Universally Manchester Festival

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The University of Manchester is hosting Universally Manchester, a free festival to celebrate its bicentenary – taking over campus from Thursday, 6 June to Sunday, 9 June 2024.

Festival goers will be able to curate their own varied programme, from behind-the-scenes tours to salon discussions, music, theatre, comedy, art, poetry, wellbeing and more, with something on offer for all ages and interests.

From poetry to physics, music to medicine and computing to creative writing, the festival will have a different focus each day. More than 150 imaginative and immersive events will take place in unexpected places across campus, with events popping up everywhere: labs, concert theatres, outdoor spaces and the University’s award-winning culture hotspots Whitworth Art Gallery and Manchester Museum.

Universally Manchester will acknowledge the University’s global impact; the world firsts, the life-changing discoveries, the music, art, science and creativity, all sparked in Manchester. Many well-known figures from the University’s past, present and future will feature, with renowned physicist and award-winning podcaster Professor Brian Cox, and BAFTA-winning broadcaster, writer and historian Professor David Olusoga, the first to be announced.

The festival will also celebrate the here and now, creating a platform for current students and graduates to showcase their creativity and ideas.

Saturday will provide family-friendly fun with the return of the ever-popular Community Festival – insightful performances, have-a-go activities and an engaging experience for all.

On Sunday, Whitworth Art Gallery presents ‘The Carnival’, celebrating art, culture and our vibrant community. The Carnival is a one-day programme of live art performances – inside the gallery and in its gardens – with free activities for all ages, music and street food vendors. The Whitworth’s sculpture terrace will be transformed into a carnivalesque experience for one day only.

Sunday also includes a range of exciting events led by festival partners Manchester Histories Festival, offering a unique opportunity to revel in and explore the richness and diversity of Manchester's heritage.

Three themes will run throughout the festival, demonstrating the University’s commitment to creating a greener, fairer and healthier world, in support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Full festival listings to come.