Manchester is to show its solidarity with the people of Ukraine by celebrating their Independence Day with a whole host of “vibrant” events next week.
As 24 August 2022 marks 31 years since Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union, and as well as it being six months since the country was invaded by Russia, Manchester City Council has decided to support the Ukrainian Cultural Centre’s family fun day next Wednesday, and is inviting locals down to “immerse themselves in Ukrainian culture”.
People will get the chance to sample some authentic Ukrainian food, and dance to traditional Ukrainian music, while there’ll also be lots of entertainment for youngsters – with a special visit from children’s entertainer, Louby Lou.
On top of the family fun day, Manchester Central Library and the Tower of Light landmark are to be lit up in yellow and blue to show the city’s solidarity with the country.
Part of the ‘2022 Our Year initiative – which is all about amplifying the voices of children and young people across the city, and giving them opportunities they may missed out on due to the COVID-19 pandemic – the Council hopes the Independence Day festivities will also educate residents on the history and culture of Ukraine, as well as support the city’s international Ukrainian community.
For Independence Day of Ukraine, Manchester's Ukrainian Centre have partnered with #2022OurYear to host an extra special family fun day!
Join us on Wednesday 24 August, 12:30pm-9pm, for a day of food, dancing, music, and entertainment.
“Manchester stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian community, and our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones in the war and those still living through the conflict,” said Councillor Joanna Midgley – Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council.
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“Manchester has a large Ukrainian community, and the city is proud to stand with them.
“Over the last six months, we have shown our continued solidarity with our Ukrainian friends by opening the MCR Ukraine Welcome Fund, hosting the #stopwar concert in March and many of our residents have generously welcomed Ukrainian refugees into their homes.
“Now, with Ukrainian Independence Day this month, we will continue to stand by and celebrate the community.”
24 August 2022 marks 31 years since Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union / Credit: Julie Cler (via Instagram) | Yves Herman
Keen to show your support for Ukraine next week?
As well as heading on down to the family fun day, those wanting to support the Manchester Ukrainian community can donate to the ‘MCR Ukraine Welcome Fund’, which funds charities and voluntary sector groups providing assistance – such as small grants for essential items and advice – to families and individuals relocating to the city.
An impressive £68,000 has already been raised to date, and you can donate to MCR Ukraine Welcome Fund here.
Locals are invited to “immerse themselves in Ukrainian culture” / Credit: Manchester City Council
You can also join in with people from right across the UK who will be showing their solidarity with Ukraine through the #SunflowersForUkraine campaign, which encourages the public to show their solidarity with Ukraine through growing, crafting, and sharing pictures of the country’s national flower on Independence Day.
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“I’d encourage all residents to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day and support the community,” Cllr Midgely concluded.
A brand-new live music series with big Northern names is coming to Blackpool
Danny Jones
An all-new live music series is coming to the beloved Northern seaside town of Blackpool, and there’s already plenty of big regional names booked for the inaugural slate of gigs.
What’s more, you won’t have to wait long for it to get underway, as the first date is this July.
Being organised by well-known local record label and promoters Scruff of the Neck, the brand-new multi-date event marks its debut edition through the summer and all the way into autumn.
Announcing a raft of 27 different acts in total, the inaugural Blackpool Live looks set to be a belter – and we’d be very surprised if this first year isn’t the start of something very special…
BLACKPOOL LIVE 2026
We are proud to reveal the full lineup of 27 amazing artists all heading to Blackpool this summer as we bring the best live music to one of the UK’s premier getaway locations. pic.twitter.com/kWVGtqbl4T
— Scruff of the Neck (@scruffoftheneck) June 26, 2026
As you can see, already confirmed for Blackpool Live 2026 are the likes of Feeder, Doves, The Fratellis, resurgent indie landfill throwbacks, The Enemy, Happy Mondays, The Pigeon Detectives, and even Oasis’ reunion support stars, Cast.
But even the so-called ‘warm up’ slots for each day of shows are filled with plenty of popular up-and-coming talent, as well as already established headliners in their own right.
From youngsters like our very own Alex Spencer, as well as fellow Mancs IST IST and Slow Readers Club (just to name a handful) to the likes of We Are Scientists, Inspiral Carpets, The Futureheads and more, the maiden live music crowds set to descend on Blackpool’s Winter Gardens are set to be spoilt.
Spread across multiple stages over the next few months, this fledgling event is not only a celebration of bands and artists from across the North, but a great way to spotlight grassroots music venues and the town in general.
Designed by illustrator Rod Hunt, you can see a map giving you an overview of key sites that will be partnering with the festival down below.
Credit: Rod Hunt (supplied)
Inspired by a trip founder Mark Lippmann and some friends took back in 2006 – travelling all the way from Hazel Grove in Stockport to see Arctic Monkeys at the historic Empress Ballroom – this fresh live music promotion is a story two decades in the making.
After an initial smaller outing with just three groups on the bill last year, 2026 is the first proper iteration of the Blackpool Live vision.
Speaking ahead of its launch, Lippmann said in a statement: “People always ask what the best gig you’ve ever been to was, but when you think about it, you remember so much more than the band. You remember who you were with, what you did before the show and how the whole day felt.
“Blackpool is uniquely placed to create those experiences. You can jump on a train, spend the day by the sea and finish it watching incredible live music in one of Britain’s most iconic venues. That’s what Blackpool Live is really about.”
You can find out more information about all of the headline shows and grab your tickets right HERE.
Featured Images — Press shots (Sonic PR)/Rob M Whittaker (via WikiCommons)/WHP (supplied)
What's On
Manchester’s free summer picnic is coming back to Oxford Road
Danny Jones
Manchester’s free ‘Summer in the City Picnic’ is returning to the Oxford Road Corridor later this year, promising plenty of live music and entertainment, family-friendly fun, outdoor activities and lots more.
Coming back to Circle Square for the second time, the now annual and completely free city centre festival will set up for its sophomore edition right on Symphony Park.
Surrounded by numerous local businesses located within the thriving Bruntwood SciTech and Vita Group neighbourhood, this mini-district is once again set to draw in crowds from all over Manchester.
With that in mind, get your coolers, picnic baskets and blankets ready: it’s time for some alfresco fanfare.
Kicking off next month for one day only, Circle Square‘s ‘Summer in the City Picnic’ 2.0 will get underway pretty much from the outset, with the organisers promising a full day of festivities.
Visitors can look forward to an even more jam-packed schedule than last year, with creative workshops and interactive experiences, DJs right through to the evening, alongside roaming steel drum performances and even silent disco adventures, just to name a few.
Other events include: sip and paint sessions, pop-up mini golf and basketball shoot-outs; ‘foot pool’, a seasonal bouquet bar, as well as a dedicated picnic space for dogs, complete with bespoke pup portraits. Adorable.
2025 saw plenty of furry friends steal the show and become local celebrities for the day, and we’re sure ’26 will be no different.
The long picnic tables will once again take centre stage, creating a relaxed space for families and friends to come together over great food from Circle Square’s wide mix of indie restaurants and cafes, such as Gooey, Onda, Hello Oriental, Half Dozen Other, Saffa Soul, North Bar, Monkey Trio and more.
Punters are, obviously, to bring along their own picnic bits, packed lunches and favourite scran, but it’s nice to have the option of treating yourself to stuff on-site.
Better still, Circle Square’s proximity not only to Oxford Road train station, but the St Peter’s Square tram stop and various bus routes (even Piccadilly isn’t really that far) means that this is super accessible for anyone interested – not to mention that it’s completely free and open to all members of the public.
Taking place on Saturday, 8 August, we hope to see you there and hopefully with the sun shining.
Emily Sergeant -
18th August 2022 
