Counting down to our bicentenary
15 Nov 2023
In less than two months our University turns 200 and our bicentenary celebrations begin
Throughout 2024 we will be celebrating our unique history, our people, their incredible achievements and the impact they’ve made, in Manchester and around the world, in a year-long programme of events and activities.
We’re delighted to provide a taster of the key events and activities you can expect to see in 2024 and share more details on how you can get involved.
Light Up
We’ll be lifting winter spirits on 17 January with a pathway of light illuminating iconic places and spaces on campus and beyond in our signature colour purple, alongside a special evening filled with poetry and film.
Bicentenary festival
Universally Manchester will be a special festival of ideas, performance and community taking place on our campus from 6 to 9 June 2024. Think era-defining icons, contemporary stars and emerging talent driving the agenda of making a difference.
Over four event-packed days we will offer a dynamic, inclusive and engaging programme – with a focus on creating a greener, fairer and healthier world. There will be lots of opportunity to reflect on our history and explore what makes us Manchester today. From behind-the-scenes tours to immersive experiences, discussion, debate and exciting creative performances, there's something for everyone.
- Interested in being a part of the festival programme? Find out more and apply
THE World Academic Summit
We’re proud to be welcoming 500 thought leaders from across academia, policy, industry and civil society to this prestigious event from 7 to 9 October. The summit will focus on ‘Making a difference: the role of universities in a rapidly changing world’, and will feature over 100 speakers with a mixture of keynote talks, panel discussions, seminars, practical workshops and networking events.
Be part of Team 200
Celebrating 200 years of education and innovation represents an amazing opportunity for our global community to come together as one. Whether involved in a bicentenary activity, helping to staff an event, listening to a podcast or running the special bicentenary Purple Wave everyone has a chance to join the celebrations and be part of Team 200.
- Find out some of the ways you can get involved now via our website.
We’ll be continuing to update our bicentenary site with upcoming opportunities to get involved - look out for further updates. Plus, you can sign up to receive emails about our exciting programme of celebratory events.