Manchester Comic Con is back for 2023 and while we’re sure you’ve heard this one before, it really is looking bigger and better than ever.
Taking place over at Bowlers Exhibition Centre Arena in Stretford, Mancs will once again get a taste of the world-famous comic book and pop culture convention right here on our doorstep.
Bringing together some of the best from movies, TV and gaming right now, not to mention welcoming a fair few big names through their doors, it’s going to be a brilliant weekend.
As if 2022 wasn’t a great turnout already, this year’s event is selling out fast and with all this stuff to do, it’s no wonder. Here’s what you can expect from Comic Con Manchester 2023.
Special guest appearances
Last year’s MCR Comic Con saw the likes of Zachary Quinto, Lord of the Rings‘ Gimli himself, John Rhys Davies, The Walking Dead‘s Chandler Riggs (a.k.a. ‘Corrrral’) and more, but this year is looking stacked with ever more famous faces.
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The names confirmed for 2023 include Chuck and Shazam! star Zachary Levi, The Walking Dead‘s Lauren Cohan, Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan; comedy legend Seth Green, Chace Crawford and Jessie T Usher from the hit Amazon show, The Boys, My Name Is Earl‘s Ethan Suplee and countless others.
You can see the full list HERE but, to be honest, that’s more than enough to convince us to come along.
As for the main attractions on the day itself (you know, other than the pretty celebrities), they’re really pulling out all the stops this year.
From a giant Transformers Megatron, a ‘Do not open, dead inside’ TWD door photo prop, the Tardis from Doctor Who, Del Boy’s sofa and Reliant Regal from Only Fools and Horses, to Hopper’s truck from Stranger Things, a Lord of the Rings hobbit hole and many more, there’s loads to choose from.
There’s even a Star Wars-themed Cantina Space Bar where you can grab yourself a drink, not to mention some top-notch scran from Mama’s Kitchen just round the corner. Don’t mind if we do.
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Credit: Comic Con Manchester (via Instagram)
Live music, entertainment and more
But it isn’t just things to look at and pose with for a photo, thanks to lead sponsors brsk — the superfast fibre broadband firm based in Greater Manchester — Comic Con Manchester 2023 will also have a massive video game zone for you to play some top titles against your mates and others at the event.
Beyond the other games available on the day, brsk have also put together their own virtual reality experience for this year’s convention. You know how we love a bit of VR.
You’ll also be able to enjoy fairground rides, get your hands on plenty of official merch (which we’re sure will complement your undoubtedly dynamite cosplays perfectly), as well as the chance to grab signed action figures, memorabilia and more courtesy of Action Force Toys.
Last but not certainly least, the event will be treated to a live performance from Yorkshire band, Lina and the Lions, who are absolutely experts when it comes to playing these cons and don’t just play some proper good tunes but fully immerse themselves in the culture.
Speaking ahead of this year’s event, brsk’s Regional Head in Manchester, Gareth Cornelius, said: “For us, building a connection goes far beyond our broadband” — which is already providing over 260,000 UK homes with high speeds of up to 900Mbps, by the way.
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“At brsk, we believe that sponsoring an event like Comic Con Manchester, in partnership with the team from Bowlers, is an important opportunity to get to know and support the community in which we operate. Also, having fun is part of our company’s culture and what’s more fun than a day of superheroes and cosplay?”
Comic Con Manchester 2023 at the BEC Arena runs from 9am-6pm on Saturday, 29 July and runs right through until Sunday with the same opening times.
You can grab entry tickets to the full weekend and the afterparty events, or if you simply want to grab a photo and an autograph with some of the famous faces, you can do so HERE.
We hope to catch plenty of you there and we expect to see you in your best cosplay, of course!
The funds will help improve the already incredible music scene in Manchester, benefitting staples likes Night and Day Café, Matt and Phred’s Jazz Club, SOUP and more.
All of the donations will be distributed across six independent music venues and will be used for various instruments, PA equipment, backline technology and other necessities depending on the requirements of each site.
Elbow have teamed up with Co-op Live in aid of supporting Manchester grassroots venues.Credit: Supplied
This initiative has been keeping Manchester’s Northern Quarter in the forefront of people’s minds when it comes to live music as well as the impressive Co-op Live.
Alongside providing vital resources for these local institutions, Elbow teaming up with Co-op Live also helps cement the North West as one of the main powerhouses in relation to live music.
The latest efforts from the largest indoor arena in Manchester fall in line with celebrating one year of bringing some of the best live music to the city, being officially open for 12 months in May.
Co-op Live have made a commitment to the people and the planet, promising to donate £1 million annually to the Co-op Foundation.
The stunning Co-op Live venue, Manchester’s largest indoor arena.Elbow performing at Co-op Live, marking history as the first act to grace the venue.Credit: Audio North/Supplied
Manchester’s latest live music venue also contributed significantly to selected charities, including Happy Doggo – chosen by Liam Gallagher and Eric Clapton’s addiction recovery centre, Crossroads.
As Elbow teams up with Co-op Live, even more money is making its way to necessary resources, this time in the likes of crucial live music establishments.
Elbow front-person Guy Garvey says: “Playing Co-op Live’s opening night will stay with us for a lifetime, not least because of how incredible the room sounded.”
“When the venue donated funds in our name to support the city we love, it made complete sense to carry that through to the Northern Quarter and to venues that have meant so much to my bandmates and I throughout our career.”
Guy Dunstan, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Co-op Live, adds: “In the past year, I have been proud to see Co-op Live become an integral part of such an incredible city.”
“Teaming up with Elbow to directly support the venues that first put Manchester on the map, and to share something so intrinsic to us as venues – proper sound – is something truly special.”
Award-winning The Kinks musical Sunny Afternoon to kick off UK tour in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Multi award-winning musical Sunny Afternoon is set to kick off its UK tour here in Manchester later this year.
Following a sell-out run at Hampstead Theatre, the musical production featuring all the hit songs by legendary rock band The Kinks opened to critical acclaim at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End, where it ran for two years ahead of its sensational UK and Ireland tour throughout 2016/17.
It also collected four Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical and Outstanding Achievement in Music for Ray Davies, along the way.
Award-winning The Kinks musical Sunny Afternoon is kicking off its UK tour in Manchester / Credit: ATG Tickets
Set against the backdrop of Britain on the cusp of the rebellious 60s,Sunny Afternoon is described as being an ‘exhilarating and moving’ celebration of the music, life, and the band that changed it all, The Kinks.
Sunny Afternoon celebrates The Kinks’ raw energy, passion, and timeless sound.
Charting the ‘euphoric highs’ and ‘agonising lows’, the smash-hit production tells the band’s story through an incredible back catalogue of chart-toppers – including ‘You Really Got Me’, ‘Lola’, ‘All Day and All of the Night’, and of course, ‘Sunny Afternoon’ itself.
Tickets are on sale now from just £15 each / Credit: Kevin Cummins
Producers Sonia Friedman Productions and ATG Productions announced last week that the show would be returning for another UK tour later this year, and it’ll be opening right here on one of Manchester‘s most iconic stages.
The hit musical will open at Manchester’s Palace Theatre on 10 October 2025 and it will run right through until 18 October.
Sunny Afternoon has music and lyrics, and an original story, all by the band’s frontman Ray Davies, along with a book by Joe Penhall, direction by Edward Hall, design by Miriam Buether, and choreography by Adam Cooper.
Danny Jones -
26th July 2023 
