The 'most Instagrammable event of the year' set to return to Manchester this May

We're only a couple of days into May and it's already shaping up to be a bumper month for big events and festivals - from the King's Coronation to the Great Manchester Run, there's plenty to get excited about.

Another event returning to Manchester this month and celebrating all things 'Manchester' across the city is the annual flower festival. Taking place over the late May Bank Holiday weekend, The Manchester Flower Festival is organised by Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District, and is described as the 'most Instagrammable event of the year'.

Now in its fifth year, the free city centre event attracts tens of thousands of visitors to Manchester ever year and spans areas including Exchange Square, New Cathedral Street, St Ann's Square and King Street. Installations this year will include a flower trail, an RHS green wall, a talks and music stage, a new floral marquee, and the 'world's smallest' spritz bar.

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‘Manchester in Flowers’ Floral Trail will wind its way through the city’s shopping streets and feature ten professionally designed pop-up gardens including The Grassienda - a version of the city’s iconic nightclub but made out of grasses - and a Rain Garden inspired by the city’s weather reputation.

Other installations will include a Town Hall Clock planter, a wildflower takeover of the Cotton Bud Fountain on St Ann’s Square and a giant bee hive. There will also be a gardens in homage to the city’s LGBTQIA+ history, the Suffragettes, Manchester inventions and even Coronation Street icon, Hilda Ogden.

Elsewhere around the city, visitors can also expect to find a Vimto mini garden, wheelbarrow gardens taking inspiration from Roman