Greater Manchester, North West

Walkabout Characters for Hire in Manchester

Costumed characters and actors who mingle, interact and stay in character, from Gatsby guests to nutcrackers and deep-sea creatures. Booked across Manchester and Greater Manchester, including Cheetham Hill and Salford.

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Gatsby 1920s Prohibition actors: walkabout characters, gatsby theme

Living statues
Stilt walkers
Champagne walkers
Aerialists
Fire shows
Giant martini glass
Can-can
Mermaids
LED performers
Jazz & swing
Gatsby nights
Winter wonderland

Walkabout Characters in Manchester at a glance

Booking walkabout characters in Manchester

WowActs books walkabout characters in Manchester, Greater Manchester, 30 miles south-west of Bradford, covering the M1, M2, M3, M4, M11, M12, M13 and M14 and nearby postcode districts.

Last updated 6 October 2026

County: Greater Manchester
Postcodes: M1, M2, M3, M4, M11, M12 +6
Location: 30 miles south-west of Bradford

Booking walkabout characters for a Manchester event

Manchester sits in Greater Manchester, 30 miles south-west of Bradford. Whether your event is in a hotel, a marquee or your own garden, we plan walkabout characters around the space, the timings and the guests.

Manchester is 30 miles south-west of Bradford, and we book walkabout characters into every part of North West, from Old Trafford and Salford outwards.

A tip for Manchester bookings: characters work best alongside a headline act.

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Walkabout Characters at real events

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From real events

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Themes

Walkabout Characters in a themed package

Book this act on its own, or as part of a full themed line-up.

How it works

Booking is easy

1
Tell us about your event
Your date, venue, guest numbers and the feeling you want. A theme in mind, or just a blank canvas. It takes a minute.
2
Get your line-up and quote
We suggest the acts that fit your space, timings and budget, and send one clear quote with everything included.
3
We bring the wow
We plan arrival, set-up and timings with your venue and event team, then the performers do what they do best.

The guide

Booking walkabout characters in Manchester: the complete guide

Written by The WowActs team, Event entertainment specialists

· Last updated 6 October 2026

The short answer

WowActs books walkabout characters in Manchester, Greater Manchester, 30 miles south-west of Bradford, covering the M1, M2, M3, M4, M11, M12, M13 and M14 and nearby postcode districts. Every event is different. Prices depend on the acts, the number of performers, timings, travel and location, so we quote each booking individually.

Hand-picked
professional performers only
Fully themed
costumes styled to your event
Greater Manchester
every postcode covered
Corporate ready
briefed to your run of show
Single act or package
mix and match freely
One clear quote
usually the same day

What are walkabout characters?

Walkabout characters are costumed performers who roam the event in character, chatting, posing for photos and reacting to guests. They make a theme feel real rather than just decorated.

Characters range from Gatsby partygoers and pirates to nutcrackers, jellyfish, octopus and other sea creatures, depending on your theme.

Where it works best

Festivals
All-day walkabout for a crowd.
Family events
Fun, friendly characters for all ages.
Christmas parties
Nutcrackers and festive characters.
Launches
Characters linked to your campaign.
Under-the-sea
Pirates, jellyfish and sea creatures.
Themed parties
Characters who bring the theme to life.

Tips from our team

1
Plan photo spots
Characters near your backdrop make better photos.
2
Mix with a showpiece
Characters work best alongside a headline act.
3
Brief them on your guests
Tell us about your audience and the characters will adapt.

Frequently asked questions

Do venues around Manchester have rules for performers?

Many hotels and country houses have rules on ceiling rigging, fire, access times and changing space. Tell us your venue when you enquire and we will check everything before we confirm.

How much do walkabout characters cost in Manchester?

There is no fixed price. Every event is different. Prices depend on the acts, the number of performers, timings, travel and location, so we quote each booking individually. Travel is part of the quote, and Manchester is 30 miles south-west of Bradford. Send us your date and venue for free, no-obligation options.

Which postcodes around Manchester do you cover?

All of M1, M2, M3, M4, M11, M12, M13, M14, M15, M16, M21 and M60, including Old Trafford and Salford, plus the rest of Greater Manchester and nearby Cheetham Hill, Salford, Stockport and Ashton-under-Lyne.

Do walkabout characters talk to guests?

Yes, in character. They chat, pose and react, which is what makes them memorable.

How far ahead should we book?

As early as you can. Friday and Saturday dates in December and the summer months go first, often months ahead. Short notice is sometimes possible, so it is always worth asking.

Can the performers match our theme or brand colours?

Usually, yes. Tell us your theme, colours or brand guidelines and we will suggest the costumes and acts that fit best.

Do you work with our venue and event team?

Yes. We agree access, changing space, timings and any venue rules before the day, and work to your run of show.

Still have questions?

Tell us about your event and we'll come back with options.

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Local to Manchester

Walkabout Characters across Manchester and nearby

Postcodes we cover

We book walkabout characters in Manchester and every address in the M1, M2, M3, M4, M11, M12, M13, M14, M15, M16, M21 and M60 postcode districts, including Old Trafford and Salford. We also travel across Greater Manchester and the rest of North West.

Also covering nearby

Venues near Manchester

We cover every venue in and around Manchester, from hotels, conference centres and country houses to marquees, offices and private homes. Tell us where your event is and we will check access, ceiling height, timings and any rules for performers.