Stockport visitors can expect up to 200 performers at the free Spectacular Sunday festival this November.

Returning for its third year on Sunday 16 November, the festival will involve a myriad of free shows across the town centre.

Expect stilt-walking Christmas belles, comedy chefs, bouncing snowmen, roaming bands, and much more.

The festival will run from 12-5pm, with performers scattered throughout Market Place, the Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock and Suffragette Square.

It will also serve as a milestone, marking the official start of Stockport's Christmas celebrations.

It's been organised by a partnership of Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway shopping centre and Stockport Market, with productions by Global Grooves.

It promises to be an 'unforgettable' day, and could even beat the record of the 2023 Spectacular Sunday, which saw the largest single day of footfall in the town centre since 2019.

Spectacular Sunday has proved a popular yearly event with thousands braving the November weather to watch a huge range of free spectacles (Image - Nub News)

Merseyway has described the full lineup as follows

Merseyway Shopping Centre

Emily Flanagan - Get ready to discover vibrant local talent as this Stockport-based illustrator creates exciting live drawings - Adlington Walk, 12pm – 4pm 

High Flyers - Soar into the spectacular as the formidable flying contraption of the High Flyers slices through the town centre, merging Mad Max chaos with da Vinci genius - Opposite HMV, 12.30pm – 1pm, 2pm – 2.30pm and 3.30pm – 4pm 

Mr Wilson’s Second Liners - Bringing the spirit of New Orleans to the North, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners will turn Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday into a brass-fuelled street party -Stockroom, 2.30pm – 3pm 

L’Hotel - Check in to the smallest hotel in the world – where bellboys somersault, ghosts’ gossip and cabaret dreams come alive in a whirl of French flair and circus chaos - Adlington Walk, 12.30pm – 1.15pm and 3pm – 3.45pm 

Dancing ROBOTS - Get ready to move like a machine because the ROBOTS are here to spark smiles, drop beats and power up the party = Various locations (walkabout), 4.30pm – 5pm 

The Worker Becomes Queen - Watch the Worker Bee take flight and become Queen in this giant puppet parade bursting with colour, rhythm and community spirit - Various locations (walkabout), 12pm – 12.30pm, 2pm – 2.30pm and 4.30pm – 5pm 

Ski Sunday - Hit the slopes without the snow! Ski Sunday brings Segway skiers, retro beats and downhill dazzle to Merseyway - Various locations (walkabout), 12.30pm – 1pm, 2pm – 2.30pm and 3.45pm – 4.15pm 

Cocky Robins - With towering tails and tuneful tweets, the Cocky Robins turn Stockport’s streets in their stage – a soaring spectacle for all ages! - Various locations (walkabout), 12pm – 12.30pm, 1.30pm – 2pm and 3.30pm – 4pm

Swank - Rock around the roaming Christmas tree as Carol and Belle spread laughter, glitter and good cheer wherever they go! - Various locations (walkabout), 12pm – 12.30pm, 1.30pm – 2pm and 3.30pm – 4pm 

Christmas Belles - High above the hustle, the Christmas Belles will twirl, chime and charm their way through the crowds, bringing a dazzling dose of yuletide joy - Various locations (walkabout), 12pm – 12.30pm, 1pm – 1.30pm and 2.30pm – 3pm 

At Your Service -Walter the Waiter is At Your Service! From juggling carrots to serving champagne, he turns every encounter into a feast of fun - Various locations (walkabout), 12.30pm – 1pm, 2pm – 2.30pm and 3pm – 3.30pm 

Spirit of Winter - Hope and Joy light up the night as these dazzling stilt walkers spread sparkle, cheer and winter magic - Various locations, 12.30pm – 1pm and 3.30pm – 4pm 

Steel Band - Steel drums and unstoppable grooves – music that will fill Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday with irresistible Caribbean vibes – Mersey Square, 12.30pm – 1pm, 1.45pm – 2.15pm and 3.30pm – 4pm 

Sing Space Choir - Music fills the air with festive flair as Sing Space Choir take to Merseyway – Merseyway Shopping Centre, 12.30pm – 1pm 

Stockport Market

Half-Naked Chef - Cooking has never been this outrageous! The Half-Naked Chef serves up laughs, chaos and culinary mayhem in equal measure – Inside Stockport Market, 1pm – 1.30pm and 3pm – 3.30pm 

The Bees with ARTIZANI – A hive of curiosity, glowing spectacle and interactive surprises that awaken sight, sound, touch, smell… and maybe a little caution! – Market Place, 1pm – 4pm 

Sidiki Dembele – A master percussionist who brings the pulse of West Africa to Stockport - Market Place, 2pm – 2.30pm 

Mr Wilson’s Second Liners - Bringing the spirit of New Orleans to the North, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners will turn Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday into a brass-fuelled street party – Market Place, 12pm – 12.30pm and 4pm – 4.30pm 

Bees! – Follow the beekeepers into the buzzing world of Bees! Glowing hives, multi-sensory surprises and exciting secrets of the bee kingdom awaits – Market Place, 1.30pm – 2pm and 3.30pm – 4pm 

The Underbanks

SEATED - A street show where chairs come alive, characters interact and the audience gets a front-row adventure like no other! – Underbank Junction, 12pm – 12.30pm, 1.30pm – 2pm and 3.30pm – 4pm 

Miniscule of Sound - The smallest nightclub with the biggest beats! Miniscule of Sound packs fluff, smoke, lasers and non-stop dancing into a pint-sized disco experience – St Petersgate Bridge, 1pm – 5pm 

Dancing ROBOTS –- Get ready to move like a machine because the ROBOTS are here to spark smiles, drop beats and power up the party – Cracked Actor, 12.30pm – 1pm 

Warren Street

Ohana Theatre - Where Stockport’s brightest young stars take centre stage, delivering performances full of passion and flair – 12pm – 12.30pm and 1.30pm – 2pm 

Sidiki Dembele - A master percussionist who brings the pulse of West Africa to Stockport – 12.30pm – 1pm 

Suffragette Square

Dancing ROBOTS - Get ready to move like a machine because the ROBOTS are here to spark smiles, drop beats and power up the party – Suffragette Square, 2.30pm – 3pm 

Spirit of Winter - Hope and Joy light up the night as these dazzling stilt walkers spread sparkle, cheer and winter magic – Suffragette Square, 2pm – 2.30pm 

Sidiki Dembele - A master percussionist who brings the pulse of West Africa to Stockport – Suffragette Square, 3pm – 3.30pm 

Bees! - Follow the beekeepers into the buzzing world of Bees! – glowing hives, multi-sensory surprises and exciting secrets of the bee kingdom awaits – Suffragette Square, 12pm – 12.30pm 

~

Mark Ross, Totally Stockport CEO said: “Stockport likes to do Christmas in its own way and our Spectacular Sunday event is about filling the town with energy, music and performance and giving visitors something unexpected at every turn. It’s a celebration of creativity, community and the independent spirit that makes Stockport what it is.

"This event shows how we kick off the festive season in a way that’s truly unique to our town - and we can’t wait to see everyone back this November.” 

Cllr Michela Meikle, cabinet member for regeneration at Stockport Council, added: “It’s great to see the ever-popular Spectacular Sunday back again for its third year! This free, family-friendly event really showcases the very best of Stockport - our community spirit, creativity and festive cheer.

"With the arrival of Stockroom adding even more energy and creativity and being so warmly embraced by everyone, the town centre has never felt more vibrant. Make sure you put it in your diaries - it’s one not to miss!” 

Victoria Nichol, Merseyway centre manager, also said: “We’re thrilled to be part of Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday for a third year running. It’s become such an important part of Stockport’s Christmas celebrations and an event that truly brings the community and businesses together to launch the festive season.

"Each year it gets even more exciting and creative, and we can’t wait to see families and visitors enjoying all the festive magic once again.”  

~

Free from clickbait, Stockport Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

To get our top stories in your inbox each week, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter HERE.

Please consider following Stockport Nub News on Facebook or X