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.
Urgent travel warning issued ahead of one of Manchester’s busiest event weekends of the year
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester is gearing up for what is set to be one of the busiest weekends of the year.
Manchester‘s biggest music festival, Parklife, returns to Heaton Park this weekend (Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June), with tens of thousands of people expected to make the journey to see headliners Calvin Harris, Sammy Virji, Skepta, and Zara Larsson, as well as many other well-known music names… but that’s not all.
Over at the Etihad Stadium, Take That are set to perform a series of shows across the weekend, while the Etihad Campus will also host the Women’s Netball Final at Co-op Live from 3pm on Saturday afternoon.
The city will also welcome Lily Allen and the B52s across three nights at the AO Arena, and the Women’s Cricket World Cup will draw thousands to Emirates Old Trafford on 21 June, when South Africa take on India.
So, as you can see, we’ve got a jam-packed couple of days coming up.
📣 This weekend is expected to be one of the busiest in Manchester, with multiple events taking place across the city.
🚗 Public transport, roads and venues are likely to be extremely busy.
🕛 If you’re travelling anywhere this weekend, please plan ahead and allow extra time… pic.twitter.com/iqtmlSpAOR
In fact, it’s estimated that more than a quarter of a million people are expected to be travelling to the various events over the weekend, and of course, this means the roads and public transport will be significantly busier than usual.
Whether you’re one of the many fans or just making a regular journey, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is advising everyone to ‘plan ahead’, allow extra time for their journey, and avoid the busiest areas and times.
To prepare for the increase in travel, TfGM has confirmed that there will be more trams serving event venues, alongside extended tram operating times, to ensure everyone gets home safely.
For travel to and from Parklife, the specific Parklife travel ticket – which will be available on the Bee Network app – is valid on trams and buses across Greater Manchester, and this includes relevant shuttle buses operating to and from the city centre.
An urgent travel warning has been issued ahead of one of Manchester’s busiest event weekends of the year / Credit: Steve Turvey (Supplied) | TfGM
Throughout the weekend, extra staff and TravelSafe Support Officers will be out and about across the transport network to help passengers, and TfGM will be working closely with police and other partners to manage roads and the transport network around the clock.
“We’re expecting it to be very busy across the network, with more than a quarter of a million fans travelling to various sports and music events,” commented Danny Vaughn, who is the Chief Network Officer at TfGM.
“We will have as many staff as possible on the network, running as many services as we can to ensure that the Bee Network is here to help you get where you need to go.
“So, for everyone looking to get out and about, please plan ahead, check the Bee Network app for updates and have a safe journey.”
A dedicated travel page for this weekend’s event has been set up, so you can find out everything you need to know and get live updates on the Bee Network website here.
Featured Image – TfGM
What's On
Luxury steam train dining experiences are back running through Greater Manchester this summer
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester’s heritage railway is back hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region this summer.
It’s no secret that East Lancashire Railway is known and loved for its immersive events that give rail enthusiasts and curious Mancs the chance to step back in time by hopping on one of the historic Pullman-style carriages and ride a steam train through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside.
Wizards, Thomas the Tank Engine, dinosaurs, and Peppa Pig-themed train rides are just a few of the events that have been entertaining families in the region over the last few years.
But for the grown-ups, how does getting the chance to tuck into a four-course luxury meal sound?
East Lancashire Railway’s ‘Red Rose Diners’ are back this summer / Credit: ELR
That’s right, the Red Rose Diners are here to stay this summer.
Described as being ‘the ultimate first class foodie experience’, ELR’s Red Rose Diners are unlike any other fine dining affair on offer in our region, as passengers are not only treated to a proper fancy feast while they’re aboard, but also to polished panelling, luxurious seating, and crisp linens too.
Running on selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the summer months, the experience starts with a glass of fizz and then stretches over an almost three-hour train journey through the picturesque Irwell Valley.
It includes a four-course dinner with complimentary sparkling wine, followed by tea or coffee and after-dinner chocolates.
They’re described as being the ultimate first class foodie experience / Credit: ELR
Each party has their own personal waiter tending to them throughout the course of the evening, so you can fully relax knowing every aspect of your experience will be catered for to the highest of standards.
Fine dining not really your thing though? Don’t worry, as ELR has a handful of other special experiences in the calendar for the summer as well – including Afternoon Teas, Lancastrian Lunches, and even wine tasting and comedy nights, so there’s something for everyone.
Emily Sergeant -
28th July 2023 
