Manchester’s favourite day of the year is making a return for 2025 with details of this year’s annual event now confirmed by the local council. Manchester Day is a celebration of the city and all things Mancunian and will be taking place on Saturday 26th July 2025. With 1.3 million music tourists expected in Manchester this summer and a massive line-up of live music legends set to take over venues and parks across the city, this year’s Manchester Day aims to get everyone in the groove.
Councillor Pat Karney, Chair of Manchester Day, said: “We’ve got a mammoth summer of live music coming up in the city this year which means it’s only right that we max out on the music for Manchester Day.
“Everyone in Manchester loves music. Mancs have music in their bones, there’s so much talent here – we’re either making it or playing it. And that’s why everyone’s on the guestlist for this year’s Manchester Day to help us celebrate the music that Mancunians make best.
“We’ve got a fantastic day lined up so loosen up those vocal chords, grab a guitar, grab your granny, all the family, and don’t miss it!”
When and where will Manchester Day 2025 take place?
Manchester Day will take place on Saturday 26th July 2025 across Manchester city centre between 12pm and 5pm. The locations where activities will take place include Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Square, Exchange Street, St Ann Street, New Cathedral Street, St Mary’s Gate, St Ann’s Square, Deansgate, St Peter’s Square, Market Street and Piccadilly Gardens.
What is Manchester Day?
Manchester Day was created in 2010 with the purpose of celebrating the creativity and diversity of Manchester. When it first began, Manchester Day revolved around a parade through the city, but in recent years the format has become a ‘promenade style’ event with activities across the whole of the city centre.
However, a music-filled mini parade will take place for Manchester Day 2025, which will makes its way from St Peter’s Square, along Deansgate, to Manchester Cathedral. Like previous years of the event, activities will also take place in a number of city centre locations, with this year’s event is set to feature plenty of fun-filled, free activities for all the family to experience and enjoy.
What entertainment can visitors expect?
Manchester City Council is working with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank on a programme for the day that promises something for music fans of all ages, and all musical abilities or none. From English National Opera teaming up with Manchester’s football fans and community choirs, West End show tunes, juggling drummers, hip-hop wrestling, plus two musical cats and a larger-than-life canary all in a giant birdcage – this year’s Manchester Day has got all musical tastes covered.
Activities will take place in St Ann’s Square, Cathedral Gardens, and everywhere in-between, with plenty of chances for visitors young and old to get stuck in, or to try their hand at music-making and uncover their hidden musical talent. Visitors can expect a setlist that includes strum-along ukulele sessions, spontaneous sing-a-longs, dancing to a steel pan band and some surprising Ska.
Manchester Day 2025 will also see a musical takeover of the route from St Peter’s Square to the Cathedral, with families invited to take a musical meander through the city streets as a music-filled mini parade makes its way from the square, along Deansgate, to the Cathedral. Expect toe-tapping sounds and surprises all the way as two huge Griffins lead the parade with fantastical birds and other winged creatures in tow, all swooping their way along the parade route.
Accompanied by the sounds of Brazilian-inspired brass from Jubacana, drumming from Manchester Dhol Players and a giant Dhol drum, along with the percussive rhythms of Manchester Batala, and performers from community groups across the city including the Anglo Filipino Club, the Hong Kong Cultural Community, Greater Manchester’s Youth network, Manchester’s Lithuanian Society and more – the mini parade aims to get everyone moving and in the music groove.