Thousands turned out this weekend for Manchester’s favourite day of the year that saw a fantastic programme of free family fun to help celebrate the city’s homegrown musical talent and this year’s big summer of live music in the city.
More than fifty thousand people took to the streets during the day for the annual celebration of the city which once again did not disappoint.
Inspired by what is proving to be a sensational summer of music in Manchester, they enjoyed pop-up performances, astounding acrobatics, and banging beats throughout the city’s streets and squares as the whole city came together for Manchester Day 2025.
The council worked with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank on a programme for the day that was full of surprises and lots of free fun all with a musical twist.
The day kicked off with a mini parade at 12 noon from St Peter’s Square, that made its way along Deansgate and on to the Cathedral.
Led by two fantastical creatures, and with over 400 participants, including live bands, dancing birds, plenty of drummers, and Manchester’s very own Queen Bee, as well as some of Manchester’s many community groups dancing and performing their way along the route in a riot of colour and sound, it was a clear crowd-pleaser.
Sparks flew as the world’s largest dhol drum rolled into town, opening up to reveal amazing dancers and drummers, whilst award-winning dance company Levantes were dressed to impress with their ‘High Tea with a Twist’ performance in the middle of the crowds on New Cathedral Street.
From daring acrobatics with hula hoops and fire, to West End show tunes, juggling drummers, a hip-hop wrestling ring, a pair of the muddiest footballers ever seen, plus two musical cats in a giant birdcage with a larger-than-life canary, the day was full of non-stop surprises.
A majestic lion, cheeky gorilla, baby orangutan in a basket, giant seagulls, and a host of marvellous bees and butterflies also wandered the streets, entertaining the crowds.
The day also included back-stage tours of Manchester Opera House, and a host of free have-a-go activities for youngsters of all ages to join in with – from circus skills, drumming workshops and ukulele introduction sessions, to music-themed craft activities and ever popular sports pop-ups.
The day was brought to a spectacular finish with a show-stopping finale collaboration between English National Opera and Walk the Plank that saw a massed choir of 100 community choir members and football fans, accompanied by members of the Chorus of ENO, and student singers from the Royal Northern College of Music, singing their hearts out as internationally acclaimed soprano and BRIT nominee Camilla Kerslake sailed into Cathedral Gardens in a magnificent silver gondola, to perform the ‘Queen of the Night aria from Mozart’s The Magic Flute, alongside award-winning baritone Marcus Farnsworth singing the ‘Toreador’ from Bizet’s Carmen.
The stunning performance had everyone in the crowd clapping and cheering for more as it ended in a burst of coloured smoke and red and blue confetti filled the air, raining down onto the cheering crowds below.
Councillor Pat Karney, Chair of Manchester Day, said: “The whole of Manchester was a sea of smiling faces and sheer joy as over fifty thousand people came together to celebrate our special city.
“It was all about the Manchester magic. The sort of magic that unites people and pulls crowds together in appreciation of the sheer joy and vibrancy of our richly diverse city.
“It was just magical seeing the faces of all the children and tiny tots completely wowed by the parade and all the fabulous street entertainment.
“Manchester is the only UK city that has its own celebration day. And that’s because we love our city so much and want to show it off to the world. There is nowhere else on this planet that I’d rather live.”
Manchester Day 2025 was sponsored by Manchester Airport Group, with activations across the city on the day by Red Bull, Capri Beach Club, Shaken Udder, Just My Look, Manchester Originals, and The Cut & Craft. The event was also backed by Redgate and Department, and partners Great Northern Warehouse and The Opera House, as well as through long-standing partnerships with Biffa and Manchester Evening News.
