Manchester Histories Festival 2024

Make history with a weekend of family fun at the multi award-winning Manchester Histories Festival 2024, returning in its ninth year to celebrate the incredible history and culture of Manchester. Presented in partnership with The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, celebrating 200 years in 2024, this year’s Manchester Histories Festival is set to be particularly special. Even better, it’s completely free for everyone to enjoy.

Manchester Histories Festival takes place in various locations all across the city of Manchester. Highlights include music World Premieres, walk-about performances, family crafts workshops, live music, comedy, and public talks, as well as over 50 history and heritage stalls. Hundreds of people from across Greater Manchester, the North West and further afield are involved in over 40 free events, sharing their eclectic and quirky mix of knowledge and talent with the public. This four-day event really does have something for everyone to enjoy.

Kick off the Manchester Histories Festival on 6 June, with an evening of celebration at The Whitworth. This special night features four world premieres of new musical compositions, celebrating 200 years of The University of Manchester, with five incredibly talented musicians from the BBC Philharmonic performing these pieces. You can also enjoy an immersive audiovisual experience honouring Manchester legends – computing genius Alan Turing and music pioneer Delia Derbyshire. Compered by Manchester-based “sonic enchantress” (BBC Radio 3) electronic musician Caro C and visual artist Elisa Artesero.

Next up on Friday 7 June and Saturday 8 June, head to the Central Library for the R Histories Open Mic Extravaganza!, showcasing fascinating stories from local Manchester residents. Also catch It Started with a Seed (IS WAS), the inaugural International Storytelling Festival celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Manchester Metropolitan University, with five innovative projects from students, emerging artists and communities.

On Saturday you won’t want to miss Intangible Sounds, where researchers from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Manchester Metropolitan University present a day of public talks and workshops on the heritage of music and sound, as well as evening music and performance events exploring how music, sound and sonic experiences connect with time and place. How sound evokes memories and emotions, and bonds us with new and familiar communities and individuals.

Last but not least, end the festival with a big bang at the Celebration Day on Sunday 9 June at Whitworth Hall and Alan Gilbert Square on Oxford Road. This family-friendly day is packed with live music, comedy, craft workshops, walk-about performances, and talks from acclaimed historians including Michael Wood, also Professor of Public History at The University of Manchester. Compered by the fabulous Ruth Cockburn and Keith Carter (known as Black Liver), popular from BBC Radio 4 and winners of the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2024.

So don’t miss out. Bring your family and friends to celebrate the shared history of our amazing city at the ninth multi award-winning Manchester Histories Festival 2024. Free tickets are available to book in advance, but please note some events do have limited capacity.