THE King Street Festival, one of the most popular fixtures in the city’s social calendar, returns on Saturday and Sunday June 1 and 2. Expect the usual heady weekend mix of food and drink, live music, a pop-up gin bar and cocktail trail, lawn games and family activities, historical tours and VIP shopping experiences plus the return of the Manchester Flower Show.
King Street, of course, is home to two of the city’s most high profile restaurants, Tast Catala and El Gato Negro, both of which will be offering al fresco dining, while at Sam’s Chop House the focus is on gin tasting.
ToM is particularly looking forward to the King Street Cocktail Trail providing a range of festival specials at Arcane, El Gato Negro, Grand Pacific, Flight Club, Sam’s Chop House, Thomas’ Chop House, Tast, Miller & Carter, Kala and Mash Tun, priced at £5 each.
There’s also a chance to win a VIP dining experience via The Winner’s Table with seven tables up for grabs over the festival weekend at El Gato Negro, Flight Club, Grand Pacific, Rosso, Sam’s Chop House, Tast and Mash Tun. To enter go to kingstreetfestival.com.
Doubling in size this time around, the Manchester Flower Show will see balconies, lamp posts, bus stops, shop windows and parking bays bloom with Flower Power themed floral installations from the region’s best floristry, produce and gardening talent, alongside a market of gardening products, outdoor accessories and flowers, including stalls from Tib Street’s award-winning Flourish and indoor plant specialist Nonsense.
Store activities include free tote bag making with ethical brand Patagonia on Lower King Street and complimentary shoe shining atLoake and with a big focus on family-friendly activities for 2019, there’s also lots to keep kids busy. RHS Bridgewater’s floral crown making workshops will ensure everyone’s festival look is complete, plus there’s a life-sized 3D version of the timeless pen and paper favourite Hangman from kids street theatre and creative play geniuses Mufti Game and lawn games aplenty including giant chess, giant connect 4 and jenga.
Artists on the festival music stage include Vivienne Lynsey, Yemi Bolatiwa, The Rubber Duck Orchestra, Helena Williams, Fifi La Mer, Harvey Brittain and Dee Olares.
Times may vary, Visitkingstreetfestival.comfor full listings and follow @kingstfestival for event updates.