Universally Manchester Festival

Head to the University of Manchester on Saturday 14 June for this year’s Universally Manchester Festival, a one-day event packed with inspiring Bee Curious talks, interactive science activities, creative sessions, performances, tours, as well as the chance to meet university staff, students and community partners.

With activities like poetry, physics, music, medicine, computing and creative writing (over 80 interactive stalls!), there’s loads to discover and do for people of all ages. Little ones and big kids too can get stuck into VR games, meet machines with personality (they’re not creepy – we promise!), or try out the ancient art of calligraphy – before moving quickly to spray cans and stencils in drop-in street art workshops. Other activities include having adventures with volcanoes or spending some time at the Penguin Parade – intrigued?

There’s lots of talks and performances – almost too many to mention – to enjoy throughout the day. These include a talk with Dawn Edge, Professor of Mental Health and Inclusivity, discussing what it means to hear voices that other people can’t hear, and Dr Eamonn Kerins sharing some interesting facts about the Jodrell Bank Alien. Sens Sagna & Dr Anita Greenhill will have you dancing to the Rhythm of Life, and Manchester poet Rebecca Hurst will also be at the festival, guiding you to find some meaning (and maybe some calm) in the everyday. There’s loads more happening throughout the day, and you can read more information on the Universally Manchester Festival website. 

Head outside and visit the University community allotment (a partnership with Ardwick Climate Action), where you’ll discover how biodiversity keeps our lungs healthy. You can even pot your own seeds to take home and nurture. And you might also want to wander the Green Routes trail to catch the moving Silent Skies exhibition at Manchester Museum.

Of course, no festival would be complete without something blowing up – safely, of course. This is where the legendary Flash Bang Show with Dr Frank Mair comes in. Get ready to be mesmerised with gorgeous colour changes and the occasional explosion, all part of the fun, obviously. Earplugs may be required. 

As you can see, there’s so much to do at this family-friendly festival and we have not even written about everything. And, it’s entirely free. No tickets, no booking. Just turn up to the Oxford Road campus and explore.