Manchester Day is back and bigger than ever before for 2023 – with a trip to the beach, a visit to the zoo, and so much more on the lineup.
Fancy breaking out a deckchair and ditching the morning rush for a sun lounger? Doesn’t sound so bad, does it? Well, now that schools are officially out across the region, and summer is well and truly here, the massively-popular Manchester Day is making a return tomorrow – and this year, you’ll be whisked away on holiday.
It’s all set to be “the day summer officially starts” in the city centre.
On Saturday 29 July, 12-9pm, take a holiday right here in the city centre with #ManchesterDay – On Holiday. 🌞
Expect free entertainment, tunes, dance moves, wonderful shows, and delicious street food. 🥁🎶🌭
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) June 24, 2023
Manchester City Council is promising that the city centre will be transformed to “bring the holiday vibes without having to go near the M60”.
But what exactly can you expect from 2023’s Manchester Day? Where is all the action happening? What showstopping entertainment is on the cards? What activities can you hope to get yourselves involved with? And how about food and drink?
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Here’s everything you need to know.
Manchester Day is back with a ‘summer holiday’ theme this year / Credit: Manchester Day
When is Manchester Day 2023?
Ready to start summer in style, this year’s Manchester Day is on Saturday 29 July.
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After several successful collaborations in the past, Manchester City Council is once again joining forces with award-winning local arts organisation Walk the Plank to offer a jam-packed schedule of family fun for this year’s event.
Where is Manchester Day taking place this year?
Unlike in previous years, you can expect to see celebrations city-wide this year.
With a wide range of festivities set to kick-off from midday and run right through until 9pm, attractions will be dotted all throughout the city centre in main social hubs – such as Deansgate, Exchange Square, St Ann’s Square, Cathedral Gardens, and more.
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Then, once the sun starts to set, the focus will shift over to the Northern Quarter, with festivalgoers able to continue soaking up the evening sunshine as the party continues.
There’s a trip to the beach, a visit to the zoo, and so much more on the lineup / Credit: Manchester Day
What entertainment is on the lineup? How about food and drink?
A day at the beach, a trip to the zoo, and a picnic in the park are just some of the things you can expect to get involved with at this year’s Manchester Day.
If a visit to the ‘seaside’ and a ride on a retro helter-skelter sounds up your street, then you’ll want to head on down to the fully-pedestrianised part of Deansgate, or if you fancy grabbing a deckchair, unpacking your picnic, and sipping a cool lemonade as you relax by the bandstand, then make your way to St Ann’s Square.
A whole host of ‘zoo’ animals (not quite) will be taking over New Cathedral Street, while Market Street is the place to go if you’re keen to “shop til you drop” with Manchester Markets popping-up to showcase lots of locally-produced goods at its craft market.
Unlike in previous years, you can expect to see celebrations city-wide in 2023 / Credit: Manchester City Council
You can have a dance and test out your cricket skills in Manchester Originals’ batting cages down at St Mary’s Gate, get creative with arts and craft workshops on Exchange Street, watch a competition to find the UK’s fittest firefighter in Cathedral Gardens, learn to ride your bike St Peter’s Square, and then take a break and grab a bit to eat from a selection of local street food traders in Exchange Square.
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Of course, by that time, you’ll be ready to soak in the evening’s party atmosphere as dancers and musicians from Global Grooves take over the Northern Quarter.
And the best part? All of the entertainment is FREE.
An unmissable Whitney Houston tribute event is returning to Greater Manchester
Thomas Melia
A much-adored and cherished Whitney Houston tribute show is returning to Greater Manchester later this year for not one but two different shows, each channelling the charisma and energy of the pop legend.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the phenomenal theatre production, ‘Queen of the Night’, the show is visiting a multitude of stages and venues all across the UK.
0161 had to receive at least one date on this tour, partly due to being the music capital of the North and also due to the fact that this is a city many fans of the 80s diva will forever hold close to their hearts.
Houston played her final ever concert performance of her career here in this very city back in 2010, taking up residence in AO Arena for two nights of world-renowned ballads and mesmerising live vocals.
This tribute show is set to include some of the diva’s biggest and much-loved hits like ‘I Will Always Love You’, ‘How Will I Know’ and ‘The Greatest Love of All’, the audience is sure to be singing along.
Adenike Adewale is taking on the role of the American R’n’B Pop singer and is no stranger to the stage or TV, featuring on The Voice in 2021 where she sang a Whitney classic, making it to the semi-finals.
Fast forward to 1 June and the tour returns to Greater Manchester and legendary city centre space, Bridgewater Hall: an incredible room more than fit for renditions of the powerhouse vocalist.
A pair of stunning venues, two stunning shows and one incomparable voice.
It’s not only our lovely region the Queen of the Night experience will be visiting; our friends over at The Hoot have plenty of nearby opportunities to sing along too, with Yorkshire dates in Hull, Halifax, Harrogate and Bradford to name a few.
I’m definitely saving all my love for when this show visits us later this year in March, and after I buy out the front row for all my friends I’ll certainly relate to the smash 1993 single ‘I Have Nothing’.
Tickets are on sale already now – you can grab yours HERE.
Charlotte Dawson will be handing out compliments and big prizes in Manchester to brighten Blue Monday
Daisy Jackson
TV star Charlotte Dawson will be cheering up Blue Monday in Manchester, dishing out compliments to strangers and awarding some big prizes too.
The actress, who is the daughter of the legendary late Les Dawson, will be bringing her signature sunny energy to Printworks on Monday 20 January.
Otherwise known as Blue Monday, it’s believed that the third Monday in January is the most depressing day of the year – so she’s here to nip that in the bud.
Between 1pm and 3pm on the huge gaming screen inside Printworks – part of its £21m transformation that included adding a huge digital ceiling – Charlotte Dawson will be spreading joy and laughter.
She’ll be live streaming straight to passers-by, spreading smiles and dishing out compliments.
Charlotte will also be treating visitors to some amazing prizes from Printworks’ collection of bars, restaurants and leisure venues.
These prizes will include free brunch for four at Walkabout, gaming sessions at Bierkeller, or family cinema tickets with Ice Blasts at VUE. Other prizes include Nando’s vouchers, a drink and activity for two at the new Trax Social, and much more.
And the top prize will be a luxury overnight stay for two at Hotel Indigo, just across the road in the very heart of Manchester.
Charlotte Dawson will take part in Blue Monday at Printworks, Manchester
There’ll even be free coffee vouchers for Todd St Cafe on offer to brighten your Blue Monday.
Kristian Brennan, Marketing Manager at Printworks, said: “We couldn’t be more excited to have Charlotte at Printworks this Blue Monday.
“As a true Mancunian icon, her vibrant personality is exactly what we need to brighten up the most depressing day of the year and we know she’ll bring plenty of laughs and smiles to everyone who stops by.
“What makes this event truly unique is the opportunity for the public to chat with Charlotte under Europe’s largest digital ceiling, which will showcase new mood-boosting content.
“It’s an innovative and exciting way for people to connect, and we can’t wait to see families and friends come together to create joyful memories in this truly unique setting!”
Emily Sergeant -
28th July 2023 
