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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Travel
Rachel Dixon

10 of the best free festivals in the UK

Women and a toddler stand by a set of DJ decks, alongside a DJ, at Salford's We Invented the Weekend festival.
The We Invented the Weekend festival features more than 200 activities and a family-friendly rave Photograph: We invented the weekend

Leisure: We Invented the Weekend, Salford, Greater Manchester

In 1843, Robert Lowes (Ian McKellen’s great-great-grandfather) persuaded Greater Manchester businessmen to give their workers a half-day holiday on Saturdays – paving the way for the modern weekend. This new festival of free time at MediaCity and Salford Quays is a celebration of everything people love about weekends, with 200-plus activities covering live music, sport, gardening, exercising, eating and more. There is a “charity supermarket” in the piazza with curated fashion from 10 charity shops; a family-friendly rave; and talks and debates hosted by the University of Salford.
3-4 June, weinventedtheweekend.com

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