Universally Manchester Festival: 200 years, four remarkable days
11 Apr 2024
Join us at a birthday celebration like no other as we mark our bicentenary with 150+ events
We're excited to share the first, major line-up announcement for Universally Manchester Festival, celebrating 200 years of The University of Manchester. This free festival promises four incredible days of imaginative and immersive events taking place across campus, and online, from Thursday 6 – Sunday, 9 June 2024.
All colleagues will have exclusive access to book the free ticketed events on Tuesday, 7 May.
Join us as we delve into two centuries of our remarkable history, from our inspirational people to life-changing discoveries and world firsts. Discover entertaining talks, powerful performances, inspiring exhibitions, behind-the-scenes tours and loads of opportunities to give it a go. For those that can’t make it onto campus, join us online - with at least two virtual events happening each day.
Just some of the contributors joining Professor Brian Cox and Professor David Olusoga on the line up include: Ed O’Brien (Radiohead), Professor Tim O’Brien, Professor Michael Wood, Dr Sarah Crowther, Professor Claire McGourlay, Professor Sheena Cruikshank, the Kantos Choir, legendary Hacienda DJ Hewan Clarke, Grammy award winning Carlos Maldonado, electro group GRRRL with many, many more to come.
The launch
The festival opens with Universally Manchester x The Whitworth, a very special Thursday late, with a showcase of music marking 200 years of The University of Manchester in collaboration with Manchester Histories Festival. The evening includes world premieres of new music by composer and alumnus Tom Coult, performed by members of the BBC Philharmonic.
Intriguing discussions and ideas
Join conversation and discussions on a wide range of topics, including the second live instalment of the Talk 200 lecture and podcast series (available to livestream) which will be tackling inequalities in access to justice, with contributions from the University’s Chancellor, Nazir Afzal, exonerated postmaster Tom Hedges; barrister and advocate Thalia Maragh (UK Covid-19 Inquiry, Grenfell Inquiry); and Suzanne Gower, PhD researcher, and former managing director of the legal charity APPEAL.
Creativity and performance
Join Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien to talk through two decades of creative activism with In Place of War (IPoW), an international charity that grew out of a research project at the University 20 years ago. Watch the charity’s work be brought to life at a performance from GRRRL, a music collaboration between revolutionary women from across the globe.
Let loose at The Whitworth’s The Carnival, on Sunday 9, with a celebration of art, culture and Manchester’s dynamic community through live performances, interactive workshops, delicious street food and live music.
Engaging activities for all
There will be a whole host of family-friendly events including our annual Community Fair. This is your chance to drive a Lego Mars Rover, peek inside our brains, or enter a world of virtual reality. Creative and crafty activities include screen printing tote bags, clay making and face painting, and sporting challenges including circus skills from The Circus House, a climbing wall and helter-skelter.
On Thursday and Friday, we’ll be celebrating our colleagues, providing an exclusive series of activities and events including a series of wellness activities and talks, comedy performances and open lab tours. Details of these events will be shared in early May.
Get involved
Access to the festival is free, however some of our most popular events will be ticketed due to their popularity.
All colleagues will have exclusive access to book the free ticketed events ahead of everyone else. On Monday, 7 May, we’ll be sharing news of the full festival programme and details on how to book on Staffnet.
Whether in-person or online, we can’t wait for you to join us.