Manchester Histories Festival 2024

Shekina Rose, Families Editor

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Manchester Histories Festival 2024

6-9 June 2024

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Tea Club Walk-About Performance at Manchester Histories Festival 2024
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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.

Manchester Met – Intangible Sounds

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.

‘R Histories Open Mic Extravaganza! (left to right) Yakub Qureshi, Dean Kirby, Chris Osuh

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.

Michael Wood, historian, broadcaster, and Professor of Public History at The University of Manchester

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.

Comperes, Black Liver

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.

Where to go near Manchester Histories Festival 2024

Manchester
Gallery
Black Redstart Gallery

Black Redstart Gallery is located in the Northern Quarter and runs a busy programme of exhibitions from emerging and established artists.

RJC Dance Xmas Show
Leeds
RJC Dance

RJC Dance, based in Chapeltown, Leeds, champions youth and education, leading inclusive Black dance in the North through national partnerships.

texture logo
Manchester
Gallery
texture mcr

Possibly one of the city’s most mysterious art galleries, texture is a small and perfectly-formed independent space in Ardwick.

The Beacon at Cliffe Castle Park
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Cliffe Castle Park

Cliffe Castle Park hosts the Beacon, a stunning performance space that will be touring the district throughout Bradford UK City of Culture 2025.

Hern Food
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Hern

This produce-driven bistro in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, prides itself on cooking with the only finest ingredients and his headed up by Cordon Bleu-trained chef Rab Adams.

Indie Makers
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Indie Makers

Indie Makers, located in Leads’ corn exchange, trades in art and gifts from independent makers across the UK.

Plant Point
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Plant Point

Plant Point is designed to help you bring the jungle into your urban or suburban space. The home of beautiful plants in Leeds.

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Eat Your Greens

Eat Your Greens is a vibrant, organic restaurant bringing a hint of European flair to the city’s plant-based dining scene.

Sela opened in 2004 with an idea to provide quality imported beers from around the world, fun cocktails to compliment the beer selections and a stage for the region’s finest and most talented musicians to play on.Over ten years later, we’re still all about the beer, cocktails, live music and pizza!We carry over a selection of over thirty different beers spanning the globe from Pickering with The Great Yorkshire Brewery’s Yorkshire Blackout, to New York with a selection from Brooklyn Brewery, and Belgium with longtime Sela favourite, Vedett.Our cocktails change regularly too. Our best-sellers are joined by fun, new offerings and our pizza menu is regarded as one of the best the city of Leeds has to offer.As for the live music, Sela has had not only the great and the good from the region. Local funksters, The New Mastersounds are regular visitors and we stage the amazing Mojah Reggae Band for their weekly Wednesday residency.  Our other long running programming incl
Leeds
Restaurant
Sela Bar & Pizzeria

Sela Bar is a cosy Leeds basement spot with live music, great drinks, and a cool, laid-back, atmospheric vibe.

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