FEATURE - We Invented The Weekend Festival: Why Theatre Fans Should Add It To Their Calendar
- Sarah Monaghan
- Jun 13
- 6 min read
We Invented The Weekend Festival
Every June, Salford Quays and MediaCity come alive with free performances, workshops, activities and entertainment as We Invented The Weekend returns to celebrate the gift of free time.
The annual festival takes its inspiration from an important piece of Salford's history. In 1843, Salford Lyceum Director Robert Lowes and fellow campaigners successfully fought for workers to finish early on Saturdays, helping to create what would eventually become the modern weekend. Today, the festival celebrates that achievement by filling Salford Quays and MediaCity with hundreds of free activities designed to help people make the most of their leisure time.
The 2026 festival featured more than 200 free events ranging from live music and sport to art, workshops, talks and family entertainment. For theatre lovers, however, there was far more on offer than many might expect.
From backstage theatre tours and musical theatre performances to outdoor circus shows and family storytelling events, theatre and live performance were at the heart of the weekend's programme.
What surprised me most during this year's festival was just how much of the programme was centred around theatre and live performance. While many visitors may initially associate We Invented The Weekend with family activities and community events, theatre lovers could easily spend much of their day around The Lowry enjoying performances, creative workshops and behind-the-scenes experiences.
Lowry Takes Centre Stage
One of the biggest contributors to the festival was The Lowry, which opened its doors throughout the weekend and offered a packed programme of activities both inside and outside the building.
Visitors were able to take part in free backstage tours, family craft sessions, storytelling events, workshops and creative activities, while the Lowry Plaza Stage hosted live performances throughout the day.
For anyone with an interest in theatre, the backstage tours were undoubtedly one of the highlights. These free tours offered visitors the chance to explore areas normally hidden from public view and learn more about how productions are brought to life behind the scenes.
Guests could step onto the stages, discover technical areas, learn about lighting and sound, and even visit dressing rooms usually reserved for performers. In many ways, the backstage tours perfectly reflected what makes We Invented The Weekend special.
Rather than simply watching theatre, visitors were given the opportunity to learn more about the craft and teamwork involved in bringing productions to life, making the experience particularly rewarding for theatre fans.
North West End Live Brings Musical Theatre To MediaCity
Musical theatre fans were particularly well catered for thanks to Lowry Presents: (North) West End Live, which transformed the Lowry Plaza Stage into a celebration of musical theatre talent.
The showcase featured performances from the cast of Disney's High School Musical, with Tobias Turley and Leonor Correia performing Start of Something New, giving audiences a taste of the much-anticipated production ahead of its run at The Lowry this summer.
Special guests also joined the line-up, including Laura Harrison, known for starring in Wicked, who performed the show's iconic anthem Defying Gravity. Audiences also enjoyed Liberty Stottor, best known for playing Jane Seymour in SIX, performing the powerful ballad Heart of Stone. Sam Buttery, known for Unfortunate, showcased their versatility with three musical theatre favourites: When You're Good to Mama from Chicago, Home from The Wiz and Don't Rain on My Parade from Funny Girl.
Audiences were also treated to performances from the next generation of theatre talent, with students from Lowry CAT and Pendleton College performing a medley of songs from Les Misérables and Disney favourites.
Festival-goers were even given a sneak peek at a brand-new musical currently being developed by Ella Langley and Stephen Hyde, offering a rare opportunity to experience new work at an early stage of its development.
What made the showcase particularly impressive was the variety of talent on display. Established performers, emerging artists, students and future theatre stars all shared the same stage, demonstrating the important role events like this can play in nurturing and celebrating the region's performing arts community.
One of the most appealing aspects of the showcase was that it was completely free to attend. Visitors could simply stop by the plaza and enjoy high-quality live performances in the heart of Salford Quays, helping introduce new audiences to the world of theatre.
Pirate Taxi Delivers Spectacular Outdoor Circus Theatre
One of the most memorable performances of the weekend was Pirate Taxi by Pirates of the Carabina.
Taking place on the plaza outside The Lowry, this inventive outdoor circus production transformed a traditional London taxi into the centrepiece of an extraordinary performance combining live music, comedy, storytelling and aerial circus skills.
Performed in, on and around the vehicle, Pirate Taxi featured aerial hoop routines, daring ladder work and breathtaking physical performances that kept audiences captivated throughout. The production explored themes of journeys, companionship and finding your place in the world, all delivered with humour and creativity.
Outdoor theatre can sometimes be overlooked in favour of traditional productions performed inside theatres, but Pirate Taxi demonstrated just how engaging and ambitious the art form can be. The performance attracted audiences of all ages and showed how festivals can introduce people to theatrical experiences they may not otherwise encounter.
The show demonstrated how theatre can thrive outside traditional venues and was a perfect example of the kind of unexpected performance experiences that make festivals like We Invented The Weekend so special.
My Highlight Of The Festival
While there was plenty to enjoy throughout the weekend, the backstage tours at The Lowry were arguably the standout theatre experience for me.
Many theatres occasionally offer behind-the-scenes tours, but having the opportunity to explore backstage as part of a completely free festival felt particularly special. Seeing areas that audiences don't normally have access to, learning more about how productions are staged and gaining an insight into the technical side of theatre added an extra dimension to the day.
The tours also perfectly captured what makes We Invented The Weekend unique. Rather than simply presenting performances for audiences to watch, the festival actively encourages people to engage with theatre, creativity and the arts in new ways. For aspiring performers, theatre enthusiasts or anyone curious about what happens beyond the auditorium doors, it was an experience that was both educational and enjoyable.
Family Theatre And Storytelling
Families were also well catered for throughout the weekend thanks to a wide range of theatre-inspired activities.
The Lowry hosted several CBeebies Bedtime Stories sessions, giving younger visitors the opportunity to enjoy storytelling brought to life in a welcoming environment. There were also family craft activities, creative workshops and opportunities for children to engage with performance and imagination in fun and accessible ways.
Popular children's character Bluey also made an appearance during the festival, attracting large crowds of excited young fans.
Alongside these activities, visitors could enjoy performances, interactive experiences and creative workshops throughout the festival site, ensuring there was plenty to keep families entertained throughout the day.
More Than Just A Festival
What makes We Invented The Weekend stand out is the sheer variety of experiences available completely free of charge.
The festival successfully brings together professional artists, community groups, performers, organisations and cultural institutions to create a weekend that feels both accessible and ambitious. Whether visitors are interested in theatre, music, sport, art or simply trying something new, there is always something happening.
For theatre fans in particular, the festival offers a unique opportunity to experience live performance in a very different way. Instead of purchasing tickets and sitting in an auditorium, visitors can stumble across circus performances, enjoy musical theatre showcases, meet performers, explore backstage spaces and take part in creative activities all within a single afternoon.
Looking Ahead To 2027
While the programme naturally changes from year to year, theatre and live performance have become one of the festival's greatest strengths. The combination of professional performances, community participation, creative workshops and behind-the-scenes experiences helps distinguish We Invented The Weekend from many other free events taking place across the region.
The 2026 festival demonstrated just how much theatre and creativity can be woven into a community celebration, with The Lowry playing a major role in delivering experiences for audiences of all ages.
If you've ever wanted to step behind the scenes at one of the UK's leading theatres, discover new performers, enjoy free musical theatre performances or experience outdoor circus theatre, We Invented The Weekend is well worth adding to your calendar.
The 2027 programme has not yet been announced, but if previous years are anything to go by, theatre lovers will once again find plenty to enjoy when the festival returns to Salford Quays and MediaCity next summer.
More Information
We Invented The Weekend is a free annual festival held across MediaCity and Salford Quays.
If the free backstage tours return next year, they come highly recommended for anyone interested in theatre and live performance. The tours offer a rare opportunity to explore areas of The Lowry that are normally off-limits to the public and provide a fascinating glimpse into the work that happens behind the scenes to bring productions to life.
Keep an eye on future festival announcements from We Invented The Weekend and The Lowry for details of the 2027 programme.
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