also will have the opportunity to take backstage tours of the theatre as well as enjoy workshops and a large flash-mob that will celebrate the songs of ‘Six The Musical’. 

Full details of the festival can be found by visiting the We Invented The Weekend website. 

Wayne Hemingway MBE, co-founder of the We Invented the Weekend festival said: “It is wonderful to see that We Invented the Weekend is already an event in the calendar adored by thousands of families and people across the region. 2024’s programme already promises to deliver another unforgettable weekend celebrating Salford’s gift to the world… the weekend. Everyone and anyone can pop to MediaCity and Salford Quays on June 15 and 16 and enjoy a weekend of trying out or watching what the weekend means to us. And it’s free!”  

Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett added: “We Invented the Weekend is a rich celebration of culture, the people and the heritage of Salford. It is a time for everyone to come together and experience the different ways people spend their leisure time in true Salford style. Last year’s We Invented the Weekend was a truly memorable and impactful moment for the city and boasted exactly what Salford is all about; community spirit. I can’t wait to be back and experience all the many other activities and organisations attending in June.”