From 29 March – 31 May, the mjf piano trail competition encourages everyone to get creative and just have fun. And for those who want to take part, there’s a chance to enter a competition to win a Yamaha digital piano and many more prizes!
There will be two 'celebrity' pianos from the BBC joining the piano trail this year. They've been in BBC Radio studios for decades and have been played by lots of famous people and bands, most recently the Verve and Rufus Wainright and back in the day, Paul McCartney and David Bowie!
THE LAUNCH
We’re delighted to announce that Emma Loat, Manager of Forsyth Music Shop, will launch the mjf2026 piano trail competition, which will take place from 2-3pm on Sunday 29 March at Trafford Palazzo, in recognition of International Piano Day. The launch will feature a live performance from local singer-songwriter Charlie Cooper and other guests to be announced soon on manchester jazz festival’s social media channels.
PRIZES
The prizes up for grabs so far are:
- Yamaha Digital Piano
- HOME Bar & Kitchen: Two course meal for two (including bottle of wine/soft drinks)
- mjf friends’ membership and tickets to an mjf2027 event of their choice
- Oldham gift card
- Plus more to be announced
PLAY IT FORWARD: STREET PIANO FUND
manchester jazz festival and Forsyth’s Music Shop are joining forces to fundraise for a BIGGER and better piano trail with their Play it Forward: Street Piano Fund campaign; to maintain and expand the current network of street pianos to reach new venues, boroughs and communities across Greater Manchester all year round. To find out more and how you can support, please visit: www.manchesterjazz.com/
PIANO TRAIL WALKING TOURS
After three years of sold-out tours, the piano trail walking tours are back! Join Josh from Free Manchester Walking Tours (FWMT) and his band, Sherpa K, as they follow manchester jazz festival’s famous piano trail across the city centre on Sunday 17 and Sunday 24 May (£12 per adult, children go free). There will also be live performances at some of the pianos on the trail, more information to be announced soon.
HOW TO ENTER THE COMPETITION
To be in with a chance of winning a prize, simply capture a short video of your tune, 5 minutes max, and post the video to your social media account (*not as a story). The competition closes at midnight on 31 May 2026. Tag mjf @
There are no rules regarding who can apply, just have fun and get creative! At the end of the piano trail, mjf and Forsyth’s will select all winners, whose entries will be showcased on social media and YouTube.
Visit manchesterjazz.com/pianotrail
The mjf piano trail competition is delivered in partnership with the world-renowned Forsyth Music Shop of Deansgate and Yamaha pianos and is part of manchester jazz festival (mjf2026) which will take place at 12 venues across and beyond Manchester city centre from 15 - 24 May 2026. Visit manchesterjazz.com for more information and to book tickets.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “This city-region has music running through its veins, and the mjf piano trail will take music back out onto the streets of Manchester, giving more people the chance to try their hand at playing and to encounter the vibrant music of our city in a really unique way.”
Emma Loat, Manager of Forsyth’s Music, said: “For many years, we’ve had a street piano at the front of the Forsyth’s shop on Deansgate, so we know that Manchester and the surrounding areas is full of talented musicians and those willing to have a go. We’re really excited to supply 18 pianos to a growing number of venues for the mjf piano trail and we’d urge all those budding performers to come forward, have a go and be in with a chance of winning some fantastic prizes.”
James Sargeant from Yamaha, one of this year’s piano trail sponsors, said: “We are thrilled to be working with the manchester jazz festival again this year in support of the mjf piano trail 2026. This fantastic initiative enables anyone and everyone to enjoy playing and listening to the piano, in some iconic locations across the city and of course, with the chance to win a Yamaha digital piano this is not an opportunity to be missed! We look forward to hearing lots of new talent which will no doubt emerge during the trail.”
The 18 piano locations are: Piccadilly Station, Manchester Arndale, HOME, Victoria Station, Great Northern, Spinningfields, Royal Exchange Arcade, Central Library, Forsyth Music Shop, Aviva Studios, Manchester Art Gallery, Salford Shopping Centre, Trafford Palazzo, Grand Arcade (Wigan), The Market at Spindles Shopping Centre (Oldham), Portland Basin Museum (Ashton-under-Lyne), Heywood Market (Rochdale) and Middleton Arena (Rochdale).
Follow manchester jazz festival:
Facebook at /manchesterjazzfestival
Instagram @manchesterjazzfestival
TikTok @manchesterjazzfestival
Hashtag for piano trail: #mjfpianotrail
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