Decorative image: Thank you Manchester branding on a billboard

THANK YOU,
MANCHESTER

Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 August,

1pm to 6pm, free

You’re invited to a weekend of fabulous free entertainment on the streets and in the squares of Manchester City Centre this summer. This fun-filled festival of thanks is designed to bring the laughter back and a smile to all.

As Manchester continues to welcome everyone back to its restaurants, galleries, shops, museums and other delights, there’ll be street theatre, music, dancing and colour popping up all around the city centre to add to the fun.

The performances on Saturday will be repeated on Sunday – we wanted to spread the fun over the whole weekend so as many people as possible can enjoy the event safely.

Manchester City Council are working in partnership with outdoor arts experts Walk the Plank to deliver this exciting summer event.

#ThankYouManchester

Decorative image - Thank you Manchester logo

WHAT’S ON

PICCADILLY GARDENS

Soak up the fun in Piccadilly Gardens! Look out for animal-tastic visitors, including Plucky, a ginormous friendly chicken, accompanied by her hen-pecked sidekick. Say hello to marvellous bright pink Flamingos named Issiah and Florence, and charming beekeeper double act The Bee Cart.

Get your face painted and dance along with the ‘Thank You Troupe’! Specially created for the Thank You Manchester Weekender, this joyful troupe will be playing music and dancing to summer tunes, accompanied by large-scale puppets operated by fabulous stilt-walking dancers, speedy unicyclists the Wheel Nuts as well as Circus House’s daring acrobats, jugglers, aerialists, and more!

CATHEDRAL GARDENS

Relax in Cathedral Gardens as delightful large-scale butterflies from The Butterfly Collection delicately wander by. Take part in a whimsical tea party with Tea Club and watch The Jester’s stunning physical performances that blend storytelling, circus, art, and theatre by Acrojou.

ST PETER’S SQUARE

Soak up the sounds of lively music while marvelling at the gigantic vegetable patch that has magically sprung up in St Peter’s Square! Be sure to keep an eye out for The Nutkins – two delightfully charming spectacle wearing squirrels. Crafters will also be entertained by an interactive crafting experience, designed by Dan Potra and made by Chris Anderson at No Eyed Theatre, that takes inspiration from the weaving history of the city, encouraging Mancunians to ‘make do and mend’.

EXCHANGE SQUARE

A Manchester Market will also take over Exchange Square for the weekend selling iconic Manchester pictures, Manchester themed/printed clothing and accessories and local produce.

With surprising and otherworldly acts walking around, this is Exchange Square as you have never seen it before! You’ll be delighted by Bicycle Bistro — flamboyant, moustachioed waiters bringing cafe culture to Exchange Square. Expect hat juggling, spinning plates, moustaches, and more. Watch on as mysterious and otherworldly Spark! take to the streets, performing rapturous drumming and impressive choreography. These delightful and visually arresting performances will be sure to captivate you.