One of Manchester’s most-visited museums is celebrating sustainable fashion with an ‘after-hours’ event especially for adults.
Fashion, sustainability, heritage, and self-expression is all set to come together for a unique event down the Science and Industry Museum in the heart of Manchester next week, and it’s an adults-only occasion too, so if you’re looking for an excuse to leave the little Mancs at home, then this might be just what you’re looking for.
Taking place on Thursday 21 March from 6:30pm right through to 9:30pm, the beloved city centre museum is encouraging visitors to “journey through the past, present, and future of fashion” during an exclusive evening of entertainment.
Named After hours: Forward-Thinking Fashion, the event will showcase sustainable self-expression, offer nifty thrifting tips, and even unpick Manchester’s unique fashion history, all before shining a spotlight on the highlight of the night – a colourful cabaret catwalk.
Strike a pose 📸
We've collaborated with @solaflair_ for After Hours: Forward-Thinking Fashion. Get ready for an energising evening of live performance, pop-up markets and dynamic demonstrations
— Science and Industry Museum (@sim_manchester) March 12, 2024
The museum has joined forces with Manchester-based women-led theatre company, So La Flair, for the event, and will be hosting a so-called haberdashery of live performances and demonstrations, pop-up clothes stalls, and after-hours exploration.
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It’s all with the aim of encouraging a greener future for the world of fashion.
The showstopper of the evening will be The Fabric of Us – a sustainable fashion show by So La Flair, curated and styled by fashion-forward thrift brand, Beg Steal & Borrow, that celebrates Manchester’s unique style and features performances from Night People.
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Science and Industry Museum is celebrating sustainable fashion with an ‘after-hours’ event for adults / Credit: Science Museum Group
The hour-long show catwalk happening from 8pm-9pm will weave together catwalk performances, storytelling, archival footage, and dance to showcase planet-friendly self-expression and “a future where looking good doesn’t cost the planet, people, or pockets”, all before culminating in a high-energy cabaret catwalk performance that “celebrates the expression of individuality” through what we wear and how we wear it.
Visitors are told to expect fierce walks, dynamic dance numbers, and an array of exciting pieces from designers that specialise in upcycling, thrifting, and accessible apparel.
Beg Steal & Borrow will also be hosting a pop-up fashion market on the night too, and will be offering a range of planet-friendly garments and slow-fashion favourites.
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Tickets to the forward-thinking fashion event are on sale for £10 each now / Credit: Science Museum Group
As well as all the exclusive events, the museum’s Textiles Gallery will also be open on the night.
This means visitors will have the chance to “follow the thread of Manchester’s textiles history” and experience the sights and sounds of its former industrial mills for themselves during a thunderous demonstration of the historic machinery in action.
After hours: Forward-Thinking Fashion will take place on Thursday 21 March from 6:30pm – 9:30pm at the Science and Industry Museum – with tickets on sale now and setting you back just £10 each, or £8 for concessions.
Major Christmas lights switch-on event announced at Manchester’s iconic Printworks
Daisy Jackson
Printworks has announced details of a major Christmas lights switch-on event, with celebrity guest Will Mellor.
Set to be the biggest switch-on event in Manchester city centre, the celebration will include a festive singalong and live entertainment, plus a 16ft digital tree and plenty more.
And as part of the wider festive celebrations at Printworks, there’ll be 25 prizes to be won all the way through December, including hotel stays and other goodies from the businesses based in the landmark building.
The Printworks Christmas Lights switch-on will take place on Saturday 29 November, kicking off at 4.30pm with a performance from the brilliant roaming brass band, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners.
Then there’ll be a family Christmas singalong at 5pm on Printworks’ interactive gaming screen, where Mancs can belt out classic Christmas hits together.
At 6pm, the almighty 16ft digital Christmas tree will be officially switched on by TV legend Will Mellor, along with a new festive display appearing overhead on Europe’s largest digital ceiling.
Printworks will host its Christmas Lights switch-on event in November. Credit: Jason Lock Photography
Expect to see Santa’s sleigh flying across the building, and Santa Claus himself pointing out passers-by and revealing if they’ve made the naughty or nice list.
The event will finish with a one-hour DJ set from Jack Clark to keep visitors in the festive spirit. Throughout December, visitors to Printworks can enter daily prize-draws at the digital Christmas tree, with big prizes up for grabs.
Daniel Davis, Centre Manager, said: “Families loved last year’s festive switch-on, which brought light to the city when the citywide celebration was cancelled. We’re thrilled to bring it back even bigger and brighter.
“With our incredible digital ceiling and new interactive features, we’re giving visitors a Christmas experience like no other full of music, magic and surprises.
“Our 16ft digital tree is something truly unique to Manchester, and with 25 prizes up for grabs throughout December, there’s a real reason to keep coming back. Whether you’re joining us for the switch-on or popping in for a festive meal or film, we can’t wait to celebrate with the community.”
The Christmas switch-on event at Printworks in Manchester
4.30pm – Live band performance with Mr Wilson’s Second Liners
5pm – Family singalong
5.30pm – Live band performance with Mr Wilson’s Second Liners
6pm – Christmas switch-on with Will Mellor
6.30pm – Live band performance with Mr Wilson’s Second Liners
Rochdale to be filled with fiery sculptures for return of dazzling Ignite Fire Festival
Daisy Jackson
A magical trail of fire sculptures and light installations will return to Rochdale this month, spilling across the square and gardens around the almighty Rochdale Town Hall.
Ignite Fire Festival will be back in town this winter between 21 and 23 November, for three free nights of spectacular shows, light trails and family-friendly entertainment.
That’s alongside an ice rink and Christmas market, too.
It’s all in the lead-up to the festive lights switch-on and will include a 20-strong drumming collective, blazing fire sculptures, and illuminated installations.
This year’s Ignite Fire Festival will be the biggest yet, Rochdale Borough Council has promised, with artworks created once again by multi-award-winning outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank.
The event will kick off on the Friday of the festival with a torchlight procession to officially launch the new Broadfield Slopes, which has been carefully restored to deliver new pathways and parkland in the town centre.
Thousands of people are expected to attend again, for an evening that includes flaming hot performances from some of the north’s top talent and ‘Drum Machine’ – the 20 strong drumming collective will be bringing their techno infused beats.
Rochdale Ignite Fire Festival. Credit: Walk the Plank / Alan Hamer
There‘ll also be hot food, mulled wine and other seasonal drinks.
Rochdale’s Ice Rink by Santa’s Village will also be open and running until 4 January, although advance booking is advised.
Councillor Sue Smith says: “Ignite Fire Festival and Christmas Light’s Switch On has been a huge hit with audiences across Greater Manchester.
“This year, with the addition of a new illuminated trail around our beautifully restored slopes area, the ice rink and the return of a Christmas Market it really will be the ultimate winter experience.”
Ignite Fire Festival, sponsored by car supermarket The Trade Centre UK, will open from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 November, with dazzling shows between 5pm and 8pm.
One of the installations from last yearDisplays will be open to walk through each eveningRochdale Ignite Fire Festival. Credit: Andy KruczekExpect flaming hot performances from some of the north’s top talent.Credit: Rochdale Borough CouncilBack again for 2025 is ‘Drum Machine’. Credit: Supplied
Then there’ll be the Christmas lights switch-on taking place from 5.30pm on the Sunday, with Father Christmas and his special guests, including the Mayor of Rochdale.
Ignite is organised by Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency in partnership with Culture Co-op, funded by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The festival is also supported by The Casey Group – the contractor responsible for the restoration of the Broadfield Slopes, who will have plant equipment at the event to inspire future careers in the construction industry and highlight opportunities available.
BRSK – the full fibre broadband provider is also supporting, and will have a presence at the festival.
Find out more about Ignite Fire Festival in Rochdale HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
12th March 2024 
