A Halal food festival is coming to Manchester with street food and funfair

A new food festival is coming to Manchester this summer, and it’s set to attract over 10,000 foodies.

The Halal Food Festival will be making its debut in the city, with over 100 exhibitors, street food vendors, four indoor arenas and an outdoor funfair.

Greater Manchester is very well renowned for its dining options and diverse culture. 

The city attracts people from surrounding areas such as Blackburn, Bolton, Bradford and Dewsbury, and more rush to the ‘Curry Mile’ every weekend – so organisers feel this is a great opportunity for a huge sector of the community to be represented.

Street food vendors at the festival are looking to represent from all over the globe, including Afrikana, OMayalsia, The Dutch Fishmen, Cleopatra from the Middle East, and Manchester’s very own and Afro-Caribbean Rita’s Reign.

The main arena will play host to favourite Halal brands such as Armaan, Superchic and The Halal Food Shop.

Celebrity chefs, including Homemade Savouries by Sara, as featured on BBC and The Islam Channel, will be hosting live cooking demonstrations, workshops and competitions live in the cooking theatre. 

And a vast array of gourmet desserts, savouries and lifestyle vendors will also be available.

Arena 2 is set to be an Artisan Market hosted by Muslim Instashop Expo, offering fine delicacies, home décor, arts and crafts, fashion and beauty. 

This has been a great platform for small, start-up and Instagram businesses in the Midlands at Birmingham’s Monthly Muslim Market.

Other areas include the outdoor funfair and kids play arena, with activities hosted by their official charity partner, Islamic Relief.

With Manchester’s harmonious diverse mix of ethnicities, the aim is to become an annual date within Manchester festivities and calendar.

“Islamic Relief UK is honoured to be the official charity partner of the Halal Food Festival in Manchester,” said Tufail Hussain, director of Islamic Relief UK.

“This will be an amazing outdoor event and we look forward to seeing thousands of people from all backgrounds and walks of life coming together to enjoy the fun, festivities, and delicious food. 

“There will be great activities from a fun fair to a kid’s zone as well as prayer areas.

“Not only will families enjoy delicious food at the event but they will also be helping those less fortunate. 

“Islamic Relief UK and the festival will have a charity target to feed 5,000 people across the world as well as supporting local homeless centres.”

The Halal Food Festival will take place at the BEC Arena on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th August 2022, from 12 noon to 8pm each day. Tickets start from £7.