The South Manchester Food Festival will be returning with an 'expanded' line-up for 2025
(Image: South Manchester Food Festival)

Huge Greater Manchester food and drink festival to return with 'expanded' line-up following 'overwhelming' debut

by · Manchester Evening News

A huge food and drink festival which debuted earlier this year will be returning to Greater Manchester in 2025 with an ‘expanded’ line-up following its initial success.

The South Manchester Food Festival took place at Wythenshawe Park & Gardens in May for the first time, featuring an artisan market as well as a street food arena, live cooking demonstrations and family entertainment.

Organised by the team behind Heaton Park Food Festival, the debut festival was described as an ‘overwhelming’ success featuring more than 70 local and independent traders and also helping raise over £127,000 for mental health initiatives across the north.

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The family-friendly festival will now return to Wythenshawe for 2025, on May 17 and 18, The event will feature many favourite aspects from the debut festival with some big new additions.

Alongside a wealth of stalls from local traders and small businesses, there will be the return of the Street Food Arena and artisan market, alongside a new interactive Foodie Olympics space featuring a wealth of activities for attendees to participate in.

This year's South Manchester Food Festival featured more than 70 independent and local traders
(Image: South Manchester Food Festival)

There will also be two tribute acts headlining each evening of the event, alongside live music and entertainment from local artists. The Live Cookery Theatre will also return, featuring immersive cooking demonstrations from some of Greater Manchester’s top culinary experts.

Families will also be able to enjoy a Live Entertainer's Stage, featuring magic, performance arts and circus shows. There will also be roaming comedy acts and art displays as well as a fun fair and inflatable space.

The 2025 event will, once again, feature food traders, artisan markets and live cooking demonstrations
(Image: South Manchester Food Festival)

Speaking of this year’s successful debut, Event Director Michael Johnston said: “We were thrilled with the overwhelming support we received for our debut event. We’re eager to create another memorable year with as much entertainment as possible”.

Festival Manager Nikki Orrell added: “Last year we hosted an abundance of fantastic independent businesses and local artisans. Next year, we’re excited to bring a bigger and more diverse line-up with global foods spanning the world.”

Early bird tickets for the event, starting from £4.95 before fees, can be bought now here.