Relive highlights from our bicentenary festival – four unforgettable days celebrating 200 years of our remarkable history, inspirational people, life-changing discoveries and world firsts...
Across 6-9 June 2024 we welcomed thousands of visitors, on campus and online, to Universally Manchester Festival – a 200th birthday celebration to remember.
A packed programme of imaginative and immersive events, with entertaining talks, powerful performances, inspiring exhibitions, behind-the-scenes tours, family-friendly activities, and much, much more. There really was something for everyone.
It was a special opportunity to celebrate the diversity and rich heritage of our community; to showcase the many different ways we make a difference. The enthusiasm and passion for what we do shone through at every one of the 200-plus events.
Look back at the colour, diversity and celebratory atmosphere of a festival like no other:
Day one – Thursday, 6 June
Festival goers take photos and get ready for the Thursday activities to come.Attendees head towards the festival zone – in the sunshine and surrounded by our iconic buildings.126 Student Ambassadors and 131 volunteers were on hand for wayfinding queries, to check tickets, provide support to acts and speakers, litter pick and more.The festival zone opened with a programme of talks and activties, many focusing on how to protect and improve wellbeing.We learned the amazing story of Jodrell Bank – from its beginnings in 1945 to now forming part of a global community performing out-of-this-world astronomical research.A groundbreaking opening night hosted at the Whitworth, in collaboration with Manchester Histories Festival, featured a special showcase of music – including a performance by members of the BBC Philharmonic.The night included four new original commissions and immersive visual art. Launch party images courtesy of Manchester Histories Festival.
Day two – Friday, 7 June
Creative Manchester curated a programme of thought-provoking talks and uplifting musical performances. A talk on the history and future of television featured David Olusoga, Michael Wood, Ana Carden-Coyne and Sadiah Qureshi.Former University Chancellor Lemn Sissay was part of a special literary event to crown the winners of the Micropoetry Competition 2024.Trailblazing vocal ensemble Kantos delivered a spine-tingling performance that interrogated climate change and questioned our response to it.Talkaoke, a pop-up – and very unique – talk show invited people to take a seat and air their views around the table of chat. Four-time Grammy award-winner Carlos Maldonado treated us to not one but two uplifting jazz performances.Both the Bloom and On the Green stages witnessed incredible music performances throughout the weekend.Lucky festival goers got to taste "Tales from the Past", a beer specially brewed by Cloudwater – working with Professor Daniela Delneri – for our bicentenary.A true festival highlight: Mr Wilsons Second Liners brought their colour and energy to Alan Gilbert Square on Friday evening.Universally Manchester Festival took over the iconic Academy 2 venue for Universally Rocks! – an epic night of live music.
Day three – Saturday, 8 June
Professor Brian Cox delivered a mesmerising talk that led a packed audience through distant galaxies, alien worlds and the latest theories on the origins of the universe.The hugely popular event saw Professor Cox unravel the story of how we came to be – and what we can become.Professor Sheena Cruickshank explored the myths and hype around boosting immunity, revealing the fascinating science behind our immune systems.Professor Phil Manning delighted a huge crowd comprised of all ages with a jaw-dropping tale of another bicentenary sitting beside our own: our fascination with dinosaurs, which dates back to the first discovery of Megalosaurus in 1824.CBeebies presenter George Webster led an engrossing discussion on the importance of the patient voice in healthcare.The popular, longstanding annual Community Festival (run by the Social Responsibility team at the University) was this year incorporated into Universally Manchester Festival, becoming our Community Fair day.The Manchester Mexican Folk Group treated us to captivating dances from the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Veracruz and Jalisco.In Place of War – an AHRC-funded research project at the University that has become an independent national charity global force for change – brought its energy and creative activism.Exhilarating electronic music collaboration GRRRL, featuring OneDa, brought the noise and artistry to On the Green.The University joined forces with Art Battle Manchester to create an incredible trail of street art inspired by research.
Day four – Sunday, 9 June
The Whitworth presented The Carnival – a day of vivid colour, uplifting rhythms and infectious energy.The much-loved venue was transformed into a carnivalesque wonderland, with music, interactive experiences and a celebratory atmosphere.Dynamic performances took place both inside and out. The University teamed with festival partner Manchester Histories Festival to delve into the rich history and heritage of Greater Manchester through talks, stalls, crafts, walks, exhibitions and more.A whole host of activities were held in the festival zone and at the Students Union, while more than 50 stalls took over Manchester Central Library.Professor Michael Wood helped to close proceedings with an engrossing talk on our remarkable 200-year journey.
Watch event recordings
Want to catch up on any action you missed? Fear not, you can watch recordings of some of our most popular events on the Universally Manchester Festival website.
