Stockport will be hosting a huge celebration next weekas the town centre comes together to host the Stockport Town of Culture Weekender – a two-day, fun-packed weekend of free cultural festivities and free access to must-visit venues.
With over 50 events and activities taking place over the weekend of 23rd and 24th March, the Town of Culture Weekender will showcase the incredible variety of culture and creativity happening in Stockport, as well as the work and projects that have been delivered during the Town of Culture year.
Marking the end of the town’s Greater Manchester Town of Culture status, activities will be taking place at 25 locations across the town, encouraging visitors to explore new spaces while enjoying an event programme packed with live music, art, comedy and history.
The newly opened town centre Park – the first green space in the UK to be built on top of a transport interchange – will play host to many of the activities across the weekend. These will include a Carnival of the Animals parade, curated by carnival arts organisation Global Grooves featuring giant animal puppets, a grandpa comedy duo, live music with Pandemonium Steel Band, Tai Chi and Yoga taster classes and a Stockport Sculpture Trail.
Music and dance will be showcased at venues including Merseyway Shopping Centre, Thread, Petersgate Tap, Magnet, Spinning Top and the Market Place, while Stockport Library will be bringing fun to little ones with a Bluey Day, featuring games and crafts based on the popular animation series.
A series of walks, tours and activities will also take place across the weekend, including a Hatting Walk and Stockport Music Walk, taking visitors on a fascinating journey through the town’s heritage, while The War Memorial Gallery will also be hosting the Stockport Rising Exhibition, showcasing the works of five local celebrated artists.
For those who are interested in exploring the town’s many attractions, many will be offering free entry for all, including the newly re-opened Hat Works Musuem, Air Raid Shelters and Stockport Museum, as well as six local art studios which will open their doors across the weekend.
Councillor Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “It will be wonderful to celebrate the end of our town of culture year with such a big extravaganza in the town centre, with so much to keep the whole family entertained. We hope this event will showcase just what we have achieved this year. It’s been wonderful to see residents and visitors enjoying all we have to offer culturally as a borough, whether going to an event or exhibition, shopping in the town centre or one of our district centres or enjoying a bite to eat.”
“With help from everyone who has helped organise Town of Culture, we have facilitated and created a positive impression of the borough and a lasting legacyof creativity in the arts with Stockport Makes and Stockport Sounds, the ways in which we’ve helped residents get active with Stockport Moves and the wonderful cuisine we have on offer with Stockport Tastes. We’ve shown that Stockport is on the up and the place to be, now and in the future.”
