Manchester Museum had queues stretching down the street this weekend when it finally reopened its doors.
The cultural institution has been closed for around 18 months while it underwent a £15m transformation project.
And Mancs have clearly missed the museum, with thousands rushing down to see its new look over the weekend.
Manchester Museum officially reopened on Saturday, showcasing its modern new two-storey extension, revamped cafe and gift shop, and brand new exhibition spaces.
It attracted around 5,500 visitors each day, and is expected to remain busy throughout the week.
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Upon seeing the queues outside, the museum’s director Esme Ward said on Twitter that she was ‘an emotional wreck’.
She wrote on Saturday: “Oh my goodness, people queuing to visit @McrMuseum. Am now an emotional wreck.”
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Then on Sunday, alongside another queue photo, she added: “And again today.. Manchester, you’re amazing.”
Wendy Gallagher, Head of Visitor Teams at Manchester Museum, said: “We’re thrilled to have opened our doors once again and be able to welcome people back into the museum. Our visitors are what make the museum what it is and it was such a joy to see the building full of excited faces during our reopening weekend.
The South Asia Gallery at Manchester Museum. Credit: The Manc GroupThe new extension at Manchester Museum. Credit: The Manc GroupThe new exhibition hall at Manchester Museum. Credit: The Manc Group
“The museum is likely to be very busy all week so we are advising people to book free tickets for Golden Mummies of Egypt to guarantee entry to this exhibition.
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“When you’re here, please speak to a member of staff if you need some time out and to use a quiet room. We also have ear defenders and mindful activities available at the welcome desk.”
The £15 million transformation of Manchester Museum has been supported by UK Government through DCMS and Arts Council England, and by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The University of Manchester, and numerous philanthropic supporters.
New spaces inside include a brand new Exhibition Hall, which will open with the blockbuster exhibition Golden Mummies of Egypt, filled with more than 100 objects and eight mummies.
There’s also the South Asia Gallery (a partnership with the British Museum), which will be the UK’s first permanent space to explore the lived experience of South Asian diaspora communities.
All that is alongside the existing collections of fossils and other objects from natural sciences and human cultures.
Featured image: Manchester Museum
Art & Culture
A hilarious and award-winning Star Wars burlesque show is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
In a galaxy not so far away, a smash-hit Star Wars parody and burlesque show is coming to Manchester city centre in the New Year.
You may have heard of the funny Star Wars stripper show or even seen clips of it online, but rumour has it that nothing can quite prepare you for the cheekiness of seeing this romp in the flesh.
In case you’ve been completely immersed in the dark side until now, here’s what you can expect:
Now well over a decade into its success and more than 200 Las Vegas shows, ‘The Empire Strips Back’ made its long-awaited transatlantic debut earlier this year.
Getting away at London’s Riverside Studios from May and enjoying a run until this past August, the comedy-driven twist on the classic Star Wars stories and beloved sci-fi characters was an instant hit with us Brits.
It started in Australia way back in 2011 and has gone not only to tour across Europe, but land a coveted residency at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Nevada.
Fast, funny, feisty and by all accounts, fantastic.
Now set to seek out new padawans and storm-strippers all over the cosmos, and by that we mean the UK, ‘The Empire Strips Back: Burlesque Parody’ is coming to Manchester.
Set to land at Depot Mayfield in the New Year – next spring, specifically, we cannot wait to see how this goes down with Northern crowds.
The Manc leg is scheduled to kick off on 6 March and last until 8 May, 2026, with various dates and times of day available.
It’s also worth noting that this two-hour show, including intermission, is a strictly 18+ only event; if you’re interested, you can find out more info and grab your tickets right HERE.
Manchester Open exhibition to return in 2026 with ‘biggest celebration’ of local creative talent
Emily Sergeant
The biggest celebration of Greater Manchester’s creative talent is making a much-anticipated return next summer.
Taking place every two years and now in its fourth iteration, Manchester Open exhibition sees the HOME Gallery walls filled with hundreds of artworks selected by a panel consisting of art experts and community representatives.
The exhibition is open to all and welcomes entries from people of any level of experience, including established professionals, students, graduates, new and emerging talent, enthusiastic amateurs, and even first-time artists.
Artists are invited to submit work into eight different categories, with the aim of creating an exhibition ‘rich in variety’ for visitors to explore.
Manchester Open exhibition is set to return in 2026 / Credit: Jason Lock Photography
This means you’ll get to explore works of ceramics, digital/moving images, drawings, prints, paintings, photography, sculptures/installations, and textiles.
Several awards will also be up for grabs throughout the exhibition – which is set to run from Saturday 20 June and Sunday 6 September 2026 – including a prestigious new award in honour of philanthropist and business leader, Kate Voke.
Three artists will also be awarded with artist development packages, managed by HOME and Castlefield Gallery.
“Following our 10 year anniversary in 2025, we are looking forward to 2026 and welcoming applications to HOME’s biggest celebration of Greater Manchester’s artistic talent,” explained Karen O’Neill, who is the CEO of HOME.
“With a record number of applications to the last Manchester Open, we’re hoping for even more in 2026 and to demonstrate how the city continues to grow as a place where artists and creativity can thrive.”
Manchester Open exhibition is taking place in 2026 from Saturday 20 June and Sunday 6 September, and the application and submission process is now live – with all submissions being reviewed by the selection panel who make the final selection of work to be included in the exhibition.
Artists will only be able to submit one artwork, and the selection panel members will be announced in spring 2026.
Featured Image – Jason Lock Photography (Supplied)
Daisy Jackson -
20th February 2023 
