Manchester city centre is set to become a playground this weekend for Manchester Day, with the celebrations being bigger and better than ever before. This year’s celebrations are inspired by an international summer of sport with promises of something that everyone can enjoy.
Now in its 13th year, Manchester Day has quickly become a much-loved tradition in the city with a host of free activities, a parade and thousands of people descending on the city centre to celebrate.
Exchange Square will be transformed into Capri Beach Club where you can grab yourself a cocktail, pick up a bite to eat and have a go at some retro funfair games. Bet you can’t remember the last time you had a go on a coconut shy!
Just a few minutes’ walk from Union on Deansgate will be one of the prime spots for the celebrations this weekend. You can immerse yourself in larger-than-life console games in the Actual Reality Arcade, Circus House can teach you some new quirky party tricks, and a host of performances on the city’s mainstage. When we say the main stage has a bit of everything, we mean everything. Fancy listening to a bit of Moroccan trance music? Get yourself down at 12.05pm to see Gnawa Manchester. How about a brass band playing hip hop? That’s with Twisted Tubes at 1.45pm, or maybe some opera? See Flat Pack at 5.05pm
Market Street will be turned into exactly that, a market-street. Grab some locally made pastries and honey, artisan donuts and more of the regions finest produce all in one place. It will also be transformed into one big stage throughout the day with a programme of local performers from flash mobs to Bollywood dancers.
Cathedral Gardens will be capturing all the action from Paris showing the opening ceremony of the Olympics on a giant screen. Whilst you’re waiting for the coverage to get going on the screen you can have a go in Manchester United’s Panna Cage, playing small matches and brush up on your skills with Manchester United’s coaches and grab yourself a bargain at the second-hand sportswear pop up run by the FA.
There are loads more things to do across the city centre this Saturday during Manchester Day, with most things kicking off at around 12pm and mostly ending at 6pm. Take a look at the full guide from Manchester Council here for a full itinerary.