For just one day only next week, both new and returning students can make the most of a whole host of unmissable offers – with over 120 stores inside Manchester Arndale and across the city centre dishing out discounts.
There’ll also be live entertainment, competitions and games to get involved in, and so much more.
Students who make their way into the heart of the city centre between 12pm – 7pm next Thursday 219 September can get their hands on up to 30% off in over 120 stores – including Levi’s, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, River Island, Monki, Pretty Green, Mango, Superdry, Kick Game, Jack & Jones, Office and Schuh.
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Attention all students… MCR Student Social is back!🔊
Head into Manchester city centre to enjoy an exclusive day of special discounts, live entertainment, competition, games and more🙌
Not only that, but if all the shopping has got you working up an appetite, then there’s also up to 50% off on food and drink at places like Döner Shack, Archie’s, Pizza Hut, Pan-n-Ice, Wolf Italian Street Food, and Slim Chickens.
The Cube, and Putters at Urban Playground are also offering up to 50% off too.
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And on top of all those incredible deals, there’ll be plenty of free entertainment to enjoy throughout the Arndale and city centre.
Here’s everything you can expect.
MCR Student Social is back for one day only on Thursday 29 September / Credit: MCR Student Social
Manchester Arndale
As the main hub of the MCR Student Social 2022, head inside Manchester Arndale to spin the wheel at the ‘Student Digs’ for a chance to win some prizes, both big and small, that are perfect for your new home – with everything from toilet roll, to gift cards up for grabs.
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You can also challenge your mates to a nerves-of steel ‘Giant Human Buzzer’ game, where the loser has to put the bins out for a month
Make sure to keep an eye out for the ‘Roaming Roulette’ team too, where you’ll need to stick your hand in the roulette box and guess what the weird and wonderful textures are for a chance to take home some more prizes.
Manchester’s student shopping event is back and “bigger than ever” next week / Credit: Jason Lock Photography (via MCR Student Social)
Play Zone
Exchange Square
If you make your way over to Exchange Square, then you’ll be able to try your hand at Foam Axe Throwing, Pong, Crazy Golf and Virtual Bowling with Printworks.
Plus there’ll also be a table football tournament, giant games, and more from Manchester BID.
New and returning students can make the most of unmissable offers / Credit: Jason Lock Photography (via MCR Student Social)There’ll also be live entertainment, competitions and games to get involved in / Credit: Jason Lock Photography (via MCR Student Social)
Party Zone, Info Zone & Food Zone
Market Street
Market Street is not only the city’s main shopping thoroughfare, but it’s also home to the MCR Student Social Party Zone, Info Zone, and Food Zone this year.
The Party Zone is where you’ll find Urban Playground’s The Cube, a chill-out area, free samples from Nordic Spirit, aerial performers, dancers, and games, as well as The Manc’s DJ Truck playing the finest hip-hop, funk and party anthems throughout the day.
Over at the Info Zone, you can tke on challenges from King Street Gym and Canal River Trust, sign up with MINT Hospitality & Events people, hear from the Manchester Science Festival, and chat to the team from Nationwide.
Then at the Food Zone, you can enjoy some free pizza from Franco Manca, giveaways from Döner Shack, prizes from Barburrito, and so much more.
Featured Image – MCR Student Social
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Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum unveils programme of FREE family fun for half term
Emily Sergeant
Little Mancs can climb aboard a miniature train and set off on a journey of discovery at the Science and Industry Museum this half term.
As schools across Greater Manchester break up for half term at the end of this week, and parents and carers gear up to entertain the little ones, the Science and Industry Museum has, thankfully, just announced a wide range of events and activities especially for the holidays – with many activities free to get involved in.
The popular cultural hub in the heart of Manchester city centre is promising visitors a May half term full of hands-on experiences designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and imagination.
The main event, which is kicking off this weekend (Saturday 23 May), invites families to ‘explore the playful side of power’.
From climbing aboard a miniature steam railway and taking part in interactive engineering sessions, to seeing steam-powered traction engines, live demonstrations, and performances inspired by the sounds of industrial Manchester, visitors will be transported back in time to play the role of passenger.
Almost 200 years ago, this was the site of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway – the world’s first inter-city passenger railway – and May half term will bring this story to life again, as families take a ride around part of the museum’s newly reopened outside space.
Hosted by Little British Rail, rides are priced at £4 (with those under one-year-old going free) and can be booked in advance by visiting the museum’s website here.
The Science and Industry Museum has unveiled its programme of free family fun for the half term / Credit: Science Museum Group
Expert Explainers will be on-hand throughout the half term hosting Curiosity Stops, so you can discover how water becomes steam, see what powers a piston, and explore how our bodies mirror the mechanics of machines.
The final weekend of the holiday (5-7 June) will also see members of Urmston & District Model Engineering Society steaming onto site with its early 20th century Fowler Showman’s traction engine and Foden steam wagon.
Elsewhere at the museum over the half term, you can take a look around the historic Power Hall: The Andrew Law Gallery, which has recently reopened to the public, and you can take part in interactive workshops with Manchester-based percussion group, Drumroots – giving visitors the chance to experiment with rhythm, movement, and music inspired by the sounds of historic steam engines.
And, of course, half term is the perfect chance to go on out-of-this-world adventure across the Solar System and visit the new Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos exhibition, if you haven’t already. Or visit the ultimate gaming experience, Power Up, instead during its extended holiday opening hours.
For the full programme of daily events throughout half term, and to book tickets for difference experiences in advance, head to the Science and Industry Museum website here.
Featured Image – Science Museum Group
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Major events programme announced as part of the Salford 100 centenary celebrations
Daisy Jackson
A raft of exciting new events have been announced as part of the upcoming Salford 100 celebrations, marking the city’s 100th anniversary.
The city-wide events programme will take place throughout the year, featuring everything from art commissions to community events – with many free to attend.
Salford City Council is putting together the cultural programme across Salford’s eight neighbourhoods, supported using public funding by Arts Council England, and it’ll feature major events from the likes of Walk the Plank and From The Other.
Everything will be created to explore the past, celebrate the present, and imagine the future of Salford.
At the heart of the upcoming celebrations are three flagship commissions: a travelling pop-up festival called The Wagon Train, a large-scale multimedia artwork titled Salford Everywhere, and Songs of Salford, a new concept record aiming to create a modern anthem for the city.
Speaking about the cultural commissions announced today, Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor, said: “As we mark 100 years of Salford as a city, it’s only right that we celebrate in a way that reflects who we really are – proud, creative and rooted in our communities.
“This cultural programme puts our residents at the heart of everything, recognising the people, places and stories that have shaped Salford and continue to define it today.
“From neighbourhood parks and green spaces to city‑wide moments of collective pride, these celebrations are taking place right across Salford.
“Whether it’s families coming together at The Wagon Train, musicians creating the next chapter of Salford’s soundtrack through Songs of Salford, or residents seeing themselves reflected in the extraordinary Salford Everywhere project, this is culture made with the people of Salford, not just for them.
“I’m also incredibly proud of the local residents, artists and community groups who are driving community events and celebrations at grassroots level. Their ideas, energy and care for their neighbourhoods are a powerful reminder of the strength of our communities – and Salford 100 is about recognising that strength, amplifying those voices and sharing them with the world as we look confidently to our next 100 years.”
The first events begin later this month with The Wagon Train, a touring programme created by outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank.
The free family-friendly events will pop up in parks and green spaces across Salford, featuring live music, poetry, workshops, games, performances and community celebrations.
The Wagon Train
Walk The Plank’s The Wagon Train will be part of the Salford 100
The celebrations begin on Saturday 23 May at Buile Hill Park in Seedley, where a launch event marking the park’s 150th anniversary will bring performances from local musicians and the Seedley Salford Strummers ukulele band, alongside badge-making workshops and a community croquet tournament.
The following day, Albert Park in Broughton hosts an afternoon of activities including recycling-themed art workshops from Just Junkies’ Trash Panda project and food from the Doosti Friendship Group.
On Monday 25 May, Ordsall Park celebrates its own 150th anniversary with a parade, live music and performances.
The month’s events conclude on Saturday 30 May with a Whit Walk-inspired procession travelling from Little Hulton to Parr Fold Park in Worsley, featuring brass bands, choirs and stilt walkers, leading into an afternoon of performances and family activities at the park.
Speaking about the Wagon Train, Liz Pugh, Co-Founder and Creative Producer of Walk the
Plank said: “Our cultural programme will uncover talent and bring communities together at local events throughout the summer, and our finale this autumn when the Wagon Train’s journey reaches its climax with a major celebration, in classic Walk the Plank style, at Buile Hill.”
Looking back on how Salford has shaped her own path, Liz added: “When Walk the Plank first sailed up the Ship Canal back in 1992, I didn’t think we’d still be here 34 years later! The City of Salford has made us welcome and I’m glad we can repay that warm welcome by creating some amazing events this summer.”
There’ll be loads more events to come throughout the summer as part of Salford 100, with a grand finale scheduled for October – head HEREto find out more.
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Salford Everywhere: A Living Monument to the People of Salford
Previews of Salford Everywhere
One of the most ambitious commissions in the programme is Salford Everywhere, a multimedia public artwork created by artist Matthew Rosier.
The project will transform some of Salford’s buildings into giant moving portraits of local residents and community groups, celebrating the people who shape the city today.
Groups taking part include sports clubs, youth organisations, choirs, women’s groups and charities from neighbourhoods across Salford.
The project also features music direction from AFRODEUTSCHE, movement direction from Company Chameleon and videography by Izzy Pie.
The artwork will culminate in a two-day gathering at Peel Park this autumn, where the film will be projected onto buildings alongside a specially created live soundtrack celebrating Salford’s musical heritage.
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Mark Carlin, Co-Director, From The Other, said: “We’re delighted to be including communities from so many of Salford’s distinct neighbourhoods in this project, capturing the essence of those who live, work and play here.
“Combining film capture, music, choreography and mass, grassroots participation makes this project truly special and I’m really proud to be a part of it.”
Songs of Salford: Creating Salford’s Next Album
Artists involved in Songs of Salford. Credit: Daniel Johnson
Songs of Salford is aiming to create a fresh musical identity for the city – a modern response to the long association with Dirty Old Town.
The project is being led by creative producers From The Other in partnership with the University of Salford.
Music producer and songwriter Charlie Deakin-Davies – whose previous collaborators include RAYE, Kate Nash and Gary Barlow – is currently working with six Salford-connected artists to create a new body of music inspired by the city in 2026.
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The line-up includes rappers Strategy and Che3kz, vocalist Salo, songwriter & poet, Meduulla ,spoken word performer Matt Concannon and singer-songwriter Sam Seth, with young people from Salford Youth Zone and members of Age Friendly Salford also contributing stories and memories to the songwriting process.
The completed record is expected to be released later in 2026.
Tim France, Director, Performance, Music, English & Dance at the University of Salford, said: “Songs of Salford is a powerful example of what can happen when a city’s creative community, its institutions and its people come together.
“It’s especially inspiring to see one of our star alumni, Sam Seth, returning to Salford as a songwriter, collaborator and performer, exemplifying the talent that grows here and continues to shape our cultural landscape.”
Emma Thompson, Co-Director, From the Other, who is leading on the project, said: “Music drives everything From the Other does. To celebrate Salford’s 100th anniversary, we’ve brought together a group of musicians to create a concept record dedicated to our city.
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“This project isn’t just about history; it’s about the people who make Salford home today; from the born-and-bred to the newly arrived, the students to the teachers.
“By blending genres and perspectives, these musicians are capturing the spirit of Salford in 2026, through a collection of songs that will mark this centenary and create a lasting legacy that will resonate in the unique, timeless way that only music can.”
Other key events in the Salford 100
Salford 100 events will take place throughout 2026
Big Sing – 30 June, Salford Community Stadium – Primary schools across Salford will come together for a large-scale singing event with a special Salford twist.
Paper Party – 10,000 young people across Salford will take part in creating artworks in the form of birthday gifts for the city, which will be exhibited at a takeover event at Salford Museum and Art Gallery on the 18 and 19 July.
BBC Philharmonic – will perform at Swinton Palais in September for schools and the public, with more details to follow.
Contains Strong Language – 24-27 September – the BBC’s national poetry and spoken word festival celebrates its 10th year in Salford as part of the centenary celebrations. Expect four days of performances, poetry and live recordings across the BBC.
RHS Garden Bridgewater, Brick Explorers – 18 July – 31 August – invites visitors to discover and learn through incredible wildlife sculptures, created from hundreds of thousands of bricks, set throughout the garden this summer, with a special centenary addition to look out for.
Grit Studios and The Writing Squad – working with community groups across Salford to create murals across the city – look out for these over the summer.
Special centenary themed editions of uniquely Salford events such as Pink Picnic, UK Chinese Dragon Boat Race, and We Invented the Weekend.
Also added is a range of events firmly rooted in communities across the city, such as Weaste Fest, the Summer Centenary Celebration at Light Oaks Park, Print Lives Here at Islington Mill, Irlam Live and the Then and Now Photography Exhibition at Height Library.
And as well as all that, there’ll be The Pink Picnic, Greater Manchester’s largest voluntary-led LGBTQ+ pride event, which will return to Peel Park next year for its 15th year on Saturday 13t June 2026.
The city wide celebrations started on 21 April – which coincided with the date Salford was granted city status in 1926 – and will run throughout the year, culminating in a spectacular finale moment in Autumn.
From The Other and Walk the Plank are working together with Salford City Council to produce all the art commissions which will form the cultural programme, weaving in the true character of Salford throughout and celebrating the communities that make Salford so special.
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For more information about the programme and the individual commissions, visit HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd September 2022 
