Free festival with disco boats, DJs and children’s entertainment comes to Salford

A free festival featuring entertainment, disco boats and children’s entertainment is coming to Salford this June.

We Invented the Weekend will be taking place at MediaCity and Salford Quays, hosting the likes of CBeebies, shopping, art and entertainment stalls.

Disco boats, DJs, saunas, street food and more than 100 ‘We Get Creative Workshops’ will also descend onto MediaCity and Salford Quays. The festival will include a main stage on MediaCity’s main piazza, satellite stages and a dedicated BBC stage across the site. 

The free festival is expected to attract more than 150,000 people to the area, after it was cancelled last year due to the nations’ mourning period for the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Wayne Hemingway MBE, co-founder of the We Invented the Weekend festival said: “We Invented the Weekend is the first festival of its kind which celebrates free time in its unrivalled and universal joyous form.

“The festival represents an opportunity for everyone to come together and enjoy an ambitious, nationally significant free and inclusive event.”

Wayne Hemmingway MBE, alongside presenter of BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee, Patrick Grant, will remember the role 19th century worker’s rights activists played in advocating for adequate time off from factory work.

In 1843, the Greater Manchester-based initiative launched a campaign for workers to receive early finishes on Saturday, hence forming the modern ‘weekend’.

At The Lowry, a key partner of We Invented the Weekend, there will be a whole host of activities as part of the ‘We Get Creative Workshops’ organised by the festival, including Lowry by The Lowry, which will allow the whole family to let loose with the paintbrushes in the iconic setting. Local Goggleboxer, Helena Worthington will host the experience in true Salfordian style.

The 2023 programme will also see industry leading activists, campaigners, mayors and entrepreneurs will discuss big societal issues including the future of work, sustainable travel and ethical fashion in front of a live audience.

Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett said: “I’m not only proud to be supporting this festival, but I’m excited to experience everything that will be taking place. There’s no better way to celebrate our city and enjoy the weekend than with friends, family, neighbours and loved ones and so I’d urge everyone to come and join us for a fantastic weekend celebrating the Spirit of Salford.”

We Invented the Weekend comes to Salford on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th June 2023 at MediaCity and Salford Quays.