Three major events announced for finale of Salford’s 100th birthday celebrations

Salford’s 100th birthday celebrations are heading towards a spectacular finale, with three major events set to bring the city’s communities, creativity and history into the spotlight this autumn.

Following a packed programme of celebrations, performances and art commissions since the city’s official birthday in April, Salford City Council has revealed what’s still to come – including a huge outdoor projection featuring more than 1,500 local people, the biggest-ever Wagon Train finale, and a special live performance celebrating the sounds of Salford.

The free events have been co-produced by Salford creative organisations Walk the Plank and From The Other, with public funding from The National Lottery through Arts Council England.

The Salford 100 autumn events follow a year of activity designed to explore Salford’s past, celebrate its present and imagine its future.

The celebrations officially began on 21 April, Salford’s centenary birthday, with Birthday City — a day of surprises for residents who shared their birthday with the city.

Seven Salfordians were selected for special birthday treats, including a teaching assistant who had worked at the same school for more than 20 years, a nine-year-old boy, and the founder of local suicide prevention charity Jak’s World.

Performances from Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, Manchester Dhol Players and the BBC Philharmonic, alongside dancers and a giant birthday cake, appeared in unexpected locations around the city – including on a commuter train, at workplaces, a school and even a supermarket.

With the final major events now approaching, Salford’s centenary celebrations are set to end the year on a high.

And best of all, all three autumn events are free to attend.

For more information about Salford’s centenary programme Salford 100, and individual commissions, head HERE.

Salford Everywhere: A City Gathering

Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October, from 6pm – Peel Park

Salford is set to become the canvas for a spectacular celebration of its people when Salford Everywhere premieres this October.

Created by award-winning visual artist and filmmaker Matthew Rosier, the monumental artwork features more than 1,500 Salfordians, from NHS workers and builders to schoolchildren, supermarket teams, athletes, Royal Mail staff, dementia support groups and food bank volunteers.

On 9 and 10 October, video artworks featuring the local contributors will be projected onto buildings across the city.

The main free gathering will take place at Peel Park from 6pm to 10pm, where a 45-minute film will be projected at huge scale onto the University of Salford’s Maxwell Building, with two screenings each evening.

The film will be accompanied by a live musical score celebrating Salford’s rich musical heritage, featuring local choirs and brass bands. The score has been arranged by Michael Betteridge, with music direction from Salford-based composer and DJ AFRODEUTSCHE.

Meanwhile, Salford Shopping Centre in Pendleton will be illuminated from 7pm to 10pm, with the 1,553 local participants projected at monumental scale.

Rosier said the project captures the ‘humour, togetherness and toughness’ of Salford, after spending a month editing footage of the people who took part.

It promises to be a powerful celebration of the people who make Salford what it is today.

The Wagon Train Centenary Finale

Sunday 25 October, 6pm – Seedley Park, part of Buile Hill Park

After travelling around Salford throughout the summer, the Wagon Train is heading to Seedley Park for its biggest celebration yet.

Created by outdoor arts curators Walk the Plank, the spectacular family event will welcome an audience of around 3,000 people, bringing together performance, music, fire and plenty of Salford spirit.

Expect aerial performances, a glittering glowing Time Capsule and the Wagon Train of Inventions, celebrating Salford innovations from electricity to space exploration.

And yes – the giant birthday cake is making a return.

The event will also celebrate Salford’s entertainment heritage, with dancers taking audiences on a journey through the city’s nightlife, from ballroom to northern soul. Drummers and DJs will provide the soundtrack.

There will be plenty for younger visitors too. Children will work with artists to create Fuel of the Future — willow and tissue-paper lanterns that they can carry as part of the performance.

The evening will culminate with Pride of Salford torch bearers igniting a huge fire drawing designed by young people, followed by a short fireworks finale.

More than 350 Salfordians are expected to take part in the show.

Walk the Plank co-founder Liz Pugh said the finale will bring families and communities together ‘with a bang’, while celebrating homegrown talent and looking towards Salford’s future.

Songs of Salford: Live Preview

Saturday 14 November, 7.30pm – Swinton Grand Palais. Free tickets, limited spaces, details to be released soon

Salford’s centenary celebrations will also get a musical send-off with the first live performance of Songs of Salford.

From The Other and award-winning producer Charlie Deakin-Davies have brought together five Salford artists to create a new record reflecting the city, its people and its communities.

The project features classically trained vocalist and pianist Salo, spoken-word artist The Thirsty Poet (Matt Concannon), battle rapper and youth worker Che3kz, Zimbabwean-born songwriter and poet Meduulla, and singer-songwriter Sam Seth.

The record also brings together communities from Age Friendly Salford, Salford Youth Zone, Monton Community Choir and music engineering students from the University of Salford.

On 14 November, audiences will get the first chance to hear the complete record performed live at the iconic Swinton Grand Palais.

The performance will feature all five artists alongside a 10-piece ensemble from the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Songs of Salford record itself will be released in 2027.

Read more: A day of vintage cars and retro entertainment will take over a Greater Manchester town this month

Featured image: Darren Robinson