Events in Stockport
Barnaby Festival
01 June 2013 - 30 June 2013
The Barnaby Festival was born out of the traditional Barnaby Fair, which was taking place in Macclesfield as far back as the 13th century.
The modern Barnaby Festival was resurrected in 2010 as an arts festival to celebrate talent in the town.
The festival takes place over a weekend in June and includes exhibitions, live music and performances in the town centre’s open spaces and historic buildings.
Events for families and children include puppet shows, magic shows, storytelling, arts workshops and a popular treasure hunt.
The festival includes many free events, including art exhibitions and the People’s Pianos – which involves pianos being placed at various outdoor sites for people to play or listen to.
A selection of films is screened throughout the festival and live music covers a variety of genres from jazz to samba.
Other live events include drama performances in local coffee shops, comedy shows and opera.
Macclesfield, SK11 6LQ Map
Added by: Lucy Robinson
Macclesfield Triathlon
01 August 2013 - 31 August 2013
Hundreds of competitors test their stamina every year in the Macclesfield Triathlon.
The event takes place in August and is a big event on the town’s sporting calendar. It attracts novices in the sport as well as seasoned competitors. Teams can also take part for those who want to share the swimming, cycling and running stages of the event.
The triathlon starts with a 400m swim in the pool at Macclesfield Leisure Centre. Competitors then jump on their bikes for a 25km cycling race through the countryside, from the Cheshire Plains and out to the edge of the Peak District. The running section is the final leg of the triathlon and involves a 6km run along lanes in the Broken Cross area of the town, ending back at the sports centre.
The day ends with a prize-giving ceremony for achievements in a variety of categories, including a novice prize for those taking part for the first time.
Macclesfield, SK10 4AF Map
Added by: Lucy Robinson
Treacle At Christmas
01 January 2013 - 31 December 2013
Treacle Market is an open-air market held on the cobbles of the old market place and Chestergate, in the town centre.
The market takes place on the last Sunday of every month and has stalls selling everything from arts, antiques and crafts to food and drink.
The Treacle Market hosts a Christmas celebration for one day every December, giving shoppers a chance to soak up some festive spirit and get everything they need for Christmas at the same time.
The highlight of the day is the arrival of Father Christmas, carrying a sack of presents for all the young visitors.
An Edwardian carousel is set up for the day to give the area a traditional Christmas atmosphere, and stalls sell roast chestnuts, mulled wine, Christmas gifts, a variety of food for the Christmas table and much more.
Shoppers are treated to carol singing as they browse the stalls, and brass bands play festive tunes throughout the day.
Macclesfield, SK10 1ER Map
Added by: Lucy Robinson
Stockport Sandwich Competition
The annual Stockport Sandwich Competition runs alongside British Sandwich Week in May every year, and encourages locals to create a new sandwich from locally sourced ingredients. Sandwich outlets in the area are invited to compete and the best sandwich will be judged at a Borough wide Grand Final that is held at Stockport Market.
£Free
Stockport, SK1 1EU Map
Added by: Helen Blakey
Cheadle Festival
Cheadle Festival in June has been popular since it first began in 1921, and is a firm family favourite. It attracts over a thousand visitors every year, and promises fun and laughter, with traditional attractions and popular events. All of the proceeds from the festival are used to help local charities.
£Free
Cheadle, SK8 1JE Map
Added by: Helen Blakey
Stockport Carnival
Stockport Carnival in July is a fun filled way to raise cash to help local charities and promote local businesses. The Stockport Carnival is a fantastic day out for all of the family, with a funfair, huge car boot sale and marching band. There will even be royalty there… as the Stockport Carnival King and Queen will be crowned during the celebrations!
£Free
Stockport, SK1 4JR Map
Added by: Helen Blakey
Bollington Festival
01 May 2013 - 30 June 2013
The Bollington Festival has been taking place in the small town of Bollington, near Macclesfield, since the 1960s.
This big community celebration only takes place every four to seven years due to funding, but is a very popular event. It is run entirely by volunteers.
The festival celebrates music, drama, literature, photography, art, sport, science and more. It runs for 17 days between May and June.
The programme of festival events includes performances by both professionals and amateurs across a selection of venues. Organisations to take part include the Festival Players, the Festival Orchestra, the Festival Choir, the Festival Strings, the Festival Music Theatre, the Festival Fell Race, BLOG (Bollington Light Opera Group), the Bollington Brass Band, and the Festival Photography Group.
Visitors to the festival can enjoy visiting local gardens, take part in sporting activities, watch performances or learn a bit more about science with the educational science events.
Many pre-festival events take place across the area in the run up to the main event.
Macclesfield, SK10 5JR Map
Added by: Lucy Robinson
The Vintage Village
On the second Sunday of every month, Stockport’s famous Victorian Covered Market Hall is the home to the Vintage Village. Inside the glorious cast-iron and glass local landmark, you will find authentic vintage clothing and accessories, homeware and jewellery. There are some great bargains to be found and so much to see.
£Free
Stockport, SK1 1EU Map
Added by: Helen Blakey
Stockport Beer and Cider Festival
Every summer in May/June, the Campaign For Real Ale hold the annual Stockport Beer and Cider Festival, offering over 150 different types of beers, ciders and perrys for attendees to try. CAMRA are committed to making sure that good beer is available throughout the country at a fair price, so that small brewers can survive against national beer companies. The festival aims to promote a greater appreciation of traditional ales and offer customers more choice. If you are a fan of ale or beer, then this festival is where you want to be.
£POA
Stockport, SK3 9DD Map
Added by: Helen Blakey
