The city‘s leading higher education institution, and currently the third-largest university by student number in the UK, was founded at its original Oxford Road campus base all the way back in 1824, which means that 2024 marks 200 years since it officially opened its doors to the public – and what a 200 years it’s been, too.
So, in a bid to properly celebrate 200 years of educating some of the country’s brightest young talents, UoM has just announced that it will be hosting a brand-new festival this summer, called Universally Manchester.
Gear up for four days of celebration as we host the Universally Manchester festival on 6-9 June.
The four-day event will be filled with all sorts of activities, and it’s set to welcome up to 60,000 people to campus in early June.
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Taking place from Thursday 6 – Sunday 9 June 2024, festivalgoers will be able to curate their very-own varied programme of activities, with everything from behind-the-scenes tours, and salon discussions, to music, medicine, theatre, comedy, art, poetry, creative writing, wellbeing, computing, and so much featuring on the jam-packed lineup.
University of Manchester to host FREE festival to celebrate its 200th year this summer / Credit: Supplied
With more than 150 “imaginative and immersive” events set to take place in what are being described as “unexpected” places across campus, it really does sound like there’ll be something on offer for all ages and interests to get stuck into.
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The festival will have a different focus each day, and events will be popping up everywhere.
Labs, concert theatres, outdoor spaces, and the University’s award-winning culture hotspots like the Whitworth Art Gallery and Manchester Museum, are set to be some of the hives of activity.
UoM first opened its doors all the way back in 1824 / Credit: Supplied
And the best bit? It’s absolutely FREE to everyone to head on down to.
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If all of that wasn’t exciting enough as it is, a handful of famous figures from the University’s past, present, and future will be attending the festival.
World-renowned physicist, award-winning podcaster, and (most importantly) proud Mancunian, Professor Brian Cox, is one of the first well-known names to be announced as attending, and he’ll be appearing alongside BAFTA-winning broadcaster, writer, and historian Professor David Olusoga.
🎉 We're planning an exciting programme of events to run throughout our bicentenary year. Here’s a taste of what’s to come. #UoM200pic.twitter.com/8EbBzMnmEO
Some of the events planned over the four-day event include the return of the popular ‘Community Festival’ with “insightful” live performances and lots of engagingfamily-friendly fun on the Saturday, and then both ‘The Carinval’ and the ‘Manchester Histories Festival’ on the Sunday.
‘The Carnival’ will be happening down at Whitworth Art Gallery, and will be feature a programme of live art performances, free activities, music, and street food vendors, while festival partners, Manchester Histories Festival, will be hosting a range of exciting events that’ll give people the chance to explore the “richness and diversity” of Manchester‘s heritage.
Full festival listings are set to be announced in due course.
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Universally Manchester is to take over UoM’s Oxford Road campus in the heart of the city centre from Thursday 6 – Sunday 9 June 2024, and you can find out more here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Stockport’s big block party returns this summer
Danny Jones
After a successful debut event last year, Stock Party is officially back for 2025.
Yes, Stockport’s big summer block party returns this June for its second edition and with the ever-thriving town centre now a seemingly more popular destination than ever, you can expect a big turnout.
The Greater Manchester borough has been enjoying a real revival over the past few years, with the Old Town events throughout the marketplace and Underbank attracting thousands throughout the year, not least of all the smash-hit SK1 Records street parties.
Building on that winning formula, Stock Party ’25 is set to make its sophomore outing the biggest yet, bringing together local food and drink vendors, independent traders, entertainment and lots more.
Organised by the award-winning Where The Light Gets In, Track, Cloudwater and Robinsons; Sureshot, Balance and Runaway Breweries, along with numerous other indie businesses from around the 10 boroughs, this Stock Party isn’t just about those within SK – it’s a Greater Mancunian celebration.
Set up in collaboration with Stockport’s Business Improvement District (BID), Totally Stockport and Stockport Council, the town’s famous ‘Robbie’s Brewery’ complex with severe as the main festival square and bar.
Not only will they be pouring the freshest of beers but there will also be a DJ set curated by Bohemian Arts Club – owned by Blossoms frontman Tom Ogden and his wife Katie – to ensure a proper homegrown party atmosphere all day long.
As for those who prefer a pinot noir to a pint, the likes of Isca will be on hand serving up a selection of their natural wines, not to mention a BBQ by Where The Light Gets and sourdough pizza from Honest Crust. We’re feeling parched and peckish just thinking about it.
And that’s not all. Not even close.
Credit: Stockport BID (supplied)
Stockport’s iconic Underbank district will be filled with tables and chairs enabling festival-goers to enjoy an alfresco beer from a five-tap van located outside Rare Mags, serving up creations Piccadilly Trading Estate‘s popular Cloudwater and Track Breweries.
The Spinn Off, Cracked Actor and the brand new White Lion will also be getting involved with the libations, with local favourites Cafe San Juan, Marley’s Tacos and Ginger’s Ice Cream Emporium all serving up top-notch street food.
In terms of entertainment, visitors can even enjoy a little pottery workshop at nearby Yellowhammer and the aforementioned SK1 Records will also be supplying the tunes.
Come on, you’ve got to admit, this sounds like an absolutely belting day.
Credit: Supplied
Best of all, not only is there plenty of family-friendly activities to keep people of all ages busy but it’s also costs absolutely nothing to enter, meaning you can save your pennies for the suds and scran.
Kicking off from 12 noon on Saturday, 20 July, you can expect the festivities to run on until 9pm, though we’re sure local bars such Cherry Jam and the like will keep the party going long after that.
It’s going to be a summer full of these kind of festivals, as a similar free-to-attend event is happening over in Salford even sooner.
A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again
Thomas Melia
After a successful run last year, the Salford-based Middlewood Locks Fest is returning for a second time with the promise of an even bigger and better programme of entertainment, food and fun.
Taking place on Saturday 10 May from 2pm-10pm, the free festival returns to Middlewood Locks..
Whether you’re local or just looking for a great day out, the festival will have something for everyone. There’ll be plenty of activities and pop-up stalls for you to get involved with, including a daytime market as well as children’s interactive workshops.
Get Living is proud to support the festival for the second year, which celebrates local creativity, community spirit and culture. The event is set to take place on the doorstep of New Maker Yards, Get Living’s canal-side neighbourhood.
With a range of one-three bedroom homes available for rent, New Maker Yards blends spacious, stylish apartments with green open spaces, complete with an on-site cafe and a strong community feel – all at the heart of the vibrant Middlewood Locks neighbourhood, where the festival action is taking place.
For Middlewood Locks Fest, a Makers Market will be taking place throughout the day with items on offer from local makers, artisans, performers and creators, including plants, jewellery, artwork, clothes and produce.
The Canal & River Trust is organising explorer’s activities for kids and families alike, while St Philip’s CE Primary School has worked with artists to create bespoke decorations for the event too.
A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again. Credit: Karen Wright
If that wasn’t enough for you, how about a special appearance from a canal-side regular as a giant Canadian goose puppet will also be making an appearance to meet festival-goers.
Everything really is catered for here. On top of the makers market and masterclasses, there will also be live music courtesy of a brass band – that sounds like music to my ears.
There’s even the opportunity to go on the water yourself as a handful of rafted canoes will be in use for activities throughout the day.
And of course food is in safe hands too. Street food vendors including Taka Taka Mam will be bringing all the flavours of the Mediterranean and stuffing them into their famous hearty gyros, while city favourites Ginger’s Ice Cream Emporium is popping up from Afflecks to soak up the sun and provide dreamy desserts direct from the canal-side pop-up.
Middlewood Locks Fest, a canal-side festival in Salford. Credit: Karen Wright Photography
And when the sun’s out it would be rude not to treat yourself to a tipple, so good thing that the Adams & Rose Bar is making an appearance to fill up your glass with the finest gin and rum selection.
As the night comes to an end, you can dance the night away to some epic tunes thanks to a live DJ while being surrounded by a mesmerising fire and sound installation to close this spectacular celebration.
Kim Quickfall, Regional Director at Get Living, said: “Last year’s Middlewood Locks Fest was a huge success and we’re excited to be supporting the event again in 2025.
“Bringing people from across Salford and the wider area together, the day will celebrate the best of local culture, enterprise and creativity with activities and events for all.”
Middlewood Locks Fest is returning to Salford on Sunday 10 May from 2pm to 10pm and more information can be foundHERE.
For those that can’t make the festival fun, there are plenty of other things to see and do in the area. From the delicious treats at 97 Degrees Coffee to the landmark Aviva Studios cultural hub, there is plenty to discover in this buzzing neighbourhood.
Explore the 1-3 bedroom homes for rent at New Maker Yards and discover more atgetliving.com.
Emily Sergeant -
30th January 2024 
