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Manchester’s ‘most energetic’ live art competition is back next month

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Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 7th May 2025

The city’s most energetic live art event is coming back to a Greater Manchester centre next month.

Art Battle Manchester will see artists battle both the clock and each other for a night filled with live art, delicious local street food and drinks, and plenty of entertainment.

If you’re unfamiliar with the event, Art Battle Manchester was first established in 2013 and has since seen more than 250 artists step up to the challenge in unique locations across Manchester, including the likes of Albert Hall, Victoria Baths, and London Road Fire Station – with no venue being used twice, which organisers say offers a ‘fresh and original’ experience.

It’s an evening of fast-paced art and entertainment, featuring painters, illustrators, tattooists, street artists, and other creatives in a head-to-head spectacle like no other.

Set to take over Stretford Mall, in what is one of the last opportunities to explore the complex after hours and experience the building like never before, the space will be transformed into an artistic battle zone for 10 talented painters, who’ll have half an hour to create a masterpiece in front of a live audience.

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Each of the artists will be elevated on individual stages, making it the very first promenade-style Art Battle – and a totally unique event.

Residents of Stretford and beyond are invited to take their place in the live audience at the hugely-popular event when it arrives next month and cast their votes for their favourite artistic creations, all before the created artworks get auctioned at the end of the competition.

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Half of the funds raised from the auction go to the winning artist, and the other half are donated to a local charity. 

The Art Battle’s collaboration with Stretford town centre is not only the latest in a long line of iconic artistic partnerships that have taken place in the town over the years, but it will also celebrate the future of the town’s unique creativity with an exhibition from Trafford College art students installed for the duration of the event.

“When the opportunity arose to bring the battle to Stretford Mall, we couldn’t resist,” commented John Macauley.

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“As well as the painty shenanigans we’ll be bringing together some of Stretford’s finest independents serving an array of food and drink to the crowd.”

Art Battle MCR is coming to Stretford Mall next month on 20 June, and tickets are now on sale here.

Featured Image – Supplied