Dig the City

There's loads for kids during the festival. Mr Bloom from the telly makes an appearence (you'll need to buy tickets for that one), HOME present a preview of their Inkheart Christmas show, and on Thu 6 August he city centre becomes a playground for kids for one day only, with tree climbing, a mass water fight and lots of activity designed to release the wild thing in your little one... Expect a wild end to the festival.

Find out about the Wild Rumpus event. 

Inside the Dig the City Den there will be a selection of fine ales, a tearoom for coffee and cake, sharing platters, hog roast and paella. Over on King Street, there’ll be ping pong, cold beer and busking at the Budvar Bar. On New Cathedral Street at the Harvey Nichols and Grey Goose Boulangerie François Terrasse, you can expect small plates, mini patisseries and fruit tarts alongside light and zesty cocktails – all based on Grey Goose flavoured vodkas. There's also afternoon tea with a floral twist at the Double Tree by Hilton, floral inspired cocktails at The Lowry and tours of The Printworks henhouses and bee hives and a special Dig the City menu at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Some of the biggest and best shops in the city centre are coming together to offer a weekend of disocunts and special offers to celebrate Dig the City. To keep on top of them all, you'll need to visit the Dig the City website offers page. 

Sat 1st August — Sun 2nd August 9.00am until 8.00pm Shopping District
Free

Throughout the festival there's plenty of music to enjoy, from daily entertainment at noon in St Anne's Square to a takeover of the Manchester Jazz Festival. Expect steel bands, a Northern Soul night, Drunk at Vogue getting their fingers dirty, DJs in the Den and Manchester's Best Busker.

That ginnel behind the Rovers was never exactly a model of urban gardening. Well, here's what it could look like as it gets a proper green make-over.

Fri 31st July — Thu 6th August 10.00am until 6.00pm
King Street