Manchester’s St George’s Day Parade returns this weekend

Manchester’s St George’s Day Parade returns to the city this weekend.

This year’s procession will take place on Sun 27 Apr, beginning its route from Varley Street at 12pm.

The parade will commence at Varley Street, turning left onto Oldham Road (southbound only), and will travel towards the city, crossing over Great Ancoats Street to Oldham Street.

It will then turn left on Piccadilly, left on Newton Street, left on Dale Street, right on Lever Street, left on Great Ancoats, right on Oldham (northbound only), right on Butler Street, left on Bradford Road, and finally left back to Varley Street.

The parade will feature performers on decorated floats. As in previous years, a cavalcade of up to 300 mopeds will join the parade for part of the route, along with a regal Queen Victoria in a royal carriage, a blue dragon towering at 7ft and an array of community groups across Manchester.

In total, the parade is expected to last around 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Councillor Pat Karney, City Centre Spokesperson, said: “I’m thrilled to see the return of the St George’s Day Parade in our incredible city which serves as a reminder and reflection of our proud heritage. This is a day for families, friends and neighbours to come together to celebrate the true meaning of community.

“The parade will be a colourful display of Manchester and our nation’s history, a reminder of our achievements and a proud celebration of our shared, diverse nation. I look forward to seeing thousands of Mancunians come together and I hope to see you there.”

Thelma McGrail, Chair of the St George’s Day organising committee, said:  “Manchester’s St George’s Day Parade, celebrating England’s Patron Saint, has been an annual event for the last 19 years, this being the 20th. The parade itself is abundant in diversity, growing each year, uniting all communities. The event receives a huge amount of support before and on the day of the parade with hundreds of participants and thousands of spectators.”

The Manchester Marathon will also be taking place this Sunday, though the council says it does not expect the events to impact each other.