A festival of free entertainment is coming to the city centre this weekend as Manchester says “a big thank you” to everyone who’s helped and supported others during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Thank You Manchester Weekender will see the city centre transformed to host a free, fun-filled festival of thanks on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 August for a one-off weekend designed to “bring the laughter back” and “a smile to all”.
Organisers say it’s the city’s way of paying a joyful tribute to all those it wants to thank for helping us get through the past year and a half.
With everything from street theatre and circus performances, to dancing, live music, and even a chance to get involved in working with three city-based artists, Manchester City Council has assured there will be something for everyone.
Doctors, nurses, shop workers, bus drivers, food bank staff, teachers, mums and dads, and vaccination centre volunteers are among those in line for a special mention in the opening event that will pay tribute to everything they have done to help keep us all safe.
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In line with the thank you theme, Mancunians are being asked to add their own thank you to an enormous sculpture made up of giant 3D letters that spell out ‘Manchester’. It’s hoped that when complete, it will go on display as a reminder of the spirit of the city over the last 18 months.
“None of us will forget what we have been through this last year and a half, and during it the people we have loved and have lost,” said Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council.
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“We will also never forget the people who helped us get through, whether it was for their kindness, practical help, learning support, or life-saving expertise.
“So many people from so many different parts of our city life are owed a massive thank you for everything they have done during the pandemic to keep us safe and keep us going, and we want them to know how much we appreciate them and what their help has meant to us.”
Entertainment and events will be taking place across Cathedral Gardens, Piccadilly Gardens, St Peter’s Square, and Exchange Square.
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Manchester’s rich musical heritage will be celebrated with live music in Cathedral Gardens and Piccadilly Gardens, with Bollywood and brass, to samba, soul beats, and everything in-between, as well a special performance curated by Matt and Phred’s.
Manchester Central Library also plays host to a “musical extravaganza” on Sunday, where you can try your hand at playing one of the many instruments from the library’s collection, or hear the Northern Chamber Orchestra perform.
The weekend will also see performances from some of the city’s best loved local community groups.
Exchange Square will be home to a Manchester Market for the weekend – selling iconic Manchester pictures, and themed clothing and accessories, alongside tasty treats from locally-based bakeries and other local produce.
A short community gathering of thanksgiving and remembrance will take place at 12:30pm on St Ann’s Square, too, as well as a minute’s silence to pause, stand together, and remember and reflect.
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The city will say “a big thank you” to everyone who’s helped and supported others during the COVID-19 pandemic / Credit: Manchester City Council
The festival will be spread over the whole weekend, with performances on Saturday repeated on Sunday to give as many people as possible the chance to come into town, enjoy the atmosphere, and have fun safely.
Councillor Pat Karney added: “This is our way of saying a great big Manchester thank you to all Mancunians for supporting each other during this last year, and to all the many thousands of heroic workers in all kinds of jobs and roles in the city that we have all depended on so much.
“After a year like we’ve just had, this is going to be a weekend like no other [and] we’re determined to spread a little Manchester music and magic to help get the city smiling again.”
The UK’s biggest fashion thrift market returns to Manchester this weekend
Emily Sergeant
A huge pop-up fashion fair full of vintage, pre-loved, and small business clothing is back in Manchester this weekend.
Clothes Cycle is the UK’s biggest curated second-hand clothing market.
With a focus on championing sustainable clothing and helping fashion fans find a gem they’ll treasure forever, each pop-up market organised by the student-led initiative sees dozens of carefully-curated sellers offering a wide range of styles and items – including plus-sized, gender-neutral, male and female – come together all under one roof.
Taking over the unique space inside the historic Victoria Baths this Sunday (12 May), Clothes Cycle will welcome more than 100 different sellers showcasing everything from bargain vintage finds and designer pieces, to pre-loved wardrobes and picks from local small businesses.
Organisers say the Manchester event will be a combination of in-person thrift shopping, a filtered car boot sale, and the best of sustainable high street stores.
Sellers on the day will be offering up something for everyone on every budget.
With plenty of bargains under £5 up for grabs, you can expect to find vintage clothing of all kinds, alongside the best of streetwear, y2k, retro, archive pieces, luxury brands, current trends, and handmade clothing if you head down on the day, as well as bags, shoes, jewellery, and lots of other accessories.
The UK’s biggest fashion thrift market returns to Manchester this weekend / Credit: Clothes Cycle Markets
If that wasn’t enough, there’ll also be vendors selling home decor, art and prints, greeting cards, plants, ceramics, and so much more, as well as tooth gem and nail art stalls to get involved with.
There’ll even be three DJs blasting out tunes in various rooms throughout the day.
And if all that shopping gets you a bit peckish, there’ll even be some of the city’s best-loved independent street food vendors pitching up to serve a wide range of mouthwatering grub – including pizza, burgers, dumplings, gyros, streak sandwiches, and ice cream, alongside freshly-brewed coffee, and other alcoholic drinks and cocktails.
Clothes Cycle is coming to Victoria Baths in Manchester on Sunday 12 May from 11am-5pm, and tickets are now on sale from £5 online or on the door – with several concessions and VIP ticket options also available.
Dozens of life-sized animatronic dinosaurs are descending on Heaton Park again this summer
Emily Sergeant
Dozens of life-sized animatronic dinosaurs are set to take over the grounds of Heaton Park once again this summer.
Manchester will become the closest thing to Jurassic Park in real life in a couple of months time.
Back by popular demand after proving to be a smash-hit success when it was here last year, our region will transform into “a palaeontologist’s playground” once again, as around 40 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs are descending on the popular park to give dino fans of all ages the chance to get up close and personal with the big beasts.
Dinosaurs in the Park will arrive in Greater Manchester from mid-July and stay until early August, with dinosaurs expected around every corner.
Just as they did last year, visitors can expect an “an educational and enjoyable day out for the whole family” this summer.
Among the dozens of dinos which have all been designed with “meticulous attention to detail” are well-known favourites such as the Stegosaurus, Triceratops and Velociraptor, as well as the lesser-known Dilophosaurus, Kentrosaurus, and Hypacrosaurus.
Explorers will be able to make their way through Heaton Park‘s interactive trail made up of dozens of moving dinosaurs, all while solving puzzles and making the most of a range of hands-on activities along the way.
Dozens of life-sized animatronic dinosaurs to descend on Heaton Park this summer / Credit: Dinosaurs in the Park
There’ll be a palaeontologist tent so you can learn all about dinosaur behaviour, habitats, and the fascinating process of fossilisation, and a ‘Dinosaur Dentist’ section where kids can have a go at brushing the teeth of a T-Rex, while the ‘Dino Dig Pit’ will give young explorers a chance to unearth ancient fossils at an interactive dig site.
Not only that, but there’ll also be a ‘Fun Zone’ with lots of other free attractions and thrilling fairground rides, and a ‘Food Zone’ where explorers can either grab a well-earned bite to eat from the food court or use the space for a picnic after a day of hard work.
Dinosaurs in the Park is “an educational and enjoyable day out for the whole family” / Credit: Dinosaurs in the Park
Dinosaurs in the Park will be taking over Heaton Park from Friday 19 July – Sunday 4 August 2024.
Tickets are now on sale and cost adults and children over three £12 each, while a family ticket costs £46 for a group of four, and children under three go free – and, if you book any time slot after 3pm, you’ll get 20% off your ticket price too.