Manchester Day Returns this Weekend

Have a free day out with your family and friends at the ever popular Manchester Day, celebrating everything great about the city, on Sunday 14 June noon – 6pm (Parade begins at 1pm from Liverpool Road).

The theme – Game On! – celebrates the idea that games have influenced and shaped modern Manchester. This could be a celebration of the city’s sporting prowess; the creation of the world’s first computer; a nod to the city’s computer game industry or even the next generation of coders.

Expect imaginations run riot.

Manchester Day also welcomes Pixel – a sentient, highly advanced robotic explorer mascot who arrived in the city the day of last year’s event. Falling instantly for Manchester, Pixel has spent the last year researching amazing facts about the city; their new adopted home. 

Follow @PixelMcrDay where the cheeky android will tweet a bounty of incredible factoids each day – and you can be part of the conversation #manchesterday

Manchester Day – commissioned by the city council for Manchester people and produced by outdoor art experts Walk the Plank – is the product of months of work and effort by some of the region’s best artists, working with more than 80 community groups, charities and volunteer organisations.

Much more than a parade, on Manchester Day the city’s streets buzz with tens of thousands of people making for a lively and  family friendly day out. 

Congregating in the city’s streets and its premier squares, audiences gather in excited anticipation of a 1500 person strong, one mile long parade with a dazzling array of giant characters, vibrant costumes, music and unexpected, out-of-the-ordinary and just-how-did-they-make-that  artwork. 

Months of work by some of the region’s most talented artists, working with up to 80 community groups, charities and volunteer groups, create a colourful feel good parade celebrating the city and its infectious, can do culture.

Now in its sixth year, over the years Manchester Day has celebrated the city’s status as the world’s first industrial city; the birthplace of computer, atomic theory and graphene as well as the city’s countless sporting achievements and its world renowned musical heritage. 

In celebration of this year’s theme – GAME ON – town hall will also welcome The Manchester Games Room -  a two day gaming event bringing together the whole spectrum of gaming from traditional table-top board games to the best of UK and local computer game development.

The Games Room will plug in on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June (10am – 6pm each day) when gamers will have the chance to test their nerve at some of the newest indie video game titles and unusual board games – along with a chance to speak to their developers and some enthusiastic experts!

Renowned street food collective Guerrilla Eats have returned for a second year to curate one of the most important parts of Manchester Day… the food!

Gastronomic delights will be found around every corner during Manchester Day as a bevy of street food vendors – with inspiration sought from across the globe – will be on hand to satisfy the crowds. 

Councillor Pat Karney, Chair of Manchester Day, is bubbling with excitement about this year’s event. He said:  “It’s a day the whole city joins in a magical celebration of all things Mancunian. It’s one of the most exciting events in the UK and certainly one of the best loved in Manchester's world class events diary. It promises, as always, to be a spectacular day and I can't wait to join in the celebrations."

Also in buoyant mood is Councillor Rosa Battle, Manchester City Council's executive member for culture and leisure. Cllr Battle said: “Manchester Day with something for everyone is always a great day out to be enjoyed by the whole family. Not only an exciting day, it also generates a significant financial boost for the local economy. "