| Where: | Saddleworth, Greater Manchester - several locations including Walk to Uppermill King George V Playing Field for 11 am and village centres including Dobcross and Uppermill for Contests |
| When: | Whit Friday |
| Time: | Walks from 10 am; Band Contests from 4 pm until around 12 pm (see links for complete schedules) |
Described in the local press as “the greatest free show on earth”, the Whit Friday Walks and Band Contests in the Saddleworth district near Manchester are a much loved local institution. With several villages in the area taking part, there are a number of locations from which to watch the proceedings. During the morning, the Whit Walks take place with parishioners following their banners for united open-air services, including hymns and bands playing of course,while the afternoon sees competitors playing in the Band Contests, often well beyond the hours scheduled in the programme. Brass and silver bands from around the country take part (often over 100 enter the competitions) and prizes are awarded for different criteria at the different locations. Whit Walks were once common perambulations throughout England, but have dwindled in most areas apart from the North West; traditionally participants wear their best new outfits for the event. The Band contests have been taking place for well over a century and the combination of the two aspects of the event makes for a very full day out, especially as with a bit of planning and studying the schedules, it’s possible to see several locations in the day.
Helpful Hints
The date of Whit Friday is linked to Easter so it varies from year to year. Whitsuntide is another name for the Christian festival of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Disciples; Whit Sunday is always the seventh Sunday after Easter, and Whit Friday is the Friday following Whit Sunday.
In 2024 it should be on Friday May 24th.
Details of the event are usually published in the local press – some local villages have their walks on Whit Sunday but others like Uppermill stick with Whit Friday.
Click here for more: https://potsandpanscottage.com/2018/01/10/saddleworth-whit-friday-band-contest-2018/
Follow the link below for the full location and schedule details
and for the Bands: https://saddleworthwhitfriday.co.uk
If you arrive by car be aware that there are many road closures and if you need to leave before about midnight you need to park outside the closed zones! Check with the individual locations for their current rules.
At Uppermill, the Saddleworth Museum has a display on the Band contests and is right next to the start of the parade for the contest.
Where is the best place tosraytowatch the whitsun marches?
Hi Noel
I watched the marches last year from the High Street at Uppermill, which was a good vantage point and it was just along the road from the King George V Playing Field where the bands stop to play their individual contest pieces. It was easy to move between the street to watch the marching and the field to listen to the contest and the Saddleworth Museum on the High Street is worth a visit too. I haven’t got first hand experience of any of the other march locations but I’d recommend Uppermill- plenty of nice places to eat and drink too and some interesting shops. It makes a good day out but it’s Whit Friday not Whit Sunday so make sure you’re there on the right day!
Best wishes,
Averil