People’s History Museum 10th Birthday

Sara Jaspan, Exhibitions Editor

Visit now

People's History Museum 10th Birthday

1 January-15 February 2020

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

Jayaben Desai – unknown. Image © People’s History Museum
Book now

On 13th February 2020, the national museum of democracy in Manchester turns 10 and is marking the occasion in the only way fitting: with a big birthday bash, plus a whole score of accompanying events, unveilings and creative interventions. So, don your best party hat and get involved.

The free programme of celebrations features highlights including the annual changing of the banners display, behind-the-scenes tours of the museum, the chance to delve inside its fascinating archives, and a special Valentine’s Day gig – or ‘musical love letter’ from Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. The weekend will also see the first unveiling of a series of exciting new digital experiences that will be presented throughout the People’s History Museum (PHM) galleries over the coming year, and the beginning of its 2020 headline focus on the theme of migration.

PHM’s origins lie in the National Museum of Labour History, founded in London in 1975. Yet it is here in Manchester that it eventually laid down its roots and was later relaunched in its current incarnation a decade ago. Billed as ‘the home of ideas worth fighting for’, where Britain’s radical past is celebrated and hope for our political future is inspired; we couldn’t be prouder to have such a museum in our city. Here’s to the next 10 years and more of championing democracy.

Where to go near People’s History Museum 10th Birthday

Open Kitchen Cafe and Bar
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Open Kitchen Cafe and Bar

Enjoy a sustainable, ethical, and delicious food experience at Open Kitchen Cafe & Bar, the in-house restaurant and bar at People’s History Museum.

Manchester
Restaurant
Albatross & Arnold

Albatross and Arnold is a smart and modern bar-restaurant in the Left Bank area of Spinningfields, with an impressive selection of high-quality cocktails.

Manchester
Restaurant
Menagerie

Based in Salford, Menagerie is a bar and restaurant with a focus on luxury and theatrical thrills.

Spinningfields
Restaurant
Australasia

The recent revamp builds on Australasia’s well-deserved reputation as one of Manchester’s most stylish venues

Manchester
Restaurant
BLVD Manchester

Taking over the space formerly occupied by Neighbourhood, BLVD promises ‘exceptional food and drink’.

City Centre
Bar or Pub
The Oast House

A rustic Kentish Oast House (that’s a traditional hop-drying shed, of course) plunked down amidst the glass and steel corridors of Spinningfields.

Tattu Chinese restaurant Manchester
City Centre
Restaurant
Tattu

Tattu is pulling out all the stops for Halloween, with five days of special cocktails and dishes, plus a Sunday sunset dinner and more.

Club Vino
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Club Vino

Wine-tasting company ran by Italian sommelier and ex-wine merchant Marco Castelanelli. Offering at-home tasting experiences, along with special events in various high-end locations around Manchester.

Manchester
Restaurant
Honest Burgers

This burger joint focuses on high-quality burgers and sides, homemade using local produce. After a series of pop-ups they’ve found a permanent home on Bridge Street in the centre of Manchester.

City Centre
Restaurant
Mojo

Rocking, rolling, rum bar on Manchester’s Bridge Street

What's on: Exhibitions

In a large industrial space filled with dobby looms hangs a blood red textile piece infront of a sheer white backdrop.
Until
ExhibitionsLeeds
Loops at Sunny Bank Mills

‘Loops’ is a new collaborative exhibition of textiles at Sunny Bank Mills, connecting artists from across the Netherlands and Yorkshire.

Free entry

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre in the North

Summer signals theatre festivals, world premieres and open-air spectacle - from MIF25 to comedy, outdoor circus and beyond, here’s what we’re looking forward to.

Cloudwater Production One
Tours and Activities in the North

Go forth with wild abandon to dance the pavements, dabble with the paint and down the pints in this month's tours and activities guide.

Star Nhà Ease
Cinema in the North

July's cinema highlights include spotlights on international cinema, a new cult classic, plus a visit from one of our favourite directors.

Harry Baker
Literature Events in the North

From environmental to experimental, our poetry and prose picks from around the North are focused on the unusual and the fun.

Exhibitions in the North

Captivating, urgent and intimate - we bring you our top exhibition picks, with even more art festivals, artist-led shows and new venues.

Helena Hauff
Music in the North

Shape-shifting bands, scorched-earth techno, and off-grid festivals. Our latest music picks catch the live scene at its most urgent, inventive and alive.