Hundreds will march through Manchester city centre to mark International Women’s Day this weekend for the annual ‘Walk For Women’.
After returning to the city in 2022 to massive success from a two-year hiatus as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Manchester City Council has confirmed that the hugely-popular ‘Walk For Women’ is back once again this year, and it’s expected that hundreds will meet to parade through the city centre in the name of equality.
The ‘Walk For Women’ will march through the city in a celebration of the significant economic, political, and social achievements that women have made since they first won the right to vote just over 100 years ago.
Get your banners, instruments, and chants at the ready as our #WalkForWomen is back for 2023. 📢
🗓️Saturday 4 March 🕛 12noon 📍 Outside Manchester Cathedral
Taking place tomorrow (Saturday 4 March), the procession will meet outside Manchester Cathedral at midday for a 12:30pm start, and will start by walking together towards the Central Library in St Peter’s Square.
Organisers of the annual event say the walk is a brilliant opportunity to come together with family, friends, colleagues, and likeminded strangers to share a passion for equality and creating opportunities for Manchester women.
The event is completely free to take part in, and everyone is invited to join.
A huge ‘Walk For Women’ will parade through Manchester city centre next month / Credit: Manchester City Council
Marchers are encouraged to bring “fun, safe, and noisy instruments” along with them to bang and clang, or are invited to make the most of their voices and join in with chants.
“Whether you’re a lone ranger or part of a group, we’d love to see you walking with us,” organisers say.
Hundreds will meet to parade through the city centre in the name of equality / Credit: Manchester City Centre
Aside from the ‘Walk For Women’, groups will be coming together across the city for events with guest speakers, community meals, and displays of arts, crafts and music – which are all focused around a celebration of International Women’s Day.
Councillor Becky Chambers, Lead Elected Member for Women, said: “We’re excited to be back on the streets of Manchester standing up for women’s rights.
“This will be our sixth year of holding the Walk for Women and we’d love to see as many people as possible come together to rise, roar, and represent women.”
Tomorrow from 12 noon, join hundreds of women and their supporters at our #WalkForWomen.💜
We'll meet outside @ManCathedral on Victoria Street before walking together down Deansgate, making sure the whole of Manchester can hear our roar.📢
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) March 3, 2023
Councillor Sam Lynch, Lead Elected Member for Women, said: “International Women’s Day is an important date, marking the achievements of women throughout history.
“It also provides us with a unique opportunity to celebrate the brave women who have fought for us and who continue fighting against inequality.”
Manchester Arndale is hosting FREE workshops to help you ‘rework, restyle, and recycle’ your wardrobe
Emily Sergeant
Is your wardrobe feeling a little bland? Need to make some changes, but your bank account isn’t quite on the same wavelength? This event is here to help.
Those looking for some new ways to get creative with their style and put a spin on the clothes they already have are invited to head down to Manchester Arndale this weekend, as the Reimagine Your Fashion event is set to be a fun hands-on weekend celebrating personal style, smart choices, and sustainable ideas.
Whether you’re into upcycling, love yourself a styling session, or you just fancy doing something different in the city this summer, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into this weekend.
You can expect creative workshops, curated fashion rails, live styling tips, and a chance to give your pre-loved clothes a second life.
Oh, and did we mention it’s all free to take part in? Perfect.
There’s a collection of free ‘REWORK’ workshops taking place over the two-day event on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July, where you can learn how to turn old into gold – from patchwork denim makeovers, to scrunchie making, custom tote design, and loads more.
There’s no need to be a sewing pro either, as the workshops are beginner-friendly and designed to be relaxed and creative with all tools provided, so all you have to do is bring along the clothing items you want to upcycle.
Manchester Arndale is hosting free workshops to help you ‘rework, restyle, and recycle’ your wardrobe this weekend / Credit: Priscilla Du Preez | Ashley Diane Worsham (via Unsplash)
At the ‘RESTYLE’ sessions, Rosie, who is the stylist behind Manchester Arndale’s summer campaign, will break down this season’s biggest trends and show you how to style what’s in store now, as well as being on-hand for styling tips and outfit advice.
And finally, there’ll also be a ‘RECYCLE’ station and drop-off point where you pass on your clean pre-loved clothes to two brilliant local charities doing vital work right here in Manchester – MASH, which supports women involved in sex work and those facing homelessness or gender-based violence, and Mustard Tree which works to tackle poverty across Greater Manchester.
“Your clothes could be someone else’s fresh start,” a spokesperson for Manchester Arndale said ahead of the event.
Reimagine Your Fashion is taking place at Exchange Court in Manchester Arndale on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July running from 12pm, and you can find out more information and the times of the free workshops online here.
Featured Image – Sarah Brown (via Unsplash)
What's On
New immersive Race Across the World Experience comes to Manchester this summer
Thomas Melia
Hit BBC TV show Race Across the World is launching an interactive experience in Manchester this summer, inspired by the series.
After five original series and two celebrity spin-offs, it was only a matter of time before the huge TV show materialised into ‘Race Across the World: The Experience’.
Just like the real programme, you will be sent on a mission across the heart of the city centre where you will have to complete tasks and reach various checkpoints to be crowned champion.
The missions will see players visiting Manchester hotspots, lesser known locations, renowned pubs, and distinctive landmarks across three hours.
Teams will rely on our trusty Bee Network as they take a trip on our vibrant yellow trams and buses to get around the city as they make their way to each puzzle and activity.
At each puzzle destination, participants will complete a challenge to guide them to their next location, all of which is pre-planned and spread across a five kilometre city-wide voyage.
For Mancs and anyone further afield, ‘Race Across the World: The Experience’ offers a whole new way to explore Manchester and gives you the chance to see some of the city’s best hidden gems, even if you are on a time limit.
This sounds like a great idea for friends and family alike, and based off the amount of times we’ve had to sprint down to Platform 14 at Manchester Piccadilly, I think us Mancs were born for this challenge.
In true Race Across the World style, the team who manages to finish not just with the fastest time but with the most budget remaining too, will be the ultimate victor.
Cast of BBC’s Race Across the World / Credit: BBC / Studio Lambert
Tom Rymer, Founder of CityDays, said: “Following an outstanding debut month in London that has thrilled fans of the show, both old and new, we are bringing the Race Across The World Experience to Manchester.
“New puzzles, new characters, new decisions and new discoveries, all coming soon over three new thrilling legs. Manchester, are you ready for your race?”
A launch date for ‘Race Across the World: The Experience’ is yet to be released but eager entrants can sign up to the official waitlist and find out even more information HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd March 2023 
