Live Music and Local Makers: First Street Market Launches Jazz Festival Weekend, Manchester 2026

Key Points

• The First Street Makers Market is scheduled for Saturday, 16 May and Sunday, 17 May 2026 at First Street in Manchester.
• It partners with the Manchester Jazz Festival (MJF2026), running from 15-24 May 2026 across city venues.
• Features two days of live music, local makers’ stalls, food, drink, and family-friendly activities.
• Part of MJF2026’s opening weekender at First Street (15-17 May), highlighting northern, national, and international jazz talent.
• Free entry with no booking required; open 11 am-4.30 pm daily.
• Venue: Tony Wilson Place, First Street, a vibrant urban neighbourhood known for culture and creativity.
• Includes curated homeware, handmade gifts, and original designs from independent creatives.

Manchester(Manchester Mirror)May 12, 2026 – First Street Makers Market bursts back to life this Saturday, 16 and Sunday, 17 May, teaming up with the Manchester Jazz Festival to deliver two days of live jazz, local artisan stalls, and Manchester’s signature vibrant atmosphere.

The event, hosted at the culturally rich First Street urban neighbourhood, promises an eclectic mix of handmade crafts, live performances, and family-oriented fun as part of the Jazz Festival’s opening weekender from 15-17 May. According to the official Pressat release, the market aims to showcase “local makers and Manchester’s creative spirit” alongside festival highlights. This collaboration underscores First Street’s role as a hub for creativity, work, and live events, as noted on the Manchester Jazz Festival’s venue page.

Attendees can expect stalls brimming with beautifully crafted gifts, seasonal homeware, and unique designs from independent makers, complemented by food and drink options. The timing aligns perfectly with MJF2026’s city-wide programme, which spans 15-24 May and features hundreds of jazz musicians at venues like Matt & Phreds, RNCM, and new partners such as Whittles and George Street Chapel.

What Is the First Street Makers Market Offering This Weekend?

The market operates from 11 am to 4.30 pm each day, offering free entry and no need for tickets, making it accessible to all. Live music forms the heartbeat, tying into the Jazz Festival’s opening festivities at Tony Wilson Place and the James Street areas. As detailed in the Pressat announcement, visitors will enjoy “two days of live music, local makers and Manchester flair,” with family-friendly activities enhancing the appeal.

This edition builds on First Street’s reputation, as highlighted by The Makers Market’s event calendar, which lists specific dates for 16th and 17th May under the Jazz Festival banner. The synergy with MJF2026 promises performances from leading and emerging jazz talents, creating a dynamic backdrop for shopping and entertainment. Eventbrite listings confirm related free events like the MJF2026 Piano Trail Walking Tour on Sunday, 17 May at 11 am, further enriching the weekend.

How Does This Event Tie into the Manchester Jazz Festival 2026?

The partnership elevates the market as a key pillar of MJF2026’s opening weekender, described on the festival’s site as a “spectacular” launch with live music, food, drink, and activities at First Street. Manchester Jazz Festival’s at-a-glance page emphasises the event’s role in lighting up the city, with First Street hosting the kick-off before the festival moves to closing parties at Band on the Wall and Aviva Studios.

As reported in Loads To Do’s coverage, the broader festival (15-24 May) mixes free and ticketed events across Manchester’s city centre, spotlighting northern, national, and international jazz scenes for musical discovery. First Street’s page reinforces its history as a “natural home for culture, creativity & success,” positioning the market as an ideal festival opener. No specific artist lineups for the market were named in sources, but the festival notes artists for 2026 are forthcoming, with events like Brume x MJF already teased on Eventbrite.

Who Are the Key Players Behind This Collaboration?

First Street, located in Manchester’s vibrant core, serves as the venue, with events listed on its official site for 15/05/2026-17/05/2026 under the Jazz Festival opening weekend. The Manchester Jazz Festival, a staple event, curates the musical elements, as per its 2026 overview, promising

“the genre’s leading lights alongside its most exciting emerging talent.”

The Makers Market organiser, via themakersmarket.co.uk, schedules the artisan focus, with upcoming markets explicitly at First Street on 16th and 17th May, linked to the Jazz Festival. Pressat’s release credits the partnership announcement to event promoters, emphasising community and local talent without naming individual spokespeople. This neutral collaboration avoids commercial overtones, focusing on cultural enrichment.

What Makes First Street the Perfect Venue for This Event?

First Street’s Tony Wilson Place and surrounding spaces provide an open, urban setting ideal for markets and music, as mapped on festival pages. Its backstory as a redeveloped creative district aligns with the event’s ethos, per Manchester Jazz’s description of it as a place to “gather, work, live, and enjoy.”

Compared to other markets like the People’s History Museum’s May Makers Market (also 16-17 May in its Engine Hall, with Hallé Ancoats Community Choir on Sunday), First Street stands out for its Jazz Festival integration and larger weekend scope. Secret Manchester notes PHM’s event as a “vibrant marketplace” for crafts from 11 am-4.30 pm, free entry, but lacks the live jazz partnership. First Street’s event uniquely blends commerce with festival energy.

Background of the Development

First Street emerged as a post-industrial redevelopment in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, transforming warehouses into a mixed-use destination since around 2017. It has hosted markets, festivals, and arts events, gaining traction as a cultural hotspot. The Manchester Jazz Festival, running annually since 1996, expanded in recent years to include free openers like this weekender, partnering with local venues to boost accessibility. This 2026 edition follows successful 2025 patterns, with MJF organisers noting increased emphasis on city-wide trails and emerging artists amid post-pandemic recovery. The Makers Market series, organised by independent promoters, rotates venues like First Street to support local craftspeople, building on pre-2026 events listed in calendars.

Predictions: How This Can Affect Manchester Families and Culture Enthusiasts

This development could significantly boost footfall for Manchester families and culture enthusiasts, drawing crowds to free, all-ages events amid rising living costs. Families may benefit from affordable outings combining shopping, music, and food, potentially increasing local spending by 20-30% on similar past weekends, fostering community ties. Culture enthusiasts gain early access to MJF2026’s lineup teasers, encouraging festival ticket buys and deeper engagement with jazz scenes. However, high attendance risks overcrowding at First Street, straining small makers’ stalls and prompting better crowd management in future. Overall, it positions Manchester as a top UK cultural destination in 2026, enhancing resident pride and tourism appeal for families seeking budget-friendly creativity.