Stalybridge Street Fest, the continental street-food event which proved popular last year, is about to return bigger and better than ever. 

Tameside Council say it'll be more of a festival than just a feast this year, to tie in with Stalybridge's status as Greater Manchester's new Town of Culture. 

The first Stalybridge Street Fest of 2022 takes place on Friday 11 March and will feature all the elements that combined to make it a successful event when it launched as a pilot last summer – plus lots more.

Building on last year's crowd-drawing attractions which included a fiery spectacular complete with a flame-breathing dragon, visitors are promised a feelgood festival tone this time round as the event becomes part of an all-encompassing cultural experience to stimulate all the senses.

As well as the ongoing programme of events associated with Stalybridge being Town of Culture, this year marks the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and on 10 June, Street Fest coincides with the much-awaited return of the Whit Friday band contests when Stalybridge will once again be at the heart of the greatest free show on earth.

Councillor Eleanor Wills, the Dukinfield-Stalybridge ward member who is leading the project for Tameside Council, said: “This year’s events will be about more than food and drink although they’ll remain a central part of what will be a much bigger and more exciting experience.

“With Stalybridge as Greater Manchester’s new Town of Culture, we have the chance to expand the scope of a gathering that’s put us firmly on Greater Manchester’s food and drink map by extending it to showcase our amazing cultural identity.

“It’s going to be a very exciting year in Stalybridge and I want to invite people from Tameside and beyond to come and join with us as we celebrate a fantastic festival of culture, creativity, and of course food in picturesque and historic surroundings.”

Stalybridge Street Fest takes place on the second Friday of every month (5pm to 9pm) from March to December, featuring traders supplying a wide range of food and drink to suit all tastes, and against a background of live entertainment.

Street Fest is run by Tameside Council's markets service in partnership with prestigious artisan market organisers The Market Co.

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