Following mega success back in Leeds, the North Leeds Food Festival is set to spread its wings this summer for the second time, bringing Heaton Park Food and Drink Festival to Manchester. After over 10,000 foodies attended the event in 2022, organisers promise an ‘expanded festival experience’, including interactive cheese, wine, whiskey and chocolate tasting sessions with local experts.
Kicking off this August 12th and 13th, Mancs will be able to enjoy a gastronomic gathering like no other, with tons of incredible activities and, of course, plenty of grub to get stuck into across the two-day event. The dog-friendly event will combine great food, drink and live music this summer, bringing with it an ocean of deck chairs where friends and family can gather for the occasion – while soaking up the summery atmosphere that will be accompanied by the scent of locally-made street food.
In the street food arena, vendors are set to be confirmed but you can find everything from Mexican tacos to bao buns and aromatic curries. The festival also hosts over 80 market traders crafts, produce and take home delights such as runny Scotch eggs and gooey brownies.
Attendees can expect to quench their thirst with everything from freshly stirred mojitos to New Zealand wine and Caribbean cocktails. For beer lovers, there will be a full ale house in place serving up IPAs, lagers and cask favourites.
The festival promises plenty of acts performing each day, meaning there’ll be tons of live music to enjoy during the weekender, as well as live chef demos daily where guests can pick up some fantastic tips and new recipe ideas courtesy of the pros at some of the best restaurants in the North. Plus, new for 2023 there will be plenty of interactive tasting sessions to get involved in, from cheese and chocolate to wine and whisky.
For the kids, there’ll be tons of free activities to take part in while the grown-ups enjoy locally brewed beers and gins, alongside a funfair and ‘inflatable land’, live entertainment and performing arts and wonderful art displays.
Festival director, Michael Johnston, said: “Last year proved this is a festival where you can bring all your friends and family to soak up the atmosphere. We’ve something for everyone. Whether it’s getting fully involved in all the live entertainment, mooching round the stalls, or simply lounging on a deckchair, sipping a drink and listening to live music”
Heaton Park Food and Drink Festival Timings
Tasting sessions timings (new for this year):
Saturday
13:00 | Cheese Tasting Sessions with Chorlton Cheesemongers
14:00 | Gin Tasting – All things Gin, with Wolfe Bros of Yorkshire
15:00 | Summer Cocktail Masterclass Experience with NOH Events
Sunday
13:00 | Cheese Tasting Sessions with Chorlton Cheesemongers
14:00 | Gin Tasting – All things Gin, with Wolfe Bros of Yorkshire
15:00 | Summer Cocktail Masterclass Experience with NOH Events
Cookery Theatre Timings
Saturday
11:00 | Babna (Babna’s Patisserie)
12:00 | Yemi Adelekan (Masterchef UK 2022)
13:00 Chef Marc Mole | (Senior Sous-Chef the Crown Hawk Green)
14:00 | Chris Waling (Cakes by Noah)
15:00 | Chef Gareth Mason
16:00 | Chef Dave Broxton
Sunday
11:00 | Jenny Oakenfull (Long Boi’s Bakehouse)
12:00 | Haley Taylor (Fish Made Easy)
13:00 | Eva Humphries (Whole Food Warrior)
14:00 | Ness Cohen (Dinner by Ness)
15:00 | Chef Sean Noonan (Cottons Hotel)
16:00 | Jamie Tones (Bondi Bowls, Manchester)
Live Music Timings
Saturday
11:00 | Will Forrester Smooth Sax
12:00 | Mackie
13:15 | Scoble, Swann & Friends
14:15 | Ibiza Sax
15:45 | The Climate Stripes
17:00 | Danny Charles
18:00 | ABBA Tribute (Angel Eyes Duo)
19:00 | TBA
Sunday
11:00 | Will Forrester Smooth Sax
12:00 | Rock Choir
13:15 | Rich & Marti
14:15 | Leaving Overmorrow
15:45 | Hit The Lights
17:00 | Liam Gray as Robbie Williams
18:00 | Ibiza Sax
Live Performing Arts Times
Saturday & Sunday
11:00 | Spike Bonzo – Kids Magic Show
12:00 | Joel Dickinson – Family Magic Show
13:00 | Spike Bonzo – Family Magic & Circus Show
14:00 | Joel Dickinson – Family Magic Show
15:00 | Spike Bonzo – Family Magic & Circus Show
16:00 | Joel Dickinson – Family Magic Show
Family Fun “have a go” Circus Workshops take place every hour from 11:30-15:30.
Tickets for the event are on sale now from just £5.95 per adult plus £1 booking fee. Find out more here.