Manchester’s favourite day of the year is back this weekend with a fantastic day of free family fun this Sunday 26 July – and this year with a Catalan twist to celebrate the city’s cultural ties with Barcelona.
Inspired also by this year’s National Year of Reading, Manchester Day 2026 promises a fantastic day full of music, dance, community, and pop-up surprises.
The council has worked with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank and others on a programme for the day that is full of fun, with something for everyone.
The city is also extending the very warmest of Manchester welcomes to some of the best performers and musicians from Barcelona as they come and join our Manchester Day celebrations.
The collaboration follows Manchester’s role as guest city at last year’s iconic La Mercè festival in Barcelona, the first-ever English guest city chosen by Barcelona officials to take part in the annual event, and that saw Manchester artists and performers head to Barcelona to take part in the world-renowned Catalan festival.
Catalan highlights at this year’s Manchester Day include The Ultimate Player’s Handbook – a not-to-be-missed dance performance that sees dancers from Manchester’s own Company Chameleon join forces with dancers from Catalan company Clementine & Lisard to perform a vibrant dance piece created and first performed by the two companies last year for Barcelona’s world-famous La Mercè festival.
Performance artist and Catalan superstar Joan Català is also paying a visit to Manchester performing with Pelat in a show that blurs the lines between circus, dance, and thrilling theatre.
Get ready also to be amazed by the acrobatics, movement, dance and physical theatre of Catalan performers Elelei with their piece Too Much, alongside an immersive travelling pop-up performance theatre piece from Kamchà tka, and look out for Zum-Zum Theatre’s incredible herd of bright pink inflatable hippos that is sure to be a hit with children of all ages.
It wouldn’t of course be Manchester Day without the legendary Manchester Day Parade – the centrepiece of the annual celebration, with its cast of hundreds, that every year delights the crowds as it makes its way through the city streets.
This year’s parade sets off from St Peter’s Square at 1pm – following a route along Peter Street, Deansgate, St Mary’s Gate, Cross Street, Princess Street and back to St Peter’s Square.
The day’s festivities will draw to a close with an unmissable grand finale on Albert Square from 4:35pm that will see musicians and performers from Manchester and Barcelona join together in a fabulous finale finish celebrating the two cities – expect loud music, bees, and giants!Â
Here’s the lowdown on what to expect at this year’s Manchester Day:
MANCHESTER DAY PARADE
This year’s spectacular parade with its Catalan twist will bring together over 550 performers and feature 25 community groups from across the city and beyond all celebrating Manchester’s rich cultural heritage, alongside giant puppets and bold costumes inspired by Catalan tradition.
Brought to life by local people working alongside artists in the lead-up to the event, community groups across the city have been hard at work helping to create what is set to be a fantastic fun-filled parade from start to finish, filled with music, energy, colour, and Catalan vibes.
Booklovers of all ages are also in for a treat as this year’s parade also has something of a bookish theme for 2026, taking inspiration from the current year-long national celebration of books and reading. Rise to the reading challenge and see how many different books and characters you can spot as the parade makes its way through the city streets.
Led by Manchester’s very own giant-sized Queen Bee and Worker Bee, joined by Barcelona’s own larger-than-life festival giants – the gegants – on their first ever trip outside of Spain, this year’s parade promises to be extra special this year and lots of fun from start to finish.
Look out for the amazing Chinese junk boat complete with the Hong Kong skyline above it, and an enormous basket filled with the most amazing colourful fungi.
Don’t miss the bookshelf stuffed with over-sized books, the hungry caterpillar cycling along the parade route, and stilt walkers with their heads in the clouds.
And keep an eye out for the sextet of endangered animals from the red squirrel to the butterfly, and a flock of exotic birds on umbrellas, as well as a kingfisher, a beautiful phoenix, and even an eagle on a bike!
With dancers from community groups across the city wearing their own traditional costumes, and live music from start to finish, the not-to-be-missed parade sets off from St Peter’s Square at 1pm – following a route along Peter Street, Deansgate, St Mary’s Gate, Cross Street, Princess Street and back to St Peter’s Square.
ALBERT SQUARE
Enjoy a lively mix of ska, swing and brass on the main stage from Baked A La Ska, Mr Swing’s Dance Orchestra, and Mr Wilson’s Second Liners. See playful street performances from Always Drinking Marching Band – all building towards the grand finale.
Witness astounding acrobatics, daring lifts, and fast-paced action from Motionhouse.
Meet a cast of roaming performers, from mischievous gnomes and damsels in distress, to costumed animals and serenading singers in a punt. Expect character comedy, interaction and plenty of unexpected moments as the cast move through the crowds.Â
ST PETER’S SQUARE
Step inside the belly of a giant inflatable whale and escape with Circo Rum Ba Ba to a kelp-filled ocean world for an immersive story-time.
Enjoy a mix of pop-up acts, from the high-energy street dance of Hong Kong’s TS Crew, to a troupe of acrobatic librarians courtesy of The Circus House.
Expect brass, dance and joyful community moments from Mr Wilson’ Second Liners, the Always Drinking Marching Band, and Dance Like a Mother.
Look out for giant polar bears, a brimstone dragon and unicycling knights.
CENTRAL LIBRARY
See book characters step off the page as the library opens from 11:30am – 5pm for a Sunday funday full of free family fun taking inspiration from the National Year of Reading.
Take a trip in the big glass elevator with Willie Wonka, step through the wardrobe past all the clothes into the magical world of Narnia, and keep an eye out for the Mad Hatter and for Captain Hook as he tries to get you to walk the plank.
Take part in a crafting workshop to make a book-inspired head dress or hat and wear your book-inspired hat to watch the Manchester Day Parade before taking part in the ‘Hat Walk’ at 3pm in the library and showing off your creation – the best hats will win prizes!
ST ANN’S SQUARE
Immerse yourself in book-themed fantasy outside the Royal Exchange with the Birdcage Stage’s colourful reimagining of Alice’s Wonderland in Queen of Hearts, and a pair of duelling Shakespeares.
Enjoy the Catalan vibes with pop-up shows from Barcelona including dance and street theatre from Elelei and Compania Kamchà tka.
Catch Manchester’s own Company Chameleon working with Catalan artists Clementine and Lisard, and look out for Zum-Zum Theatre’s herd of Hippos.
And don’t miss Catalan superstar Joan Català with Pelat in a show that blurs the lines between circus, dance, and thrilling theatre.
EXCHANGE SQUARE
Expect big beats over in Exchange Square in a music-led programme that features young Manchester talent from Kemoy and the KYSO Collective, plus feel-good performances from local ukulele groups, choirs and singers.
From singalong favourites to Bollywood fusion dance with Soulbeats, enjoy a relaxed mis of music, movement, and community spirit.
BRAZENNOSE STREET
The place to be for sports enthusiasts or wannabes.
Join our Manchester Day Pedal Party in collaboration with British Cycling and MCR Active – bringing the joy of cycling to all.
Seasoned cyclists or beginners – everyone is invited! Join in Have a go on the specially created bike circuit and or test your MTB skills.
Have a go on GLL’s running track or challenge family and friends to a giant game, or take part in the football cone challenge with City in the Community for the chance to win a prize.
Councillor Pat Karney, Chair of Manchester Day, Manchester City Council, said: “The countdown is now on to Manchester’s favourite day of the year, and we just can’t wait to share it with everyone!
“As well as our fabulous Manchester Day Parade and a packed programme of free fun across the city, this year’s going to be an extra special day thanks to our friends from Barcelona who are bringing some sensational musicians, dancers and performers to share the day with us and bring the Catalan vibes to the streets of Manchester.
“Hola Manchester! It’s going to be a brilliant day – don’t miss it!”
Activities run throughout the day on Sunday 26 July from 12 noon to 5pm.
VisItors to Manchester Day are urged to travel by public transport where possible and to visit: tfgm.com/plan-a-journey to work out their journey in advance.
For more information about the craft workshops at Central Library visit:Â librarylive.co.uk
For more information about Manchester Day activities and the timings of different activities and performances visit:Â manchester.gov.uk/manchesterday
