ADVERTISEMENT

What's On

Manchester Day set to bring sunny Catalan celebrations to the city centre this summer

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 31st March 2026

Manchester Day is making a grand return for 2026 this summer, and you can expect a day filled with loads of Catalan-themed fun.

Oh, and it’s free fun at that… doesn’t get much better.

The date and theme for Manchester‘s biggest day of the year has now been confirmed – with the city going all in to make this summer’s event one of the very-best yet.

Switching for the first time to a Sunday this year instead of its usual Saturday, Manchester City Council is promising a ‘distinctly Catalan flavour’ to this year’s Manchester Day, as performers from Barcelona head to Manchester to join in the festivities in what is a first for the event.

This year’s Catalan theme has been chosen following Manchester’s guest city role during Barcelona’s iconic La Mercè festival in September last year, where our local artists were invited to take part.

ADVERTISEMENT
Manchester Day is set to bring sunny Catalan celebrations to the city centre this summer / Credit: Manchester City Council

As always, outdoor arts organisation Walk the Plank will be working with groups across the city in the run-up to Manchester Day this year to create what is set to be the main event of the day – a spectacular parade filled with music, dance, colour, community, and, of course, Catalan vibes.

The parade will also have a bit of a ‘bookish’ theme to it this year too, taking inspiration from the current year-long national celebration of books and reading.

ADVERTISEMENT

With music, dance, and a whole host of performances and walkabout shows from some of the UK and Spain’s leading outdoor arts companies, Manchester Day 2026 will see the city’s streets and squares filled with Catalan spirit, along with some surprising links to books and reading along the way.

The date and theme for Manchester’s biggest day of the year has now been confirmed / Credit: Manchester City Council

“We could literally write a book on how fantastic our brilliant city is and how utterly awesome and amazing Mancunians are, and we invite everyone to join us in July as we celebrate Manchester’s favourite day of the year,” commented Councillor Pat Karney, who is the Chair of Manchester Day, as the theme was announced this week.

“Everyone knows we never do things by halves in Manchester, and with our friends from Barcelona also joining us for this year’s festivities, it’s going to be Manchester Barcelona Day all the way.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone down as we go all in to make sure 2026 is THE best Manchester Day ever.”

Read more:

Manchester Day is taking over the city centre on Sunday 26 July, and more details on timings and activities during the day will be announced in the coming weeks.

Featured Image – Manchester City Council

What's On

A free snooker fan zone has popped up in Manchester for the 2026 Tour Championship

Danny Jones Danny Jones Free pool and snooker tables fan zone Manchester World Tour Championship 2026

We’re sure plenty of you are well aware that this year’s WST Sportsbet.io Tour Championship is happening in Manchester right now, but what many of you may not know is that a completely free snooker fan zone has opened up as part of it.

You don’t need a ticket for any of the actual matches to watch them on the big screen or even play one of your own.

The 2026 Tour Championship got underway on Monday, with number one Judd Trump claiming the opening victory against Mark Allen.

However, it isn’t just the buzz inside the match room itself that the World Snooker Tour has brought on its return to the city centre – even the supporter hub outside is well worth a visit.

snooker fan zone manchester central
manchester central events april 2026
Credit: The Manc

Based over at Manchester Central on the Exchange side of the building, while the games themselves are taking place in the main rooms, the foyer and surrounding areas have been turned into a fan park.

Perfect for anyone looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon or, indeed, a full day this week – not to mention an ideal activity for kids this coming Easter bank holiday weekend – if you’re a fan of the sport, you’d be a fool not to at least pop your head in.

Running until this Sunday, 5 April, when the tournament itself finishes, snooker lovers have access not only to a bar area with multiple big screens and food and drink, but also numerous free tables for them to play on.

In fact, you quickly turn a few frames into some proper practice if you’re so inclined, as there’s even on-site coaching to be made the most of.

As you can see, people of all ages have already turned up in their droves to soak up the atmosphere.

Once again, the competition is being broadcast live and free-to-air on Channel 5 if you’re happy to watch the games at home, but we don’t need to tell you what makes sitting in a room with a bunch of fellow fans and getting excited together so enjoyable.

If you visit the Manchester Central convention centre before the end of the week, you can even have a go at playing on a proper king-sized snooker table for the full pro-feel experience.

For anyone who wants to grab actual tickets for the matches as well, you can find them HERE.

Read more:

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

Featured Images — The Manc Group

What's On

Beyond The Music moves to MediaCity for the first-time ever

Danny Jones Danny Jones Beyond The Music moves to MediaCity for 2026 festival

Greater Manchester arts festival and conference Beyond The Music is back for 2026, but this time it will be heading to MediaCity for a Salford debut.

The long weekender is still a relative newcomer when it comes to the Manc events calendar, but it’s quickly gathered plenty of repute not just in the North West but within the industry as a whole.

Holding just its third edition later this year, Beyond The Music ’26 is set to be the most ambitious yet, spread across the three days and promising an impressive lineup both in terms of live performers, but also speakers, industry experts and wider activities.

And now it’s coming to the Quays.

With MediaCity and dock10 hosting their inaugural Beyond The Music, it’s another big win for the second city, with Sports Personality of the Year sticking over Salford way for the foreseeable future, along with other events like the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Awards moving to the Quayside.

Much of the BBC’s World Cup coverage is also being hosted at their Salfordian studios and main Northern base this summer, too.

Given that so many big annual dates have now made the switch to central Manchester – the BRITs and the MOBOs, just to name two recent examples – you could say it only makes sense to spread things out across the surrounding boroughs and their equally rich heritage.

Not that you should need reminding, but Salford isn’t just part of the region: it’s a city all of its own right that boasts an immense amount of pride over what is nothing short of a sterling musical history.

As for the 2026 Beyond The Music programme, besides both the local artists and more international creatives than ever, there’ll be keynote conversations, industry showcases, and wider networking opportunities for anyone looking to immerse themselves deeper in this world.

You’ll have to wait a little while longer for a full live music lineup, but watch this space…

beyond the music 2026 tickets
Mayor Andy Burnham and friends help launch Beyond the Music at MediaCityUK (Credit: Mark Waugh)

Sarah Pearson, Co-founder of Beyond The Music, said in an official statement: “Beyond The Music’s mission is to seize this moment, to come together and drive meaningful and lasting change in the music and content industry.

“It’s undeniable that the impact and importance of music and content are stronger than ever, but this is not reflected in their perceived value.

“The ethical and economic infrastructure of the music and content industries demands urgent attention and bold reform… It is our responsibility to protect creativity in order to ensure it doesn’t just survive but thrives. Things may feel difficult, but they are still possible.”

Mayor Burnham added: “Greater Manchester has always been at the forefront of cultural innovation, and Beyond The Music is a vital opportunity for the sector to come together and address the challenges and opportunities facing music and content creation…

“With its move to MediaCity and a bigger-than-ever programme, Beyond The Music is helping to
cement our city region’s place at the centre of the creative economy.”

Taking place between 7-9 October 2026, you can register for early bird tickets right HERE. Roll on an even more extensive festival season than ever.

Rochdale Feel Good Festival announces headliners with MAJOR 90s act
Every area seems to have at least one happening this year.

Read more:

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

Featured Images — Mark Waugh Photographer (supplied)

More What's On

Sportsbet.io Tour Championship 2026 Manchester

City Centre

Sportsbet.io Tour Championship 2026: Manchester welcomes some of snooker’s best

Swinton Ladies Race 5 mile run

Boroughs

Salford’s popular women’s running race is returning for 2026

Art & Culture

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 30 March – 5 April 2026

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches