Get Ready for a Bloomin' Amazing Bank Holiday Weekend in Manchester

Location: St Ann’s Square and King Street 

Make your way around the city's shopping streets to discover some of the most beautiful and inspirational gardens and floral displays you'll find anywhere this summer. There are five professionally designed installations to explore, all themed around Green Manchester, celebrating the city as a forward-thinking, sustainable destination. 

This year's installations spotlight exciting green initiatives happening right across Manchester, including the Piccadilly Gardens redevelopment and Castlefield Viaduct, as well as the city's beloved green spaces and thriving urban wildlife. It's a trail that's as thought-provoking as it is gorgeous. 

Location: Exchange Street 

Wind your way through a series of small, quirky gardens on Exchange Street, inspired by Manchester's urban gardening scene. Featuring displays from Ardwick Climate Action, MUD CIC, and The Whitworth, these ginnel gardens are full of ideas to take away with you. Whether you're looking to create something at home or connect with the community groups bringing these green spaces to life, this is the place to start. 

Location: Exchange Square 

Selfridges returns to the festival with a stunning floral installation, a pop-up florist, food and drink, and live DJ sets across the bank holiday weekend. Keyholders can also enjoy an exclusive family hunt inside the store. A great reason to head to Exchange Square and soak up the atmosphere. 

Location: St Ann’ Square and King Street 

There's a packed programme of family-friendly activities to keep little ones entertained throughout the weekend. Join The Conker Crew's pop-up sensory mud kitchen, take part in a bee-themed letter hunt, enjoy free planting workshops, and explore the city with a nature walk. With so much on offer, there really is something for everyone. 

Enjoy a full programme of talks and workshops on King Street. Whether you fancy trying your hand at pressed flower crafts, dried flower arranging, or the Japanese art of Kokedama, there's a session to suit every level of interest. You can also catch talks spotlighting National Trust projects, British grown flowers, and how to support urban pollinators with PLANT CIC and CyanLines, the brilliant project connecting 100 miles of green and blue spaces across the city. 

Information Point, Exchange Street

Explore Manchester in a whole new way with a series of guided tours celebrating the city's green spaces. Join a family-friendly nature walk with CyanLines, a poetry walk with the National Trust or discover hidden green spaces on a guided tour of Manchester's urban landscape with Jonathan Schofield. Tours depart from the Information Point on Exchange Street. 

Location: St Ann’s Square, King Street and Market Street

Pick up a floral keepsake to take home as you explore the festival. Find beautiful flower stalls from Clocktower Florist, Temple of Bloom, and Crockett Hall Nurseries on St Ann's Square and King Street, while The Makers Market on Market Street showcases floral-inspired gifts, homeware, jewellery, crafts, and a great selection of food and drink. 

Location: King Street

Work up an appetite and enjoy al fresco dining on King Street, from freshly baked treats at Gail's Bakery to Spanish tapas at El Gato Negro and sourdough pizza from Franco Manca. On Saturday and Sunday, treat yourself to an ice cream from Ice Cream Creations in St Ann's Square. Summer dining at its very best.