A massive Irish music festival with masses of food, drink, crafts, workshops and surprises is returning to Greater Manchester this summer.
Craic by the Creek 2025 will bring together all the best bits of the Emerald Isle for a weekend-long knees-up in a gorgeous countryside location on our doorstep in July.
There’s a huge music line-up (with plenty more still to be announced) featuring Boyzlife, made up of Keith Duffy from Boyzone and Brian McFadden from Westlife.
And this fun-filled Irish Music Festival is the only one of its kind offering full weekend camping, at the beautiful village of Compstall in Stockport.
The countdown is now officially on for this unmissable celebration of Irish music, culture, and community spirit, which will take place between 18 and 20 July.
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Craic by the Creek has been hailed as the greatest Irish music festival in the UK and is back for 2025 bigger than ever.
Already announced to perform live along with Boyzlife are The Tumbling Paddies, Derek Ryan, All Folk’d Up, Johnny Brady, The Kilkennys and loads more.
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There are still more acts to be revealed in this stacked line-up.
And it’s not just about the music at Craic by the Creek – there’s also a bustling Irish-themed craft market with handmade goods, Irish-inspired food and drink, social dance workshops, and plenty of surprises.
Expect a weekend of tunes, traditions, community vibes and campfire craic.
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Craic by the Creek will take place between 18 and 20 July, 2025 – tickets are on sale now via Skiddle, and they’re already flying.
JD to open largest-ever flagship store in Manchester this weekend
Daisy Jackson
The countdown is on to the grand opening of JD’s brand-new flagship store, with the sports fashion brand preparing to open in the Trafford Centre in Manchester on Saturday 7 June.
The new store will be JD’s biggest ever, delivering world-class shopping experiences that will ‘serve the community and redefine what’s possible’.
JD was born right here in Greater Manchester, first opening in Bury in 1981, and has gone on to be a leader in sports fashion and lifestyle retail.
With this new flagship store, shoppers will be able to discover the hottest drops from global sportswear giants like Nike, adidas, On Running and PUMA, plus JD exclusives like Unlike Humans.
The landmark new opening will be celebrated in a big way this weekend at the Trafford Centre, with none other than eight-time Olympic gold medallist and world record holder Usain Bolt attending the grand unveiling.
Then there’ll be the chance to win prizes, shop rare and sought-after sneakers, and get items customised.
The new JD store officially opens its doors tomorrow – Saturday 7 June – from 10am, with loads of exciting experiences planned.
JD to open largest-ever flagship store at The Trafford Centre in Manchester this weekend
Usain Bolt will be in store, with select fans having the opportunity to show off their running skills in front of the fastest man on the planet.
Lucky shoppers will be put into teams to race for prizes, and will have the chance to try and beat Bolt’s record on the Puma Nitro 100 metre spring challenge.
YouTube giants Beta Squad will also be there throughout the opening morning, bringing their energy and humour live and direct.
Meanwhile, Nike is bringing the ‘Nike AM95: The Vault’, giving sneakerheads a chance to get their hands on a sold-out OG Heat product.
At exactly 1.10pm – a throwback to the ‘110s’ nickname – there’ll be the OG Mandarin up for grabs, along with a limited run of the OG Pink Foam, which will be on sale from doors opening at 10am.
A glimpse of the largest JD store in the world
Crep Protect will be hosting demos and giveaways; Unlike Humans will be there with their ice cream truck serving matcha and vanilla mochi; and you can get any Unlike Humans item you buy customised by Matt B Customs for free.
James Air, Director of Group Acquisitions at JD, commented: “This new store at Trafford Centre is set to be a true statement of intent. It’s our biggest, boldest space to date – and it’s happening in the city where our journey began.
“This is JD at its very best: fashion-forward, community-focused, and pushing the boundaries of retail.
“And JD’s opening at Trafford Centre isn’t just about creating a dynamic new shopping destination – it also brings new jobs to the area, reinforcing the brand’s ongoing investment in the local communities it serves, which is at the heart of JD’s mission.”
Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre, said: “We’re incredibly proud to welcome the world’s largest JD to Trafford Centre. This mammoth, flagship store is a game-changer, not just for Manchester but for retail as a whole.
“With expert staff on hand, immersive displays and bespoke services, the new JD store will be a destination in its own right – promising an incredible in-store experience.”
JD’s new flagship store has been fuelled by the brand’s Forever Forward mission that propels youth culture forward.
Expect groundbreaking releases, creative partnerships and cutting-edge cultural experiences.
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JD will open its flagship store at the Trafford Centre in Manchester on Saturday 7 June from 10am.
There’s a new summer terrace in town with a weekend spritz happy hour
Daisy Jackson
There’s a new summer terrace in Greater Manchester that’s the ideal spot to soak in some rays – and enjoy a few discounted spritzes while you’re there.
Over on Chapel Street – just across the river from Manchester Cathedral – you’ll find Embankment Kitchen, which has opened up its terrace for the season.
This stylish spot is part of the CitySuites aparthotel, and has a menu rooted in the warm spirit of Northern hospitality.
It’s worth a visit all year round for their seasonally-focused, local-as-possible menus, but the summer terrace at Embankment Kitchen is a real added bonus in spring and summer.
And following that spell of absolutely glorious weather, they’re opening up two hours earlier every day too for maximum sun-soaking from 2pm.
At Embankment Kitchen you can tuck into a drinks and nibbles menu from 2pm until 5pm, and Happy Hour drinks deals from 4pm until 7pm.
That means two-for-one cocktails, plus discounted wines, prosecco and beers – an ideal post-work haunt.
Cocktails at Embankment Kitchen in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupSmall plates on the Embankment Kitchen terrace. Credit: The Manc Group
It’s usually almost impossible to find a happy hour in Manchester at weekends, but these guys are doing two-for-£12 spritzes every Saturday and Sunday between 12pm and 4pm, with flavours including Aperol, Hugo, and limoncello.
Drinks on the menu include signature cocktails that are inspired by the city’s industrial roots, like The Emmeline, Manchester Exchange (a take on an old fashioned), and the Atomic Zombie, as well as classic cocktails such as an espresso martini, limoncello negroni, amaretto sour, and strawberry daiquiri.
As for nibbles, tuck into treats like garlic bread, edamame beans with smoked salt, garlic and parmesan fries, salt and pepper tater tots, and halloumi fries.
Surrounded by lush plants and gigantic parasols, it’s hard to believe you’re just across the river in Salford when you’re soaking up the sun at Embankment Kitchen. To find out more, head HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
30th May 2025 
