'Feel-good' smiley face art trail comes to Greater Manchester for the summer holiday - and it's free
Get ready to find 15 quirky smiley faces
A huge free art trail exploring the ‘full spectrum’ of emotions is coming to Greater Manchester this summer.
The SmileyWorld Art Trail will take place in Stockport between July and September featuring 15 quirky and bright faces for families to hunt down and find, with each reimagined by a different artist.
Marking the first time the trail has appeared in the North West - having previously featured in the likes of Battersea, London and North Tyneside - there will be sculptures to find in key locations across the town centre, including at Merseyway Shopping Centre and Stockport Train Station.
Created by global arts producer Wild In Art, the trail is in partnership with the popular SmileyWorld lifestyle brand, which has collaborated with the likes of M&S, H&M, and Karl Lagerfeld on clothes and accessories.
Each of the sculptures will be uniquely designed, ranging from emotions including joy, pride, surprise and anxiety. They will be located around Stockport Town Centre from July 4 to September 15.
Sculptures will also be able to be found in Market Place, Redrock Stockport, Stockport Underbanks and Stockport Exchange, as well as Viaduct Park, The Plaza, Prince’s Street, Stockport Retail Park and Tesco Portwood.
Free maps will be able to be picked up at local businesses around the town centre, as well as online. Maps will include locations of where to find the sculptures, as well as kids activities.
Shaun Freeman-Jones, BID Manager at Totally Stockport, which is also a partner of the project, said: “The SmileyWorld Art Trail is a fantastic opportunity to welcome residents and visitors into our town centre for a free, feel-good experience this summer - but it’s about more than just smiles.
“The trail explores a whole range of emotions, from joy and excitement to curiosity and anger, brought to life through bold and imaginative sculptures. It’s a celebration of creativity, a boost for local businesses, and a chance for people of all ages to connect with how they feel. It’s bold, bright and it’s bang-on brand for Stockport!”.
It’s the latest in a line of popular arts trails across Greater Manchester which have been appearing for a number of years now. In the past, we’ve had cows and bees, with Stockport hosting a number of frog-themed trails between 2019 and 2023.
There will also be a music trail in the city centre this summer featuring designed guitars to coincide with Manchester’s year of music, including the massive reunion of Oasis this summer.
Adding about the SmileyWorld trail, Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director and Co-founder Wild in Art, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring the SmileyWorld Art Trail to Stockport.
“Exploring the trail is a fun activity to do with friends and family and it’s free to visit. It’s a great opportunity to get out in the fresh air and take a stroll around Stockport town centre while discovering some truly unique and inspiring art.”
The SmileyWorld art trail will take place across Stockport from July 4 to September 15. Maps will be available to pick up via key locations and businesses in the area, as well as online here.