Operational & Security Support CityCo and Manchester BID provide business networks with operational and security services to help bring the right people together to resolve neighbourhood and practical issues. We work on behalf of members and with...
The Manchester Flower Festival: May 2023
Manchester BID’s annual floral takeover features flower displays, green takeovers and art installations, alfresco food and drink, talks, workshops and live music.
The event attracts tens of thousands of additional visitors to the city centre and launches the summer event season in the city.
The promotional campaign is delivered by CityCo, who manage the Business Improvement District. We work with Echo PR, Modern Designers, Marketing Manchester, Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester, and media partners on the promotional campaign.
Festival Highlights
26-29 May Bank Holiday 2023
Festival Zone: Exchange Square, New Cathedral Street, St Ann’s Square, King Street
- ‘Manchester in Flowers’ Floral Display and Garden Trail
- Green installations and displays from local community groups, gardeners and florists
- Floral-themed installations from city centre shops, bars, restaurants and businesses
- Al fresco dining: street food and outdoor bars
- Live music and entertainment
- Talks, demonstrations and workshops
- Flower, art and craft market stalls.
City Wide Fringe: Installations across the city centre at NOMA, First Street, Castlefield Viaduct.

IC: Carl Sukonik, The Vain Photography
2023 Headlines
Footfall
- 100,000 additional visitors to the city centre v the 2022 Flower Festival
- Footfall +24% v 2022 Flower Festival
- Footfall +44% v same weekend in May 2022
- Footfall on Sunday 28th May doubled v Sunday of the 2022 Flower Festival
Digital Stats
- +115,000 views of mcrflowerfest.com
- +1.2 million paid digital impressions across Facebook, Instagram and Google
- +540,000 organic social media reach
Press Coverage
- £502,000 of press coverage (AVE) across 121 titles, including BBC North West Tonight, Yorkshire Evening Post, BBC Radio Manchester, Manchester Evening News, Manchester’s Finest, The Manc, Cheshire Life, Business Desk
- Success featured as Place North West’s ‘Thing of the Week’

Take Part
We annually welcome numerous participants, suppliers and wider city businesses as part of the show.
If interested in chatting about how your business can take part, please email gary.williams@cityco.com
