Working in partnership with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, a new immersive space experience is being brought to life by virtual reality (VR), and it’s coming to Manchester.
You won’t find many other things like this in the entire UK, let alone the North West.
Developed in collaboration with the world-renowned Observatory (SAO) itself, next month, our city is set to take people on a ‘journey through the cosmos’ like never before.
Having already stunned crowds down in London, the ‘Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience’ is coming to Manchester for the very first time; here’s a quick glimpse…
Popping up in an otherwise unsuspecting corner of the Northern Quarter, the Smithsonian’s Starstruck exhibition and interactive display is a must-not-miss this August.
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Allowing visitors to travel far beyond Earth through the medium of VR goggles, you’ll be able to explore distant galaxies, witness the life cycle of stars, and witness everything from exoplanets, burning suns, even black holes up close and personal.
It’s also worth noting that this has been brought to life using real astronomical data and with help from experts working at the leading science, astronomy and astrophysics centre.
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During the experience, Mancs will be transported via the power of humanity’s famous observatories, including the Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb, the Chandra X‑ray and more, allowing them to not just see and hear but almost feel these far-flung phenomena like never before.
Besides visiting these various state-of-the-art institutions individually, there’s virtually no other exhibit that offers this kind of access – pardon the pun.
Presented by the award-winning and increasingly popular Fever Events, each VR session is set to last roughly 40 minutes, serving as a great family day out, couples date, or solo experience; and trust us, you’re bound to get lost in time AND space. Ok, that pun we definitely meant.
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Credit: Fever Originals (supplied)
Speaking ahead of its arrival, Fever’s Global Director of Production, Alex Winterbottom, said in a statement: “We’re proud to have developed this new immersive experience in collaboration with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), the largest astrophysics research centre on the planet.
“This partnership has enabled us to ensure scientific accuracy down to the smallest detail to make the observatory’s incredible research within reach to audiences in Manchester.
“Bringing Starstruck to the Science Museum highlights the project’s ability to educate and engage visitors of all ages, from children to adults, while remaining highly entertaining.”
Starstruck by the Smithsonian lands at Transmission House on Tib Street on Thursday, 6 August, and with tickets starting from just £10.50 for children, students and over 60s, it’s a no-brainer.
Grab yours now while you can right HERE and check out the latest trailer down below.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Fever/We Are Indigo PR)
Art & Culture
Queer Up North launches digital archive full of visual art and more from legendary Manchester festival
Lydia Mastrolonardo
A new digital archive documenting the legendary Queer Up North festival has launched this month.
Running for an illustrious decade from 1992 to 2002, Queer Up North was the first multi-artform LGBTQ+ festival in Europe, but its significance has extended far beyond the arts as a beacon for queer culture, and is largely described as being one of the most pioneering and influential festivals ever.
From the very start, Queer Up North had an international standpoint – gaining support and recognition from much further afield as well as here in Manchester.
The festival emerged during a period where Manchester’s queer communities were navigating new ways to gain visibility and to create culture on their own terms.
It played a central role in uniting artists, performers, audiences, and venues – helping to establish Manchester as an international destination for LGBTQ+ arts and culture.
The newly launched digital archive shares materials from the iconic festival’s history, making them easily accessible to the public online for the first time, and for free.
The curated collection features 1420 images, 275 artefacts, and 29 oral histories revealing amazing stories about the people, performances, art, club nights, cabaret, and comedy that all helped to shape culture in Manchester during the 90s.
It offers a chance to explore a pivotal decade of Manchester’s history and understand how a generation of artists, performers, and audiences created a whole host of new opportunities for the Mancunian queer community.
Queer Up North launches digital archive full of visual art and more from legendary Manchester festival / Credit: Jonathan Keenan (Supplied)
It also facilitates a platform for new work, inspired by the legacy of Queer Up North, with founders emphasising that its purpose is as much about the future, as it is the past.
Tanja Farman and Gavin Barlow, founder-directors of Queer Up North shared: “The festival set out to be pioneering, innovative, international and inspirational, and looking back 34 years later, is it incredibly exciting to see that history preserved and celebrated.
“The Queer Up North Archive ensures that the creativity and contributions of LGBTQ+ artists and communities are remembered, while opening up their work and stories to a new generation.
Science and Industry Museum’s adults-only ‘after hours’ event returns with a Halloween twist this month
Emily Sergeant
A popular adults-only ‘after hours’ event is returning to Manchester later this month… and there’s some spooky surprises in store.
If you need an excuse to leave the little Mancs at home, or you just fancy releasing your inner child, then one of Manchester’s most visited museums might have just what you’re looking for, as the Science and Industry Museum has announced that its popular After Hours event especially for adults is returning for one night only at the end of the month.
The museum will become your playground once it’s closed for the day as you settle in for a unique evening of live music, giant interactive games, and spooky surprises for Halloween.
Science and Industry Museum’s adults-only ‘after hours’ event returns with a Halloween twist this month / Credit: Science Museum Group
The Museum’s permanent galleries and displays will be open after hours, so you can get hands-on with science in Experiment, meet mighty machines in the Textiles Gallery, and discover Manchester‘s rich legacy of industrial innovations, creativity, and world-changing ideas in Revolution Manchester.
You’ll also get free access to the popular Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos exhibition, which just opened earlier this year, and get to indulge your playful side in Power Up – with more than 150 consoles to choose from in the ultimate gaming extravaganza.
Especially for spooky season, you can look forward to some very special one-off events too, like stellar performances from Manchester drag royalty, Anna Phylactic, a cosmic cabaret with live vocals, and a monster mash-up soundtrack guaranteed to get you into the Halloween spirit.
There’ll also be a chance to meet Albert Slime-stein – a larger-than-life monster popping up the museum as part of Halloween in the City’s iconic Manchester Monsters trail.
And as this is an adults-only event, the museum’s events bar will be open on the night, serving up a wide range of wines, beers, and non-alcoholic drinks to wet your whistle while you’re looking around, with some delicious food to accompany too.
Museum After Hours is happening on Thursday 29 October from 7pm-10pm, with tickets setting you back £12 each or £6 for concessions.
Danny Jones -
22nd July 2026 
