Get ready Manchester, we're closing out the summer with a full-venue celebration of culture, creativity and community! Melanin Markets is back in our castle, this time with a Summer Pop Up taking over 3 floors of our theatre for one day only. It’ll be a showcase of the best of Manchester’s Black-owned businesses, artists and creators and you don’t want to miss it.

This free, family-friendly event blends shopping, food, music and meaningful connection. It’s a joyful gathering rooted in heritage, healing and homegrown talent. Whether you’re coming to support local brands, discover something new or simply soak up the energy, this is how summer ends: with good vibes and even better company.

What to Expect

From the moment you arrive, you’ll be immersed in a space that celebrates Black excellence across every floor. Head to the top floor for the Castle Marketplace – a bustling hub of incredible traders offering African and Caribbean sweet treats, drinks made from family recipes, natural and organic make up, skin and hair care, handcrafted jewellery, art, and lifestyle gems. Don’t miss Earthie Organics, launching an exclusive new tinted moisturiser, or exciting newcomers like Tee Tee Bakes, Cake Monster, and Deranika Skincare.

On the middle floor, step into a creative hub where expression and empowerment meet. Get beautiful henna from Aaliyah Rose, browse inspiring art by Prints of Praise and 33x, and access free, confidential sexual health screenings from BHA. Plus, take part in workshops with well known visual artists and musicians who we will announce soon!

The ground floor will be alive with summer tunes from local DJs, a fashion hub spotlighting Black-owned clothing and children’s wear, and a space to connect with organisations doing brilliant work across the city. Meet AfroSocial, a network for Black professionals and entrepreneurs, and Rekindle School, who are reshaping education with radical curriculums. You’ll also get the chance to chat with author and mentor Lathan Forrester, whose FC Tyro children’s book series uses football to inspire literacy, resilience and positive choices.

Culture, Creativity & Community

Melanin Markets isn’t just about shopping, it’s about soul. This space holds sacred joy, creative resistance and cultural pride. You’ll find artwork that honours scripture and reclaims identity, wellness rooted in ancestral healing, and fashion that carries heritage in every thread. From affirmation mugs and healing crystals to children’s books changing lives, the marketplace is full of meaning, stories, legacy, not just products.

A Full Circle Moment

This is our first event at Contact Theatre since 2022, a homecoming to the venue where Melanin Markets began in 2021. From humble beginnings to city-wide celebrations, this moment marks how far we've come - and how much further we're going, together.

Free tickets are available now – book yours and save the date.