Manchester Science Festival is returning in 2021 with a jam-packed programme exploring our changing climate and ideas for a better world.
The annual festival – which is produced by the Science and Industry Museum, is a highlight of the city’s cultural calendar and is one of the most popular science festivals in the UK – is now planned to take place from Friday 12th – Sunday 21st February 2021.
The first details of the 2021 event have been now been unveiled, revealing a programme that will explore the role of science, technology and communities in finding solutions to our changing climate, which is branded “one of the world’s most urgent challenges.”
As the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester was the catalyst for scientific innovation and unprecedented change all over the world and now, with Greater Manchester’s vision of becoming carbon neutral by 2038, the city is uniquely placed to influence future progress across the globe once again.
Visitors will witness some of science’s most cutting-edge developments in the fight against climate change. They will be treated to an unmissable line-up, including premieres and immersive arts, fashion, food, theatre and sustainable living experiences, as well as the chance to talk to leading scientists and climate campaigners during a series of special events and debates.
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All activities will inform, engage and ignite curiosity about our changing climate.
📢Manchester Science Festival is back from 12 – 21 February 2021.
This year, it will explore our changing climate and ideas for a better world through a packed programme of arts and theatre, family activities, talks, debates and more.
Most will take place across the Science and Industry Museum’s city-centre site – where visitors have been safely returning since August – and the museum is collaborating with a wealth of contributors to deliver the exciting programme.
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The first key partner to be unveiled is The Royal Photographic Society (RPS), whose mission of “promoting the art and science of photography” has formed the basis of its work since 1853.
In support of the festival, The RPS has, for the first time, introduced a ‘climate change’ subcategory to its prestigious Science Photographer of the Year competition. The inclusive competition encourages photographers of all ages and abilities from across the world to capture images that show science in action, depict its impact on our everyday lives and illustrate how photography helps to record scientific events.
The additional category of climate change will also welcome submissions that tell the global story of climate change, showcase how science, technology and engineering are addressing this urgent issue and reveal its effects on our natural world.
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The shortlisted photographs will be used to create an exhibition for Manchester Science Festival and bring together science, climate and art in a stunning showcase of images. After its first showing at the museum – which will continue beyond the festival’s closing date – it will tour the UK and internationally.
The competition is now open for entries until 4th December 2020.
Anyone aged 17 and under can enter the Young Science Photographer of the Year category, and those aged 18 and over into Science Photographer of the Year.
🖼️Shortlisted images will be displayed in an exhibition as part of Manchester Science Festival.
Sally MacDonald – Director of the Science and Industry Museum – said: “Our museum is home to ideas that change the world and continues to reflect and inspire innovators of the future through our exhibitions, activities and events.
“Manchester Science Festival is a major part of this, supporting citizens, scientists and activists to come together to explore and advance ideas for a better world.
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“As we all continue to navigate the ongoing pandemic, Manchester Science Festival may look and feel a little different this year, but we are working closely with partners across the city and the UK to create a compelling public programme that will deliver memorable experiences to visitors, whatever their interests.”
Sir Richard Leese – Leader of Manchester City Council – added: “We are proud of our long tradition of scientific innovation in this city and Manchester Science Festival is one of the boldest, most creative and thought provoking festivals in the country.
“What better way to explore the theme of climate than bring together artists, scientists, citizens, businesses and visitors to the city to play, talk and make the future together.”
You can find more information ahead of the festival via the Manchester Science Festivalhere.
What's On
Manchester’s free summer picnic is coming back to Oxford Road
Danny Jones
Manchester’s free ‘Summer in the City Picnic’ is returning to the Oxford Road Corridor later this year, promising plenty of live music and entertainment, family-friendly fun, outdoor activities and lots more.
Coming back to Circle Square for the second time, the now annual and completely free city centre festival will set up for its sophomore edition right on Symphony Park.
Surrounded by numerous local businesses located within the thriving Bruntwood SciTech and Vita Group neighbourhood, this mini-district is once again set to draw in crowds from all over Manchester.
With that in mind, get your coolers, picnic baskets and blankets ready: it’s time for some alfresco fanfare.
Kicking off next month for one day only, Circle Square‘s ‘Summer in the City Picnic’ 2.0 will get underway pretty much from the outset, with the organisers promising a full day of festivities.
Visitors can look forward to an even more jam-packed schedule than last year, with creative workshops and interactive experiences, DJs right through to the evening, alongside roaming steel drum performances and even silent disco adventures, just to name a few.
Other events include: sip and paint sessions, pop-up mini golf and basketball shoot-outs; ‘foot pool’, a seasonal bouquet bar, as well as a dedicated picnic space for dogs, complete with bespoke pup portraits. Adorable.
2025 saw plenty of furry friends steal the show and become local celebrities for the day, and we’re sure ’26 will be no different.
The long picnic tables will once again take centre stage, creating a relaxed space for families and friends to come together over great food from Circle Square’s wide mix of indie restaurants and cafes, such as Gooey, Onda, Hello Oriental, Half Dozen Other, Saffa Soul, North Bar, Monkey Trio and more.
Punters are, obviously, to bring along their own picnic bits, packed lunches and favourite scran, but it’s nice to have the option of treating yourself to stuff on-site.
Better still, Circle Square’s proximity not only to Oxford Road train station, but the St Peter’s Square tram stop and various bus routes (even Piccadilly isn’t really that far) means that this is super accessible for anyone interested – not to mention that it’s completely free and open to all members of the public.
Taking place on Saturday, 8 August, we hope to see you there and hopefully with the sun shining.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures/Jody Hartley (supplied via SH Comms)
What's On
Chester Zoo is staying open ‘after hours’ this summer so you can see the nocturnal animals
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo is keeping its gates open late into the evening across two special weeks this summer.
The UK’s biggest charity zoo has, once again, announced the return of Afterglow for the summer, which is known and loved for offering visitors the rare opportunity to explore the zoo and its 30,000 animals after hours… but for the first time, daytime visitors can now enjoy the hugely popular event without needing a separate ticket.
Unlike previous years, visitors will no longer need to leave Chester Zoo‘s grounds and return with a separate event ticket.
Instead, guests can spend the entire day exploring the zoo before enjoying Afterglow‘s evening programme, all as part of a standard admission ticket.
Chester Zoo’s is opening ‘after hours’ again this summer so you can see all the animals at sunset / Credit: Chester Zoo
Afterglow offers you the unique chance to encounter some of the world’s most endangered species during golden hour – which, for many animals, is one of their most active periods.
From 3pm until 8pm each day, giant elephant, giraffe, and peacock puppets will welcome visitors into the zoo, while life-sized dinosaurs roam the site with theatrical performances and interactive encounters.
The programme also features giant bubble displays, comedy street theatre, fairground rides, and live music performances.
A number of special experiences designed just for adults are on the lineup this year too, including quizzes in Chester Zoo’s very own pub and an adults-only silent disco inside one of the zoo’s oldest animal habitats.
Chester Zoo’s Afterglow returns for 2026, running on exclusive dates between 31 July – 16 August from 3pm until 8pm, with tickets now on sale ranging in price depending on whether or not you buy a full-day ticket or just for the afternoon into evening slot.
And the best bit? Every ticket helps fund conservation projects protecting threatened species in more than 20 countries.
They’re already selling fast, so ook your tickets online in advance here.
Emily Sergeant -
18th September 2020 
