The full parade route and timings, and what’s happening where at Manchester Day this weekend including the full map

The Manchester Day Parade will return – pictured here in 2025(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)

An epic day of activities is planned for the return of Manchester Day – the big family friendly event celebrating the city. The event’s huge and colourful parade will be back, as well as a host of other family-friendly events taking place across the city centre.

This year’s event will have a Catalan twist as performers from Barcelona fly in to Manchester to join the celebrations. Manchester Day takes place on Sunday, July 26 – instead of its usual Saturday for the first time.

Events will kick off from midday and run through until 5pm with a whole host of performances and walkabout shows taking place across the city centre. We’ve put together your essential guide to the day, including a full map of what’s happening where and when.

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Visitors can expect music, dance, performances and walkabout shows across the city’s pedestrianised squares, with the main focus of activities on St Peter’s Square, Albert Square, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Square, Brazennose Street and Lincoln Square.

The event will be the first time Albert Square has been in use for Manchester Day since the Grade I Town Hall was closed for restoration in 2018. And it will be a spectacular return – including the day’s all-singing and dancing finale taking place here at 4.35pm.

Manchester Council is once again working with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank, Xtrax Arts, and Global Grooves, along with partners from Barcelona for the first time, on a programme for the day that has “something for everyone”, they say.

While there will be a Catalan theme, visitors can also expect some “surprising and full-of-fun links to books and reading along the way to mark this year’s national year of reading”.

As for what to expect on the big Manchester Day Parade? Think damsels in distress, mischievous gnomes, a roaming dragon, and unicycling knights through to a herd of hippos, giant polar bears, acrobatic librarians, and the chance to step inside the belly of a giant inflatable whale.

Over 500 people will take part in the parade(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)

The legendary Manchester Day parade will bring together over 500 performers and feature 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.

Visitors can also see how many different books and characters you can spot as the parade makes its way through the city streets in a nod to the book theme too. It has also been announced the parade will take a new route this year setting off on St Peter’s Square – with full details below.

In keeping with the literary theme of the parade, this year’s Manchester Day also includes a full programme of story-themed activities and free fun for all the family at Manchester Central Library, which will be opening specially for the day.

Councillor Pat Karney, chair of Manchester Day, 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!”

Here’s the full list of what to expect where and when this year.

Manchester Day Parade route and times 2026

Manchester Day is famous for its parade(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)

Manchester Day returns this year on Sunday July 26. Family-friendly events will take place across the city from 12noon to 5pm.

The biggest moment of the day will be the parade – where people line the streets to cheer on the performers and community groups as they snake through the city centre.

The parade follows a new route this year – setting off from St Peter’s Square at 1 pm. It well then travel down Peter Street, turning right on to Deansgate at the cross roads. It will then travel down Deansgate, past Kendals, before turning right on to St Mary’s Gate past the big M&S. It will then turn right on to Cross Street, past the big Boots.

The final leg of the parade will see it turn head past Albert Square for the first time by turning left on to Princess Street. It will then finish back at St Peter’s Square where the parade will end.

Mancheseter Day 2026 map

Here’s the full map for the day.

Manchester Day 2026 map(Image: Manchester Council)

Albert Square

Albert Square is back in action for events after several years of closures due to the Our Town Hall restoration project. This means families will get to enjoy a host of activities and performances here in this pedestrianised zone.

Expect musical performances, acrobats, and a cast of roaming performers, from mischievous gnomes and damsels in distress, to costumed animals and a serenading punt.

Expect character comedy, interaction and plenty of unexpected moments as the cast move through the crowds.

You’ll also find facepainting and delicious food and drink options in Albert Square. Here’s the full schedule of what’s happening:-

MAIN STAGE

  • 12.40pm to 1.15pm (and 3.10pm to 3.40pm): Baked A La Ska. Original tunes and ska-infused covers of your favourite songs.
  • 1.20pm to 2pm (and 4.10pm to 4.35pm): Mr Swing’s Dance Orchestra. A big band playing classic nostalgia-packed swing hits from the 30s onwards.
  • 2pm to 2.30pm: Mr Wilson’s Second Liners – Brass Rave. A New Orleans‑inspired street party blending live brass with 90s club classics.
  • 3.40pm to 4.10pm: Always Drinking Marching Band – The Street Is Ours. A street music show combining live music with humour and visual gags.
  • 4.35pm to 5pm: Finale. The best of Catalan street music, Always Drinking Marching Band collides with brass band Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, featuring glorious puppetry, drumming from Global Grooves and two of Barcelona’s traditional Gegantes.

POP UP SHOWS

  • 12 noon to 12.40pm (and 2.30pm to 3.10pm): Motionhouse – BLOCK. Supercharged outdoor dance-circus show with acrobatics, daring lifts and fast-paced movement. Created and directed by Kevin Finnan. Original concept, design and production by Ali Williams. Originally produced and developed in collaboration with NoFit State

St Peter’s Square and Central Library

St Peter’s Square will host a lot of activity for Manchester Day 2026(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)

This is set to host some of the most spectacular centrepieces of the day – including where you can step inside the belly of a giant inflatable sperm whale. Circo Rum Ba Ba invites young explorers to a kelp‑filled ocean world for an immersive storytime.

You can also enjoy a mix of pop-up acts, from Hong Kong’s TS Crew’s high‑energy street dance show, to The Circus House’s acrobatic librarians. Expect brass, dance and joyful community moments from Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, Always Drinking Marching Band and Dance Like a Mother.

Imaginative walkabout performances will weave their way through the square. Look out for giant polar bears, a dragon and unicycling knights.

There will be food traders here too bringing local and global flavours. Here’s the timing and schedule of things happening

CENTRAL LIBRARY

POP UP SHOWS

  • Circo Rum Ba Ba – The Whale. An immersive storytime inside a giant inflatable sperm whale. Various times
  • 12 noon to 12.30pm (and 1.15pm to 1.45pm, 3.45pm to 4.15pm): The Circus House – Catalogued. Acrobatic librarians will be popping up between the shelves on a surprising bookcase with a difference.
  • 1.15pm to 1.55pm (and 3.45pm to 4.25pm): TS Crew – No Sugar No Milk. Theatre, martial arts, dance, beatboxing, and circus artistry inspired by Hong Kong’s diner culture.
  • 2pm to 2.30pm: Always Drinking Marching Band – The Street Is Ours. A surreal street music show combining live music with humour and visual gags.
  • 2.45pm to 3.15pm: Dance Like a Mother. A joyful large‑scale dance celebrating parents, babies and the community.
  • 3.15pm to 3.45pm: Mr Wilson’s Second Liners. New Orleans-style brass band mash-up with 90s club classics.

ROAMING PERFORMANCES

  • Creature Encounters – Smoked. A fantasy walkabout encounter filled with dragons, knights and theatrical adventure.
  • Creature Encounters – Inka. A giant polar bear story about a bear driven south in search of a new home.
  • Autin Dance Theatre – Brimstone Dragon. A six-metre roaming dragon brought to life by four puppeteers.
  • AWOL Circus Arts – Knightly Nonsense. A comic walkabout with two unicycling knights on a quest to spread laughter and joy.
  • Apus Productions – The Animals. Roaming characters creating playful chaos through music, movement and audience interaction.

Exchange Square

There will be lots of music performances across the city(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)

Visitors can expect big beats over in Exchange Square. A music-led programme 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, it’s a relaxed mix of music, movement and community spirit.

  • 12 noon to 12.35pm: Kemoy and the KYSO Project CIC. Manchester youth collective bringing DJing, dance and live performance together in a high‑energy set.
  • 1.05pm to 1.35pm: Rochdale in Rhythm CIC – Langley Bookuleles. Community ukulele group, rooted in library and reading culture, will be performing some popular songs for you to dance and sing along to.
  • 2.05pm to 2.35pm: Royton Ukulele Group. Relaxed singalong ukulele performance.
  • 2.40pm to 3.10pm: The Bridgewater Hall Singers. One of our favourite Manchester Day choirs returns for a good singalong.
  • 3.30pm to 3.50pm: Prestwich Community Choir. A welcoming local choir will perform a feel-good set of contemporary pop and musical theatre songs.
  • 4pm to 4.30pm: Soulbeats Dance Troupe – Bollywood Fusion. Bollywood fusion and semi-classical dance rooted in storytelling through movement.

St Ann’s Square

Expect book-themed fantasy as Birdcage Stage’s colourful reimagining of Alice’s Wonderland and Told by an Idiot’s duelling Shakespeares. Meanwhile at St Ann’s Church expect pop-up shows from Barcelona. There will also be harp performances from Rebecca Mills throughout the day.

BIRDCAGE STAGE

  • 12 noon to 12.20pm (and 2pm to 2.20pm, 3.30 to 3.50pm): Rebecca Mills. Harp performance.
  • 12.10pm to 12.30pm (and 2pm to 2.30pm, 4.25pm to 5pm): Told by an Idiot – Kill Will. Fast-paced street theatre where two rival Shakespeares battle it out with chaotic comedy.
  • 12.30pm to 1pm (and 2.50pm to 3.20pm, 3.55pm to 4.25pm): Birdcage Stage – Queen of Hearts. A reimagining of Alice’s Wonderland with aerial performance, puppetry and humour.
  • 2pm to 2.45pm: Joan Català with Pelat. A show that blurs the lines between circus, dance and thrilling theatre.

THE DANCE FLOOR STAGE

  • 12 noon to 12.30pm (and 2.20pm to 2.50pm): Elelei – Too Much. A dance and physical theatre work exploring the line between care and control through acrobatics and movement.
  • 12.30pm to 1.30pm (and 3.55pm to 4.55pm): Kamchàtka. An immersive performance exploring human connection and migration.
  • 1pm to 1.30pm (and 3.25pm to 3.55pm): Company Chameleon and Clémentine & Lisard – The Ultimate Player’s Handbook. A dance piece where play, rules, movement and teamwork unfold like a living handbook, inspired by everyday games.
  • 1.30pm to 2pm (and 4.25pm to 4.55pm): Zum-Zum Teatre – Hippos. A visual theatre work in which a herd of hippos explores identity, connection and what it means to be human.

Brazennose Street and Lincoln Square

This is the zone to head to for sports enthusiasts and newbies alike. There will be a pedal party with a specially-created bike circuit in collaboration with British Cycling and MCRactive, we’re bringing the joy of cycling to all.

You can also have a go on GLL’s running track or challenge your friends and family to a giant game.

There’s also chance to take part in a football cone challenge for your chance to win a prize with City in the Community and to find out more about Man City’s charity.

Meanwhile on Lincoln Square, skateboard fans can find out more about Ramp on the Roof, Manchester’s biggest skateboarding festival taking place this summer at Depot Mayfield.

Road closures

The Parade will mean some road closures on Sunday(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)

Motorists should be warned that road closures will be in place in Manchester city centre on Sunday to allow for the parade. These are as follows

Sunday 26 July, 11am to 3pm

Peter Street (Hall Street to Deansgate)

Mount Street (Windmill Street to Albert Square)

Deansgate (St Johns Street to Cateaton Street)

Sunday 26 July, 11am to 4pm

St Mary’s Gate (Exchange Street to Deansgate)

Market Street (Cross Street to Exchange Street)

St Ann’s Street (Deansgate to Cross Street)

Cross Street (Corporation Street to Princess Street)

Princess Street (Cross Street to George Street)

John Dalton Street (Deansgate to Cross Street)

King Street (Spring Gardens to Cross Street)

Parking Suspensions

Suspensions to include all loading bays and accessible parking bays.

Saturday 25 July at 9pm to Sunday 26 July at 9pm

Peter Street (Portland Street to Deansgate)

Mount Street (Windmill Street to Albert Square)

Deansgate (St Johns Street to Cateaton Street)

Central Street (Southmill Street to Mount Street)

St Mary’s Gate (Exchange Street to Deansgate)

Market Street (Cross Street to Exchange Street)

St Ann’s Street (Deansgate to Cross Street)

Cross Street (Corporation Street to Princess Street)

Princess Street (Cross Street to George Street)

John Dalton Street (Deansgate to Cross Street)

Clarence Street (Princess Street to Booth Street)

St Mary’s Street (Southgate to Deansgate)

Southgate (King Street West to St Mary’s Street)

Museum Street (Peter Street to Windmill Street)

Southmill Street (Windmill Street to Lloyd Street)

Lloyd Street (Southmill Street to Deansgate)

Dickenson Street (Portland Street to George Street)

George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)

Cateaton Street (Exchange Square to Deansgate)

St James’ Square (John Dalton Street to End)

Booth Street (Cooper Street to Clarence Street)

Kennedy Street (Cooper Street to Clarence Street)

King Street (Spring Gardens to Cross Street)

Queen Street (Deansgate to Lincoln Square)

Bus Lane Suspensions – Sunday 26 July, 7am to 7pm

Deansgate (St Mary’s Gate to John Dalton Street)

Princess Street (near junction with Cross Street)

Tram closure/disruption

While most Metrolink services will be running during Manchester Day, visitors are warned that there are ongoing tram improvement works that will be affecting some routes into the city centre on Sunday July 26.

Tram service changes

  • No trams will run on the Altrincham, Eccles and Trafford Centre lines.
  • Services on the East Didsbury and Manchester Airport lines will terminate at Firswood.
  • Services on the Rochdale line will terminate at Exchange Square.