richardfrosty – Richard Frost – Manchester

Last year, I posted a calendar of Chorlton festivals on here. It went down quite well. So I thought I’d do it all over again.

Without further ado, then, here’s my Chorlton Festival Calendar 2013:

Chorlton Arts Festival 2013

17 May – 26 May 2013

The largest festival in Chorlton, Chorlton Arts Festival returns for 2013 with another packed schedule. This time round, there are more than 100 events taking place across countless venues, many of which are free to attend.

It’s being opened by an evening with John Bramwell (I Am Kloot) hosted by DJ Dave Haslam. And the Chorlton Weekender returns to close proceedings – the mini-music-festival-within-a-festival runs from 23 – 26 May 2013.

Horse & Jockey Summer Solstice 2013

21 June 2013

Despite being bought by Manchester brewery giant Joseph Holt in October 2012, the Horse and Jockey pub still seems intent on staging as many free local events as possible. Besides monthly farmer’s markets and craft fairs, live music nights and book clubs, it’s also putting on occasional events like the Horse and Jockey summer solstice 2013.

This year, the festival has been rebranded the Chorltonbury Summer Solstice 2013 and promises stilt walking, Egyptian dancers, a psychic grotto (me neither), stalls, a barbeque and a fire dance that will have to go some to top last year’s incredible show.

Chorlton Coffee Festival 2013

28 – 30 June 2013

An exciting new addition to the Chorlton Festival Calendar, the Chorlton Coffee Festival is a three-day celebration of everyone’s favourite caffeinated drink. Well, I’m more of a tea fan personally although I think that gets a mention too.

Lots of cafes and bars are taking part, and some will be putting on special activities like poetry readings, comedy gigs and live music. Everything centres on Chorlton Central Church, aka the Chorlton Coffee Festival HUB, which is being transformed into an exhibition space on Saturday, 29 June 2013.

Chorlton Beer Festival 2013

5 – 6 July 2013

Officially known as the 9th Chorlton Beer and Cider Fest, Chorlton Beer Festival 2013 is basically a two-day drinking session at St Clement’s Church.

It’s organised by the Trafford and Hulme Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), which is promising more than 80 real ales, 40 ciders and perries, and lots of foreign bottled beers. There’s usually food and live music too. Tickets are available on the door and they’re about £5 if memory serves.

Update: John O’Donnell, press and publicity officer at CAMRA (Trafford and Hulme branch), tells me it’s now looking like Chorlton Beer Festival 2013 will have at least 90 beers. This year, there’ll be 10 per cent more beer and 25 per cent more cider and perry. He also confirms tickets are £5, including the glass. Oh, and the festival’s jointly organised by CAMRA (Trafford and Hulme branch) and St Clement’s Church. (21 April 2013)

Chorlton Green Festival 2013

7 July 2013

Also called the Beech Road Family Fun Day 2013 but beyond that I don’t know much more about this one.

When Beech Road Festival 2012 was cancelled, a smaller family-oriented event sprung up to take its place. This was the Chorlton Green Festival, and I believe it’s on again this year. Incidentally, the festival’s nothing to do with Chorlton’s Big Green Festival (see below).

Update: Chorlton-based event organiser Bernard Leach has kindly provided some more information about this. The festival takes place across Chorlton Green, Beech Road Park and Beech Road, which will be decked out in bunting for the occasion.

It’s hoped there’ll be a tug-of-war contest, hula hoopers, salsa dancers, a choir, a steel band, a tombola, stalls and street food available. In keeping with the family-friendly theme, there won’t be any live bands or alcohol sold on the street – but you’ll still be able to buy drinks as normal in the bars and pubs along Beech Road. (21 April 2013)

Unity Children’s Festival 2013

8 September 2013

The Unity Children’s Festival 2013 is a free event taking place at Beech Road Park.

Backed by Chorlton U Decide and Friends of Beech Road Park, it’s the brainchild of not-for-profit community group Unity Arts. The focus is on introducing children to the arts – there’ll be professional artists and qualified community arts and youth workers around, and plenty of opportunities for kids to get in touch with their creative side.

Thanks to Colette for bringing this one to my attention.

Chorlton Book Festival 2013

15 – 23 November 2013

The Chorlton Book Festival takes place over 10 or so days around the time of the Manchester Literature Festival, which this year runs from 7 – 20 October 2013.

Organised by Manchester City Council and local volunteers, it promotes the written word through free workshops, author readings, talks and poetry contests.

Update: Sue Moores, south neighbourhood manager at Manchester City Council, informs me that this year’s Chorlton Book Festival runs from 15 – 23 November 2013 (14 May 2013)

Chorlton Bonfire Night 2013

5 November 2013

There’s always someone organising a public Guy Fawkes Night in Chorlton. Both the Beech Inn and the Horse and Jockey had free bonfires last year.

This year, I’ve heard the Horse and Jockey will be hosting a fireworks display for children at around 6pm and a fireworks display for adults at around 9pm. There’ll also be food available on Chorlton Green, mulled wine and cider, and tasters of onsite microbrewery Bootleg Brewey’s new treacle stout Treason & Plot.

Chorlton Christmas Lights 2013

5 December 2013

Also called the Chorlton Traders Festive Lights Switch On 2013, this is another free event.

Expect carols, camaraderie and, well, Christmas lights.

Horse & Jockey Winter Solstice 2013

December 21 2013

As ever, the Horse & Jockey isn’t content with just running something to celebrate the summer solstice. Rest assured there’ll be a winter solstice party too.

Chorlton’s Big Green Festival 2013

Cancelled for 2013

Chorlton’s Big Green Festival is taking a year off because, in the words of the website, “we need to take a well-earned breather”. The hope is that it’ll return in 2014.

Don’t do what everyone else does and get your dates mixed up with the Chorlton Green Festival (see above).

Beech Road Festival 2013

Cancelled for 2013

As far as I’m aware, the Beech Road Festival is gone for good.

Severe overcrowding in 2011 prompted the organisers, Chorlton Traders, to cancel in 2012. Sadly, I’ve not heard anything to suggest there’ll be another in 2013.

Update: I’ve removed the listing for Chorlton Park Festival 2013, aka the Chorlton Park Summer Fair 2013. Organisers stated on EventBrite that this festival would take place on 13 July 2013. But Sue Moores, south neighbourhood manager at Manchester City Council, tells me that the event is not booked in the park. (14 May 2013)

Important note: If anyone spots something that needs changing in the Chorlton Festival Calendar, or has suggestions for other Chorlton festivals that could be included, let me know in the comments below and I’ll look into it. Cheers!