Every year, International Women’s Day (IWD) marks an opportunity to come together and reflect on the many incredible achievements of women, as well as question ways to offer further support to marginalised groups and fight for real equality.
Here in Manchester, the proud home of the Suffragette movement that was key in winning votes for women, we have a long history of pushing the envelope on civil rights issues – so it only makes sense that we celebrate IWD in style.
We’ve picked out some of our favourite events going on in the city to mark the day. Keep reading to discover where to go in Manchester on International Women’s Day 2023.
International Women’s Day Beer Showcase at Port Street Beer House
Credit: John Clarke
What is it: A celebration of all things women and all things beer, with a beer and food pairing.
Port Street Beer House will host an International Women’s Day Beer Showcase this week, where female-brewed beers will be poured and served alongside a food pairing from Nell’s Pizza.
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One of those beers on the menu will be Boudica’s Chariot, a special beer created at Salford’s Strange Times Brewing Co by members of Manchester Crafty Beer Girls, women from across the city’s hospitality sector, and others from further afield.
What is it: Free pop-up performances around Manchester from string quartet group Vulva Voce.
The genre-defying string quartet group Vulva Voce will be springing up around the city centre for a series of free performances, each one made up of music composed by women, spanning from the Renaissance period to the present day.
They’ll choose culturally significant sites around the city, including the Whitworth Art Gallery (12.30pm and 1.30pm), Manchester Art Gallery (3pm), the Emmeline Pankhurst Statue (4pm), the Pankhurst Centre (5.45pm) and Whiskey Jar (9pm).
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All of the events are free and open to the public, apart for the performance at the Pankhurst Centre, which is part of their International Women’s Day programming.
What is it: Hundreds of women and supporters of women from all over will demonstrate their support for International Women’s Day as they proudly walk through the city centre.
Manchester’s Walk for Women will return to the city centre on Saturday 4 March to celebrate International Women’s Day 2023.
The walk will begin outside Manchester Cathedral on Victoria Street, meeting at 12noon for a 12:30pm start. It will go through the city centre, ending up outside Central Library in St Peters Square. Large groups, businesses and organisations are encouraged to get involved and register for an official place in the Walk for Women.
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The length of the walk is approximately 1.11km, with rest stops along the way and dropped kerbs for wheelchair access.
In previous years, the city has seen thousands of women and supporters of women flood to Manchester city centre to share their passion for equality.
The story of Lydia Becker at the Pankhurst Centre
What is it: An evening full of music, talk, good company and lots of inspiration at the birthplace of the suffragette movement.
On Wednesday 8 March (6pm to 8pm), The Pankhurst Centre is celebrating the legacy of one of the leaders of the suffrage movement with a talk about Lydia Becker (1827-1890) to mark International Women’s Day 2023.
Guests will be welcomed by music from all-female string quartet Vulva Voce before hearing a reading from author Joanna M Williams, who will be bringing her book The Great Miss Lydia Becker: Suffragist, Scientist and Trailblazer from the page to the Pankhurst parlour.
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The founding of the Manchester Women’s Suffrage Committee was one of many firsts by Lydia, whose influence was such that by the time of her death in 1890 the enfranchisement of women was seen as a distinct possibility.
What is it: A week long festival at street food hub GRUB from the 8-12 of March.
The Fest will showcase great local street food, drinks, music, art, shopping, comedy, spoken word, film and more from feminist and female-owned businesses.
Find food from the likes of Bee Kind Bakery, Desert Island Dumplings, Hoi Polloi Street Kitchen, Nina’s Taco Truck, Seitan’s Kebab and Tiny Beast Bakes.
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Plus dumpling rolling masterclasses, open mic storytelling, girl power disco bingo, a feminist pop-up market and more.
What is it: An all-female line-up of DJs, performers and songwriters taking over Brickhouse Social until 2am.
Beth Donovan has curated a free evening packed with the city’s best DJs, artists and songwriters, ready to take over Brickhouse Social for a night.
And while tickets are free, all the money raised on the evening (including the £2.50 pizza slices served all night) will be donated to The Pankhurst Trust.
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You can expect two floors of gorgeous entertainment, from a giant party in the main bar from 9.30pm to DJs keeping the dance floor busy all the way to 2am.
What is it: An inclusive event of live spoken storytelling taking place on International Women’s Day to give a platform to captivating true stories on the lived experiences of women.
Taking place at Feel Good Club on Wednesday 8 March at 6.30pm, guests can enjoy a curated line up of storytellers as well as a couple of open-mic spaces for newbies.
From the isolation of a debilitating illness, the seriousness of clown school and a lifechanging pilgrimage to Mecca, the storytellers will share personal and candid journeys on the lived experience of being a woman, with the importance of connection at their core.
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Tickets are a donation to The Pankhurst Trust and can be reserved here.
Greater Manchester’s Christmas crime rate named one of the highest in the UK
Emily Sergeant
New research has revealed the UK regions that should expect to see a spike in crime over the festive season this year… and it’s pretty grim reading for Mancs.
For several years running now, our region has unfortunately found itself near the top of the list when it comes to seeing the highest rates of crime over the Christmas holidays, and according to a recent study conducted by ADT, 2025 is unfortunately no different.
With what’s supposed to be ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ only a few days away now, home security experts have decided to analyse crime rates from December 2020-2022, and have highlighted the percentage difference in crime during the festive period in a bid to reveal where ‘Christmas crime’ is most prevalent.
Cleveland Police still has the highest reported crime rate, according to the study, with approximately 147.7 recorded crimes per 1,000 population, and more than 5,000 police reports of burglaries in early 2024 – with ONS data revealing 79% of which were residential burglaries.
Greater Manchester’s Christmas crime rate has been named one of the highest in the UK / Credit: Wikimedia Commons | Aurelio Arantes (via Unsplash)
West Yorkshire Police also stays in second place, with crimes in the county having risen by 20%, going from a crime rate of 111.61 in December 2021, to 133.8 crimes per 1,000 population by March 2024.
And then, we have Greater Manchester.
Once again, Greater Manchester Police ranks third for the areas with the highest crime rates in England and Wales, with 129.7 crimes per 1,000 population.
ADT’s research this year found that theft offences accounted for almost a third of all crimes committed in our region, while residential burglaries and shoplifting had over 16,000 reported accounts, respectively.
Top 10 Christmas crime ‘hotspots’ in the UK for 2025
Rank
Police force area
Crime rate per 1,000 population
1
Cleveland Police
147.7
2
West Yorkshire Police
133.8
3
Greater Manchester Police
129.7
4
West Midlands Police
125.9
5
Merseyside Police
119.0
6
South Yorkshire Police
116.7
7
Humberside Police
108.1
8
Durham Police
101.8
9
Gwent Police
101.8
10
Metropolitan Police
100.2
Home security expert Michele Bennett, who is ADT UK’s General Manager, has shared some tips on how best to deter uninvited guests from your home during the Christmas period, and says it’s ‘important to remain vigilant’ at this time of year by enhancing your home security.
“This will ensure you and your loved ones have a safe and enjoyable holiday experience,” she explains.
“Several proactive measures can be taken to deter intruders throughout the holidays, including installing visible security measures such as smart alarm systems or burglar alarms, with visible cameras and alarms display signs that indicate your home is highly protected.
“Also, secure your doors, windows, and other potential entry points with strong locks and deadbolts… and indoor and outdoor lighting is a good option to maintain a lived-in appearance by using smart plugs connected to lights, motion-sensing cameras, and video doorbells in and around entrances and other key areas of your home to make it less attractive to burglars.”
However, following a consortium bid led by a former player, it now looks as though the local community will be starting a new sporting era in 2026. You can read the RFL’s statement in full down below.
As you can see, the English governing body has agreed to grant the new Salford-based rugby league team Championship status in time for the start of next season.
The Red Devils were officially relegated back in October, following months of uncertainty surrounding their unpaid debts and having to rely on loan players to field squads.
It’s unclear whether the new Salford side will carry on under the well-established brand and logo, or whether they fresh start will include a new Greater Manchester moniker.
There is, of course, an obvious choice as retired winger Mason Caton-Brown has been confirmed as one of at least three key investors following his ‘Phoenix Bid’ to resurrect the club earlier this month.
Speaking in an official press release, Caton-Brown stated, “This is for the fans. They are the heartbeat of this club. Today’s announcement is the result of countless hours of hard work, honesty, and unity. We’re incredibly proud to bring rugby league back home to Salford. But now the hard work really begins.”
Following the official announcement on Monday (22 Dec), fan group The 1873 have now expressed their gratitude and support regarding the new investment, adding: “The strength of this club has always been its people and that must remain true in this new chapter.”
We would like to congratulate The Phoenix Bid on being awarded RFL membership and becoming custodians of Salford Rugby League 👏
Fans must fully back the new board as we move into 2026. We have a responsibility to ensure that this is as successful as it can be. pic.twitter.com/BZEwzS0zC6
Caton-Brown had already insisted that the new leadership group had reached multiple pre-contract agreements with players and a new head coach.
Meanwhile, ex-Salford Red Devils stars Paul Rowley and Adam Sidlow have now joined the coaching staff at St Helens.
While it’s obviously a big result to be gearing up just a few weeks after seemingly folding as a competitive side, the owners are now racing to get a full squad ready to face Oldham in their season opener on 16 January.
The 32-year-old went on to add: “The next month will be crucial. We’re asking supporters to stand together with us, to get behind the rebuild, to volunteer, to spread the word, and to help us make sure Salford rises again stronger than ever.” Happy, Salfordians?
Elsewhere, the national rugby community are similarly uniting to give a Super League legend some long overdue recognition…
Georgina Pellant -
3rd March 2023 
