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Brit Awards art trail turns streets into a gallery

Ewan GawneNorth West
News imageJack Oliver Part of a car park site has been painted to show an illuminated Brit Award in orange. Jack Oliver
Buildings have been painted in anticipation of the 2026 Brit Awards in Manchester

Manchester city centre has been transformed with colourful murals and billboard takeovers by local artists as part of the build up to the Brits next week.

The awards ceremony will be held in the city for the first time on 28 February at the Co-Op Live, with stars including Harry Styles set to perform.

News imageJack Oliver A billboard with a mural of two people singing with microphones set above a brick wall. Jack Oliver
The artworks can be found across the Northern Quarter and city centre

More than 20 local artists have worked to turn parts of the Northern Quarter and Ancoats into an open air gallery as part of a Brit Awards art trail that includes murals, window installations and other displays.

Manchester artist Stanley Chow, who curated the trail, said he was "immensely proud" to showcase some of the artistic talent on show across the North West.

News imageEllen Offredy A billboard showing vignettes of scenes involving a Brit Award. It features the words 'Only in Manchester' on it.Ellen Offredy
The dedicated trail takes in 21 separate locations
News imageEllen Offredy Windows displays on an office block featuring three women's faces in cartoon style, in the colours red, yellow and pink. Ellen Offredy
Each of the works has been created by artists local to the North West
News imageEllen Offredy A graffiti display outside the entrance to a car park. Ellen Offredy
The trail is part of a series of events building up towards the Brits
News imageEllen Offredy A man in a cherry picker waves while another one looks on from the ground as they both work on a piece of wall art. Ellen Offredy
The trail is part of the build up to the Brit Awards which take place on 28 February

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