Don't miss Manchester Day - Saturday 27 July
Alongside plenty of sporting action, this year's Manchester Day: Let the Games Begin! (this Saturday 27 July) will also see live music, dance, and pop-up theatre performances fill the city's streets and squares.
Inspired by an international summer of sport, a winning programme for the day has been curated by the city council in partnership with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank and some of the UK's leading sports bodies.
As well as the chance to take part throughout the day in numerous have-a-go sporting activities to suit everyone from the most energetic of Mancunians to the city's ardent armchair sports enthusiasts, the day also features a packed programme alongside this of fun, family-friendly pop-up theatre performances, live music, and dance.
With over 300 performers taking part in more than 90 pop-up theatrical performances during the day, and another 280 community members from 18 different community groups taking part in live music and dance performances from the start to the finish of the programme, this year's Manchester Day looks set to be the most colourful and liveliest yet.
From awe-inspiring acrobatics and mind-blowing performances that defy the laws of gravity, to the funniest of street theatre performers with roving referees, stilt-walking cricketers, tantrum-throwing tennis players and umpires striking back, as well as a lost dinosaur, the world's only mobile football stadium, a hip-hop wrestling ring, and a larger-than-life pesky magpie that has its eye on anything gold or shiny - every minute of the day is packed full of fun things to see and do.
With Market Street turned into a community dancefloor for the day showcasing music and dance performances from communities across the city, more live music on New Cathedral Street with West End musicals, steel pans and the Bridgewater Hall singers, and the main stage on Deansgate featuring a rolling programme of musical performances from Moroccan trance music, through to chart-topping hits played on ukeleles and the Global Grooves procession bringing the beats and providing the musical soundtrack to this year's Manchester Day, standing still is unlikely to be an option!
Bev Ayre, Senior Producer, Walk the Plank, said: "We're delighted to have helped programme Manchester Day again this year. Whether it's video gaming, hip hop, drag, opera, dance, or acrobatic performance - there's something for everyone in this packed programme and best of all it's free. Let the games begin!"
Councillor Pat Karney, Chair of Manchester Day, said: "We've got an absolutely brilliant day in store for everyone with the most fantastic fun stuff to see and enjoy right across the city centre. If you haven't been to Manchester Day before you really don't know what you're missing so come down and find out, it's guaranteed to put a smile on your face. And if you have been before, we just can't wait to see you again for this year's Manchester Day extravaganza - summer starts here!"
Here's all the pop-up performances, live music and dance taking place at this year's Manchester Day:
NEW CATHEDRAL STREET
School Sports Day
You don’t need to be a top-tier athlete to take part in our School Sports Day, with:
roaming referees, tantrum-throwing tennis players, the world’s only mobile football stadium providing the entertainment.
Pop-up performances
Watch and listen to local vocals from Manchester musicians throughout the day.
Street theatre performances
Anyone for Tennis - 12pm, 1.20pm, 5pm Comedy show featuring tantrum throwing tennis players
Sports Day - 12pm, 2pm, 4.25pm Mr Stretch and Mr Armstrong are here to get you fit!
Football Crazy - 12.40pmThe world’s only mobile football stadium
Many Hands - 3.30pmCraft activity and mini parade
Ruck n Roll - 4.20pm, 5.30pmMobile mini pitch, comedy commentator and beanbag rugby ball
Music performances
Listen out for sounds from:
Local Vocals - 12pm to 12.20pm Choir of Manchester residents
Panfire Steel Pans - 12.30pm to 12.45pm Steel pan melodies
Bridgewater Singers - 1pm to 1.30pm Singers from the Bridgewater Hall
Saddleworth Women’s Morris and Clog - 1.30pm to 1.50pm Traditional music and dance
West End Musical - 2.45pm to 3.05pm Songs from the shows
Batala - 5.00pm to 5.25pm Samba, reggae and carnival beats
Panfire Steel Pans - 3.45pm to 4pm Steel pan melodies
ST MARY'S GATE
Street theatre
Bamboo – 12.40pm, 2.45pm
A gravity defying circus show. Watch No Fit State defy gravity as they build and scale towering bamboo structures
The Olympic Show – 12pm, 3.45pm, 5pm
Hula hoop your way to glory with Danielle De La Wonk’s interactive workshop
Football Crazy – 1.35pm
Enjoy Football Crazy, an interactive walkabout performance.
ST ANN'S SQUARE
Hip hop wrestling ring
Join us in our hip hop wrestling ring for wrestling, a spot of opera and a dash of drag.
Watch performers fly through the city on a forest of poles in the daring dance-circus production Wild, presented by Motionhouse.
Plus, local food and drink traders.
Powered by Hip Hop 12 – 12.30pm Break dancing
Top Rope Wrestling Academy 12.30 – 12.50pm Live wrestling demonstrations
Queen Bay 12.50 – 1pm Drag queen sing along
Flat Pack Music 13.05 – 1.25pm Opera with a twist
Kemoy Walker and KYSO Collective 2.10 – 2.40pm Young people’s dance and rap collective
Top Rope Wrestling Academy 2.40 -2.55pm Live wrestling demonstrations
Hennie Lopez 2.55 – 3.10pm Manchester rapper
Flat Pack Music 3.10 – 3.25pm Opera with a twist
Top Rope Wrestling Academy 3.25 – 3.40pm Live wrestling demonstrations
Queen Bay 3.40 – 3.55pm Drag queen sing along
Flat Pack Music 3.55 – 4.10pm Opera with a twist
Top Rope Wrestling Academy 4.55 – 5.25pm Live wrestling demonstrations
Flat Pack Music 5.30 – 5.45pm Opera with a twist
Top Rope Wrestling Academy 5.45 – 6pm Live wrestling demonstrations
Street theatre
The Adjudicators 12pm, 3pm, 5.30pm
Teach Rex 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm
Sports Guides 12.30pm, 2.25pm, 5pm
Wild 1.25pm, 4.10pm
DEANSGATE
Winners’ enclosure, Main stage and Circus House
From family acrobatic and aerial hoop workshops, to comedy skits and duelling ukuleles, it’s all happening on Deansgate.
Immerse yourself in larger-than-life console games in the Actual Reality Arcade, visit Circus House to learn a new skill, or simply soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the performances on the main stage. You’ll also be able to play a giant board game, courtesy of our major sponsor, Manchester Airport Group.
Main stage
12 noon to 12.05pm Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band - East meets West via Bolton
12.05pm to 12.35pm Gnawa Manchester - Moroccan trance music
12.45pm to 1.30pm Splinted Ukes - Chart topping hits played on ukuleles
1.45pm to 2.25pm Twisted Tubes - Genre defying brass band playing hip hop, funk, pop and house
2.25pm Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band - East meets West via Bolton
2.30pm Speeches
2.40pm to 2.45pm Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band - East meets West via Bolton
2.45pm to 3.25pm Detroit Soul Collective - Super soul anthems played by an incredible 9 piece band and vocals
3.40pm to 4.10pm Twisted Tubes - Genre defying brass band playing hip hop, funk, pop and house
4.25pm to 4.55pm Splinted Ukes - Chart topping hits played on ukuleles
5.05pm to 5.20pm Flat Pack Music - World class opera
5.25pm to 6pm Detroit Soul Collective - Super soul anthems played by an incredible 9 piece band and vocals
Global Grooves Procession 2.10pm to 3.10pm and 5pm to 6.00pm
Street Theatre
12.10pm , 2.50pm, 4.30pm The Cricketers - Stilt walking cricketers play a giant game of cricket 12.10pm, 2.50pm, 4.30pm Umpires Strike Back - Comedy performances from two of Britain’s finest cricket umpires
12.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm, 5pm The Collector - A giant magpie who likes collecting shiny things. You have been warned!
2pm Papiratizi
2.15pm, 5.15pm Olympians
Circus House
12pm, 1.45pm, 3.40pm, 4.25pm, 5.05pm Manipulation skills workshop - Learn the basics of circus skills
12.35pm, 1.30pm, 3.25pm, 4.10pm, 4.55pm Demos - Watch professional acrobats soar through the sky
12.45pm, 2.45pm, 4.25pm Family acrobatic workshop - Have a go at acrobatics
The Actual Reality Arcade Shows
12noon to 12.40pm Rainbow Suitcases
12.45pm to 13.15pm, 3pm to 3.30pm, 4.30pm to 5pm Dinotopia - Meet an adventurer and their dinosaur who have been shipwrecked on our shores
3.30pm to 4.10pm Cabin Crew - High jinx comedy at 30,000 feet
MARKET STREET
Community Dancefloor
12pm to 12.40pm Look Mum, No Hands! An acrobatic, family-friendly story of friendship performed by Daryl and Co and Mimbre
1.25pm to 1.40pm Red Bull Flash Mob Expect the unexpected!
1.40pm to 2.15pm Filipino Anglo Club of Greater Manchester Traditional Filipino song and dance
2.15pm to 2.30pm Manchester Lithuanian Society Music and movement from Eastern Europe
2.30pm to 2.45pm Witches Rise by Zephyra Tribal fusion dance
3.45pm to 4.15pm Soul Beats Dance Troupe Folk and Bollywood grooves
4.15pm to 4.55pm Look Mum, No Hands! An acrobatic, family-friendly story of friendship performed by Daryl and Co and Mimbre
4.55pm to 5.25pm Jubacana Big, Brazilian sounds by a youth-led, fusion music and dance project
5.25pm to 5.40pm Ward - Mallinson School of Irish Dancing Irish dancing performed to Riverdance
5.40pm to 6pm Manchester School of Samba Brazilian Carnival vibes to round off the day
You can also discover the finest regional produce at the Manchester Day Craft Market, brought to you by Manchester Markets.
ST ANN STREET
Make and take magic
Free, creative activities for all ages, including:
face-paintingmedal making
EXCHANGE SQUARE
Capri Beach Club
Kick back with a cocktail at the Capri Beach Club, enjoy coffee and a cake, or pick up a tasty treat from the street food market.
Please note activities, locations and timings may be subject to change on the day.
Find out all the latest information on Manchester Day here