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Manchester Science Festival announces jam-packed full lineup for 2024

This year's festival is all about "tackling the extremes of our world".

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 11th September 2024

You can explore the extremes of nature, human capability, and creativity at Manchester Science Festival next month.

In case you missed it, Manchester‘s massively-popular Science Festival confirmed back in January that it would be making a grand return for 2024 later this year, 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 when it did.

And now, the full programme for the exciting festival has been released this week – with loads of immersive experiences lined up.

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, and the lineup for 2024 only goes to prove why that is the case, as there’s something for people of all ages to get stuck into.

This year, organisers say the festival is all about “tackling the extremes of our world”.

Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about some of science’s most cutting-edge developments through multi-sensory experiences and hands-on family fun.  

Manchester Science Festival has announced its jam-packed lineup for 2024 / Credit: Science Museum Group

Interactive events will take place throughout the 10 days of the festival, with the Science and Industry Museum itself playing host to a significant majority of them, but other city centre-based hubs like Manchester Arndale also involved.

At the Science and Industry Museum, you can expect incredible immersive artworks with the new installation State of Mind by Squidsoup, which explores the impact of smartphones and apps on our brains, while the major exhibition Injecting Hope: The Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine – which opened at the Museum back in July – considers the extreme challenges faced during the pandemic.

STEM champion, social entrepreneur, and computer scientist, Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, will join forces with Libby Jackson OBE, who is the UK Space Agency’s Head of Space Exploration, for the first time for a special conversation around AI in Space.

The incredible Arachnobot, a giant spider puppet, will make its way through Manchester Arndale Centre in an “unmissable” and “enchanting” spectacle.

The popular 10-day event is returning to the city next month / Credit: Science Museum Group

Families can also visit fun-filled activity zones at the Museum too, all of which will be looking at the extremes of human performance and our planet.

There’ll be loads of different activities to do throughout the week, including some from fesrtival partners including Natural History Museum, and the universities of Manchester and Salford.

And there’ll be a special science-themed BBC CBeebies Bedtime Story during your visit too.

Ella Wild, who is the Head of Festivals and Events as the Science and Industry Museum, said the Museum is “delighted” that Manchester Science Festival is back with “an unmissable programme packed full of fun” this year.

She added that there’ll be lots of “playful experiences designed to ignite curiosity about our world”.

“The festival is a brilliant opportunity to bring together visitors of all ages and interests to be inspired by science in action,” Ella commented, “and it’s a wonderful way to showcase Manchester’s long-standing position as a leader in innovation, so we can’t wait to welcome everyone in October.”

Manchester Science Festival 2024 kicks off on Friday 18 October and runs right through to Sunday 27 October, and tickets are officially now on sale.

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Find out more and grab yourself some tickets here.

Featured Image – Orbie Pullen (via Science Museum Group)

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A giant sandpit and free events have come to Printworks in Manchester this summer

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson A giant sandpit and free events have come to Printworks in Manchester this summer

Printworks in Manchester is on a mission to create low-cost days out this summer, bringing a taste of the seaside and loads of free entertainment to the heart of the city. 

The Summer of Fun will be running daily all the way through August, alongside special events every Thursday. 

Printworks has installed a giant sandpit and deckchairs beneath Europe’s largest digital ceiling, where you can sit back and enjoy beach-themed content beamed onto the 1,000m² ceiling. 

The screens will also show quizzes and games with a live leaderboard for both kids and grown-ups alike. 

Families visiting Printworks this summer can enjoy a budget-friendly day out, taking part in high-energy digital games using just their smartphones, with no app required. 

These games are developed by Manchester-based gaming specialists Piing, and can accommodate up to 100 players at a time. 

Every Thursday between 10am and 4pm, there’ll be free experiences like live DJs, the world’s largest Pac-Man, challenges, and giant games.   

A giant sandpit and free events have come to Printworks in Manchester this summer
A giant sandpit at Printworks
A giant sandpit and free events have come to Printworks in Manchester this summer
The digital ceiling
Credit: Jason Lock Photography

Visitors might have already popped in for soft touch archery, which allows little ones to try the sport safely – but there’s still plenty more to come. 

Venues within Printworks will be getting stuck into the summer fun too, with free face painting every weekend at Treetop Golf, Kids Eat Free at Chiquito, £8 kids’ meals at viral sensation Big Licks, and Mighty Mornings at Vue where cinema tickets for children are just £2.49.

Kristian Brennan, Marketing Manager at Printworks, said: “We know the school holidays can be tough on families – both in terms of time and money – so we’re proud to offer a month of free entertainment for everyone. There’s something for all ages to enjoy without spending a penny.”

Thursday schedule at Printworks

• Thursday 14 August – Giant Games Takeover, with super-sized versions of Jenga, Connect 4 and more.

• Thursday 21 August – Basketball Challenge, where guests can shoot hoops and compete with friends.

• Thursday 28 August – The return of the World’s Largest PAC-MAN, giving visitors the chance to play retro arcade games on a massive scale.

No tickets or bookings are required, but early arrival is recommended – some activities may be subject to capacity.

For more information about Printworks Summer of Fun and its giant sandpit, head HERE. 

Featured image: Jason Lock Photography

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Manchester Arndale is slashing prices on food and drink across the shopping centre

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson HOP Vietnamese at Manchester Arndale

Manchester Arndale’s Summer Scran Fest is back – and that means there are some absolute bargains to be had on food and drink right across the shopping centre. 

Throughout the month of August, restaurants, cafes and kiosks within Manchester Arndale will be offering some serious offers and deals. 

This ranges from 25% off to buy-one-get-one-free deals, plus free meals for kids and plenty more. 

Venues taking part in the Summer Scran Fest include Archie’s, Subway, Barburrito, Pizza Hut, HOP Vietnamese, Michaels Coffee House and plenty more. 

And the leisure destinations within Manchester Arndale are getting stuck in too – think free drinks, combos and more at venues including King Pins and Urban Playground. 

There are plenty of Manchester-born businesses getting involved and offering bargains to us all, like Archie’s giving out free soft serve when you spend £10, Barburrito offering a £10 meal deal (burrito, tortilla chips and a soft drink), and Lazy Sundae giving a free scoop of ice cream with any large drink purchase. 

Big brand deals include a £5 meal deal at McDonald’s (4 Chicken McNuggets, Cheese burger or Mayo chicken; fries; and medium cold drink), and 25% off at Pizza Hut. 

There's 20% off at Sides in the Manchester Arndale Summer Scran Fest
There’s 20% off at Sides in the Manchester Arndale Summer Scran Fest
Lazy Sundae will do a free ice cream with a large drink purchase
Lazy Sundae will do a free ice cream with a large drink purchase

Then there are newcomers to Manchester Arndale taking part in the Summer Scran Fest. 

HOP, a new Vietnamese street food venue on Market Street, is doing 25% off, while Michaels Coffee House will knock ​​15% off their seasonal favourites like an Iced Maple Oat Matcha or an Iced Rose Coconut Matcha.

There’s also a 20% discount at Sides, the chicken shop backed by YouTube sensations Sidemen.

And as for leisure destinations –  Urban Playground is doing 18 Holes of putters tech-infused mini golf, plus any three small plates from The Butcher menu for £28.20.

Kind Pins has 20% off food and drink, and Immersive Gamebox will do 20% off plus a free drink when you book a 60 or 30 minute gaming session. 

Pick up a voucher booklet in the centre or download your offers from the Manchester Arndale website from 1 August.

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

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