2027 update: new name and July dates

Macclesfield In May is returning as N.O.W. — No Ordinary Weekend, on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 July 2027. Choose Macc has announced a two-day event at Market Place, rather than a May festival. The programme and individual performance times are still to be confirmed.

See our N.O.W. Festival listing. The previous 2026 programme below is retained as an archive and is not the 2027 line-up.

Checked 2 October 2026 against the organiser’s event announcement and Choose Macc’s comments reported by Nub News.

Macclesfield In May 2026

Macclesfield In May is set to descend on Macclesfield Market Place on Saturday 23rd May 2026. The the hugely anticipated festival returns for its second year. The FREE one-day event promises 11 hours of live music, DJ’s, bar, food trucks and community spirit right in the heart of town centre.

Organised by Choose Macc events, the festival has quickly established itself as one of the biggest free live music events in the town. Following the success of the ‘Party In The Pews’ events at Christ Church, the event evolved to Macclesfield In May at its inaugural festival and new town centre location in 2025.

Organisers have brought together another major line-up for 2026 featuring indie legends, rising local talent and touring acts from across the UK and beyond.

Headlining the main Stage this year are indie favourites Badly Drawn Boy and The Boo Radleys, alongside acclaimed Manchester outfit Fever Dream. Festival-goers can also catch performances from Naomi Kalu, Fine Lines, WeatheredMan & The Noise, David Brookings & The Average Lookings, The 99 Degree, Lazybones and Locus.

Quick View Line-Up & Set Times

As well as the live music, organisers are delivering a full festival atmosphere in the town centre, with bars, food trucks and a Cinemac afterparty hosted by DJs and Clint Boon. Entry is completely FREE, with donations encouraged to help keep the festival accessible for future years.

The event takes place from 11.30am until 10pm on Saturday 23rd May in Market Place and continues the town centres growing reputation for hosting major community events and live entertainment. Thousands are expected to attend throughout the day, with visitors encouraged to arrive early and make the most of everything on offer in the town centre.

Visit Macclesfield are one of the proud sponsors of the event, along with a number of local businesses including the new The Maxonian online news website and Macclesfield Town Council, which have financially supported the FREE community event!

The weather forecast is looking favourable with a warm and cloudy day predicted…with no rain!