Hundreds of dogs are set to descend on a popular Manchester city centre park next month to raise funds for a brilliant cause.
The best bit about it? It’s absolutely FREE to head on down to.
Back by popular demand, after having proven to be such a smash-hit with both pups and their owners, and dog-lovers alike in recent years, the Pooches of Pride festival is returning to Angel Meadow Park near Manchester‘s Green Quarter in a couple of weeks time, and it’ll be coinciding with the Manchester Pride celebrations taking place across the city too.
Now in its third year, the free festival – which is a joint venture between Manchester’s biggest dog community, Ex-PAW, and Far East Consortium (FEC) – has a lineup filled with loads of “paw-tastic” activities to get involved with when it returns next month.
The festival’s headline act this year is set to be the always-popular ‘Furbulous Dog Show’, hosted by local drag queen Belinda Scandal.
ADVERTISEMENT
With categories including ‘Animal Kingdom Realness’, ‘Drag Kings of Manchester’, and ‘Shantay you stay’, entry to this year’s contest will cost a £4 donation to Manchester and Cheshire Dogs’ Home, and the winners of each category will take home a ‘pawty bag’.
Over on the main stage, there’ll be a wide range of events to make the most of – including informative talks led by veterinary experts from Pet First Aid, interactive workshops and obedience classes by Make Fetch Happen, and also the chance for dog owners to shop for natural food and treats from some respected traders.
ADVERTISEMENT
A popular Pride-themed dog festival is returning to raise funds for Manchester Dogs’ Home next month / Credit: Supplied
Elsewhere across the park, there’ll be dog agility courses, puppy play areas with tunnels, seesaws, and ball bits, a ‘Paws & Unwind’ quiet zone, and a photobooth to snap some pictures of your pup enjoying their day.
Local coffee house, Foundation, will be giving out free puppacinos for well-behaved doggies, while GRUB and Fairfield Social Club next door to Angel Meadow Park will be open for the duration of the event and serving up a street food feast from all their resident traders.
And of course, as the festival is all about raising worthy funds for Manchester and Cheshire Dogs’ Home, like mentioned earlier, there’ll also be dog toy drive and dog food bank running throughout the day for visitors to donate toys and blankets to the local adoption shelter and charity.
Pooches of Pride 2024 will take over Angel Meadow Park on Saturday 17 August, with all the fun kicking off from 11am and running right through to 4pm.
Free tickets can be booked ahead of the event here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Manchester announces ‘poignant’ plans to mark Remembrance Sunday with free city centre service
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is set to honour the ‘service and sacrifice’ of members of the armed forces community during this year’s annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations.
With Remembrance Day only a couple weeks away now, just as it does each year, Manchester City Council has now revealed how the city will mark this important occasion, and has confirmed all the details of the annual Remembrance Sunday Parade.
Proceedings will start on John Dalton Street at 10:30am, and run right through until midday – with the service itself being held at 11am.
Veterans, military personnel and cadets, all led by Greater Manchester Police‘s Band, will march from John Dalton Street to the Cenotaph St. Peter’s Square.
This will be followed by a short return march to Mount Street across St Peter’s Square.
The service will begin at the Cenotaph at 10:58am, and a two-minute silence will be observed at 11am in tribute to those who have lost their lives in conflict. The start and conclusion of the silence will be marked by the firing of a maroon.
/ Credit: Manchester City Council
Following the service, veterans, military personnel and cadets will take part in a short return march across St Peter’s Square to Mount Street.
As the Council marks another year of its partnership with the Royal British Legion, further the Remembrance Sunday events will take place across the city following the service – including arts and crafts sessions, memorial services, and performances.
“Remembrance Sunday is one of the most important occasions in Manchester’s civic calendar,” declared Councillor Shaukat Ali, who it the Lord Mayor of Manchester.
“It is a time for us to come together as a city to remember and honour the courage, sacrifice and service of those from our diverse communities who have given so much in times of conflict. I want to encourage residents, families and visitors to join us at the Cenotaph as we pay our respects and ensure that the contribution of past and present generations is never forgotten.”
Manchester’s Remembrance Sunday commemorations will take place on Sunday 8 November from 10:30am onwards.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
What's On
Stockport’s ‘spectacular’ Christmas festival to return with FREE shows and hundreds of performers
Emily Sergeant
Stockport will soon be looking festive, as more than 50 free shows and hundreds of performers descend on the town centre.
Back by popular demand for its fourth year to kick off Christmas in style, especially after the inaugural event resulted in the busiest Sunday for the Greater Manchester town’s centre since 2019, Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday will be returning next month for a one-day festival packed with magical street theatre, banging brass bands, carnival fun, and loads more.
Hundreds of captivating performers will take over Stockport for the day, and 2026’s lineup promising something for the whole family.
Think a giant snow lion, a circus adventure into space, the world’s smallest nightclub, and so much more – with more than 50 free shows and activities to enjoy all day long.
Stockport’s Christmas festival will be returning with free shows and hundreds of performers next month / Credit: Matthew Nichol (Supplied)
Produced by renowned carnival arts organisation, Global Grooves, and organised by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway, and Stockport Market, the town centre will be buzzing with Christmas excitement from midday right through to 5pm, as performers take over iconic Stockport locations.
You can head to places like Market Place, the Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock, and Suffragette Square to make the most of all the festive fun.
Streets and squares will become stages for larger-than-life puppets, mischievous comedy, and live music, all building to a ‘showstopping’ parade finale featuring more than 100 drummers, and a Christmas lights switch-on at 4:45pm.
Festive bands will provide plenty of Christmas cheer throughout the day.
“It’s fantastic to see Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday return for a fourth year,” commented Cllr Micheala Meikle, who is the Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration and Skills at Stockport Council.
“The event has become a much-loved part of Christmas in Stockport, bringing together creativity, community spirit and plenty of festive cheer.
“It’s also a great opportunity to experience everything our town centre has to offer, from our historic Market Place and Underbanks to the vibrant spaces that are helping bring more people together in Stockport.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming residents and visitors for what promises to be another memorable start to the festive season.”
Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday 2026 is taking over the town centre next month on Sunday 15 November from 12pm onwards, and it’s free for all to attend.
Emily Sergeant -
31st July 2024 
