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Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester to be turned into free Eurovision fan zone

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 10th May 2023
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Plans to transform Piccadilly Gardens into an all-singing all-dancing Eurovision fan zone have been revealed.

Huge screens – like those used for last weekend’s Coronation – will show all the action from Liverpool as the UK proudly hosts the music contest on behalf of our friends in Ukraine.

Manchester City Council has said there will be themed food and drink served up by traders in the Eurovision fan zone.

Live BBC coverage will be screened straight into Piccadilly Gardens, including the semi-finals last night and the next round taking place on Thursday 11 May, as well as the main event on Saturday.

DJs including drag queen DJ Misty will be getting the party started ahead of the big final on Saturday.

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The fan zone will open each semi-final day at 5.30pm ahead of live coverage from 8pm.

On the big day itself, music fans will have access to the platform area from midday until 1am, and access to the grassed area from 4pm until 1am.

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Piccadilly Gardens during the Coronation – it will now be a Eurovision fan zone. Credit: Manchester City Council

People are allowed to bring their own food and soft drinks, but not in glass bottles and no bring-your-own alcohol is allowed.

Bag searches will be in operation on entry and the public are urged to limit bags to a small rucksack.

Little (and larger) Eurovision fans can take part in face-painting.

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Entry into the fan-zone each day is free of charge but space is limited, and admission will be on a first-come-first-served basis.

Councillor John Hacking, executive member for Skills, Employment and Leisure, Manchester City Council, said: “We owe it to all our Ukrainian friends wherever they are in the world to make this year’s Eurovision the very best it can possibly be.

“So if you’re still making your mind up about where to watch Eurovision this year, think no more! Come and join us at the fan-zone in Piccadilly Gardens for a Mancunian Eurovision party like no other!

“Bring a flag, bring your friends, and bring it on for Ukraine – Eurovision 2023 is going to be spectacular!”

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The UK’s much-loved ‘day rave’ with Vicky and Jon McClure returns to Manchester for New Year’s Eve

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia
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One of the UK’s most popular new club events and pioneering ‘day rave’ is returning to Manchester this New Year’s, featuring founders Jon and Vicky McClure, as well as some very special guests.

The Line of Duty star and Reverend and the Makers frontman started the parent-friendly event back in January of this year as an alternative day out for those looking to have a party and still manage an early bedtime. Since then it’s gone on to become a real phenomenon and is only getting bigger.

With Vicky swapping UK dramas and crime thrillers for the discotheque and ‘Big Jon’ switching lanes from his usual rock, indie and alternative roots to favour timeless dance tracks to still get people up on their feet, Day Fever has gone down a storm all over the country.

With their first year coming towards a close, they now look set for arguably their biggest day rave to date as Day Fever will be hosting a special New Year’s Eve for their final hurrah of 2024 right here in Manchester city centre – and no, you don’t need to be able to stay up until midnight.

The two McClures – unrelated, by the way, they just share a name and a fantastic taste in music – and the rest of their crew will be partying between 3-8pm for a much more tame and friendlier night (day) out, commanding the decks alongside some other special guests.

Not only does this alternative way to party promise a more responsible curfew, meaning clubbers don’t have to worry about missing the last train home but it’s also geared towards over 30s whilst still being super inclusive.

This day-time clubbing event is designed to reminisce on the old days and all those dance-filled memories of evenings spent out on the tiles, just minus the late-night finish – and hopefully the hangover but that’s down to you really, isn’t it?

In their words: ‘There’s no dress code, no egos—just pure positivity’; there’s nothing we love to hear more than the sweet relief of not having to get dolled up for a big night when we just can’t be bothered.

With New Century Hall hosting the Day Fever once again for their first-ever NYE party here in Manchester, along with two other events being held simultaneously in Edinburgh and Birmingham, you can get all your partying done way with plenty of time to get cosy in bed before the calendar turns over.

Just in time to watch Jools Holland’s famous Annual Hootenanny, as they put it.

Jon McClure and Vicky’s co-star, Martin Compston
Vicky McClure leading the dance routines

This is guaranteed to be an evening to remember for everyone in attendance, especially when you’re joined by stars of stage and screen who will be powering you through with some proper dance bangers as they have done all year long.

The New Year’s Eve party isn’t just the last dance of the year either, it’s also effectively the prequel to next year’s raft of shows as Day Fever has already announced more than a dozen big dates in January and February.

This batch of 2025 dates sees the gang taking on lots of other cities, including North West neighbours Liverpool, Sheffield, Leeds and Hull over in Yorkshire, two Newcastle shows and plenty more.

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So, if you’re feeling those clubbing blues, that pesky seasonal affective disorder or just still not booked up for NYE 2024, why not make the most of this day-time opportunity?

Tickets for both the New Year’s Eve and the rest of their 2025 events are available on the official Day Fever website HERE.

Oh yeah, and help get Rev to Christmas number one – it’s for a good cause and they deserve it!

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Publicity Picture via Supplied

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Manchester’s popular Winter Beer Festival is back next month to kick off 2025

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant
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Once the hustle and bustle of the festive season has died down, there’s often not a great deal to look forward to in January.

But luckily, Manchester’s very-own GRUB has got you covered.

The now-legendary Winter Beer Festival is back by popular demand for 2025, and tickets are already on sale if you’re keen to kick off your new year with a pint or two.

The Green Quarter-based social hub is known for being home to a wide range of rotating food and drink vendor pop-ups all year round, but next month is perfect excuse to pay a visit, as this year’s Winter Beer Festival will take place across three days.

GRUB’s Winter Beer Festival gives beer lovers the chance can sip creations from some of the best local breweries.

Running from Thursday 16 – Saturday 18 January 2025, you can expect there to be plenty of local brews to taste test over the course of the three-day festival – with loads of pop-up brewery bars and more than 30 guest taps too.

If you’re not a big beer lover though, you can also expect a street food market, mulled wine pop-up, beeroke and quiz events, and so much more over the extended weekend.

Manchester’s popular Winter Beer Festival is back to kick off 2025 / Credit: GRUB

Fancy it then? Tickets for the GRUB Winter Beer Festival 2025 are now on sale.

They will set you back just £4 on Thursday and Friday, with a limited number of early bird tickets at £3, and then Saturday tickets will be £5 with a limited number of tickets available of the door on the days for £6 each.

Tickets include entry to the festival, access to the full range of beers – including all the brewery bars and guest taps – a branded WBF glass to take home with you afterwards, and FREE optional entry to any of the entertainment events taking place during your session too.

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You can grab tickets from the GRUB website here.

Featured Image – GRUB

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