The Manchester Day festival returns to the city with a bold and boisterous programme of activities.
The free, family-friendly event takes place on Sunday, July 26 – with a special twist.
To celebrate Manchester and Barcelona’s continued partnership, this year performers from Barcelona will help make Manchester Day unforgettable.
Manchester and Barcelona’s friendship goes back to 2024 when the two cities signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Last year, Manchester was even the Guest City at La Mercè festival in Barcelona.
A wide-ranging programme of entertainment, designed to impress the whole family, will go from 12pm to 5pm.
Councillor Pat Karney, Chair of Manchester Day, said: “We can’t wait to welcome our friends from Barcelona to our wonderful city for them to join us in celebrating friendship, community and culture at Manchester Day this year.
“Like Barcelona, we’re known across the world as a city where everyone is welcome, and it’s in moments of celebration, togetherness and culture like this that help connect us not just to our neighbours here in Manchester but to cities and people around the globe.”
Festival activities will take place throughout the city, but most notably in Grade-I-listed Albert Square, which recently reopened to the public after eight years.
Set performances include the acrobatics of Catalan performers Elelei with their piece Too Much, a dance collaboration between Manchester’s own Company Chameleon join forces with dancers from Catalan company Clementine & Lisard, and for the kids, Zum-Zum Theatre’s incredible herd of bright pink inflatable hippos.
Visitors can expect a distinct programme of music, dance and walkabout performers, managed by the city council and outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank, Xtrax Arts, and Global Grooves.
Bev Ayre, Walk the Plank’s senior producer, said: “We’re really excited to be presenting some of the UK’s finest performers, companies and artists alongside amazing Catalan performers and musicians for this year’s Manchester Day extravaganza.”
Xavier Marcé, Councillor for Culture and Creative Industries of Barcelona City Council, said: “Barcelona is delighted to participate in Manchester Day and to strengthen the cultural ties that connect our two cities.
“We are proud to share a glimpse of Barcelona’s cultural spirit with the people of Manchester and to be part of this vibrant collective celebration.”
To find out more information about Manchester Day visit manchester.gov.uk/manchesterday
Featured image provided by Manchester City Council
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