Around 50,000 people are expected to attend the event this weekend
One of Greater Manchester’s most popular food festivals will be returning this weekend with an event that has been billed as ‘bigger and better’ than ever before – and it’s free to attend.
Held from Friday until Sunday (July 18 to 20), the Bury Food and Drink Festival 2025 will take place across the borough’s town centre with live music, food vendors, market stalls and plenty of ‘Bury brews’.
Attracting more than 50,000 visitors each year, the main hub of this year’s family-friendly event will be based at the Old Rock and will feature food, drink, and craft traders, including the likes of The Finest Fudge Co, The Thai food van, and Sip & Sparkle’s Prosecco and Gin Bar.
There will be a main stage at the Old Rock which will feature live music across the weekend, with ukulele band Uky Bobs, samba band Bloco Ashe, Joan and the Wad and acoustic duo Celebratory Cake amongst those performing throughout the festival.
A brand-new ‘Beer and Bands’ night which will kick proceedings off on Friday night from 6pm until 9.30pm. The event on Bank Street will showcase local brews and musical talent, and is totally free to attend. It will include the likes of Urban Theory, Sky Valley Mistress and Shoehorn.
There will also be the new Hong Kong Markets – which will be based at Kay Gardens on Saturday and Sunday (July 19 and 20). The set-up will include around 50 traders and has been organised by the popular Moliuliu’s Store, which is a Hong Kong grocery store at Bury Market.
Alongside its set-up at the Old Rock, the festival spirit will also continue at Bury Market, which will be open from 9.30am to 4.30pm on Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturday. The market has more than 350 traders spanning across cakes, locally-sourced fish, pastries, and, of course, Bury black pudding.
Across the town centre, other events to coincide with the festival will also be taking place – including an The Art of Pasta workshop at The Met with the team behind Pasta Ferrazza on Saturday (July 19), DJ sessions at Daily Grind on Sunday (July 20), and live music on the terrace at West Ivy throughout the weekend.
Nigel Shields, Town Centre Director at Bury BID said: “It’s a pleasure to be announcing the return of the Bury Food and Drink Festival to the town centre, and to be able to build on the success of last year’s event.
“We’ve got an exciting and diverse range of local, authentic traders joining us, showcasing the very best flavours and cuisine from Bury and all over the world. The festival is a fantastic addition to our town and what it has to offer – we can’t wait to welcome guests from far and wide across the weekend!”
Councillor Charlotte Morris, cabinet member for culture, the economy and skills at Bury Council, added: “We’re delighted to bring the food and drink festival to Bury town centre once again. The fantastic range of businesses involved is testament to the strength of food and drink offering here in Bury, and the appetite (literally!) for exciting events.
“The festival will be a chance to explore Bury, support local business, try something new and enjoy flavours from all over the world. We look forward to welcoming visitors from Bury and beyond!”
Stage and venue map for Bury Food and Drink Festival 2025
The below map has been provided by the festival’s event organisers. The main hub will be at The Rock, which will also feature the main stage, with events also taking place across the town centre.
Bury Food and Drink Festival 2025 is organised by Bury BID and is created in partnership with Bury Market and Bury Council, and part-funded with Local Growth & Place Flexible Grant Funding. More information here.
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