Sale Festival 2025: Our top picks
Sale Festival 2025 kicks off in May with an extended schedule packed with activities for all the family.
The full schedule of events will run across a number of local venues including Waterside, Stanley Square, Sale Library and Sale Sports Club.
Looking at the 2025 programme so far, there is a decent range of events, which we hope will be a hit with both locals and visitors. We’ve picked our highlights from this year’s programme.
Which will YOU attend?
Sale Festival Launch
Sunday 18 May, 11am-2pm
Stanley Square
FREE
The Festival launch will coincide with the popular Makers Market being in town. It will include live music from Sale Brass Band and the Bridgewater Blues Band.
Pirates on the Plaza - Children's Event
Saturday 31 May, 11am-3pm (snake dance 12.30-1pm)
Waterside Plaza and Sale Library
FREE
Featuring Young Musicians from Trafford Music Service, Treasure Trail, Face Painter, Storytime, snake dance, dancing on the karaoke canal boat, craft competition and much more
‘The 1970s’ - an illustrated talk by Dave Walmsley Associate Fellow, Royal Historical Society
Tuesday 3 June and Thursday 5 June from 7.30pm
Sale Sports Club
Tickets: £10 (pay cash on arrival) - email dave@dwalmsley.co.uk to book
The three-day week, the miners’ strike, Watergate, Queen, ABBA, punk, Ted Heath vs Wilson, the rise of Thatcher; Fawlty Towers – and much more!
Re-live this underrated decade with this illustrated talk.
Cartoon workshop
Friday 06 June - 11.30am-12.15pm and 1.15-2.00pm
HIYA, Stanley Square
£7 (parent + child)
Join cartoonist Marc Jackson for a creative drawing workshop in the build-up to the next day’s Sale Comic Con. Suitable for children up to 12 years.
Trafford Mayor’s Canal Boat Parade
Saturday 07 June, 2pm start, return 3.15pm (times approx.)
Waterside Plaza & Bridgewater Canal
FREE
Sale Cruising Club start the Mayor’s Parade near the Bridge Inn on Dane Road and sails down to Timperley Bridge before returning to the Plaza. View the parade and relax on the Plaza.
Summer Soul with the Soul Federation
Friday 13 June
Robert Bolt Theatre, Waterside
Tickets £15, concessions £12 (early bird £12 until 02 June)
The Soul Federation is an award-winning band playing Soul, Northern Soul and Blues Brothers hits. They play classic soul the way it should be played – no synths!
This 10-piece band of experienced musicians started setting dance floors alight across the North West and beyond in 2017. With a full horn section and harmony vocals Soul Federation create that classic soul sound for a great night out.
If you like Stevie Wonder, Frank Wilson, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Kool and the Gang, Candi Staton and Blues Brothers, this is the show for you.
Portrait Painter of the Year - Finals
Saturday 21 June, 1-4pm
St. Joseph's Parish Centre
Tickets: TBC
I Like Singing presents ‘Make Some Noise-Sale Sings and Chorlton Sings Joint Concert’
Saturday 28 June, 7.30pm
Robert Bolt Theatre, Waterside
Tickets £15 (early bird £12 until 02 June), concessions £12
An unforgettable celebration of singing, community, and live music! Sale Sings and Chorlton Sings come together for a vibrant and uplifting concert, combining individual performances with powerful joint singing to create an electrifying mass choir experience. This event is for all ages, and everyone is welcome.
Expect plenty of bangers, including crowd-favourites like Piano Man by Billy Joel, Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan and Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish — plus many more well-loved hits.
Sale Bake Off
Saturday 28 June, 1-4pm
St. Joseph's Parish Centre
Tickets: TBC
Open to those under 16.
Sale Poetry Trail
Entries must be received by 12 May, to finish with a special poetry evening at B for Butterfly Books on 24 June.
