Festival-goers urged to plan ahead as Parklife prepares to welcome 110,000 music fans

Friday, 6 June 2025 12:37

By David Murphy

Greater Manchester gears up for one of its busiest weekends of the year with travel advice issued for Parklife, Co-op Live and Soccer Aid

Thousands heading to Heaton Park for this year’s Parklife festival are being encouraged to plan ahead and use public transport, as Greater Manchester kicks off a packed summer of major events.

The music festival returns on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June, with headline performances from 50 Cent and Charli XCX expected to draw around 110,000 people over the weekend.

With additional events taking place at Co-op Live, including shows by Jeff Dunham and Chris Brown, and Soccer Aid at Old Trafford, local roads and transport services are expected to be extremely busy.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has launched dedicated Parklife travel passes, now available via the Bee Network app, covering tram, bus and shuttle services across the weekend.

Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer at TfGM, said: “It will certainly be a busy weekend with events across the city. While we are boosting service frequency, there are changes due to essential works in the city centre, so we are urging everyone to plan ahead.”

Key travel details include:

Trams will run every six minutes from Victoria to Heaton Park. The Heaton Park tram stop will close at 9pm with return services running from Bowker Vale until 1.30am.

Shuttle buses will operate from Lever Street in Manchester to directly inside the Parklife site, with return services running until the festival site is clear.

Travel passes cost £8 for a single day or £14.95 for the full weekend and are only valid on Bee Network trams, buses and Parklife shuttles. No other tickets will be accepted on shuttle services.

Cyclists can make use of parking spaces at the festival’s main car park, while those walking back to the city are encouraged to use the East Gate exit and follow Bury New Road.

Due to tram improvement works, no services will run between Piccadilly and city centre stops, and trams from Altrincham will terminate at Exchange Square. Passengers are advised to walk to Victoria to continue their journey to Heaton Park.

TfGM’s control centre will monitor the network around the clock with support from police and TravelSafe officers. Road closures will also be in effect near Heaton Park.

Attendees are reminded to keep their phones fully charged or carry a power bank to show their travel pass if requested.

Full travel advice and live updates are available on www.beenetwork.com/getting-to-parklife or via the Bee Network app.

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

ELR mourns passing of 93 year old volunteer ‘Godfather’ Bob Johnson

One of the East Lancashire Railway’s most devoted figures, Bob Johnson, has died peacefully aged 93, after dedicating over three decades to the heritage railway.
Bury North MP launches push for smartphone-free schools

James Frith unveils campaign aimed at tackling distraction and improving wellbeing in local classrooms
MP backs calls to fix legal loophole that resulted in fatal Whitworth crash

Rochdale MP Paul Waugh joins push for new laws after a pensioner with poor eyesight killed a woman in a crash
Residents believe that Labours promise for Middleton ‘township hub’ still missing as councillors praise crime drop and welfare success

Police and Councillors in Middleton say crime is falling and residents are getting more help with benefits and debt, but residents believe that a promised township hub still hasn’t been delivered, three years after Labour pledged it in their local election manifesto.
Man arrested after serious crash following police pursuit in Rochdale

A teenager has been arrested after a police chase through Rochdale ended in a crash that left one passenger fighting for their life.
Bury Pride returns this weekend with all day celebration in town centre

Bury town centre will be a sea of colour this weekend, Saturday 7th June as Bury Pride returns for its annual celebration of LGBTQI+ inclusion and visibility.
Police cordon off Drake Street after multi-vehicle crash in Rochdale town centre

A major emergency operation is underway in Rochdale this evening following a serious crash involving multiple vehicles on Drake Street.
Young Whitworth rugby talent aims for professional dream after international tour

A teenage rugby player from Whitworth is aiming to be scouted by a professional club after impressing during an overseas tour with his Saddleworth Rangers teammates.
Bog standard crime as Illegal vapes and tobacco found under toilet at town shop

A shop on Drake Street has been forced to close for three months after council officers found counterfeit cigarettes, illegal vapes and unsafe goods hidden inside, including under a toilet.
Girls smash boundaries as Woodbank Cricket Club launches first ever under-9s team

A Bury cricket club has launched its first ever girls only team, and it’s already winning matches and attracting fresh talent to the sport.
Major roof restoration under way at Hopwood Hall as heritage project gathers pace

Work to restore Middleton’s grade II listed Hopwood Hall has entered a significant new phase with the launch of a £466,000 roof repair scheme jointly funded by the council and Historic England.
Chancellor announces £2.5bn transport boost for Greater Manchester, with tram-trains for Rochdale

Rochdale is set to benefit from a revolutionary new transport investment announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves during a visit to Mellor’s bus factory this morning, as part of a £15.6 billion national package.