What's On

City centre to become ‘biggest ever’ playground for this year’s Manchester Day

Manchester Day 2024 is back next month.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 24th June 2024

The city centre is to be transformed into the “biggest-ever playground” for this year’s Manchester Day celebrations.

In case you missed it a couple of months back, Manchester Day – which is often dubbed “the day summer officially starts” in Manchester, and undoubtedly one of the most vibrant and colourful events in the city’s annual social calendar – was confirmed for a 2024 return this summer, with our city all set to host a massive celebration of “all things Mancunian” next month.

This means you can expect a day packed full of FREE events and activities to get involved with.

Following the resounding success of last year’s ‘promenade-style’ event that saw activities take place in a number of different locations, , Manchester City Council has revealed that this year’s one-day festival will also take over the city centre.

And now, after weeks of waiting, the theme for this year’s event and all the celebrations lined up, have been revealed.

ADVERTISEMENT
The city centre will become the ‘biggest ever’ playground for this year’s Manchester Day / Credit: Manchester Day

This year’s event will be inspired by an international summer of sport, according to the Council, and the city’s streets and squares will be filled with music, dancing, and interactive activities that are designed to “bring out the inner athlete” in visitors, both young and old.

As it has done in previous years, the Council is working with outdoor arts specialists, Walk the Plank, on a jam-packed programme for the day that promises something for all ages and all sporting abilities.

ADVERTISEMENT

Visitors can expect to see jaw-dropping acrobatics, pop-up performances of wrestling, breakdancing, opera, drag, and more in “the most unlikely of places”, and a daring dance-circus production, all while getting stuck into various games such as darts, hook-a-duck, or even the ‘actual reality’ arcade filled with larger-than-life consoles.

Most importantly though, in what will be a Manchester Day special for 2024 to mark this sizzling summer of international sport, with UEFA Euro 2024, Wimbledon, and the Olympics being just a couple of the sporting events in the calendar, the Council has also partnered with some of the UK’s leading sports bodies to offer loads of fitness taster sessions and activities throughout the day.

Football, cricket, netball, and taekwondo are just a few of the sports that visitors can expect to show off their skills in.

ADVERTISEMENT

Gold medals will be awarded in a special ‘Winners’ Enclosure’ throughout the day, and the honours will be up for grabs in all kinds of categories – including cheekiest grin, best Dad dancer, and more.

Sporty celebrations will take place all across the city centre / Credit: Manchester Day

“We know how much Mancunians of all ages love to celebrate the city’s special day with us, and this year we’re really going for gold,” Councillor Pat Karney, who is the Chair of Manchester Day, teased ahead of this year’s event in a couple of weeks time.

“We’ve got an absolutely fantastic day lined up, stuffed full of free things to see and do for all the family, all with a sporting flavour, so grab your granny and your trainers and come on down and join us.”

Manchester Day 2024: Let The Games Begin! will take over the city centre on Saturday 27 July from 12pm-6pm.

Read more:

Find out more here.

Featured Image – Manchester City Council

What's On

Stockport’s big block party returns this summer

Danny Jones Danny Jones Stock Party 2025 dates

After a successful debut event last year, Stock Party is officially back for 2025.

Yes, Stockport’s big summer block party returns this June for its second edition and with the ever-thriving town centre now a seemingly more popular destination than ever, you can expect a big turnout.

The Greater Manchester borough has been enjoying a real revival over the past few years, with the Old Town events throughout the marketplace and Underbank attracting thousands throughout the year, not least of all the smash-hit SK1 Records street parties.

Building on that winning formula, Stock Party ’25 is set to make its sophomore outing the biggest yet, bringing together local food and drink vendors, independent traders, entertainment and lots more.

Organised by the award-winning Where The Light Gets In, Track, Cloudwater and Robinsons; Sureshot, Balance and Runaway Breweries, along with numerous other indie businesses from around the 10 boroughs, this Stock Party isn’t just about those within SK – it’s a Greater Mancunian celebration.

Set up in collaboration with Stockport’s Business Improvement District (BID), Totally Stockport and Stockport Council, the town’s famous ‘Robbie’s Brewery’ complex with severe as the main festival square and bar.

Not only will they be pouring the freshest of beers but there will also be a DJ set curated by Bohemian Arts Club – owned by Blossoms frontman Tom Ogden and his wife Katie – to ensure a proper homegrown party atmosphere all day long.

As for those who prefer a pinot noir to a pint, the likes of Isca will be on hand serving up a selection of their natural wines, not to mention a BBQ by Where The Light Gets and sourdough pizza from Honest Crust. We’re feeling parched and peckish just thinking about it.

And that’s not all. Not even close.

stock party festival 2025
free stockport street party
Credit: Stockport BID (supplied)

Stockport’s iconic Underbank district will be filled with tables and chairs enabling festival-goers to enjoy an alfresco beer from a five-tap van located outside Rare Mags, serving up creations Piccadilly Trading Estate‘s popular Cloudwater and Track Breweries.

The Spinn Off, Cracked Actor and the brand new White Lion will also be getting involved with the libations, with local favourites Cafe San Juan, Marley’s Tacos and Ginger’s Ice Cream Emporium all serving up top-notch street food.

In terms of entertainment, visitors can even enjoy a little pottery workshop at nearby Yellowhammer and the aforementioned SK1 Records will also be supplying the tunes.

Come on, you’ve got to admit, this sounds like an absolutely belting day.

stockport block party
Credit: Supplied

Best of all, not only is there plenty of family-friendly activities to keep people of all ages busy but it’s also costs absolutely nothing to enter, meaning you can save your pennies for the suds and scran.

Kicking off from 12 noon on Saturday, 20 July, you can expect the festivities to run on until 9pm, though we’re sure local bars such Cherry Jam and the like will keep the party going long after that.

It’s going to be a summer full of these kind of festivals, as a similar free-to-attend event is happening over in Salford even sooner.

Tis’ the season.

A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again
See you at both, I guess!

Read more:

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

Featured Images — Supplied

What's On

A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again

After a successful run last year, the Salford-based Middlewood Locks Fest is returning for a second time with the promise of an even bigger and better programme of entertainment, food and fun. 

Taking place on Saturday 10 May from 2pm-10pm, the free festival returns to Middlewood Locks..

Whether you’re local or just looking for a great day out, the festival will have something for everyone. There’ll be plenty of activities and pop-up stalls for you to get involved with, including a daytime market as well as children’s interactive workshops.

Get Living is proud to support the festival for the second year, which celebrates local creativity, community spirit and culture. The event is set to take place on the doorstep of New Maker Yards, Get Living’s canal-side neighbourhood.

With a range of one-three bedroom homes available for rent, New Maker Yards blends spacious, stylish apartments with green open spaces, complete with an on-site cafe and a strong community feel – all at the heart of the vibrant Middlewood Locks neighbourhood, where  the festival action is taking place.

For Middlewood Locks Fest, a Makers Market will be taking place throughout the day with items on offer from local makers, artisans, performers and creators, including plants, jewellery, artwork, clothes and produce.

The Canal & River Trust is organising explorer’s activities for kids and families alike, while St Philip’s CE Primary School has worked with artists to create bespoke decorations for the event too.

A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again
A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again. Credit: Karen Wright

If that wasn’t enough for you, how about a special appearance from a canal-side regular as a giant Canadian goose puppet will also be making an appearance to meet festival-goers.

Everything really is catered for here. On top of the makers market and masterclasses, there will also be live music courtesy of a brass band – that sounds like music to my ears.

There’s even the opportunity to go on the water yourself as a handful of rafted canoes will be in use for activities throughout the day.

And of course food is in safe hands too. Street food vendors including Taka Taka Mam will be bringing all the flavours of the Mediterranean and stuffing them into their famous hearty gyros, while city favourites Ginger’s Ice Cream Emporium is popping up from Afflecks to soak up the sun and provide dreamy desserts direct from the canal-side pop-up.

Middlewood Locks Fest in Salford
Middlewood Locks Fest in Salford
Middlewood Locks Fest, a canal-side festival in Salford. Credit: Karen Wright Photography

And when the sun’s out it would be rude not to treat yourself to a tipple, so good thing that the Adams & Rose Bar is making an appearance to fill up your glass with the finest gin and rum selection.

As the night comes to an end, you can dance the night away to some epic tunes thanks to a live DJ while being surrounded by a mesmerising fire and sound installation to close this spectacular celebration.

Kim Quickfall, Regional Director at Get Living, said: “Last year’s Middlewood Locks Fest was
a huge success and we’re excited to be supporting the event again in 2025.

“Bringing people from across Salford and the wider area together, the day will celebrate the best of local culture, enterprise and creativity with activities and events for all.”

Middlewood Locks Fest is returning to Salford on Sunday 10 May from 2pm to 10pm and more information can be found HERE.

For those that can’t make the festival fun, there are plenty of other things to see and do in the area. From the delicious treats at 97 Degrees Coffee to the landmark Aviva Studios cultural hub,  there is plenty to discover in this buzzing neighbourhood.

Explore the 1-3 bedroom homes for rent at New Maker Yards and discover more at getliving.com.

Read more

Featured image: Karen Wright Photography

More What's On

Affiliate

Clubland at AO Arena, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more

City Centre

This new app tells you the best sunny pub spots in Manchester

A Knight's Tale Manchester musical review

Art & Culture

Swordplay and rock ‘n’ roll: A Knight’s Tale comes to Manchester Opera House

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches