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!
ST ANN’S SQUARE
Come and write or draw your message of thanks on the Manchester Love Letters…
A magnificent installation of human-sized letters will be worked on by three talented local artists which will become a huge colourful thank you to the city.
You are invited to join us in St Ann’s Square between 1pm and 6pm, on Saturday 14 or Sunday 15 August and unleash your creativity. There’s no need to book, just turn up. Led by Art Battle Manchester.
Big People Music are doing a takeover of the Bruntwood Stage in St Ann’s all weekend – expect some great world music.
Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance outside St Ann’s Church on Sunday at 12.30pm – all are welcome to come and remember. There will be a one-minute silence remembering all who we lost during the pandemic.
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’.
Central Library is open all weekend and plays host to a musical extravaganza on Sunday. Try your hand at playing one of the instruments from the library’s collection, hear the Northern Chamber Orchestra perform, or catch the amazing Hip Hop archive exhibition, marking over 40 years of Hip Hop lifestyle and culture. (Open Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 12 noon to 4pm)
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.
