Plans to mark Armed Forces Day 2025 with a ‘poignant’ military parade in Manchester this weekend have been revealed.
As the country prepares to honour Armed Forces Day – which is taking place this year on Saturday 28 June – and show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community across the country, Manchester has revealed how our city will mark the annual event this weekend.
Armed Forces Day sees Brits commemorate and celebrate those who are currently serving troops, their families, serving reservists, veterans, and cadets.
Manchester will also be paying tribute to the hundreds who have ‘fearlessly served’.
Manchester has revealed its plans to mark Armed Forces Day with a ‘poignant’ military parade / Credit: LCC | MoD
This year’s Armed Forces Day is particularly-special because it marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE Day) which happened on 8 May, and the upcoming Victory over Japan (VJ Day) on 15 August.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mancunians are expected to line the streets as a parade made up of armed forces personnel, veterans, and cadets will begin a procession that will proudly march together through the centre of Manchester – with the Lancashire Army Artillery Band officially signalling the event opening at 11am, followed by the vibrant parade starting in St Peter’s Square at 11:30am.
The free public event takes place in St Peter’s Square this Saturday 28 June / Credit: Mark Owens (via MoD on Flickr)
Lord Mayor Carmine Grimshaw will then lead an inspection with dignitaries, with other ‘esteemed guests’ set to be in attendance including the Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Deputy Lieutenant will give a speech at 11:50am, before the honorary celebrations then continue with an afternoon of live performances, again by the lively Lancashire Army Artillery Band, alongside music hosted by BBC Radio DJ, Michelle Dignan until 4pm.
Historic military displays, and stalls from organisations including the NHS, Royal British Legion, and Manchester City Council’s own Armed Forces Covenant, will also be in attendance on the day to give visitors the opportunity to further support the armed forces community beyond just Saturday itself.
This Armed Forces Week we want to thank veterans and serving members of the armed forces community across Manchester for their incredible sacrifice and service.
Get involved and share your message of thanks to family, friends or colleagues in the Armed Forces!
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) June 25, 2025
On the ground, history will come to life through a special pop-up Military Museum tent.
ADVERTISEMENT
Attendees can explore an engaging display of military vehicles, uniforms, artefacts, and personal stories that span the rich legacy of the British armed forces.
The Council hopes this immersive experience will offer a rare opportunity to connect with the past, understand the evolution of military service, and honour those who have shaped the nation’s history through their courage and commitment.
Armed Forces Day 2025 takes place on Saturday 28 June, with commemorations to begin in Manchester city centre from 11am.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
What's On
Florence and the Machine at Co-op Live Manchester – tickets, setlist, and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
Florence and the Machine have visited Manchester before… but this UK tour marks their Co-op Live debut.
The ‘Dog Days Are Over’ because London-based band Florence and the Machine are returning to the music capital of the North – Manchester.
The band has played in our city many times over the years, including staple venues like Manchester Academy and AO Arena, but now they’re taking to the stage of the 23,500 capacity Co-op Live for the first time in their career this month.
With this current run of shows titled Everybody Scream Tour, you can expect this arena gig to be a spectacle or… ‘Spectrum’ (there’s more puns coming).
So, grab the ‘Girl With One Eye’, ‘Jenny of Oldstones’, and the ‘Queen of Peace’, and get ready to ‘Howl’ out all of Florence and the Machine’s bangers.
Florence and the Machine are coming to Co-op Live, Manchester on 20 February / Credit: Autumn de Wilde (Supplied)
Florence and the Machine UK tour dates
Fri 13 Feb – Liverpool, UK – M&S Bank Arena
Sat 14 Feb – Sheffield, UK – Utilita Arena
Mon 16 Feb – London, UK – The O2
Tue 17 Feb – London, UK – The O2
Fri 20 Feb – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Mon 24 Aug – Edinburgh, UK – Royal Highland Showgrounds
Fri 28 Aug – Leeds, UK – Bramham Park
Sun 30 Aug – Reading, UK – Richfield Avenue
Tickets
Anyone wanting to see this stellar act in all their glory when they play their latest arena show in Manchester can find some seats left HERE.
There’s even a handful of premium seating options on offer, where you can ‘Shake It Out’ in style feeling like a ‘King’ HERE.
Setlist
Everybody Scream
Witch Dance
Shake It Out
Seven Devils
Big God
Daffodil
Which Witch
Cosmic Love
Spectrum
Never Let Me Go
Music By Men
buckle
King
The Old Religion
Howl
Heaven Is Here
Sympathy Magic
One of the Greats
Dog Days Are Over
Free
And Love
What are the stage times for Florence and the Machine in Manchester?
UK act Florence and the Machine are playing various arena and festival shows this year / Credit: Autumn de Wilde (Supplied)
Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm, meaning as much as we want to sing until there’s ‘No Light, No Light’, at least we’ll be tucked up in bed before the early hours.
Anyone attending can expect the doors to open at 6:30pm, with a kick-off time expected to be 7:30pm, and support from self-proclaimed alternative-indie ‘Good Girl’ Paris Paloma.
How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide on event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
ADVERTISEMENT
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
Featured Images – Press shots (supplied via Autumn de Wilde)
What's On
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 16 – 22 February 2026
Emily Sergeant
Schools are out and half term is here.
So as you can imagine, we’re really not short of exciting activities and events to be getting up to right across Greater Manchester this week – with everything from 360° walk-through projection shows and world-premiere science exhibitions, to the UK’s largest LEGO convention, pie festivals, and much more happening this week.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? No worries. We’ve chosen a few of the highlights for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
Both free things and those that’ll set you back a few pennies are featured.
___
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 16 February – onwards
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos / Credit: Science Museum Group | BBC
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos has made its world premiere at the Science and Industry Museum, and is inviting visitors to explore our wondrous Solar System.
Fresh off-the-back of the new BBC Children’s and Education TV show, Horrible Science, the ‘thrilling’ new exhibition encouraging visitors to ‘do science the horrible way’, and join both scientists and supervillains to unveil the secrets of space.
The new exhibition propels families up into space where mystery, intrigue, and rocket-loads of silly and surprising science await. You’ll get to venture through a series of cosmic zones, walk in the shoes of astronauts, explore the life-giving energy of the sun, marvel at mysterious moons, and discover far-off weird worlds.
Manchester Cathedral has been lit up with a ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection show this winter.
Combining 360° video mapping, new orchestral arrangements of iconic songs, and a narrative story celebrating everything that makes Manchester and its residents so special, visitors are now invited to step into a ‘spellbinding fusion’ of light, sound, and storytelling.
LUMINISCENCE pays tribute to Manchester’s rich cultural heritage through specially arranged orchestral renditions of iconic anthems – with the setlist including songs by Oasis, The Verve, Joy Division, and Elbow, just to name a few.
Did someone say £10 pie? The Festival of Pie is back at The Black Friar is Salford, and in case you didn’t know, that means delicious handmade pies are yours for a bargain price all month long.
Pick from the classic meat and potato, or opt for something a little different like garlic, chicken and leek, mushroom keema and onion bhaji, and our personal favourite, the truffle dauphinoise. Plus, you can add sides like mash and peas for just £3.
The deal is available all day Monday and Tuesday, and 12pm-6.30pm Wednesday to Friday, so don’t miss out before it’s too late.
___
ADVERTISEMENT
Looking for somewhere to watch the 2026 Six Nations in Manchester city centre?
It’s that time again, the Six Nations has started and we can practically taste the Guinness already.
That being said, we thought it only right to put together a list of where to watch it and enjoy those pints. With the tournament having now kicked off, we don’t want you scrambling around to find places showing the games, we just want you to sit back and enjoy yourself.
So, without further ado, here is our list of the best places to watch this year’s Six Nations here in Manchester city centre.
Looking to escape the elements and have your mind boggled this half term? Sounds like a trip to Museum of Illusions is on the cards then.
It’s time to let your competitive side out – get ready to experience the city’s most unique attraction like never before. Race through the vortex, create the best mirror image, and complete the brain gym the fastest to win the dazzling trophy at the end.
Whether you’re team building with your work lot, or taking your mates for a bit of healthy competition, it’s a great one to have a go at.
And, if we’re honest, after one bite of those truffle hash browns, we’re really wondering what’s taken them so long.
ADVERTISEMENT
This global sensation will be serving up a whole menu of egg sandwiches – from fan favourites like the Fairfax to classics like a bacon egg and cheese, as well as their viral french toast sticks with maple custard.
___
LOWRY 360
The Lowry
Monday 16 February – onwards
LOWRY 360 / Credit: The Manc Group
L.S. Lowry’s iconic masterpiece ‘Going to the Match’ is being brought to life right before your eyes in this brand-new exhibition now open at The Lowry.
ADVERTISEMENT
LOWRY 360 is an immersive experience forming part of the legendary The Lowry theatre’s 25th anniversary programme, and it means that, for the first time ever, you can see one of Manchester’s most famous paintings by, arguably, the city’s most famous artist come to life through sight and sound.
Better yet, after you’ve immersed yourself in this incredible experience, then you can then see the actual painting in the full gallery – Modern Life: The LS Lowry Exhibition.
Need somewhere to take the little Mancs for a bite to eat this half term?
Bella Italia, IKEA, and Yard & Coop are just some of the places offering kids the chance to eat for £1 or free this half term.
ADVERTISEMENT
With schools across Greater Manchester now out, and with many families understandably wanting to keep costs low where possible, plenty of supermarkets, independent and chain restaurants, and pub groups across the UK are offering kids the chance to eat a hearty meal out for as little as £1.
Some are even offering up children’s meals completely free of charge, meaning you really don’t have to break the bank.
The Super Duper Family Festival / Credit: Supplied
Get ready, as Manchester city centre will transform into a giant playground this week as The Super Duper Family Festival brings four free days of fun.
Families can make the most of a series of pop-up play zones at a variety of outdoor spaces and popular venues across the city centre this week, all of which will be free to use and ready to explore – with more areas than ever before this year providing unique experiences for all ages.
You can expect everything from gaming and crafts, to pop-up performances, hands-on workshops, fun children’s activities, and so much more.
The hugely popular wizard-themed steam train will be back travelling through Greater Manchester once again this week.
This is your chance to go on a ‘wizarding adventure’, where little Mancs can come together for a magical day of sharing spells and getting stuck into lots of magic-themed fun. Aspiring witches and wizards of all ages are invited to enrol in the spellbinding school of sorcery, as they take a ‘wacky and wonderful’ whistle stop tour through the ‘Irwell Valley of wonders’.
ADVERTISEMENT
You’ll get to learn powerful incantations and perfect their wand-waving skills, all while using their imagination and learning how to soar through the skies on a broomstick.
You can now get a taste of Mexico, Japan, Nashville, Naples, and Greece, all under one roof and without even boarding a flight, as Manchester Airport has now opened up a brand new foodie hub in Terminal 2.
Great Northern Market is a new food hall with six kitchens, plus a kiosk from our beloved Gooey.
Whether it’s a souvlaki and an airport pint, or breakfast butties and a smoothie, your pre-flight scran has just taken off to a new league.
The biggest LEGO event in the UK is returning to Manchester this weekend
After proving to be such a massive sell-out success last year, Bricktastic – the ‘ultimate’ LEGO convention – will be returning to Manchester Central this weekend with even more incredible LEGO models, activities, and fun for all the family.
Fans can expect to see more than 300 exhibitors from around the world showcasing original LEGO creations, also known as MOCs (Models of Own Creation), all under one roof at Manchester Central.
Whether you’re a fan of Star Wars, Friends, or Harry Potter, you’ll find your favourite LEGO themes and more at the event next.
The Alternative Indie Wedding Fair is back in Manchester this weekend for its fourth year running, helping you create the most memorable day yet.
If you’re planning on popping the question on Valentine’s Day, this is an ideal first event to attend together as all the local independent suppliers you could need will be under one roof – including florists, planners, photographers, caterers, bridal wear, entertainment, and more.
Taking place at New Century Hall this Sunday, there’s two sessions running throughout the day, 12-2pm and 2-4pm, and tickets are just £5 with free fizz on arrival.
Emily Sergeant -
26th June 2025 
