Discover a family-friendly, fun way to spend a Saturday at The Universally Manchester Festival, coming to the University of Manchester on June 14, 2025. With its commitment to social responsibility and civic engagement, this free event promises a day out for everyone, filled with hands-on activities, inspiring talks, and creative workshops.

Hands-on Activities and Workshops

• Hands-on science experiments and activities
• Performances by visiting artists and musicians
• Free drop-in workshops, including street art and sustainable living
• Heritage tours and virtual reality experiences
• A bee curious programme with thought-provoking talks and performances for all ages

The festival is delivered by staff, students, and community partners, showcasing the breadth and depth of research, teaching, and culture on campus. Visitors will explore topics from poetry to physics, music to medicine, and computing to creative writing, creating a welcoming space for conversation and discovery.

Discover, Learn, and Play

The festival’s standout features include the Bee Curious programme, featuring thought-provoking talks and performances for all ages. Highlights include:

• Interstellar journey led by Dr Eamonn Kerins as the Jodrell Bank alien
• Poetic reflections from Manchester-based writer Rebecca Hurst
• High-energy drumming and dance session titled Rhythm of Life with Sens Sagna and Dr Anita Greenhill
• Uncovering the mysteries of the human body and interacting with robot companions
• Exploring the power of virtual reality

Quiet story sessions, calligraphy demonstrations, craft activities, and face painting ensure that the day is as enriching for young children as it is for curious adults.

The Art of Research

Creative expression is woven throughout the day. The University is collaborating with local art collective Grit Studios to present The Art of Research, a dynamic visual showcase inspired by academic inquiry. Free drop-in workshops will allow visitors to try their hand at street art using sprays and stencils along a dedicated trail.

Dedicated Trail Activities	Location
Try your hand at street art using sprays and stencils	Dedicated trail near The Art of Research

The university-community allotment, hosted in partnership with Ardwick Climate Action, offers a peaceful space for visitors to get hands-on with planting and sustainability. At nearby Manchester Museum, festivalgoers can explore the Blue Skies exhibition, which asks a critical question: “You wouldn’t drink visibly dirty water, so why would you breathe invisibly dirty air?”

Join the festival at The University of Manchester’s Oxford Road Campus on Saturday, June 14, from 11am to 4.30pm.

The Universally Manchester Festival: A Celebration of Community and Curiosity

The Universally Manchester Festival is a flagship event in the University of Manchester’s calendar, showcasing the breadth and depth of research, teaching, and culture on campus. It is a celebration designed to bring the university’s work to life for the community it serves. By creating a welcoming space for conversation and discovery, the event encourages ongoing connections and return visits – not just to campus, but also to the university’s rich network of cultural institutions, including the Whitworth, Jodrell Bank, and Manchester Museum.

Through a diverse and inclusive programme, visitors will be encouraged to explore what makes for a greener, healthier, fairer world. With more than 80 interactive stalls, visitors of all ages can explore topics from poetry to physics, music to medicine, and computing to creative writing.

By attending the Universally Manchester Festival, you will be joining a community of curious individuals who value knowledge, creativity, and social responsibility. It is an opportunity to engage in a fun and interactive way with the ideas and innovations shaping our world, and to explore how these developments affect everyday life.

The event is free, and admission is free for all visitors. However, it is recommended that you book your free tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 14, 2025, and join the Universally Manchester Festival at The University of Manchester’s Oxford Road Campus from 11am to 4.30pm.

This event will showcase the best of the university, its researchers, and its community.