Outdoor Music Venues within Greater Manchester

Manchester is home to some of the best outdoor music venues in the country, from holding large events like Parklife Festival at Heaton Park, to live sets at Castlefield Bowl, and smaller, less known venues in Stockport and Rochdale.

Greater Manchester has a lot to offer and is constantly showcasing its inclusivity and unique edge come rain or shine.

Kicking the festival season off, Parklife will be taking place 8-9 June at Heaton Park.

Heaton Park is renowned for holding a range of outdoor music events, with the likes of one of the city’s hometown bands, the Courteeners playing at the venue often.

Emirates Old Trafford is another popular outdoor venue that will be hosting the Foo Fighters and Green Day this June. Over the past year, they have hosted the likes of Harry Styles, Arctic Monkeys and the Killers.

Next up is a northern favourite, Castlefield Bowl. For those that know it, it is an outdoor amphitheatre style venue in Manchester's city centre, home to the annual 'Sounds Of The City' series of concerts.

This year the city will be welcoming acts such as Avril Lavigne, Fatboy Slim, The National, The Saw Doctors, Tom Grennan, Loyle Carner, Jungle, Maniac Street Preachers & Suede, and Hacienda Classical.

To smaller, more intimate outdoor venues like Rochdale Feel Good Festival that takes place every year in the city centre. This year they have chart topping indie pop band Lottery Winners playing alongside Heather Small.

Another local favourite and best-known as “Manchester’s best kept secret” is Moovin Festival in Stockport. The music festival takes place on a hidden farm in the beautiful countryside. The festival spans a wide range of genres, including reggae, funk, house and soul.

Wythenshawe Park holds a range of outdoor music events throughout the summer period. This year these include live sets from New Order and Blossoms which will be taking place in August 2024.

Barton Live is an openair concert in Eccles that has become increasingly popular. This year they will be holding McFly, JLS and UB40, it is not one to be missed!