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.
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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.
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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.
Manchester Day is back on Saturday 27 July. 🌞
Inspired by an international summer of sport, expect pop-up performances, astounding acrobatics and have-a-go activities. 🤸♀️🎾🚴♂️
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) June 20, 2024
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.
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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.
Rochdale Feel Good Festival announces headliners with MAJOR 90s act
Thomas Melia
The highly-anticipated Rochdale Feel Good Festival is returning to Rochdale Town Hall for a night of impressive live music.
Summer is fast approaching and one way the residents of Greater Manchester town Rochdale know this is the line-up for its major outdoor festival has just been released.
The festival has been running since 2007, taking place right outside the distinctive Rochdale Town Hall , this will be the shows grand return since its massive renovation.
This town centre music celebration is known for drawing in some of music’s biggest names like Cast, Scouting For Girls, Razorlight and most recently Heather Small.
Rochdale Feel Good Festival is coming to the main stage at Rochdale Town Hall this summer / Credit: Press Shots (Supplied)
Rochdale Feel Good Festival has continued this streak of securing some big pop stars and this time is no different as they’ve bagged a major 90s act with some equally notable bands on the line-up too.
Topping the bill is legendary pop-soul artist Gabrielle, known for chart-topping hits like ‘Dreams’ and ‘Rise’ as well as ‘If You Ever’, ‘Out Of Reach’ and ‘Sunshine’.
This phenomenal UK act has seen her 1999 LP Rise and 2001 compilation album Dreams Can Come TrueVol. 1 get certified platinum not once but four times.
Gabrielle is headlining Rochdale Feel Good Festival on Saturday 8 August / Credit: Press Shot (Supplied)
Gabrielle might be more familiar with Rochdale than we think, as she recently collaborated with Middleton born singer-songwriter for his single ‘Sad Song’.
Also announced is indie-rock band Ash, who have seen similar chart success by achieving 18 UK Top 40 hits such as ‘Oh Yeah’, ‘Shining Light’ and ‘Goldfinger’.
Another act joining the main stage is critically-acclaimed rock band Starsailor and with tunes like ‘Alcoholic’ and ‘Silence Is Easy’ it’s about to be a stellar night of performances.
Recognised rock bands Ash and Starsailor are also joining the line-up for Rochdale Feel Good Festival Credit: Press Shots (Supplied)
If that wasn’t enough to tempt you, Rochdale Feel Good Festival will be announcing more acts in the next few weeks making this line-up one of the best yet.
Rochdale Feel Good Festival is coming to the main stage at Rochdale Town Hall on Saturday 8 August with Gabrielle, Ash, Starsailor and more acts to follow – tickets and more info HERE.
Featured Images – Rochdale Borough Council / Press Shots (Supplied)
What's On
Myles Smith announces HUGE arena gig in Manchester this year
Thomas Melia
Singer-songwriter Myles Smith has just announced his biggest headline tour and is set to play a huge arena gig in Manchester this year.
Quit ‘Stargazing’ and get ready to fight for tickets as Myles Smith has just announced he’ll be visiting Manchester later this year for his biggest arena gig to date.
Known for hits like ‘Nice To Meet You’, ‘Stay (If You Wanna Dance)’ and ‘Wait For You’, this BRIT School graduate is now heading on the road for some headline shows across the UK.
Recognised for his folk-pop sound, Smith has built quite a name for himself just three or so years into his career, with solo efforts and a few collaborations under his belt.
Myles Smith is heading to Co-op Live, Manchester, on tour this year / Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Recently, the Luton-born artist collaborated with some well-known names like Shaboozey on their track ‘Blink Twice’ and even features on a new single from former One Direction member Niall Horan titled ‘Drive Safe’.
It was only last year that the ‘Stargazing’ songwriter visited the music capital of the North, bringing his high-energy hits to Manchester Academy back in February.
The star visited Manchester a second time, too, playing at the Co-op Live alongside some of music’s biggest names for Hits Radio Live back in November.
Now, Smith is ready to take to the Co-op Live stage again and is expected to raise the roof when 23,500 fans flock to the star’s show this winter.
Titled after his upcoming album My Mess, My Life, My Heart, Smith will be playing a variety of well-known and brand new hits when he makes his way up North.
Co-op members and fans who are signed up to the official artist presale can get exclusive access to tickets from Wednesday, 25 March at 10am, with the window closing on Friday, 27 March at 9am.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live by 10 am that same Friday (27 Mar).
Myles Smith is embarking on his ‘My Mess, My Life, My Heart’ tour this winter and visiting Co-op Live, Manchester on Sunday 15 November – tickets and more info HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
24th June 2024 
