The University of Manchester is celebrating 200 years with a huge four-day festival

An exciting festival is heading to the city to celebrate 200 years since the University of Manchester.

The Universally Manchester Festival is set to welcome up to 60,000 people to experience everything from poetry to physics, music to medicine, computers to creative writing and more.

Festival goers can expect four days of unique and innovative programming, covering 150 events, from tomorrow (Thursday 6 June) to Sunday 9 June at the iconic Oxford Road campus.

There are options to discover entertaining talks and powerful performances, explore inspiring exhibitions and immersive art installations, get creative at a craft session and try amazing hands-on science activities.

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You can enter virtual reality worlds, take part in Squid Game-like challenges and discover the secrets of asteroid Bennu and NASA’s special OSIRIS-REx mission.

Throughout the festival you can visit the Festival Village for artisan food and crafts – and those looking for a refreshment before a talk can head to the Community Arms in Gilbert Square or visit one of the many cafes available on campus.

The event hopes to recognize the University’s global impact; world premieres, life-changing breakthroughs, music, art, science and creativity all erupted in Manchester.

Free tickets are available for popular events with speakers and performers including Professor Brian Cox, Professor Davif Olusoga, Exonerated Postmaster Tom Hedges and many more.

However, many popular ticketed events are sold out with limited seats available on the door, but there is no shortage of other free events and activities to get involved with.

You can discover entertaining talks, powerful performances, inspiring exhibitions, engaging art installations and more with some of the outstanding events and activities listed below:

Highlight events

DINOSAURS, BICENTENNIAL AND BADLANDS WITH PHIL MANNING

Phil Manning, Professor of Natural History at the University of Manchester, will explore the prehistoric giants of the Jurassic world and how ancient bones from a variety of over 1,000 dinosaur species can provide vital lessons to guide humanity today.

You can find this event at Lecture Theater A in Engineering Building A on Saturday, June 8 (3:00pm-4:00pm)

WAKE UP AND BE SOMEONE – Uncovering Manchester’s lost urban music stories

Inspired by music historian Keithly Brandy, an intriguing new project looks at the city’s forgotten or little-known urban music stories.

This talk will document these stories as part of the British Pop Archive, based at the John Rylands Institute and Research Library.

The panel, chaired by writer and archivist Karen Gabay, includes Keithly Brandy, singer Charley Henry, singer Sylvia Teller and guitarist Trevor Moffat, and will be followed by a DJ set from renowned Reno Club and Haçienda DJ Hewan Clarke.

You can find this event on the Green in Gilbert Square on Friday 7th June (3pm-4.15pm)

TALK 200: THE LIMITS OF EQUALITY

Nazir Afzal, Chancellor of the University of Manchester and former Chief Crown Prosecutor for the North West of England, discusses inequalities in access to justice and steps towards fairer treatment in the legal system in the second live installment of the lecture series and Talk 200 podcasts. .

Chaired by Claire McGourlay, Professor of Legal Education, the panel includes Postmaster Tom Hedges; barrister and solicitor Thalia Maragh (UK Covid-19 Inquiry, Grenfell Inquiry); and Suzanne Gower, PhD researcher and former managing director of the legal charity APEL.

You can find this event at the Martin Harris Center on Friday, June 7 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)

20 YEARS OF IN PLACE OF WAR, with Ed O’Brien (Radiohead)

For 20 years, The In Place of War has used creativity in places of conflict as a tool for positive change; transforming cultures of violence and suffering into hope, opportunity and freedom through the arts.

The panel includes Ed O’Brien, guitarist with rock superstars Radiohead and In Place of War ambassador; Professor James Thompson of the University; Ruth Daniel, CEO of In Place of War; Tongai “Outspoken” Makawa of Zimbabwe’s Magamba Network; Selam Mengistu, War Youth Advisory Council; Allan Sudlow of the AHRC; and MABE, musician and member of Venezuela’s GRRRL.

You can find this event on the Green in Gilbert Square on Saturday 8th June (12pm-1.15pm)

BAD WATER SCANDAL EXPOSED with Matt Staniek (Save Windemere)

Join Save Windermere campaigner Matt Staniek and University Geography Professor Jamie Woodward as they reveal the horrifying extent of microplastic contamination in Greater Manchester’s rivers as they head into a discussion about why sewage is dumped into our precious rivers, lakes and coastal waters.

Learn about the impact on nature, wildlife and public health – and the link to microplastic pollution – and how we can all get involved to do something about it.

You can find this event on the Green, Gilbert Square on Saturday 8th June (3.45pm – 4.30pm)

The community fair

The community fair is full of interactive and family-friendly activities. Whether you’re interested in science, arts, engineering or history, there’s plenty of hands-on fun and opportunities for discovery and play.

Budding scientists can drive a LEGO Mars Rover, take a peek inside our wonderful brain or enter a world of virtual reality. There are also creative and craft activities including ‘found poetry’, screen printing tote bags, clay making and face painting. You can even find a series of sports challenges, circus skills and a climbing wall.

You can find this event at University Place, Engineering Building A, Alliance Manchester Business School, Saturday 8 June (10am-4.30pm)

MANCHESTER HISTORY FESTIVAL: CELEBRATION DAY

This day will feature heritage histories and stories, stalls, live music, performances, creative activities, films, speakers, exhibitions, family fun and much more.

With 50 stalls taking over the historic Whitworth Hall, there will be craft activities, walks, exhibitions and talks with lots of ways to learn about colorful local characters and uncover hidden histories with partner organizations across the North West.

CARNIVAL

Whitworth presents Carnival – a day celebrating Manchester’s vibrant arts, culture and community through live performances, interactive workshops, delicious street food and live music.

Watch the sculpture terrace transform into a carnivalesque wonderland; lose yourself in immersive artistic experiences; and enjoy an atmosphere like no other in Whitworth’s iconic spaces.

You can find this event at The Whitworth on Sunday 9th June (10am-5pm)

Universally Manchester Festival will run from 6th to Sunday 9th June 2024. You can find more information here.

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