A massive Eid al-Adha celebration will be returning to a Manchester park this week for its tenth anniversary to mark the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Known as Eid in the Park, the festival is one of the biggest celebrations of Eid al-Adha in the North of England and will see thousands of people head to Manchester’s Platt Fields Park. Eid in the Park also takes place in Manchester during Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.
Eid al-Adha is dictated by the cycle of the moon; the event is celebrated on a different date each year, and this year, Eid al-Adha has been confirmed to start on Tuesday (May 26).
What is Eid al-Adha?
Often called the “Feast of Sacrifice”, Eid al-Adha is one of the two major blessed celebrations in Islam, marking the conclusion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Eid al-Adha is regarded as a very special occasion in the Islamic calendar and is marked by a congregational prayer performed on the morning of the first day of Eid, shortly after sunrise.
Following the Eid prayer on the first day of Eid al-Adha, Muslims offer a sacrifice known as Qurbani to remember the sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim (AS). A portion of this meat (from a sheep, goat, cow or camel) then goes to help those in need.
Eid al-Adha celebrations at Platt Fields Park
To mark the celebration, the Alfurqan Mosque and Islamic Centre, based in Rusholme, and Makki Masjid, based in Levenshulme, have organised Eid in the Park, which will feature prayers, food stalls, local traders and family-friendly attractions including a funfair.
The three-day event at the Manchester park, which has been attended by more than 20,000 people since it began back in 2017, is also free to attend. There will also be a market showcasing local businesses from stylish abaya stalls and luxurious perfumes to stunning henna artists and an assortment of food.
Where and when will Eid in the Park take place?
Eid in the Park will take place at Platt Fields Park on Wilmslow Road, Fallowfield, M14 6LA. The event will take place over three days from Wednesday (May 27). The free event will begin from 9.30am with prayers delivered on the day. If it rains Eid prayer will be held indoors at Platt Lane Sports Complex.
The funfair (wristbands available to purchase at the event) and stalls will be open for three days (Wednesday 27th May to Friday 29th May) between 11am and 9pm.
How to get to the event
Platt Field Park is just a 15-minute drive away from Manchester city centre however car parking spaces will be limited, so it is advised to travel by public transport where possible. The nearest tram stop is West Didsbury, which is a 17-minute walk to Platt Fields Park.
The 41, 42, 42A, 42B, 42C, 43, 142, 143, 147 bus services will all stop on Wilmslow Road, which is just a short walk away from the park. The 150, 743, 763 will stop on Wilbraham Road, also a short walk from the park, whilst the 111 and 781 will stop on Yew Tree Road. Check the Bee Network website for timings and directions.
Find out more details about Eid in the Park here.