Organisers are pulling out all the stops to make sure the city centre will be buzzing all day long with plenty of things to see and do, as well as making sure the iconic Manchester Day Parade is the most memorable yet.
This year’s parade draws strongly on ideas of Mancunian identity, and of stories past and present – a parade in which everyone in the city, whether they’re taking part in the parade or watching it, can recognise themselves. Each of the main floats has a story that reflects Manchester’s place in the world, as seen by the diverse communities that make up the city.
The Creative Director behind this year’s parade is the internationally acclaimed and award-winning production designer Dan Potra, whose past work includes the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, three Commonwealth Games – the 2018 Gold Coast games, Melbourne 2006, and Delhi 2010 – as well as production design on the opening of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the 2008 opening and closing ceremonies of the Liverpool European Capital of Culture.
Think gondolas (in Manchester!). Think the Town Hall Clock. Think Manchester’s famous railway arches, a steam train full of horses, the Queen Bee, a giant pram, and much more.
Prepare to be surprised – behold the Queen Bee as she reigns over her hive of subjects, resplendent on her upcycled gondola. See the railway arches of Manchester come alive with eye-catching creations that explore sustainable living and caring in our community.
Boogie along with bouncing babies and samba beats. Watch out for the Peppered Moths as they make their incredible transformation from white to black. Pollution caused them to change colour during the Industrial Revolution, then back to white again once the air was cleaner.
Check out the holidaying horses, passing by in their train carriage, pulled by an engine powered by human pedal power. A view of the future as human ingenuity replaces fossil fuels in the post-industrial age and we move beyond horsepower and steam. Hitch a ride and take in the view!
The parade will start at 1pm from the corner of Deansgate and the Beetham Tower, making its way down Deansgate, along St Mary’s Gate, up Cross Street, and onto John Dalton Street, before re-joining Deansgate and ending at the Beetham Tower around an hour and a half later.
After a forced three-year absence due to Covid, this year’s parade promises to be an absolute show-stopper as it also welcomes, for their very first Manchester Day, a very special young guest who last year made her home in the city after an epic 8,000 km journey across Europe from Syria.
Little Amal – the 3.4 metre high puppet of a Syrian girl refugee who arrived in Manchester last summer – will be out and about in the city centre during the day, where she will happen upon the Parade in a spectacular fashion – before taking in all the sights and sounds of the unforgettable annual parade as it makes its way through the city streets.
With the spotlight for the return of Manchester Day this year firmly fixed on children and young people as part of the city’s year-long 2022 Our Year campaign, and as Manchester works towards becoming a UNICEF recognised child-friendly city, event organisers are asking the city’s children and young people to look out for Little Amal and be ready to extend the hand of friendship to her, and show her the true spirit of Manchester and how the city likes to celebrate.
Young people themselves are playing a big part in all aspects of this year’s Manchester Day. As well as helping make some of the fantastic costumes and parade floats, taking part in the parade itself, singing, dancing, and helping to choreograph it, young people have also been given the special job of curating all the activity on the day that will take place in the event space on Piccadilly Gardens.
They’ve programmed an epic day of sounds, moves, and more in the space. From street dance and soulful acoustic sets, to urban positive rapping, an Instagram wall – great for those picture-perfect snaps – and a graffiti wall for young people to express what Manchester means to them through art and creativity. The packed programme of exciting and fun activities throughout the day also includes a climbing wall for those who are feeling a bit more energetic, along with sports sessions and fun games for all courtesy of MCR Active, and face-painting.
Across the city centre, Cathedral Gardens will come alive throughout the day with free entertainment for all ages from 11 am – 5 pm. Try your hand at circus skills, feel the beat with live dance and music, and be entertained as you explore the food and drink stalls on offer. You’ll also be able to meet the Climate Change Mythbuster to help debunk some popular myths about what we can do in the face of the climate emergency.
Over in Exchange Square explore exciting, sponsor led activities and discover the Manchester Letters – a magnificent installation of human sized love letters to the city, created by three local artists and Manchester people in 2021 as part of the Thank You Manchester Weekender.
