Manchester’s biggest artists and DJs are uniting for a second street art festival celebrating the city’s creative talents. The Mancunian Spray will see over 50 street and graffiti artists, including local talent, battle against artists from around the country.  

The one-day, free festival is being staged on Saturday 21st September from 11am – 5pm, transforming a car park off Chapeltown Street, in Piccadilly East. The event will raise money for the Mayor’s Homelessness Charity to help end rough sleeping in the city.

Sacha Lord, nightime economy advisor for Manchester and Parklife founder, has supported the not-for-profit event by curating a roster of DJs. Art Battle Manchester are behind the high energy art battles with street food and a makers’ market from GRUB and bars by Track and Squawk brewing. With an afterparty in CAPITAL&CENTRICs Crusader Mill, the festival is set to eclipse last year’s success.

It’s the brainchild of John Macaulay, co-founder of Art Battle Manchester, local street artist Jay Sharples and Tim Heatley, co-founder of social impact developers CAPITAL&CENTRIC.

John Macaulay, founder of Art Battle Manchester, said: "We love giving artists a platform to showcase their remarkable talents and connecting them with the wider community. It's a real buzz when we still see people taking pictures of the artwork from last year. We're confident this year's murals will be even better. It's a testimony to the generosity of the artists that they are helping to raise money for the city's homeless."

Tim Heatley, co-founder of CAPITAL&CENTRIC and Chair of the Mayor’s Homelessness Charity said: “Last year was epic and we auctioned off some awesome artwork, raising thousands of pounds. This year’s going to be bigger and better. It’s going to have a real festival vibe. We’ve got street food and a makers’ market from GRUB and over 50 street artists ready to pit their talents. We’re hoping to raise loads more money this year to help people living on the streets find a home.”

Alongside Aske P19 – whose graffiti portraits of famous faces have become a much-loved feature across the city – The Mancunian Spray boasts a chance to see other world-renowned artists, including Tank Petrol and more. The artwork created on the day will be auctioned off in aid of Andy Burnham’s Homelessness Charity.

Entry is free, and visitors to the family-friendly celebration can expect the best street artists creating live masterpieces; DJs; street food traders and artisan stalls. The event is sponsored by Epsilon, owner of the nearby Aeroworks building, and Aecom Capital and Olympian Homes, the joint venture partners of the new residential development planned at Rammon House on Portugal Street East.