Situated within the sanctuary that is Hulme Garden Centre, the community-focused music festival returns this summer
Green Island Festival at Hulme Garden Centre returns this summer(Image: Philip Edward Hyde)
A Manchester music festival which started life as a 150-person capacity event with Hulme Community Garden Centre will return for its 2026 edition boasting a huge line-up.
Now regarded as as the ‘staple’ event in Manchester’s grassroots music scene with a bustling line-up of artists from around the world across a variety of stages, Green Island Festival will return this summer for its usual three-chapter format.
Spanning across three dates – 6 June, 25 July and 5 September, each date the festival will return from 12pm-9:30pm, with tickets now available from £26.25. Group tickets are also available to purchase, and free entry for children aged 13 or under.
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This year’s line-up traverses global sounds and artists rooted within grassroot scenes. For 2026, a special homage will be paid to Manchester’s electronic music heritage on the Street Stage, situated on Warwick Street.
The block party will stage pioneers – DJ Paulette in June, 808 State in July and A Guy Called Gerald in September; each of them icons in their own right, celebrated for their instrumental contribution in shaping the sound of UK rave and founding Manchester’s electronic music legacy.
Green Island Festival will take place at Hulme Garden Centre and NIAMOS(Image: Green Island Festival)
Over the past few years The NIAMOS stage has hosted a blend of internationally recognised artists and boundary-pushing performers. This year will see Grammy Award–winning duo, Blue Lab Beats, BCUC (Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness), the acclaimed South African band, plus one of the most exciting talents to emerge from the UK right now, JayaHadADream.
The Bandstand Stage meanwhile spotlights local collectives and curators. In June, Ruf Dug returns to present Ruf Kutz – the producer, DJ, label boss and NTS selector with deep roots in the city’s underground scene, is back again for his annual takeover – with years of digging, collaboration and international sets under his belt, he creates one of the festival’s most loved spaces.
A Manchester music festival which started life as a 150-person capacity event with Hulme Community Garden Centre will return for its 2026 edition boasting a huge lineup(Image: Philip Edward Hyde @philigree)
ROJAK MCR x Dance Policy – the city staple queer party and cultural magazine link up in July to present a very special collaborative takeover. The third and final takeover in September will be presented by Manchester’s original dub soundsystem, Freedom Masses Soundsystem.
Now in its sixth year, off the back of sold-out shows in 2025, the festival will continue its commitment to showcasing sounds of the globe, community-led programming, accessibility, inclusivity and the championing of grassroots music culture in the heart of Hulme.
Green Island Festival marks its sixth anniversary this year and is returning to south Manchester this summer(Image: Green Island Festival)
The festival, which also boasts the Selector Stage and Marquee Stage will also play host to Lena C, Supernature Disco x Out Since Friday, Hit & Run, Moli, Zawedde, Anna Lynch, The Thiara Collective, Bossa Dos Patos and Midnight Matters and Flat Moon.
As part of its mission to make the festival more family friendly, there will be a brand-new family area with a dedicated daytime programme curated by Z-arts – the arts centre for children and families. The Imaginarium invites families to make, move, and explore together through nature-inspired creative activities.
The festival takes place at Hulme Community Garden Centre, 28 Old Birley Street, M15 5RG Dates: 6 June, 25 July and 5 September. More details and tickets can be found here.
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