Manchester’s favourite day of the year is back this weekend with a fantastic day of free music-themed family fun on Saturday (26 July) to help celebrate the city’s homegrown musical talent and this year’s big summer of live music in the city.
Inspired by what is proving to be a sensational summer of music in Manchester, expect pop-up performances, astounding acrobatics and banging beats throughout the city’s streets and squares as the whole city comes together for Manchester Day 2025.
The council has worked with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank on a programme for the day this year that is full of surprises and promises lots of free fun all with a musical twist.
The day kicks off with a mini parade at 12 noon from St Peter’s Square, that will make 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 some of Manchester’s many community groups dancing and performing their way along the route in a riot of colour and sound, it’s definitely one not to miss.
From English National Opera and Walk the Plank teaming up with football fans and community choirs, West End show tunes, juggling drummers, a hip-hop wrestling ring, plus two musical cats and a larger-than-life canary all in a giant birdcage, the day will see non-stop surprises throughout.
Expect sparks to fly as the world’s largest dhol drum rolls into town, opening up to reveal dancers and drummers, whilst award-winning dance company Levantes will be dressed to impress at their ‘High Tea with a Twist’, in New Cathedral Street.
Throw some shapes and bust some moves over on the Deansgate dancefloor where Moroccan trance music and Bhangra dance will be the order of the day, whilst French street theatre company Stoptoï will be combining dance, drumming and juggling in a brand-new, high-energy show on St Mary’s Gate.
Enjoy music and performance from some of Manchester’s finest groups including the Bridgewater Hall Singers, or kick back and relax with a drink at the Capri Beach bar, before having a wander around one of the city-wide music trails, exploring Manchester’s musical heritage and hotspots.
Don’t miss the Perfect Pitch Three O’clock Kick-off, or the show-stopping grand finale in Cathedral Gardens combining opera singing and football chants at 4:30 pm in Cathedral Gardens, where a main stage will feature a fantastic programme of music throughout the day, The Urban Playground Team will perform Zoo Humans, a parkour performance piece that blends movement and storytelling.
The day will also see a whole 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 the ever-popular sport pop-ups.
Manchester Day visitors are also invited this year to join Manchester Opera House for an exclusive free behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic venue, with the chance also to take part in special performance-themed workshops, or to try their hand at crafting band posters from recycled show posters.
And don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled throughout the day for a majestic lion, a cheeky gorilla, giant seagulls and a host of marvellous bees and butterflies – just a few of the weird and wonderful walkabout acts waiting to surprise people on the day.
Councillor Pat Karney, Chair of Manchester Day, said: “We’ve got a fantastic Manchester Day lined up for everyone this year which is going all out to celebrate the music our city and our fabulous communities make. We’ve got an absolute ton of stuff going on for families and people of all ages on Manchester’s favourite day of the year. So shake your maracas, slip on your dancing shoes, prepare to make some noise, and come on down and join us!”
Manchester Day has been created in collaboration with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank who have also worked with community groups across the city to put together what is set be a vibrant and lively mini parade.
Liz Pugh, Creative Producer, Walk the Plank, said: “The mini parade celebrates the wonderful creativity and diverse traditions of our modern city and highlights the contribution of some of our newest communities. We’re bringing the talents of some of Manchester’s finest carnival artists, and will be welcoming back groups like Keep Manchester Tidy and the School of Samba, as well as some exciting newcomers.”
Manchester Day 2025 is 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 is 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.
Activities run throughout the day on Saturday 26 July from 12 noon to 5 pm.
Here’s the full lowdown on what’s happening and where throughout the day:
MINI PARADE
Fantastical winged creatures, a Phoenix, and beautiful birds of paradise will feature in this year’s mini parade which involves over 20 community groups and bands and more than 400 participants.
Two playful inflatable Griffins will lead the parade whilst the Queen Bee sits atop her Gondola made from recycled cutlery, repurposed into a beautiful vessel that sails through the streets, and Walk the Plank’s giant Dhol Drum beats out Punjabi rhythms as it makes its way along Deansgate.
Dancers from the Filipino Anglo Club of Greater Manchester and Colibri Dance bring the traditions of the Philipines and Mexico to Manchester, whilst the Hong Kong Cultural community takes part for the first time with a Phoenix kite-bird and Lo Ting a character who is half-human, half-fish and according to legend is the ancestor of Hong Kong’s people.
Manchester’s Lithuanian Association will be bringing a Lithuanian legend to life with their Queen of Serpents who changed her children into trees, and the Guangxi Cultural Association will be performing traditional Chinese dance in full costumes.
Parade highlights also include Manchester Airport Group with their planes, traffic controllers, and dancing chandeliers, and more dance from Ad Hoc Dance, one of the longest running community dance groups, as well as hip hop from young street dancers from FreshSkillz.
With the Irish pipes of Fiana Phadraig Pipe Band from Wythenshawe, drummers from the Manchester Dhol Players, the Brazilian-inspired brass of Jubacana, two samba bands, and singers from the Perfect Pitch collaboration with English National Opera, it promises to be a loud and lively start to the day.
The mini parade leaves St Peter’s Square at 12 noon, travelling along Peter Street to Deansgate, then along the length of Deansgate before ending at the Cathedral at approximately 1 pm.
CATHEDRAL GARDENS
Enjoy main stage performances from Baked a la Ska, who will be serving up original tunes along with playful ska-infused covers of your favourite hits, alongside synth pop star Michael Aldag and world music from Manchester International Roots Orchestra.Be transported to the sunny shores of the Caribbean by steel band, Arthur’s Class Act.
The Urban Playground Team will perform Zoo Humans, a parkour performance piece that blends movement and storytelling. Keep your eyes peeled for a surprise performance later on it the afternoon.
Plus listen out for chart-topping hits played on ukuleles and a stunning PERFECT PITCH mass choir finale from 4:25 pm featuring football fans, community choirs, internationally acclaimed soprano Camilla Kerslake and some extra surprises.
Look out also for pop-up performances from Cocky Robins, beautiful Butterflies, Giant Seagulls, and a pair of post-match footballers who aren’t afraid of getting down in the dirt and a Three o’clock kick-off penalty shoot-out like no other.
ST ANN’S SQUARE
Join us in our wrestling ring stage – hosted by Trans Creative’s Kate O’Donnell – for West End showtunes from Sam Buttery, mind boggling magic from Fay Presto, music from rapper OneDa, an acoustic performance from viral sensation Michael Aldag, and opera with a twist from Flat Pack Music, plus hula hooper extraordinaire Danielle de la Wonk, and wrestling demos from Future Shock Pro Wrestling,
Marvel at the larger-than-life Birdcage Stage where a giant canary and two musical cats will defy the laws of gravity to try and outwit each other in cartoon capers full of slapstick silliness. Who will end up inside the cage at the end?
And look out for a lion on the loose and a mischievous stowaway from Borneo.
DEANSGATE
Watch the mini parade snake its way along Deansgate between 12 noon and 1 pm, led by two giant fantastical griffins, followed by live bands, dancing birds, drummers and some of Manchester’s many community groups in a riot of colour and sound.
Marvel as sparks fly when the world’s largest dhol drum rolls into town, opening up to reveal the Nachda Sansaar dancers and drummers.
Get on down to live acts on the Deansgate dancefloor, including Moroccan trance music, Bhangra dance, Kemoy and the KYSO Collective, and the Soul Beats dance troupe.
Seasoned cyclists or complete beginners are all invited to join the Manchester Day Pedal Party. Hop onto a balance bike, try out an e-cargo bike, or test a top of the range road bike. There’ll also be accessible, adapted bikes that can be ridden.
NEW CATHEDRAL STREET
New Cathedral Street will be alive with the sound of music, as the Bridgewater Hall Singers serenade crowds with songs from across the decades, and ukulele orchestras play chart-topping hits.
Enjoy High Tea with a Twist with Levantes Dance, who will be dressed to impress and performing daring dance and acrobatics above a tastefully laid tea table, plus hilarious street theatre heroes delivering a sizzling mix of slapstick comedy, and the world’s only mobile football stadium.
MARKET STREET
Visit Circus House to learn a whole new set of circus skills.
Discover the finest regional produce at the Manchester Day Craft Market by Manchester Markets, selling everything from home-made bakes and locally sourced honey, to hand dipped candles and artisan doughnuts.
ST MARY’S GATE
Don’t miss French street theatre company Stoptoï combine dance, drumming and juggling in a high-energy show full of rhythm and imagination.
Get your blood pumping at the 60m, pop up athletic track supplied by GLL, or dive into the fast and furious world of The Hundred, a turbo charged version of traditional test cricket.
Try batting, bowling, and catching in a special area, meet players from Manchester Originals, and be in with the chance of winning prizes.
Enjoy astounding acrobatic performances and master a new skill with the folks from Circus House.
OPERA HOUSE
Take a free, guided, behind-the-scenes tour of this iconic Manchester venue on Quay Street, craft a band poster from recycled show posters, or take part in a performance themed workshop.
KING STREET
King Street turns into Guitar Street as the Music for the Senses art trail takes over the city centre, with amazing artworks and interactive installations that celebrate Manchester’s legendary music scene. In association with Wild in Art.
EXCHANGE STREET
Make some noise with Manchester Libraries and craft a harmonica or tambourine to take home.
MCR LIVE ’25 HUB
Roll with it at the city’s newest destination on Piccadilly Gardens to help celebrate the mammoth summer of live music in Manchester.
Grab a drink at the bar, sample some of the North West’s best street food or catch a free DJ or live music act on the outdoor stage.
Locations and activities may be subject to change. Find out the most up-to-date information
