Need something to do this weekend?
It’s a pretty good month to live in Manchester, with the post-lockdown celebrations still taking place left, right and centre. And now, Manchester City Council has announced a fun new event that’s being added to the mix, taking over the entire city this Saturday and Sunday (14th and 15th August).
Bringing free entertainment to the streets and squares of the city, Mancs will be able to enjoy a whole roster of activities and events across the weekend – with something for the whole family to enjoy.
Designed to say ‘Thank You Manchester’ for helping and supporting each other during the pandemic, the event will pay a ‘joyful tribute’ to our city region’s key workers, with a number of special mentions set to take place during the opening of the event, and even a huge sculpture of notes that can be added to by the general public, which will spell out ‘Manchester’ in huge 3D letters once completed.
Guests can expect street theatre, live music, plenty of dancing, animal-tastic visitors, face painting, and more, with the full roster outlined below:
- Piccadilly Gardens; animal-tastic visitors will be around to entertain the kids, as well as a ‘Thank You’ dance troupe, face painting, stilt walkers and circus acrobats.
- Cathedral Gardens; a large-scale butterfly installation, as well as a whimsical tea party with performances that blend storytelling, circus, art, and theatre.
- St. Peter’s Square; Live music, as well as a giant vegetable patch, and a ‘make do and mend’ craft-style experience.
- Exchange Square; The Manchester Markets will return for the weekend, with ‘otherworldly acts’ walking around, a flamboyant ‘Bicycle Bistro’, and live performances.
Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “None of us will forget what we have been through this last year and a half, and during it the people we have loved and have lost.
“We will also never forget the people who helped us get through – whether it was for their kindness, practical help, learning support, or life-saving expertise.
“So many people from so many different parts of our city life are owed a massive thank you for everything they have done during the pandemic to keep us safe and keep us going, and we want them to know how much we appreciate them and what their help has meant to us.”
Councillor Pat Karney, Chair of Thank You Manchester Weekender, on behalf of Manchester City Council, said: “This is our way of saying a great big Manchester thank you to all Mancunians for supporting each other during this last year, and to all the many thousands of heroic workers in all kinds of jobs and roles in the city that we have all depended on so much.
“After a year like we’ve just had, this is going to be a weekend like no other. We’re determined to spread a little Manchester music and magic to help get the city smiling again.”
Find out more about the event here.