Freight Island returns for another landmark season, unveiling its biggest ever free-to-attend Spring/Summer festival-inspired programme, and proudly announcing new kitchens. The one-stop destination for drinking, dancing and dining is set to welcome guests with their best ever line-up from Thursday 2^nd April.

One of Manchester’s most celebrated chefs Caroline Martins (SAMPA), is set to open Brasa, a brand-new Brazilian open-fire restaurant. On the menu you can expect Barbecue picanha steak, dry-aged bone-in prime ribs to share, and house-made charcuterie, all designed for sharing with tables available to book now. The menu showcases exceptional meat sourcing, careful balance and meticulous attention to detail, delivering a confident and contemporary expression of Brazilian cooking that brings a fresh point of difference to Manchester’s dining scene.

Caroline Martins, founder of SAMPA and Brasa, said:
“I’m beyond excited to be opening Brasa, my Brazilian barbecue restaurant at Freight Island. It will bring a fresh, Latin-fuelled celebration of open-fire cooking inspired by the bold, vibrant flavours and incredible food made for sharing. It’s about bringing people together to eat, dance, laugh and create unforgettable memories, all with a little smoke in the air and a lot of joy on the plate.”

Freight Island welcomes cult favourite Brewski and its renowned big tray BBQ concept for the summer season. “BBQ without borders”. Brewski’s approach has been shaped by time spent in Texas, Brooklyn, Paris and Copenhagen, learning from some of the most exciting barbecue scenes around. This summer, they bring those influences to Freight Island, combining old-school Texan low-and-slow techniques with a more contemporary approach to smoke and fire. Expect smoked turkey, pulled brisket birria and bold, fire-led flavour, piled high on big trays and served fast, counter-style. It’s barbecue built for sharing, with the focus firmly on quality meat, technique and flavour.

This season also marks the first FAC51 The Haçienda takeover at Freight Island where dancers will be able to experience The Haçienda completely free of charge for an all-day residents party on 4th April, a first for the city as the legendary club brand welcomes all, bringing in the spirit, sound and legacy of Factory Records into one of the city’s most exciting destinations.

Original tastemakers and selectors from the landmark venue, which played a pivotal role in nurturing the UK’s love affair with acid house and rave culture, will be present and correct. Not least Mike Pickering who join DJ Paulette, Tom Wainwright, Justin Robertson, Jon Dasilva, the club’s original resident, Hewen Clarke, and DJ world champion Chad Jackson.

Bonafide Mancunian institutions like Hit & Run and Ghosts of Garage bringing UK and US garage heavyweights such as MJ Cole and Todd Edwards. Luke Una’s latest edition of genre-swapping É Soul Cultura. And takeovers by influential faces Ruf Dug and Crazy P. Then there’s Greg Wilson, who will be launching his new book as part of the calendar, and drum & bass boundary pusher and 1985 Music boss Alix Perez. 

Other visiting dignitaries include legendary Leeds dub soundsystem Iration Steppas, Birmingham grime and bass overlord Preditah, and house-disco collectives PBR Streetgang and Wolf Music, who both make Freight Island debuts. Meanwhile, funk and soul diva Bestley, Machine Gun Kelly guitarist and rock star in her own right, Sophie Lloyd, and Soho Radio Free Association head Sam Don also appear for the very first time.

Luke Una, from É Soul Cultura, added: “This Spring Summer free-festival series at Freight Island was built around the community, and it continues to grow every year. It’s with great excitement to be back this season where we will soon announce some real incredible hush-hush guests as well as an after hours party for É Soul Cultura 2026.”

Beyond the renowned Spring Summer Series, Freight Island is also set to support the huge summer of music in the city by hosting various live tribute acts, sing-along events with DJ Massaoke and Paul Eden’s Mcr Rocks. 

With its largest-ever outdoor programme, legendary club brands, talent-led food traders and city-scale parties, Freight Island’s Spring Summer Series 2026 represents a defining moment for Manchester nightlife.

All free-to-attend, find out more about the Spring Summer series, reserve tickets and book a table at www.escapetofreightisland.com.