Manchester Summer Festival of Markets

The Summer Festival of Markets is set to transform St Ann’s Square this September with a unmissable selection of local traders, an exciting programme of live entertainment and a variety of cafes and bars.

Running from Wednesday 3 to Sunday 21 September the Summer Festival of Markets will feature free live music performances, a vintage tea garden, and a pavement café and bar – creating the perfect place to while away the final summer afternoons of the year.

The focal point of the square will be The Orangery, a massive marquee which will house a bar and a variety of tabletop stalls from small local businesses showcasing a selection of bespoke handmade products.

The festival’s markets will change across its three-week duration, so it will definitely be worth visiting more than once to discover what’s new.

From Wednesday 3 to Monday 8 September artists, designers and craft specialist will be offering visitors to St Ann’s Square the chance to pick up unique gifts at the Arts and Crafts Markets.

Some of the north west’s best food producers will come together creating a traditional open air market from Tuesday 9 to Saturday 14  September for the Artisans and Produce Market.

On Wednesday 3 September The Orangery will be taken over by local charity Emmaus Mossley, who offer a home and work to previously homeless and unemployed people. The charity will be selling a selection of furniture, books and bric-a-brac.

Monday 8 – Wednesday 10 September will see  the Rinascente Gallery, a Stockport based charity who provide supported accommodation and work opportunities to people with broken lives and long-term unemployment issues, exhibit their fabulous bespoke renovated furniture

And from Tuesday 15 to Sunday 21 September fashionistas will be in for a treat as it is Vintage Fashion Week in St Ann’s Square. Featuring a vintage and designers market along with fashion shows in The Orangery and a kilo sale (where savy-shoppers can buy clothes by weight) St Ann’s Square will be the perfect place to update your wardrobe without breaking the back. 

Councillor Rosa Battle, Manchester City Councillor for Culture and Leisure said : “This September the Summer Festival of Markets will bring a lively, vibrant atmosphere to St Ann’s Square.

“Featuring an array of vintage fashion, delicious artisan food products and a packed programme of music the square will be the perfect place to enjoy the final days of the summer.

“With such a wide variety of events and stalls it will definitely be worth more than one visit to see what’s changed and enjoy the charms of The Orangery, vintage tea gardens or the pavement café bar .”

Markets across the festival period will be open from 10am-5.30pm. Bars, with live entertainment, will be open until 9pm.