Stockport lines up 50 events across 25 locations at FREE Stockport Town of Culture Weekender
Stockport is preparing for a weekend of culture on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th March with more than 50 events lined up across 25 locations at the FREE Stockport Town of Culture Weekender
A Carnival of the Animals parade, live music, comedy acts, music, theatre and dance performances, sports workshops, crafts, heritage walking tours, free entry to local venues and more.
Stockport will be hosting a huge celebration next weekend as the town centre comes together to host the Stockport Town of Culture Weekender – a two-day, fun-packed weekend of free cultural festivities and free access to must-visit venues.
With over 50 events and activities taking place over the weekend of 23rd and 24th March, the Town of Culture Weekender will showcase the incredible variety of culture and creativity happening in Stockport, as well as the work and projects that have been delivered during the Town of Culture year.
Marking the end of the town’s Greater Manchester Town of Culture status, activities will be taking place at 25 locations across the town, encouraging visitors to explore new spaces while enjoying an event programme packed with live music, art, comedy and history.
The newly opened Viaduct Park – the first green space in the UK to be built on top of a transport interchange – will play host to many of the activities across the weekend. These will include a Carnival of the Animals parade, curated by carnival arts organisation Global Grooves featuring giant animal puppets, a grandpa comedy duo, live music with Pandemonium Steel Band, Tai Chi and Yoga taster classes and a Stockport Sculpture Trail.
Music and dance will be showcased at venues including Merseyway Shopping Centre, Thread, Petersgate Tap, Magnet, Spinning Top and the Market Place, while Stockport Library will be bringing fun to little ones with a Bluey Day, featuring games and crafts based on the popular animation series.
A series of walks, tours and activities will also take place across the weekend, including a Hatting Walk and Stockport Music Walk, taking visitors on a fascinating journey through the town’s heritage, while The War Memorial Gallery will also be hosting the Stockport Rising Exhibition, showcasing the works of five local celebrated artists.
For those who are interested in exploring the town’s many attractions, many will be offering free entry for all, including the newly re-opened Hat Works Musuem, Air Raid Shelters and Stockport Museum, as well as six local art studios which will open their doors across the weekend.
Councillor Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said:
“It will be wonderful to celebrate the end of our town of culture year with such a big extravaganza in the town centre, with so much to keep the whole family entertained. We hope this event will showcase just what we have achieved this year. It’s been wonderful to see residents and visitors enjoying all we have to offer culturally as a borough, whether going to an event or exhibition, shopping in the town centre or one of our district centres or enjoying a bite to eat.
“With help from everyone who has helped organise Town of Culture, we have facilitated and created a positive impression of the borough and a lasting legacy of creativity in the arts with Stockport Makes and Stockport Sounds, the ways in which we’ve helped residents get active with Stockport Moves and the wonderful cuisine we have on offer with Stockport Tastes. We’ve shown that Stockport is on the up and the place to be, now and in the future.”
Councillor Frankie Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport at Stockport Council, said:
“There will be so much to see and do over the Stockport Town of Culture Weekender. So, save the date and make your way to the Town Centre to enjoy all the fun with your friends and family as we bring the curtain down on a fantastic year in Stockport with the Town of Culture Weekender.”
Full Programme Highlights:
Viaduct Park
Saturday 23rd March 2024
Carnival of the Animals Parade – A stunning procession featuring giant animal puppets curated by carnival arts organisation, Global Grooves, 12 ‘til 12.30pm, 1 ‘til 1.30pm and 2.15 ‘til 2.45pm
Walkabout carnival acts – From a comedy Grandad duo and walkabout pigeons to stilt walkers and a live ski band, there’ll be plenty of entertainment to discover at Viaduct Park throughout the day, 12pm – 3.30pm
Sunday 24th March 2024
Stockport Moves Tasters – Try new ways to get active in Stockport’s newest greenspace at Stockport Interchange. Sessions include yoga, Tai Chi and dance, 11am – 2pm
Merseyway Shopping Centre & Market Place
Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th March 2024
Town of Culture Performance Showcase – Curated by local performing arts organisation, NK Theatre Arts, the heart of the town centre will come alive with over 15 dance troops and live music performances, 11am – 4pm
Merseyway Shopping Centre
Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th March 2024
Rise and drop a beat with Omnimusic – Giving everyone the opportunity to be part of the Town of Culture Weekender, Omnimusic is bringing a unique immersive experience to Stockport, where visitors will be able to express themselves musically via two lifts located in the Clock Tower. Featuring interactive music boxes as you ride, children and adults alike will be able to show off their musical talents as they rise and drop in the centre, open for public use both days
Interactive Mural Workshop – Help to create the biggest bottle cap mural in the UK with Stockport’s recycle centre, Plastic Shed, as they host interactive workshops across the weekend at Merseyway. Co-designed by the people of Stockport, the mural will highlight endangered and protected wildlife in the town, whilst celebrating nature and local landmarks. This project has been fully funded by the UKSPF. Located at Merseyway opposite the Air Raid Shelters, 10am – 5pm
St Peter’s Square
Saturday 23rd March 2024
Company Chameleon – A powerful and moving dance performance, which follows the journey of six people seeking refuge. A play on words, the performance brings home the brutal reality of how people are refused and treated like refuse, when they leave their homeland in search of a better life. Inspired by the painting, The Raft of the Medusa (1819) by Théodore Géricault, Refuse explores the relevance of the artwork, in relation to the plight of asylum seekers today. The choreography is physically powerful and emotive. The dancers use their bodies, props, and the set to explore different feelings, experiences, and scenarios. Through dance and movement, Refuse shares the raw reality of asylum, migration, and displacement, and encourages you to reflect, 11am (40min Refuse performance), 12pm (30min Chameleon Youth Juniors performance) and 2pm (40min Refuse performance)
War Memorial Art Gallery
Saturday 23rd March 2024
Stockport Sings! – Hear Stockport in full harmony at this showcase of local choirs and voice groups, 11am – 3pm
Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th March 2024
Stockport Rising Exhibition & Creative Commissions Showcase– Showcasing and celebrating the work of contemporary Stockport artists including Eric Jackson, Kate O’Brien, Lucy Burgess and Jackie Wagg and David Chandler, 10am – 4pm
Stockport Museum
Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th March 2024
Strawberry Studios Revealed – Strawberry Studios expert, Dr Peter Wadsworth, will curate a pop-up exhibition of items from the Strawberry Archive, including recordings, equipment, and memorabilia from this legendary Stockport institution, 1pm – 4pm
Stockport Central Library
Saturday 23rd March 2024
Bluey Day – Crafts, games, and a whole range of activities inspired by everyone’s favourite Heeler family, 10am – 3pm
Heritage and Music Walks (various locations)
Sunday 24th March 2024
Street Art Walk – See over 40 murals and learn about the history and different types of street arts and discover what’s happening in Stockport’s Creative Quarters. Booking essential www.stockporttownofculture.co.uk, 11am-12:30pm & 2pm-3:30pm. Limited places.
Hatting Heritage Walk – Explore key locations connected with Stockport’s hatting heritage to mark the full reopening of Stockport’s Hatworks. Led by local hatting expert Sue Lea. Booking essential www.stockporttownofculture.co.uk, 11am-12:30pm. Limited places.
Merseyway & Modernism Walk – Explore the architecture of Stockport’s groundbreaking Merseyway Shopping Centre and other modern gems. Led by local photographer and artist, Steve Marland. Booking essential. www.stockporttownofculture.co.uk, 1pm-2:30pm. Limited places.
Stockport’s Music Map – Discover Stockport’s music history including brand new plaques erected as part of Town of Culture projects. Led by local music experts, John and Rosemary Barratt. Booking essential www.stockporttownofculture.co.uk, 1pm-2:30pm. Limited places.
Additional events at various locations
Open Studios – From screen printing to ceramics, explore Stockport’s creative spaces showcasing a range of arts and craft techniques, ARC Centre, 11am – 2pm, Merseyway Workshop, 11am – 4pm, Sleepy Parrot Studios, 11am – 4pm, Underbank Studios, 11am – 4pm, Small Press Studios, 11am – 5pm, both days
Stockport Sounds Showcase – Leaf Promotions & local venues showcase local artists playing a mixture of acoustic, americana, rock & indie pop, 1pm-5pm & 8pm-10pm (varies across venues), The Angel, Petersgate Tap, Magnet Freehouse, Thread, both days
For more details on activities taking place across the town, please visit https://www.onestockport.co.uk/townofcultureevent/stockport-town-of-culture-weekender/
