Manchester Day’s WoW workshop opens for business

Manchester Day is coming! Hold Sunday 23 June in your calendars for a free family day out based around the theme '10 out of 10' as Manchester Day returns to the city centre for the tenth time from midday until 6pm.

Ahead of Manchester Day, the now famous WoW Workshop creating this year's incredible artworks has opening its doors, right here at Mayfield. The workshop has welcomed top artists from across the North West, as well as from Kerala (India), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Cairo (Egypt) in collaborations supported by Arts Council England’s Elevate programme.

Run by the outstanding outdoor arts organisation, Walk the Plank, artists will be joined at the WoW Workshop by the hundreds of volunteers from community groups across the city who are ready to begin the mammoth task of creating the artworks, costumes and props that make Manchester Day the top rated highlight of the city’s packed events calendar.

Revelers will delight in a kaleidoscope of colour, sound and culture as community groups join the parade to celebrate the best of Manchester’s people, cultures and communities and their astounding achievements in industry, science, music, fashion, education and sport. As always, music, dance and outdoor theatre will also spill over into the city centre squares for a full afternoon of family entertainment, food and drink – all of which will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Councillor Pat Karney, Chair of Manchester Day, said: “The excitement is ramping up as we prepare to celebrate 10 incredible years of this big free family day out in the city.

“Now the hard work begins as hundreds of artists, community groups and volunteers will be working tirelessly over the next few weeks to deliver the immense, city centre wide, celebration of Manchester’s rich diversity and creativity.”

Councillor Luthfur Rahman, Manchester City Council’s executive member for culture and leisure, said: “ Generations of families and thousands of Mancunians are counting down to this unmissable party of culture and identity. Manchester Day provides a unique opportunity for community groups from across the city to join with artists and businesses to unleash their collective creative genius in celebration of all things Manchester.”

Liz Pugh, Co-Founder of Walk the Plank and Manchester Day Executive Producer, said: “This year, we invited all the community groups and participants who have been part of the show over the last decade and we were delighted that so many groups who have been part of its history will be taking to the streets once more to help us celebrate ten years of Manchester Day. It’s an honour to be working with more than 1500 amazing citizens, who have given their time, energy and some great ideas, supported by a team which includes people who have worked on every single parade. This event is the envy of every city in the North!”