Returning following a successful 2022 event, The Manchester Flower Festival is set to bloom once again, brightening up the lovely streets of our city this summer. Confirming the news over on their website, CityCo and Manchester BID will work with their partners and networks to bring colourful flower installations, outdoor dining areas and a ‘citywide green takeover’ – and they’ve even called on local businesses to get involved to help the event come back with a bang.
Spanning across the entire city between May 26 and 29, visitors will be able to experience a stunning trail of flowers and greenery around every corner – with areas such as Exchange Square, New Cathedral Street, St Ann’s Square, King Street and Manchester Arndale getting in the botanical spirit. Yep, when we say the entire city, we mean it.
Now in its fifth year, Manchester’s floral takeover attracts tens of thousands of additional visitors to the city centre and launches the summer event season in the city. Taking place across the late May Bank Holiday weekend, Manchester Flower Festival transforms the city centre with themed decorations and green installations, alongside live music, entertainment, alfresco food and drink, talks, demonstrations and workshops.
Since 2018, the event has taken place as part of the annual King Street Festival, however, has expanded over the years to bring a little bit of colour to the rest of the city centre. The region’s best floristry and gardening talent will team up for the occasion, turning shop windows, lampposts, vintage cars and even pop-up gardens into floral pieces of art.
Businesses from across the city sign up to get involved in the festival of flowers, giving them a floral touch inside and out, however this year’s list of companies getting involved in the Manchester Flower Festival are yet to be confirmed. In previous years, a number of Manchester’s best bars have whipped up some floral-themed cocktails for the occasion, with an official Flower Show Cocktail Trail taking place during the festival.
Last year’s Manchester Flower Festival had a Jubilee theme with floral displays celebrating the Queen’s 70th anniversary as monarch, including plenty of red, white and blue painting the streets of the city. The theme for the 2023 event is yet to be announced.
Find out more about the floral festival here.