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Manchester reveals FREE programme of events to mark International Women’s Day 2026

There's something for everyone to take part in... not jus women.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 4th March 2026

Manchester is set to mark International Women’s Day this weekend with a packed programme of free events.

In case you didn’t know, this Sunday (8 March) is International Women’s Day, with cities worldwide will be marking the important day in a series of different ways – and Manchester is no different.

Just as it chose to last year, the city has once again decided not to host its popular and once-annual ‘Walk For Women’ event, that used to see hundreds parade through the city centre in the name of equality, and instead organise a programme of events that both honour the importance of the event globally and this year’s theme.

Each year, International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, whilst also marking a call-to-action for accelerating gender equality.

This year in Manchester, Manchester City Council is encouraging everyone to join for a community celebration co‑designed by local women, offering a space to appreciate women’s contributions, meet new people committed to lifting each other up, learn something new, get creative, and ultimately, find inspiration for the future.

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Some of the events organised throughout the day – which will all take place at Manchester Central Library the day before IWD 2026 on Saturday 7 March – include a storytelling activity for women to share their personal stories, a special spoken word piece performed by a member of the IWD Co-design group, choirs and poetry performances, and even fireside ‘chats’ among other things.

There’ll also be a range of different events designed especially for mums and children, like the ‘Mums Matter’ wellbeing workshops, offering time to focus on your emotional wellbeing and mental health, and children’s drop-in sessions.

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Libraries across Greater Manchester have been turned into warm spaces for winter. Credit: The Manc Group
Manchester Central Library is hosting a wide range of IWD 2026 events this weekend / Credit: The Manc Group

You can also expect a selection of stalls by commissioned services and partner organisations promoting different services, and a period product donation point to tackle period poverty across Greater Manchester.

Everybody is invited to celebrate International Women’s Day in Manchester, not just women, and even children are able to attend some of the events too, as people of all ages are welcome.

Read more:

Manchester’s International Women’s Day 2026 celebrations are taking place throughout the day on Saturday 7 March, and you can find out more and book here.

Featured Image – Marko Milivojevic (via Pixnio)

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Manchester United youngster Jack Fletcher apologises after red card for offensive language

Danny Jones Danny Jones Jack Fletcher 6 match ban for red card after homophobic insult

Manchester United academy player Jack Fletcher has issued an apology following his red card last autumn, having been sent off for using offensive language.

Jack – one of the two Fletcher twins and son of former Man United player and current coach, Darren – has been slapped with a six-match ban for a homophobic insult uttered on the pitch back in October.

The youngster and England youth player, who made his senior debut this past December, has also been fined £1,500 for calling another player “gay boy” in the under-21s side’s 5-2 defeat to Barnsley FC in the EFL Trophy.

Fletcher, 18, must now attend a mandatory face-to-face education as well. Following confirmation of the reasoning behind the dismissal, which was initially unclear, he has also shared an official statement apologising for his behaviour.

As shared via the Football Association (FA) and Man United, Fletcher said: “I am truly sorry for the offensive word I used in the heat of the moment. “I completely understand [that] such language is unacceptable and immediately apologised after the game.”

He also went on to say that “a momentary lapse of character absolutely does not reflect my beliefs or values”, insisting that he meant no offence to the queer community in the moment.

Fletcher told the FA that he’d been thrown to the floor in the fixture and that his Achilles had been ‘stamped on’ by the same opponent earlier in the knockout clash.

The disciplinary commission accepted his response, but still believed the six-match ban was required as sufficient punishment, which will be served in the youth ranks.

Should he ‘reoffend’ or fail to complete the compulsory training issued by the FA, he will face further suspension and more serious penalties.

In the aftermath of his apology, United’s officially recognised LGBTQIA+ fan group have also shared a reply of their own, adding: “We hope Jack learns from this and grows as a person and a player,” it said. His immediate regret and guilty plea suggest that he will.”

As for his employers, the club wrote online: “Manchester United has worked with Jack to strengthen his understanding of discriminatory language and why it is harmful.

“In addition to his ongoing participation in regular Academy programmes on diversity and inclusion, Jack will also take part in educational training through the FA.”

With Jack’s brother, Tyler, also having featured in the matchday squad for the men’s first team, and his dad, Darren, still currently coaching the U18s team, you can most likely still expect all the Fletcher boys to remain in United’s future plans.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — EFL (screenshots via YouTube)

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Three men jailed after armed robbery in Trafford left teenage boy with ‘serious injuries’

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Upper Chorlton Road, Trafford

Three men have been jailed after an armed robbery and stabbing left in Trafford left a teenage boy with ‘serious injuries’.

The incident in question occurred shortly after 3am on Sunday 27 November 2022, when a 15-year-old boy – the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons – was at a cash machine on Upper Chorlton Road, in Trafford, and he noticed a black BMW drive past him, before making a U-turn and pulling up on the other side of the road.

As the boy set off on his scooter, the vehicle sped past him and cut him off.

Before he knew it, three men jumped out of the car and then proceeded to rob him at knifepoint – during which the boy was stabbed twice, and £120 was taken from him, before the offenders made off.

The 15-year-old was rushed to hospital, where he was required to undergo emergency surgery before being stabilised.

Police described the incident as an ‘unprovoked attack on a young boy’.

Following a thorough Greater Manchester Police (GMP) investigation, led by DC Marie-Louise Knight of Trafford CID, the offenders were identified as Callum Henson and Harry Jackson, both from Manchester, and Bailey Mann from Northampton.

All three were sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on Monday (2 March 2026).

Henson was sentenced to five years and six months for robbery and Section 20 assault, and Jackson was sentenced to four years and 10 months for Section 18 assault, while Mann was sentenced to three years in a young offenders institute for robbery, due to being under 18 years of age.

Speaking following the sentencing of the three men, DC Knight said: “I am grateful that [Henson, Jackson, and Mann] have now faced justice for their actions, not only for ourselves from an investigation side, but also for the victim and his family who were left shaken following this incident.

“These sentencings show that we will not tolerate this type of violent crime.

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“Knife crime has no place on our streets, and we will do all that we can to make sure offenders are punished, and our communities are safe.”

Featured Image – Google Maps

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