Launching on International Piano Day, 29 March, and running until 31 May 2026, the mjf piano trail competition will see 18 free to access street pianos dotted throughout Greater Manchester. As the UK’s largest piano trail our mission is simple: to encourage everyone to come together and share in the joy of music-making!
In collaboration with our friends at Forsyth Music shop and Yamaha, the mjf2026 piano trail will also see the return of the competition to find Manchester’s hidden talents, with a whole raft of prizes up for grabs (to be announced soon).
But most importantly, the trail invites everyone to get creative, have fun and make music for Manchester. Whether it’s an original composition, a favourite song – jazz or any other genre – we want to hear it!
The 18 pianos will be located around the city region at: The Arndale Centre, Forsyth Music Shop, Aviva Studios, Home of Factory International, Grand Arcade (Wigan), Great Northern, Heywood Market (Rochdale), Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester Central Library, Manchester Piccadilly Station, Middleton Arena (Rochdale), Royal Exchange Arcade, Portland Basin Museum (Ashton-under-lyne), Salford Shopping Centre, The Market at Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre (Oldham),Spinningfields, HOME, Trafford Palazzo and Manchester Victoria Station.
Our launch took place at Trafford Palazzo Sunday 29th March 2PM – 3PM. It featured the winner of last years’ piano trail competition & students of the Trafford Youth Music Services!
Sad you missed it? Why not join us for our pop up event, happening within the Oldham borough. Joining forces with Oldham Coliseum Theatre as part of their pop up art project ‘Tentacles’ you’ll be able to find us 2PM-3PM at Spindles Town Centre. The event will feature a live performance from Soundcheck alumni, Edane, as she shares her rendition of the classics and even some improvisation. Free event, no sign up required! Just meet us outside of our piano (just outside of Next) at 2PM.
play it forward: street piano fund
This year we are joining forces with Forsyth Music Shop to fundraise for a bigger and better piano trail with our Play it Forward: Street Piano Fund campaign. We hope to expand the current network of street pianos to reach new venues, boroughs and communities across Greater Manchester all year round, to ensure more people have the opportunity to play and enjoy music-making, no matter what their age or ability.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND DONATE
the return of our sold out walking tours in collaboration with FMWT
Plus, mjf2026 will see the return of our previously sold out piano walking tours (Sunday 17 & Sunday 24 May), in collaboration with Free Manchester Walking Tours. Join Josh (FMWT) as he follows the mjf piano trail across the city centre, exploring the fabulous interiors of Manchester’s theatres, art galleries and music venues and artists, as well as uncovering secret street art and learning about the origins of a famous Manchester fruit drink. The tour also includes pop-up performances by Sherpa K – the makers of art-folk with a knowing twink. Boasting a musical arsenal from saxophone and flute to piano and double bass, the five Sherpas are on a mission to confuse, charm, and promote universal joy.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “This city-region has music running through its veins,and helping connect people to new musical experiences and supporting talented musicians has always been so important to us. 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 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, added: “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.”
mjf piano trail competition
HOW TO ENTER THE COMPETITION
To be in with a chance of winning a prize, simply find one of the pianos in the trail, capture a short video of your tune, 5 minutes max, and post the video to your Instagram, Facebook or TikTok account (*not as a story). The competition closes at midnight on 31 May 2026. Tag mjf @manchesterjazzfestival on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok and use the hashtag #mjfpianotrail
There are no rules regarding who can apply, what kind of music you play or what your performance involves. Just have fun and get creative!
At the end of the piano trail, mjf and Forsyth’s will select all winners and the winning entries will be showcased on social media and YouTube.
prizes
The prizes up for grabs so far are:
winner – Zachary Howlett – Yamaha Digital Piano
You can check out last year’s winning entry in the mjf 2025 Piano Trail. A composition by rising star Zachary Howlett.
our runners up
We also awarded prizes to 8 highly-talented runner ups:
Please click the link here to view the full T&C’s for the mjf2026 Piano Trail competition.
