A massive Eid al-Fitr celebration will be returning to Manchester this weekend to mark the end of Ramadan. Known as Eid in the Park, the festival is one of the biggest celebrations of Eid al-Fitr in the north of England and will see thousands of people head to Manchester’s Platt Fields Park.
As Eid is dictated by the circle of the moon, the event is celebrated on a different date each year and the start is determined by the sighting of the new moon after Ramadan begins. This year, it was agreed by Islamic scholars that Ramadan officially began on the evening of Friday, February 28, and Eid al-Fitr has now been confirmed to start on Sunday (March 30).
Eid al-Fitr is regarded as a very special occasion in the Islamic calendar and is marked by a very specific type of prayer – called salah – held on the first day. Other celebrations include family gatherings and the exchange of gifts.
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 salah prayers, food stalls, local traders and family-friendly attractions including a funfair. The two-day event at the Manchester park, which has been attended by more than 20,000 since it began back in 2017, is also free to attend.
A Pre-Eid Market will also be taking place on March 28 and 29 outside Alfurqan Islamic Centre in Rusholme, between 12.30pm and 6.30pm. The market will be showcasing local businesses from stylish abaya stalls and luxurious perfumes to stunning henna artists, offering everything you need to complete your last-minute Eid shopping.
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 two days from Sunday (March 30), based on the moon sighting. The free event will begin from 9am with salah prayers delivered on the day. The funfair (wristbands available to purchase at event) and stalls will be open for two days (Monday 31st March and Tuesday 1st April).
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.