Manchester Day 2026

Manchester Day celebrates those who live, work and play in the city... five hours of performance, music, walkabout and a fabulous people-powered parade.

This year we celebrate the national year of reading with a partnership with Manchester Libraries, and there’s a distinctly Catalan flavour to the event, with artists, musicians and some excellent shows from Barcelona and the Catalunya region.   

This year's festival programme highlights include:

• Block by Motionhouse and No Fit State Circus 
• No Tea, No Sugar by Hong Kong’s T S Crew 
• Kamchatka, from Barcelona 
• Company Chameleon with Clementine and Lisard 
• Global Grooves present their Queen Bee, Worker Bee, dancers and musicians 
• The Whale by Circo Rum Baba 
• Catalogued by Circus House 
• Baked A La Ska, Mr Swing and Mr Wilson’s Second Liners

For the full programme click here

A practical dance workshop led by one of Hong Kong's leading choreographers Steve Ng (TS Crew).

Steve is Deputy Artistic Director of TS Crew, a Capoeira professor and freelance performer. He is also one of the founders of TS Crew and TS Studio.

This workshop will focus on ensemble work & partner acrobatics. Steve will dive into the fusion of physical theatre, contemporary movement and acrobatics. Integrating them into fluid ensemble group work. Master the art of moving together and building group awareness, creating ensemble synergy.

Attendees: This event is for semi-professional/professional dancers and experienced street dancers aged 14+

This Masterclass is produced by Walk the Plank as part of the Manchester Day Elevate Programme. Supported by Arts Council England.

Book your free spot here.

The Manchester Day Parade starts at 1pm from St Peter’s Square. It will bring together over 500 participants and community groups from across Manchester and beyond. Marvel at larger‑than‑life characters and the rich cultural heritage of the city as its diverse communities come out to parade.

The parade is created by people working with artists in local workshops and through international collaborations. Expect an energetic, city‑wide celebration of creativity, culture and community.

Community groups and performers participating in the parade: Global Grooves, Jubacana, Batala Manchester, Manchester School of Samba, 3rd Davyhulme Scout and Guides Band, Fiana Phadraig Pipe Band, ENO Pitch Perfect choirs, Filipino Community, Hong Kong Cultural Community CIC, British Pakistani Cultural Association, Friends of Platt Hall, Manchester Friends of the Earth, Simply Cycling, Full Stilt, Afrocats, MCC Libraries, Manchester Lithuanian Society, Institute of Arts Barcelona and University of Barcelona, Gegantes, Spirix Collective, Colibri Mexican Folkdance UK, Ad Hoc Dance and UK Guangxi Cultural Tourism Association.

Artists working on the parade: Sophie Tyrell, Shanie Welsh, Alice Wareham, Becky Bryson, Richard  Redwin, Loren Hardy, Gemma Hemmingway, Rowan Taylor, Sandra McCracken, Mel Daniels, Brian Hanlon, Ruth Jones and Chris Anderson.

Commissioned by Manchester City Council; with support from Arts Council England for Elevate, and from Institut Ramon Llull for the Catalan programme