Manchester Day: Everything you need to know
Events are taking place around the city on Saturday
With just a week to go until this year's Manchester Day on Saturday 27 July, work is underway to get the city centre match fit as it is turned into Manchester's biggest ever playground for the city's favourite day of the year.
A winning programme packed full of fun, free, stuff to see and do - all with a sporting theme - has been put together specially for the day, which gets off the blocks from 12 noon.
Inspired by an international summer of sport, it will see the city's streets and squares filled with music, dancing, jaw-dropping acrobatics and pop-up performances in the most unlikely of places, as well as all kinds of have-a-go activities that are sure to kindle the competitive spirit in visitors of all ages.
The medal-winning programme for the day has been curated by the city council in partnership with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank and promises something for everyone and for all sporting abilities - with fun activities to tempt and delight even the most reluctant of athletes.
In a Manchester Day special for this year and to mark what is set to be an amazing summer of international sport, the city has partnered with some of the UK's leading sports bodies to bring a whole sports-day worth of taster sessions in all kinds of different sports and fitness activities.
Try your hand at Taekwondo with British Taekwondo who will show you how to break a board safely and with style; dive into the fast and furious world of The Hundred, a turbo-charged version of traditional test cricket, and meet players from Manchester Originals; show what you're made of on a pop-up athletic track; or take on the target goals challenge at Manchester United Foundation's Panna Cage in partnership with Manchester FA.
And with tennis taster sessions, Swing ball, futsal, rugby and even a pedal party to check out during the day - not to mention a vintage fairground with its hook-a-duck challenge and darts - it's the perfect chance to have some fun and try something new.
There's also plenty on offer during the day for any armchair athletes out there who prefer watching their sports rather than having a go, with a big screen in Cathedral Gardens that will be in action from Friday evening 26 July when it will be showing the Opening Ceremony of this year's Olympic Games live from Paris, followed by live action from the Games throughout the day on Saturday. With food and beverage stalls also on site, it promises to be a great place to settle in and watch some elite sporting action.
Sit back also and prepare to be amazed by award-winning dance company Motionhouse and their hit outdoor show Wild, that will see performers fly through the city on an urban forest of poles in a daring dance-circus production using careful choreography and acrobatic movement, whilst performers from No Fit State Circus will be defying the laws of gravity as they bend, flex and build a towering series of bamboo structures as part of a mind-blowing performance that relies solely on human strength, trust, and harmony with nature.
And of course, it wouldn't be Manchester Day without the music and dance. Be transported to Copacabana beach by the sounds of Jubacana, a youth-led, fusion and dance project that combines percussion, guitars and a whole lotta sequins to create a big sound and an even bigger show. Enjoy the freshest of beats from DJs across the city, the Bridgewater Hall Choir, or a whistle stop tour around the world with the Global Grooves procession, before a showstopping finale featuring one of the UK's finest live soul bands, the Detroit Soul Collective.
Also on hand, keeping a watchful eye across all the day's proceedings will be a troop of roaming referees who may burst into song (or dish out a red card) at any given moment, ensuring a fun-filled day for all as families are invited to try their hand at all kinds of games and have-a-go sports activities.
And it goes without saying of course that everyone's a winner at Manchester Day 2024, with gold medals being awarded throughout the day in a special Winners' Enclosure complete with a winners' podium for that all-important winner's pose with your medal!
Event programme and timings
Here's everything that's taking place on the day along with timings and locations.
All activities run from 12pm – 6pm on Manchester Day Saturday 27 July, unless stated otherwise.
Locations and activities may be subject to change. For the most up to date information visit manchester.gov.uk/manchesterday
CATHEDRAL GARDENS
Big screen sporting action: Catch all the action from Paris, including the opening ceremony, at our special screening site.
Cathedral Gardens will be open from Friday 26 July afternoon showing big screen sporting action from Paris, including the opening ceremony live from French capital on Friday evening and the first day of live sporting action all day on Saturday 27 July. Opening times for Cathedral Gardens as follows: Fri 26 July 12 noon - site opens with access to food and beverage stalls
4 pm onwards - live screening begins of the build-up to the opening ceremony. The site will close when the opening ceremony ends. Sat 27 July - 12 noon - 10 pm
Have-a-go sports activities: Take on the target goals challenge in the Manchester United Foundation Panna Cage, play a small sided game or brush up on your technical work with professional coaches. Bag a bargain at the second hand sportwear and equipment pop-up shop, run by Manchester FA.
Get into the swing of Manchester Day with free tennis taster sessions, swingball and cornhole, run by the LTA.
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.
Vintage Fairground: Test your strength, skill and steadiness with traditional fairground games including a coconut shy, hoopla, soft archery, cork shooting, buzz wire and a strong human challenge.
ST ANN'S STREET
Make and take magic
Free, creative activities for all ages including face-painting, medal making and hula hooping.
NEW CATHEDRAL STREET
School Sports Day: Roaming referees, tantrum throwing tennis players and the world’s only mobile football stadium providing the entertainment. Watch pop up performances and listen to local vocals from Manchester musicians throughout the day.
What’s On at New Cathedral Street & timings
Anyone for Tennis 12pm, 1.20pm, 5pm
Sports Day 12pm, 2pm, 4.25pm
Football Crazy 12.40pm
Many Hands 3.30pm
Music performances
12 – 6pm Listen out for sounds from Local Vocals, Panfire Steel Pans, the Bridgewater Singers, West End Musical, Batala and Saddleworth Women’s Morris and Clog.
MARKET STREET
Think global, shop local From home-made bakes and locally sourced honey, to hand dipped candles and artisan doughnuts, discover the finest regional produce at the Manchester Day Craft Market, brought to you by Manchester Markets.
Community Dancefloor: Daryl & Co and Mimbre acrobatic theatre will perform ‘Look Mum, No Hands!’ an inclusive, family-friendly story of friendship. Soul Beats Dance Troupe bring folk and Bollywood grooves to Market Street, along with music and movement from the Filipino Anglo Club of Greater Manchester.
What’s On at Market Street & timings
12 – 12.40pm Look Mum, No Hands!
1.25 – 1.40pm Red Bull Flash Mob
1.40 – 2.15pm Filipino Anglo Club of Greater Manchester
2.15 – 2.30pm Manchester Lithuanian Society
2.30 – 2.45pm Witches Rise by Zephyra
3.45 – 4.15pm Soul Beats Dance Troupe
4.15 – 4.55pm Look Mum, No Hands!
4.55 – 5.25pm Jubacana
5.25 – 5.40pm Ward - Mallinson School of Irish Dancing
5.40 – 6pm Manchester School of Samba
ST MARY'S GATE
ShowtownHula hoop your way to glory with Danielle De La Wonk’s interactive workshop, watch No Fit State defy gravity as they build and scale towering bamboo structures and enjoy Football Crazy, an interactive walkabout performance.Challenge friends and family to a race on our pop-up athletic track, then step into The Hundred batting cages with the Manchester Originals cricket team.
What’s On at St Mary’s Gate & timings
Bamboo – 12.40pm, 2.45pm
The Olympic Show – 12pm, 3.45pm, 5pm
Football Crazy – 1.35pm
Sport activities - 12pm – 6pm
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. Dance-circus from Motionhouse Watch performers fly through the city on a forest of poles in the daring dance-circus production Wild, by Motionhouse. Plus local food and drink traders.
What’s on at St Ann’s Square & timings
12 – 12.30pm Powered by Hip Hop
12.30 – 12.50pm Top Rope Wrestling Academy
12.50 – 1pm Queen Bayard
13.05 – 1.25pm Flat Pack Music
2.10 – 2.40pm Kemoy Walker x KYSO Collective
2.40 -2.55pm Top Rope Wrestling Academy
2.55 – 3.10pm Hennie Lopez
3.10 – 3.25pm Flat Pack Music
3.25 – 3.40pm Top Rope Wrestling Academy
3.40 – 3.55pm Queen Bayard
3.55 – 4.10pm Flat Pack Music
4.55 – 5.25pm Top Rope Wrestling Academy
5.30 – 5.45pm Flat Pack Music
5.45 – 6pm Top Rope Wrestling Academy
Street Theatre
The Adjudicators 12pm, 3pm, 5pm
Teach Rex 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm 5pm
Sports Guides 12.30pm, 2,25pm, 5pm
Wild 1.25pm, 4.10pm
DEANSGATE
From family acrobatic and aerial hoop workshops to comedy skits and duelling ukeleles, it’s all happening on Deansgate.
Winner’s Enclosure: Collect your medal and take your place on the winners' podium Circus House Learn new skills to amaze all your friends with Circus House
Giant Board Game: Don't miss taking part in the giant board game, courtesy of major sponsor, Manchester Airport Group.
The Actual Reality Arcade: Immerse yourself in larger-than-life console games in The Actual Reality Arcade
Main Stage: Soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the performances on the main stage
What's on at Deansgate & timings:
Main stage
12 – 12.05pm Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band
12.05 – 12.35pm Gnawa Manchester
12.45 – 1.30pm Splinted Ukes
1.45 – 2.25pm Twisted Tubes
2.25pm Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band
2.30pm Speeches 2.40 – 2.45pm Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band
2.45 – 3.25pm Detroit Soul Collective
3.40 – 4.10pm Twisted Tubes
4.25 – 4.55pm Splinted Ukes
5.05 – 5.20pm – Flat Pack Music
5.25 – 6pm Detroit Soul Collective
Street theatre
The Cricketers 12.10pm , 2.50pm, 4.30pm
Umpires Strike Back 12.10pm, 2.50pm, 4.30pm
The Collector 12.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm, 5pm
Papiratizi 2pm
Olympians 2.15pm, 5.15pm
Plus Global Grooves procession, family acrobatic workshops, larger-than-life console games and more.
ST PETER'S SQUARE
Pedal Party: Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a complete beginner, everyone is invited to the Manchester Day Pedal Party. Hop onto a balance bike, try out an e-cargo bike or test a top of the range road bike, in collaboration with British Cycling and Manchester Active.Times - 12 noon - 6 pm
PICCADILLY GARDENS
Have-a-go sports
Taekwondo 12 – 6pm
Futsal 12 – 6pm
12 – 6pm