×

Sign up to the newsletter

Manchester Day 2024: Celebrating Creativity and Community

↑

24 Jul 2024

Tags

Manchester Day is an annual celebration that takes place in Manchester city centre, celebrating the creativity and diversity of Greater Manchester. Since its inception in 2010, the event has grown into a vibrant festival, transforming the city into a giant playground with parades, performances, and interactive activities. Commissioned by Manchester City Council and produced by Walk the Plank, Manchester Day is a highlight of the city’s cultural calendar, offering free family-friendly fun with a variety of activities, performances, and sporting events suitable for all ages, making it Manchester’s biggest ever playground.

Manchester Day 2024: Let the Games Begin!

This year’s theme, “Let the Games Begin!”, promises a day filled with family-friendly fun, pop-up performances, astounding acrobatics, and sports activities, including a hip hop wrestling ring. The Global Grooves procession will showcase beats from DJs across the city, offering a whistle stop tour around the world with pop-up performances, acrobatics, and have-a-go activities. On Saturday, July 27, from 12 noon to 6 pm, various locations across the city, including Deansgate, Piccadilly Gardens, St. Peter’s Square, and Cathedral Gardens, will host a range of exciting events. Mimbre acrobatic theatre and have-a-go activities will also be featured. From hip-hop wrestling and vintage fairgrounds to immersive console games and live DJ performances on Market Street, there’s something for everyone.

A party scene of a carnival style with bright colours such as green, blues and yellows
People dressed as bumble bees playing percussion instrument in blues and yellows
Woman dressed as a bumble bee. With yellow wig, yellow gloves and black glasses smiling at the camera

Mancunian Pride: A City of Innovation and Resilience

Mancunians are immensely proud of their city, known for its rich industrial heritage, vibrant cultural scene, and resilient spirit. Manchester played a pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution, becoming a global centre for textile manufacturing and innovation. This legacy of creativity and industriousness continues today, as Manchester evolves into a modern metropolis, renowned for its music, sports, and arts.

The city’s storied past includes pioneering achievements such as the first passenger railway, the invention of the computer, and a thriving music scene that produced iconic bands like The Smiths and Oasis. Manchester’s ability to reinvent itself while honoring its history is a source of great pride for its residents. This unique blend of tradition and innovation is celebrated every year at Manchester Day.

Vintage Manchester industrial scene with numerous chimneys with smoke coming out. In a black and white style art drawing style

Manchester Airport’s Chandelier Project

A Glimpse into the Past: The Chandeliers of Terminal 1

When Terminal 1 opened in 1962, it featured four stunning chandeliers designed by architect Stefan Buzas and crafted by Bruno Zanetti at the Venini factory in Murano, Italy. These chandeliers, each 17 feet tall and adorned with 2,500 pieces of crystal, became iconic symbols of elegance. Although they were removed during modernisation efforts in 2003, their legacy continues.

Green glass as part a chandelier. close up of the glass pieces.
Vintage Manchester Airport sign in black and white and blue
Vintage Manchester chandelier art pieces hanging from a roof in terminal 2 in Manchester Airport
An outdoor shot of an airline with the aircraft just outside the terminal waiting for the passengers to come through security and check in to board their flight to go on holiday
In Manchester airport where a man is in a secruity position for one of the terminals in the control centre junction for the terminals where he will station the offices and is aware of the important role he has due to the crash risk of the airline

Breathing New Life into History with Pop Up Performances

Manchester Airport has commissioned Lazerian, led by Liam Hopkins, to create a new sculpture for Terminal 2 using pieces from the original chandeliers. With support from the students from the Manchester School of Architecture, three innovative designs have been developed. These designs will be brought to Manchester Day, allowing the community to vote for their favourite concept at the Lazerian mobile studio in Deansgate.

A vintage green Citroen van from artist and designers Lazerian which is used as a mobile studio. It is parked outside the Lazerian workshop which is an out building of a old hat factory
Kick panels on a vintage Citroen van engraved with various logos from British artist and designer Liam Hopkins aka Lazerian. Designed in a gold. Used as a close up to demonstrate the luxury of the van
Green Citroen van sat outside the Lazerian workshop

Lazerian’s Mobile Studio at Manchester Day

As guests of Manchester Airport, one of the main sponsors of Manchester Day, Lazerian will set up their mobile studio on Deansgate. This studio will serve as a voting station where members of the public can view the three design concepts for the new Terminal 2 sculpture and cast their votes. Participants in this interactive experience will also receive a limited edition art print as a token of thanks, making their involvement even more special.

Additionally, the event will feature a diverse and exciting lineup, including taking pop-up performances, acrobatics, and various activities.

Sustainability at Manchester Day

Manchester Day is committed to sustainability. The event minimises its carbon footprint by using mains power wherever possible and bio-diesel for generators. This commitment ensures that the festivities are environmentally friendly and align with Manchester City Council’s green initiatives.

Three women are enjoying a sunny day in Manchester, standing with yellow rental bikes in front of a tram near Manchester Central Library. The iconic circular building serves as a backdrop, while the city’s modern tram passes by, symbolizing the city’s commitment to sustainable transport. The scene reflects Manchester's lively atmosphere and the integration of cycling and public transport options for city travel.
A striking view of Manchester’s skyline showcasing the Tower of Light, a modern architectural structure with intricate latticework, alongside the tall glass buildings of the city. Below, a tram passes by, illustrating the city’s blend of futuristic design and efficient public transport. The image captures Manchester's vibrant urban development and commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
“We’ve got an absolutely fantastic day lined up, stuffed full of free things to see and do for all the family, all with a sporting flavour - so grab your granny and your trainers and come on down and join us!” Councillor Pat Karney, Chair of Manchester Day

Join the Celebration: Free Family Friendly Fun

Manchester Day 2024 is set to be a spectacular celebration of sport, creativity, and community spirit, inspired by an international summer of sport. With an array of activities, performances, and the opportunity to influence a piece of the city’s future art, it’s an event not to be missed.

So, let the games begin, and be part of Manchester’s biggest ever playground this summer.

[]