Horizons Festival 2024 at HOME

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Horizons Festival 2024 at HOME
Image courtesy of Shirlaine Forrest.

Horizons Festival 2024 at HOME Manchester, Manchester 21 — 23 June 2024 Entrance is free — Visit now

Running as part of International Refugee Week is HOME’s annual Horizons Festival 2024, a vibrant weekend-long celebration of newly commissioned theatre, performance, visual art, film, music, plus community events and family-friendly workshops.

Held in association with Community Arts North West (CAN), this year’s edition will respond to the theme ‘Our Planet, Our Home’. The whole festival has been brilliantly co-curated with HOME’s Arts and Migration Group, a collective of Greater Manchester artists, theatre-makers and creatives who have lived experience of migration or the UK asylum system.

Celebrating international arts and global cultures, Horizons Festival 2024 illuminates the creativity, culture and resilience of Greater Manchester’s migrant communities and – through its theme – highlights the need for the planet to be a safe home for everyone.

The festival launches on Friday 21 June with a brand-new performance in HOME’s intimate Theatre 2. Created by Horizons commissioned theatre-maker A.M.M. Noor-Saiyem Khan, Hanimale offers a compelling and profound of the refugee experience. Darkly comedic, the piece highlights that unity and resilience can be found in the most unexpected places. This show is complemented by a special opening dance performance – Women Rising – presented by Afrocats and choreographed by Maisha Kingu.

On Saturday 22 June, the HOME building will burst with colourful, family-friendly creative fun. Expect live music, dance, hands-on workshops, film, stand-up and a special visual arts exhibition created by children, young people and adults who have recently settled in the UK through CAN’s community programme.

Sunday 23 June sees the weekend close with a unique screening of short films exploring themes of asylum, migration and exile, trauma, joy and healing. The screening includes the premiere of HOME’s first-ever Horizons film commission.

Most of the festival’s events are free or Pay-What-You-Can too – show your support, experience something completely new, and celebrate Greater Manchester’s rich and diverse communities.

Horizons Festival 2024 at HOME Manchester, Manchester 21 — 23 June 2024 Entrance is free Visit now

What's on at HOME Manchester

After the Act at HOME
TheatreManchester
After the Act at HOME

The ever-brilliant Breach Theatre bring a new scorching protest musical that traces the infamous Section 28 anti-gay legislation.

from £15.00
Until
CinemaManchester
FilmFear at HOME

FilmFear is back as HOME team up with Film4 for another season of new and classic scary movies, premieres and events.

from £7.95

Where to go near Horizons Festival 2024 at HOME

Traditional green and beige tram in blackpool
Blackpool
Tourist Attraction
Heritage Tram Tours

Embark on a unique and educational journey along the famous Blackpool Tramway, on board the best of the iconic Heritage Trams.

Blackpool
Tourist Attraction
Sandcastle Waterpark

Bring the whole family together for a day of fun, thrills and exciting aquatic adventures at Sandcastle Waterpark.

© Merlin Entertainments 2024
Blackpool
Tourist Attraction
Blackpool Tower Eye

Experience one of the country’s most well-known landmarks in a whole new way. Brave the glass SkyWalk, head to the 4D cinema, or soak up the views at Bar 380.

Blackpool Tower Circus
Blackpool
Tourist Attraction
The Blackpool Tower Circus

Visit the oldest permanent circus in the world, showcasing some truly jaw-dropping stunts from contortionists, acrobats and trapeze acts.

Pendle witch scaring visitors at Blackpool Dungeons
Blackpool
Tourist Attraction
The Blackpool Tower Dungeon

With interactive shows and an impressive drop ride, you’re guaranteed thrills, screams and entertainment at The Blackpool Tower Dungeon.

activity 1
Event venue
Frankie’s Paint-It Pottery

Frankie’s Paint-It Pottery is a friendly place to relax and exercise your creative muscles by having a go at pottery painting.

hotel 4
City Centre
Hotel
Shankly Hotel

A glamorous tribute to Bill Shankly in hotel form, where else will you find a place where luxury meets fun in such style?

What's on: Festivals

The Halloween Trail (CGI)
Until
FestivalsManchester
The Halloween Trail

Visit the Trafford Centre this spooky season and enter the Halloween Trail – Skeleton Village awaits with lights, scares and family fun

from £9.00
A close up of a pink bottle of Leeds Sauce
Until
FestivalsLeeds
Compass Festival 2024

With interactive encounters and live performance, Compass Festival is set to animate the city of Leeds this November.

free entry
Bonfire Night in Manchester and the North
FestivalsLancaster
Light Up Lancaster

Festival of light and art Light Up Lancaster returns to the city with installations, projections, performance and fireworks illuminating the city’s historic buildings, charming streets and hidden squares.

free entry
Timekeepers
Festivals
Light Up Wakefield

Light Up Wakefield will immerse audiences in brand new light installations and projections inspired by the city and its heritage.

free entry
ignite at gibside
FestivalsNewcastle
Christmas at Gibside

Experience Christmas at Gibside, a gorgeously traditional celebration of the festive season, set in the eighteenth-century house and gardens.

free entry

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in Manchester and the North

Alongside experimental performance, new writing and free arts festivals, we take a look at some of the Christmas shows happening in the North.