Manchester International Festival makes its big return next week - and there will be a brand new location for the eagerly-anticipated Festival Square. In past years the Festival hub has been on Albert Square, and then more recently at Cathedral Gardens.
But now, with the huge newly-named Aviva Studios preparing to host many of the big MIF musical shows, Festival Square will take its new home right outside the vast Factory International arts centre. When the festival starts, from June 29, it will be the first time many people will have seen this new public space which is right next to the River Irwell.
It's set to be quite the setting for the food and drink element of the festival, and where visitors can also catch a range of free daily musical events. Here you will also be able to get tickets at a dedicated box office for the festival's events too.
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As the Avivia Studios and adjacent public square are entirely new locations in the city centre, we've put together a full guide on how you can best get there. Whether you're walking, on bike, using public transport or driving to the festival, we've got all the details below.
The whole St John's area, across the former Granada Studios site, is under major redevelopment at the moment. So visitors should note that there will be no access to the new venue and Festival Square on Water Street until MIF opens, from June 29 to July 16.
Walking routes
The building can be approached along Liverpool Road (coming from Deansgate or Castlefield) and along Water Street (coming from Quay Street). This will be the main route in once all the building works are complete, from June 29 onwards.
A footbridge at Left Bank in Spinningfields provides an accessible link across the River Irwell to Salford Central station, and a further footbridge will also link Aviva Studios with the Salford area of Middlewood Locks, and is due to open to the public from June 29.
All footways in the surrounding area are well lit and there are appropriate crossings across all main roads.
Pedestrians with visual impairment are recommended to approach the building from Liverpool Road. This route has traditional carriageway and footway design with fixed street furniture which should help with navigation to the entrance.
Closer to the official opening of Aviva Studios in the autumn, the wider area will have signage to direct anyone on foot to the most appropriate routes.
By bike
There will be 40 bike parking spaces at the building. National Cycling Route 6 passes close to the building and the TfGM webpage can help with route planning.
You can also hire bikes from on-street docking stations across the city centre. The closest docking stations to our venue are currently on Deansgate by Liverpool Road and (400m from the building) and by King Street (500m from the building). Take a look at Transport for Greater Manchester’s webpage for advice on cycle hire.
By bus
There are 14 bus routes into Manchester which pass within 0.3 miles of Aviva Studios. Many stop on Bridge Street, north of the building parallel to Quay Street.
Bus routes which stop on Bridge Street include services to:
Bolton (8/ 36 / 37)
Leigh (V1 / V2)
Warrington (100)
Please visit the Travel for Greater Manchester website for the latest bus routes and times.
By the city centre free bus
The Metroshuttle buses are free bus services that operate around the city centre. They are highly branded and accessible for wheelchair users.
Route 1 passes the North end of Water Street along Quay Street, approximately 0.12 miles from Aviva Studios. It then passes down Lower Byrom Street by the Science and Industry Museum.
By Train and Tram
The closest stations to Aviva Studios are:
Salford Central station: 0.4 miles
Deansgate station and Deansgate-Castlefield tram: 0.6 miles
(Step-free access to platforms via a lift from the corner of Deansgate and Whitworth St West)
St Peter’s Square tram: 0.6 miles
(Step-free, ramp access to all platforms)
Manchester Victoria station - approximately one mile
Manchester Piccadilly station - approximately 1.3 miles
By car
The full address of the venue is Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester. For sat nav use the postcode M3 4JQ
There is a car park approximately 0.6 miles from the building entrance at Water Street Car Park, New Elm Rd, Manchester, M3 4JH.
There is also a NCP car park (Manchester Spinningfields) approximately 0.5 miles away from the venue at Spinningfields, New Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3BE. It has 35 accessible bays.
There are a small number of Blue Badge spaces along Water St and Quay St. Otherwise head towards Liverpool Road, Great John St and Lower Byrom St – close to our neighbours, the Science and Industry Museum where there are a small number of additional Blue Badge spaces.
For a list of other parking bays available in the area, visit Manchester City Council website.
