One of the best-loved annual events in Manchester’s social calendar is back for 2024 this weekend to “celebrate unity and tradition”.
Manchester Caribbean Carnival has brought the Greater Manchester community together for a family-friendly celebration of Caribbean culture, heritage, and music for close to the last 50 years now, and the community hub of Alexandra Park and the surrounding city streets are set to welcome the massively-popular event once again this weekend.
The annual event has become a staple in the city’s cultural calendar, and is known for showcasing the rich heritage and diversity of the region’s Caribbean and African diaspora.
Tens of thousands people gather each year eager to enjoy two days filled with music, traditional mas bands, dance troupes, steel pans, and a selection of the best food and drink vendors that Manchester has to offer.
Kicking off from 12pm and running right through until 8pm on both days, with some early-morning events also starting at 7am, this year’s Carnival is promising to be “even more spectacular” than usual, and features a fantastic lineup of events and performances – with headliner, BBC 1XTRA’s Seani B, performing on the main stage on the Sunday (11 August) to bring his dynamic energy and beats to the heart of the celebration.
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As well as the early-morning J’ouvert at 7am, the main parade then starts from 12pm outside Alexandra Park on Saturday (10 August), and you can expect to see a “dazzling display” of colour, costumes, and performances as participants take to the streets of Manchester.
Then on the Sunday, the Carnival continues with a diverse array of activities for all ages.
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Manchester’s annual Caribbean Carnival is back for 2024 this weekend to ‘celebrate unity’ / Credit: Supplied
Speaking ahead of the annual event this weekend, Julia Burke, who is the Chair and Project Manager for the Manchester Carnival Together Committee (CIC), commented: “This year’s Manchester Caribbean Carnival is set to be a monumental celebration.
“We are delighted to have Seani B back on the main stage, and look forward to a weekend filled with joy, music, dance, and delicious food.
“The carnival is a symbol of unity, diversity and cultural pride, and we invite everyone to join us in celebrating the vibrant cultures that have shaped our city.”
You can get FREE tickets to watch The Voice UK in Manchester
Thomas Melia
Fans of The Voice UK can apply to get free tickets to watch the filming of the upcoming series taking place right here in Manchester.
Anyone looking to get their late-night fix more up close and personal than just sitting on the sofa will be delighted to know that The Voice UK is returning, and you could see this show in the flesh.
The music competition show is returning to its usual filming spot right here in MediaCity UK in Salford and offers members of the public the chance to showcase their vocals in front of music icons.
The Voice is known for attracting some of the biggest musical stars, with judges of past seasons including Kylie Minogue, Jennifer Hudson, Meghan Trainor, Ricky Wilson and more.
Last year’s judges included American country-pop superstar LeAnn Rimes and the first-ever double-chair, which seated McFly members Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher.
Fortunately, these tickets aren’t to take part in the show, instead they’re to appear in the studio audience, although we all know Mancs love a good sing-along.
There are three various filming dates all taking place at MediaCity UK in Salford, meaning Mancs have a few opportunities to see the judges discover the next best thing in music.
Although the judging lineup for The Voice 2025 hasn’t been officially announced yet, there are two music mentors who have been on the show since it very first launched here in Britain.
Anyone considering attending is almost guaranteed to see the legendary Sir Tom Jones, as well as notable producer and recording artist Will.I.Am, as both music legends have been on the judges panel since it first aired back in 2012.
It is just us, or does it seem hard to believe it was that long ago?
The Voice UK starts filming at MediaCity UK in Manchester from Thursday, 5 June until the following Saturday (7 Jun), with tickets to all three dates still available HERE.
Featured Image — Okras (via Wikimedia Commons)/The Voice UK (screenshot via YouTube)
What's On
A brand-new dessert, ice-cream and doughnut shop in a former Manc food spot
Thomas Melia
Sweet lovers and dessert connoisseurs alike, a brand-new dessert, ice-cream and doughnut shop is opening in Manchester city centre this month.
Titled ‘Baby Mayhem’, this sweet-filled shop has been teasing its arrival for the past month with videos showcasing everything from new instalments to their graffiti-style logo.
This brand-new opening will be located on Radium Street, not too far away from Chinese superstar Wing Yip and fellow sweet treat specialists, Flat Baker, right in the heart of Ancoats.
The interior has been given a very nice and bright facelift too, going from an all white four-walled site to a bold and distinctive baby pink-covered site.
Manchester seems to have quite the sweet tooth at the moment, as it was only last month that our Northern Quarter was christened by cake gods, Get Baked.
As for this new dessert shop, they’re starting from scratch, with a temporary wooden window frame with their branding spray-painted onto it fitted ahead of their soft launch later this week.
Baby Mayhem is taking up residence in the much-loved Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria shop, and it really is out with the old, in with the new, as the familiar neon ‘No Lasagne’ sign has been traded for a sweeter read of ‘Fresh Donuts’.
It may be Yank spelling, but this still feels Manc through and through.
Case and point: all their signage, stamps and stencils have been done by local laser cutting service and neighbours, Drawn By The Light – also on Radium Street.
Enough salt, let’s have a serious amount of sugar. (Credit: Baby Mayhem via Instagram)
Baby Mayhem are taking sweet treats to the complete extreme, serving up everyone’s beloved combo of coffees and cakes, while also creating our soon-to-be-favourite indulgence: doughnut sandwiches. 10/10, no notes – genius.
There really are no complaints here; what’s not to love?
Baby Mayhem is taking up residence in the former Lazy Tony’s site, 23 Radium Street in Ancoats, and will be serving up their sweet treats for all to try from this Saturday, 26 April.
Emily Sergeant -
8th August 2024 
