Bowie In The City: Fashion Battle

Bowie In The City: Fashion Battle takes over The Social, Aviva Studios on Wednesday 30 December, a night that brings together twelve Manchester QTIPOC artists for a head-to-head showcase of Bowie fashion, music, dance, burlesque and drag. It's part of David Bowie: You're Not Alone, the wider season running at Aviva Studios from 8 December 2026 to 10 January 2027.

The format is a battle across four rounds, each named after a Bowie track: Let's Dance, Fashion, Heat and Star. The performers have to bring something different to the dance floor every time they step out, and the rounds whittle the field down until only one winner is crowned. It's a long one, running for about three hours, and it's for 18+ only.

Beyond the competition, the night is built around performance, transformation and identity, and the mix of music, dance, burlesque and drag means it's as much about the costumes and the stage presence as it is about the dance floor. The twelve artists are all Manchester-based QTIPOC performers, so it's a local line-up taking on a global icon.

Doors open at 19:15 at The Social, Aviva Studios, St John's, Manchester, M3 4JQ. Entry is free, but you need to book in advance. If you need an access ticket, you'll have to get that directly from Factory International.