All you need to know about Manchester Flower Festival
The streets of Manchester have been transformed with beautiful blooms and inspiring floral installations by talented florists and gardeners for the start of a three-day celebration of flowers.The themes of the 2025 Manchester Flower Festival which begins on Friday, include the city's industrial roots as well as its music culture. Described by organisers Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) as a free "petal powered" event, it was arranged on behalf of city centre businesses.Here is everything else you need to know about it from Gary Williams, head of events at Manchester City Centre BID.
When is it and where?
The festival begins on Friday and will take place over the bank holiday weekend until Monday. Nine, professionally designed displays can be found across a trail that runs through the city centre at the following locations:Manchester Arndale shopping centreThe PrintworksTwo on New Cathedral StreetExchange StreetSt Ann's SquareThe Royal Exchange and Two on King StreetThere will also be other garden and green displays throughout the city's shopping streets too.
When and why was it set up?
The festival, billed as "green takeover of the city", evolved as a successor event to the Dig the City summer garden festival, organisers have said.It started in 2021, welcoming people back into the city after the Covid lockdown, with colourful floral creations from some of Manchester's most talented florists and gardeners.
What is the theme?
This year's theme is Manchester's musical and industrial heritage as well as celebrations of other great cities around the world.The floral trail features displays on themes including the vibrant markets of Marrakech, city life in New York, Paris and Mumbai, and the tulip fields of Amsterdam.
What are the highlights?
Mr Williams said the trail is the "backbone of the event" along with the floral marquee on New Cathedral Street, which features a collection of displays from Manchester florists.Other displays can be found across the city at sites from Afflecks (formerly Afflecks Palace) to Sadler's Yard, which has a garden installation inspired by the nearby hot air balloon ascent of James Sadler in 1785.Melanoma UK in collaboration with not-for-profit landscape design studio Constructing Minds with Nature has created a shaded garden space to deliver a message about sun safety, skin protection, and melanoma awareness.Inspired by the charm of Parisian café street scenes, the garden will pay homage to the year 1804 when melanoma was first identified by René Laennec.
Is it family friendly?
Organisers have said there is plenty for children to do from free child-friendly workshops such as craft wildflower seed bombs and building insect hotel.A bee hunt will also be held Exchange Square along with a bee procession, where families dressed as bees can follow the much-loved Queen Bee figure around St Ann's Square on Sunday.
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
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