Manchester Science Festival is back for 2024 later this week, and there’s loads of events on the lineup especially for adults.
In case you missed it, Manchester‘s massively-popular Science Festival confirmed that it would be making a grand return for 2024, and would be offering visitors the unique opportunity to become a genuine part of history through a wide range of hands-on events and activities – including getting to explore the extremes of nature, human capability, and creativity.
The full programme of immersive events for the exciting festival was released last month, and organisers say it’s all about “tackling the extremes of our world” this year.
📢 It’s here 📢
Our Festival line-up is officially here and it’s a packed one! We’ve got immersive installations, hands-on fun celebrating the extremes of science and exclusive adult-only events.
Manchester Science Festival – which is produced and staged at Manchester’s legendary Science and Industry Museum in the heart of the city centre every other year – is one of the UK’s largest and most popular science festivals.
The lineup for 2024 only goes to prove why that’s the case, as there’s something for people of all ages to get stuck into, but this time, we’re shining a spotlight on the events on the lineup that are only for the grown ups to get involved with.
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Here’s some of the stand-out events.
Manchester Science Festival is back for 2024 next week / Credit: Science Museum Group
Conversation: Does AI have a place in space?
Science and Industry Museum
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18 October – £7
This is your chance to join STEM champion, social entrepreneur, and computer scientist, Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, and the UK Space Agency’s Head of Space Exploration, Libby Jackson OBE, as they discuss how their worlds collide, and explore important questions like can AI be applied to space exploration? What can you trust AI to do in space? and how will it better our lives back on Earth?.
The opportunities seem endless with the likes of rover navigation, satellite design and lasering space junk – but are we just talking science fiction? Or is this reality?
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Cosmic Quiz
Science and Industry Museum
19 October – £7
Fancy being the star of the Cosmic Quiz? As part of a weekend curated by Dr Anne Marie Imafidon MBE and Libby Jackson OBE, this is your chance to compete for the top prize in a dynamic evening of surprise rounds, pop-up performances, and ‘laid-back cosmic vibes’, where you’ll be challenged on all things space and artificial intelligence.
Compete on your own, or with a team of up to four, in an out-of-this world event produced in collaboration with The Quiz Team, featuring specially-commissioned content from The Poetry Place.
There’s lots of adults-only events on the lineup / Credit: Science Museum Group)
Museum After Hours
Science and Industry Museum
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26 October – £10
If you were hoping to explore everything on offer at the Science and Industry Museum without all the kids running around, then this is your chance, because one of the Museum’s most-popular events, Museum After Hours, is back for a special Manchester Science Festival edition, and it means you get to dive into a world of extremes and gain exclusive after-hours access to the headline experience, State of Mind.
You can explore Squidsoup’s immersive art installation set within the atmospheric 1830 Warehouse, move between rhythmic lights and sound in an abstract and playful representation of our digitised world, and even catch the premiere of new works from artists Liam Ashworth and Luca Agathogli, presented in partnership with Venture Arts.
The events bar will also be popping up on the night, and will be selling a range of wines, beers, and non-alcoholic drinks to sip on while you explore.
Manchester Science Festival 2024 kicks off on Friday 18 October and runs right through to Sunday 27 October – with tickets now officially on sale, including to all of the adults-only events throughout the 10 days too.
Find out more and grab yourself some tickets here.
Featured Image – Drew Forsyth (via Science Museum Group)
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Manchester City are hosting special Christmas-themed tours of the Etihad Stadium
Danny Jones
Manchester City FC’s critically acclaimed stadium tour is about to get super festive, as the Etihad Stadium are now hosting special Christmas-themed walks around the ground.
You’ve watched the tales of the ‘Centurions’, ‘Treble winners, the ‘Fourmidables’, and plenty of other ‘Cityzen’ stories play out in front of you, but have you visited the hallowed halls while their decked doughs of holly for yourself?
Well, now’s your chance.
Hosting a series of exclusive festive tours around the Etihad this month, Man City fans, club-obsessed kids, and football fanatic tourists in general can take a walk around the impressive sporting arena for the perfect early Christmas present.
In addition to being able to walk around the famous home of the Blues, sit in the home team dressing room and see the trophy cabinet, fans of all ages can now field questions with virtual Pep and Haaland in their very own press conference, before walking down the tunnel, into the dugout and sitting pitchside.
Once you’ve finished warming up the gaffer’s very own seat (they’re actually already heated), supporters can look forward to a brand-new dancing light display, plus more heartwarming entertainment in the form of Christmas carol audio recorded by Manchester’s very own Hallé Youth Choir.
As if that wasn’t enough, ‘Beyond the Blue Moon’ VR experiences and special ‘Etihad After Dark’ tours will be available, too, giving people from all over and of all ages an extra opportunity to turn up and make the most of this truly global club.
You can even grab a warming mulled wine or hot Vimto during the evening slots to keep your hands nice and toasty as you go around – be rude not to.
Rumour has it Santa may have left a gift lying around each day, too. Safe to say that puts our Advent calendar this year to shame…
Credit: Man City (supplied)
Here’s hoping he doesn’t get a telling off for wearing red…
Evening tours at the Eithad will be held from 5:30 and 6pm on 7, 12, 14, 18, 22 and December, and the main slot will be running all the way up until Christmas Eve (24 Dec).
You can even grab a warming mulled wine or hot Vimto to keep your hands nice and toasty as you go around – be rude not to.
Tickets start from only £26 per person and family passes are priced at just £60.
Better still, you can even spring for the VIP package if you fancy: a two-hour experience that is one of the most interactive and immersive you’ll find anywhere.
The Etihad Stadium is currently in the middle of a huge redevelopment, both in terms of size and things to do around the wider Campus, with the expanded North Stand not only seeing matchday fan capacity increased to over 60k, but a new club shop, sky bar, hotel, and a rooftop walk being added.
With that in mind, it’s no wonder that the already award-winning City stadium tours are simultaneously seeing an upgrade over the holiday period.
Being given the Tripadvisor seal of approval once again last year, as the club were once again recognised in the Travellers’ Choice ‘Best of the Best’ – putting them not just in the top three stadium tours in the UK but in the top 1% of the most highly rated in the world – things are only getting bigger.
You can find out full availability, timings and where to get tickets right HERE.
Manchester’s iconic Rylands building is being reborn – and the developers want to hear from you
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s iconic Rylands building, formerly home to the Debenhams department store, is being reborn.
And now the developers working on its new chapter want Mancunians to weigh in on which businesses we want to see in the landmark building.
The transformation of Rylands Manchester will honour the heritage character of the building, which dates back to 1932, but will introduce contemporary design and a list of residents that’s bang up to date for our modern city centre.
The plans include building a four-storey extension with panoramic city views and a bright, central atrium. When it completes, this Grade II-listed art deco building will bring together workspace, retail, and leisure, right at the beating heart of town between the Northern Quarter, Piccadilly, Manchester Arndale, and the central business district.
Standing proudly at the top of Market Street, this next era for Rylands will establish it as an exciting new destination in the heart of town when its phased completion begins from late 2026.
Already confirmed to be moving in is Market Place Food Hall with its first northern location, which has signed on for a 15 year lease to occupy the ground floor of Rylands.
Market Place Food Hall is already confirmed to be moving into RylandsRylands is entering a new era
But now Rylands are putting it back to locals to ask what shops, restaurants, or cafes we’d love to see moving in.
It could be a high street hero you’ve loved for years, an independent business you’ve fallen for, or a foodie spot you return to time and time again.
Your ideas could help to shape the future of this landmark building and make it a destination us Mancs can be proud of.
And if you submit your suggestions in the comments of THIS Instagram post, you could be in with a chance of winning a £100 Love2Shop voucher (make sure you’re following @Rylands_manchester for a chance to win).
Emily Sergeant -
10th October 2024 
