00:00 2023 was a big year for Manchester. We saw the launch of the B Network, London-style
00:05 integrated transport network system, Factory International's flagship huge event space
00:10 Aviva Studios opened and at the end of the year iconic fashion brand Chanel brought its
00:15 Metiade Art fashion show to the Northern Quarter streets.
00:18 But as usual, the city is preparing for a big year again in 2024 and a host of international
00:24 and national events in Manchester are already on the cards. Alongside some exciting new
00:29 developments.
00:30 First up on the list of what's coming up this year is the 50th anniversary of the Greater
00:35 Manchester Region. Greater Manchester was formally created in 1974 as part of the Local
00:41 Government Act 1972. There may be some events celebrating this milestone of the 10 boroughs
00:47 as we head into the year but nevertheless it's important to recognise what has been
00:51 achieved by the region over the last five decades.
00:55 Next up, Manchester has been named as the first ever European Capital of Cycling for
00:59 2024. More details about what this will entail will be revealed further into the year but
01:05 we can likely expect lots of cycling related events.
01:09 After closing its doors to the public in 2021, the Manchester Velodrome at the National Cycling
01:15 Centre reopened in September 2023 following £27 million of work to improve its facilities.
01:22 The Michelin Awards ceremony will be taking place at the Midland Hotel this year on the
01:26 5th of February. Manchester only has one Michelin starred restaurant but with the prestigious
01:32 event being hosted in the city this year, it is hoped there will be more to come. All
01:36 the chefs running Michelin starred restaurants in Great Britain and Ireland will be invited
01:41 and the ceremony will announce Michelin stars and Michelin Green stars for sustainable gastronomy.
01:47 Radio 6 Music Festival returns to Manchester between the 7th and the 10th of March for
01:51 its 10th edition. The BBC Radio 6 flagship event will see the line-up announced within
01:56 the next couple of months but we can expect to see some big names.
02:01 With the launch of the first B Network yellow buses in 2023, the transport network system
02:06 will see further expansion this year. Bus services will begin running in Oldham, Rochdale,
02:11 parts of Bury, Salford and North Manchester from March 2024.
02:17 Next up is the highly anticipated opening of the brand new state-of-the-art events arena
02:21 Co-op Live. This space is set to open in April and the line-up of artists already set to
02:26 play there includes Take That, The Jonas Brothers, Olivia Rodrigo, Simply Red and more.
02:33 Greater Manchester mayoral elections will be taking place on the 2nd of May this year.
02:38 Current Mayor Andy Burnham is set to run for a third term and other candidates include
02:42 Conservative Dan Barker and Independent candidate Nick Buckley.
02:47 And finally, the Worldwide Music Expo, the largest international event of its kind, will
02:52 be coming to Manchester on the 23rd to the 27th of October. Thousands of musicians from
02:57 around the world are expected to visit the city for the event and there will be plenty
03:01 of opportunities for Mancunians to get involved.
03:05 2024 is set to be another big year for the city region. Stay tuned to keep up to date
03:10 with what's happening in Greater Manchester.
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