10:00 and 13:30
Christmas 2026 · Now booking
Three days. Six experiences. One extraordinary stretch of river.
Follow the River Irwell for around 50 minutes through stories, music, surprising history and an immersive headphone soundscape. Then cross from Manchester into Salford, take a seat beside the river and experience a 15-minute musical finale where everyone is invited to join the chorus.
Choose your Christmas experience
There are two experiences each day. Please arrive 20 minutes before your booked start time. Advance booking is required.
10:00 and 13:30
10:00 and 13:30
Booking is open now. Places are limited to 35 people per experience and tickets must be booked in advance. Book securely through TryBooking.
What happens?
Listen, discover, cross the river, then join the finale
About 50 minutes: follow the river
Starting from Aviva Studios, follow an easy-paced route of approximately a quarter mile. Through your own supplied wireless headset, hear commentary, local voices, songs and an atmospheric soundscape while the bridges, railways, waterways and buildings around you reveal their stories.
The journey moves from Manchester across the River Irwell into Salford.
No phone, app or personal headphones are needed. Wireless headphones are provided and hygienically prepared before each experience.
About 15 minutes: face the river
The walking stops and everyone takes a seat on the Salford side, facing the Irwell and Aviva Studios.
Here the new Mancunianity Flows song is unveiled and the audience is invited to join the performers and Weavers in the chorus.
Singing is always optional. No singing experience is needed, and listening is equally welcome.
Tickets
Adult£15
Child or young person aged 3-17£5
Family / intergenerational£38
Under 3sFree, no ticket
Access companionFree
Family ticket: two adults and two children or young people aged 3-17. Smaller and differently shaped family groups can simply combine £15 adult and £5 child tickets.
Book ticketsWho is it for?
Mancunianity Flows is a festive experience for all generations. The storytelling is designed to entertain curious older children, teenagers and adults while giving families plenty to notice and talk about together.
- Come with children, parents or grandparents
- Come with a partner, friend or neighbour
- Come on your own. Solo bookings are very welcome
- No previous knowledge of Manchester, Salford, history, theatre or music is needed
- Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult
We currently expect the storytelling to work particularly well for ages 8+ through adults, while younger family members are also welcome with their adults.
Manchester-weather ready
Ordinary rain will not stop the experience, so come dressed for Manchester in December. Warm layers, waterproof clothing and comfortable footwear are strongly recommended.
Severe weather or unsafe river conditions may require a change, postponement or cancellation. If that happens, booked visitors will be contacted using the details supplied at booking.
If you prefer extra comfort for the seated finale, bring a small waterproof sit-mat or cushion.
Start, finish and timing
Meet at The Social, Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester M3 4JQ.
Please arrive 20 minutes before your booked departure. The experience itself is approximately 65 minutes: around 50 minutes moving through the landscape followed by a 15-minute seated musical finale.
Allow around 90 minutes in total for arrival, the experience and departure.
After the finale, return to Aviva Studios for toilets, refreshments and a warm, dry space.
Plan with confidence
Access and practical information
- Approximately quarter-mile route
- Easy-paced and step-free
- Maintained pedestrian paths
- Capacity limited to 35 people per experience
- Seating available for the final musical section
- Wheelchair users may remain in their own chair during the finale
- Wireless headphones supplied
- No phone or app required
- Singing is optional
Ready to follow the river?
Choose from six experiences on 19, 20 and 21 December 2026 at 10:00 and 13:30.