Everything you need to know about Manchester Day 2024

Manchester is gearing up for its most exhilarating celebration yet as the city transforms into a colossal playground for Manchester Day 2024, themed Let the Games Begin!

On Saturday, July 27th, the city’s streets and squares will come alive with a vibrant mix of music, dancing, and interactive activities, promising a day of fun and excitement for all ages.

Manchester Day 2024

This year’s event, inspired by an international summer of sport, is set to be the biggest and most diverse Manchester Day yet.

Outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank have collaborated with the city council to craft a medal-worthy program that caters to everyone, from the fleet-footed to the leisurely-paced.

One of the event’s highlights is the world’s slowest race, featuring giant snails jockeying for first place in a slow-motion spectacle that will captivate onlookers throughout the day.

Manchester’s city centre will be buzzing with an eclectic array of activities.

What’s happening where at Manchester Day 2024?

Here’s the full breakdown of what’s happening and where for Manchester Day 2024.

Cathedral Gardens

Big screen sporting action: Catch all the Olympic action from the games in Paris, including the opening ceremony, at our special screening site.

Have a go sport activities: Take on the target goals challenge in the Manchester United Foundation Panna Cage. Get into the swing of Manchester Day with free tennis taster sessions, swingball, and cornhole.

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.

Actual Reality Arcade: Immerse yourself in larger-than-life console games, 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.

Exchange Street

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.

New Cathedral Street

School Sports Day: Take part in our School Sports Day, with roaming referees, tantrum-throwing tennis players, and the world’s only mobile football stadium providing entertainment. Watch pop-up performances and listen to local vocals from Manchester musicians throughout the day.

St Mary’s Gate

Showtown: Hula 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.

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.

St Peter’s Square

Pedal Party: Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a complete beginner, you’re 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.

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.

Hip-Hop Wrestling?

Attendees can dive into the action at a Hip-Hop wrestling ring that combines breakdancing and wrestling, or enjoy a spot of opera and drag.

Vintage fairground attractions like the hook-a-duck challenge and darts will bring a nostalgic touch, while an oversized reality arcade will immerse visitors in life-sized console games.

Award-winning dance company Motionhouse will amaze with their outdoor show “Wild,” where performers will soar through the city on a forest of poles in a daring dance-circus production.

No Fit State Circus

No Fit State Circus will defy gravity with a mesmerising performance that involves constructing towering bamboo structures using only human strength, trust, and harmony with nature.

Music lovers are in for a treat with performances that promise to transport them to different worlds.

Bringing the Copacabana Beach to Manchester

Jubacana, a youth-led fusion and dance project, will bring the vibrant sounds of Copacabana beach to Manchester with a show full of percussion, guitars, and sequins.

The city’s freshest DJs, the Bridgewater Hall Choir, and the Global Grooves procession will fill the streets with diverse beats, culminating in a show-stopping finale by the Detroit Soul Collective, one of the UK’s finest live soul bands.

This year’s Manchester Day also features a special focus on sports, with partnerships with leading UK sports bodies offering a plethora of taster sessions and fitness activities.

British Taekwondo will provide demonstrations and lessons in board-breaking and self-defense, while GLL’s 60m pop-up athletic track will host fun family challenges, including a tennis mini rally and a basketball shootout.

The excitement of The Hundred

Cricket enthusiasts can experience the excitement of The Hundred, a turbo-charged version of traditional cricket, with batting, bowling, and catching sessions.

England Netball will host netball challenges for all skill levels, and the Manchester United Foundation’s Panna Cage will offer football fans the chance to hone their skills with professional coaches.

Roaming referees will keep the day’s activities lively, occasionally bursting into song or playfully handing out red cards to ensure a fun-filled atmosphere.

Families are encouraged to try their hand at various games and sports, with gold medals awarded throughout the day for categories such as cheekiest grin and best Dad dancer.

Councillor Pat Karney, Chair of Manchester Day, said:

“What a winner of a Manchester Day we’ve got lined up for you this year!

A big thank you goes to our brilliant team who have really pulled out all the stops to bring you a Manchester Day to remember.  A special mention also to our incredible partners Walk the Plank and to all our sponsors who make the event possible.

“The biggest thank you of all though goes to you.

“Mancunians are the best people in the world, you are what makes Manchester the brilliantly diverse, welcoming, vibrant, and special place it is – and the very best place in the world to be.

“So without further ado – on your marks, get set and let the games begin as we celebrate Manchester Day 2024 together!”

Walk the Plank

Bev Ayre, Senior Producer at Walk the Plank, added: “We’re delighted to be helping produce the Manchester Day programme again this year. We’ve some of the best music, dance, theatre and performance the city has to offer. Where else would you find a wrestling drag queen, a sporting dinosaur and a hip-hopping opera singer? So – Let the Games Begin!”

For more information and the latest updates on Manchester Day 2024, you can find out more on the council’s website here

Mark your calendars and prepare for a day of unforgettable fun and games as Manchester Day 2024 promises to be a celebration like no other.