Events List
Anindilyakwa Arts: Stories from our Country
FREE | JUST DROP IN
BELONGING GALLERY, FLOOR 1
Hear stories from the Anindilyakwa People or Warnumamalya (true people), who are the Traditional Owners of the Groote archipelago off the north coast of Australia.
Human Natures
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
EXHIBITION HALL, GROUND FLOOR
Are we losing our connection with nature? Modern life can make it easy to forget people are part of the natural world and that the actions we take can have impacts that we don’t even see.
Highlights Tours
£5 | BOOK ONLINE
BELONGING GALLERY
Within Manchester Museum’s collection of 4.5 million objects, stories unfold across millennia. Join a member of our Visitor Team on a family-friendly highlights tour and discover the objects that have inspired curiosity for over 100 years.
Money in a time of crisis
FREE | ONLINE EXHIBITION
How does money shape the choices we make and the futures we imagine?
This online exhibition features some of the Museum’s rarely seen numismatics collections.
MIXED? exhibition
FREE | JUST DROP IN
THE CARLTON CLUB, WHALLEY RANGE
MIXED? showcases a collection of collages created during workshops for people who identify as/with mixed-race at Manchester Museum led by artist Michelle Olivier.
Dead or Alive: Birds in our World
Uncover the stories of eight amazing birds, now either extinct or endangered, hidden within the Museum’s stores.
Dead or Alive: Birds in our World takes a closer look at specimens not usually on display within our galleries and asks what they can tell us about conservation and colonial dominance.
Human Natures Shared Reading
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
EXHIBITION HALL
Relax, connect with people and share stories in our discussion group exploring stories, poetry and non-fiction, new and old.
UKYCC PowerShift
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
THE TOP FLOOR
Hope. Unity. Action. Collaborate and learn with other young people on how to engage more actively in the issues you care about. The UK Youth Climate Coalition is taking over the Museum’s Top Floor for a full day, as they bring their Powershift conference to Manchester.
Meet the London Mining Network
FREE | JUST DROP IN
EXHIBITION HALL
How much do you know about where your mobile phone comes from? Drop in to the Human Natures exhibition to meet members of the London Mining Network.
Manchester Literature Festival presents Sufiyaan Salam and Monika Radojevic
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
LIVING WORLDS
Discover two fresh and uncompromising voices from Stormzy’s #Merky Books as Sufiyaan Salam and Monika Radojevic discuss their acclaimed debut novels and the stories shaping a new generation.
Haha! Britain, with The Mothers' Bridge of Love
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
TOP FLOOR CLASSROOM
A discussion about belonging, home and identity, as part of The Mothers’ Bridge of Love’s (MBL) Haha! Britain book tour.
Intergenerational Climate Café
FREE | Book online
How do you feel about the climate crisis? Do you find it’s difficult to talk about it? Join us in a welcoming space for people of all ages to get together and talk about the climate crisis.
Threaded Legacies - Black Heritage in Manchester Museum
FREE | JUST DROP IN
THE TOP FLOOR
Enjoy art created by local schools and inspired by the African collections we care for, in celebration of Black History Month.
Half term family fun
Every day during October half-term you’ll find family-focused activities offering a little something for everyone.
Human Natures Late
FREE | JUST DROP IN
EXHIBITION HALL
Mark the final week of our temporary exhibition Human Natures with an evening of activity centred around inspiring research.
Flip into Wonder, with CALFE
FREE | JUST DROP IN
THE TOP FLOOR
CALFE (Children and Authors’ Literary Fanfare and Events) is back for a third year celebrating African and Caribbean culture and heritage through a day of energetic storytelling and hands-on workshops.
Shared Reading
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
THE TOP FLOOR
Relax, connect with people and share stories in our discussion group exploring stories, poetry and non-fiction, new and old.
Collection Bites: Sperm whales - science, history and deep sea stories
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
RESEARCH STUDIO
This talk will look at the history, biology, and enduring mystery of the sperm whale, from its central role in the whaling industry to what scientists are still finding out today.
Diwali
FREE | JUST DROP IN
ACROSS THE MUSEUM
Share in the colour and vibrancy of the joyous festival of Diwali, celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world.
Talk English Circle
FREE | JUST DROP IN
TOP FLOOR
Join our welcoming Talk English Circles sessions, designed to help you build confidence in speaking English, develop new skills and meet other people.
Chai & Paint
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
TOP FLOOR
Join us for a relaxed Chai & Paint workshop celebrating South Asian Heritage Month, designed especially for older South Asian women.
Made in South Asia Games Night
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
SOUTH ASIA GALLERY PROJECT SPACE
Made in South Asia Games Night is a regular Wednesday evening event exploring the South Asian origins of much-loved games like Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, and Carrom.
Talk English Circle
FREE | JUST DROP IN
TOP FLOOR
Join our welcoming Talk English Circles sessions, designed to help you build confidence in speaking English, develop new skills and meet other people.
Finds ID
FREE | Just drop in
THE TOP FLOOR
Found an archaeological object in your garden, out walking, or metal detecting?
Come along to a finds day to learn more about your discovery and hand it in for recording with the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
Wellbeing Wednesdays: Henry Dresser scientific illustration
£2.88 | BOOK ONLINE
THE TOP FLOOR
Illustrate an eagle owl inspired by the works of Henry Dresser, author of A History of the Birds of Europe.
Talk English Circle
FREE | JUST DROP IN
TOP FLOOR
Join our welcoming Talk English Circles sessions, designed to help you build confidence in speaking English, develop new skills and meet other people.
Talk English Circle
FREE | JUST DROP IN
TOP FLOOR
Join our welcoming Talk English Circles sessions, designed to help you build confidence in speaking English, develop new skills and meet other people.
Jewels in the Crown: The Oxford Road Tour
£15 | Book online
WALKING TOUR
Discover the secrets of Oxford Road and take a trip through world-changing moments in Manchester’s past with Blue Badge Guide Jonathan Schofield.
Stained Metal
Stained Metal explores the personal and global impact of the British Empire through the journey of a medal around the world, tracing connections between people, places and histories.
Manchester Literature Festival presents Sarah Hall: Burning Snowflake
£10 | SOLD OUT
LIVING WORLDS
Award-winning author Sarah Hall delivers the 2026 Faber Lecture: Burning Snowflake. The natural world is burning. Time is running out. You know the story. So what possible role could something as flimsy as fiction play?
Jewels in the Crown: The Oxford Road Tour
£15 | Book online
WALKING TOUR
Discover the secrets of Oxford Road and take a trip through world-changing moments in Manchester’s past with Blue Badge Guide Jonathan Schofield.
Made in South Asia Games Night
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
SOUTH ASIA GALLERY PROJECT SPACE
Made in South Asia Games Night is a regular Wednesday evening event exploring the South Asian origins of much-loved games like Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, and Carrom.
Wellbeing Wednesdays: Autumn Equinox
£2.88 | BOOK ONLINE
THE TOP FLOOR
Combine creativity with traditional Chinese movements designed to help you adapt to the change in seasons.
The Cultural Welcome: Words from the Willow
Fancy a bit of laid-back lunchtime listening? A calming break between lectures?
Grab yourself a brew or a bite to eat and relax in the Main Hall for a performance from folk duo Words from the Willow as part of The Cultural Welcome.
Shared Reading
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
THE TOP FLOOR
Relax, connect with people and share stories in our discussion group exploring stories, poetry and non-fiction, new and old.
The Plural World of Migrants
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
KANARIS THEATRE
The Plural World of Migrants is a space for real stories, honest conversations, and deeper understanding, in Partnership with Readfirst Bookshop, a community bookshop for Hong Kong people.
Jewels in the Crown: The Oxford Road Tour
£15 | Book online
WALKING TOUR
Discover the secrets of Oxford Road and take a trip through world-changing moments in Manchester’s past with Blue Badge Guide Jonathan Schofield.
Manchester Museum Celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
TOP FLOOR
Celebrate the magic of the Mid-Autumn Festival through a day of activities, including lantern-making, a tea ceremony, a leaf whistle workshop, arts and crafts, and even more!
Jewels in the Crown: The Oxford Road Tour
£15 | Book online
WALKING TOUR
Discover the secrets of Oxford Road and take a trip through world-changing moments in Manchester’s past with Blue Badge Guide Jonathan Schofield.
Come What May, We're Here to Stay
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
MAIN HALL
Join journalist and historian Taj Ali for a special author panel celebrating his book Come What May, We’re Here to Stay. This discussion explores the rich history of South Asian activism in Britain, from anti-colonial movements to ongoing struggles against racism.
Resisting Mining Book Club
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
EXHIBITION HALL AND ONLINE
Join us for the latest edition of London Mining Network’s Resisting Mining Book Club with author Françoise Vergès.
Wellbeing Wednesdays: Can't see the wood for the trees
£2.88 | BOOK ONLINE
THE TOP FLOOR
A relaxed, therapeutic art workshop taking inspiration from some of the wood specimens from our botany collection.
Sharing a Shell, with Manchester Camerata
FREE | JUST DROP IN
LIVING WORLDS
Join Manchester Camerata for a magical, family-friendly performance featuring Julia Donaldson’s much-loved story Sharing a Shell.
Grand Raksha Bandhan Celebration
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
LIVING WORLDS
Living Worlds will play host to a Grand Raksha Bandhan celebration at the culimination of a four-month programme by local community organisation Sangha, titled 'Connected Beginnings'.
Meet the London Mining Network
FREE | JUST DROP IN
EXHIBITION HALL
How much do you know about where your mobile phone comes from? Drop in to the Human Natures exhibition to meet members of the London Mining Network.
Made in South Asia Games Night
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
SOUTH ASIA GALLERY PROJECT SPACE
Made in South Asia Games Night is a regular Wednesday evening event exploring the South Asian origins of much-loved games like Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, and Carrom.
Shared Reading
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
THE TOP FLOOR
Relax, connect with people and share stories in our discussion group exploring stories, poetry and non-fiction, new and old.
Discover the shofar
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
TOP FLOOR CLASSROOM
Discover the fascinating story of the shofar, one of the world's oldest musical instruments, in this hands-on family workshop.
The Plural World of Migrants
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
KANARIS THEATRE
The Plural World of Migrants is a space for real stories, honest conversations, and deeper understanding, in Partnership with Readfirst Bookshop, a community bookshop for Hong Kong people.
Caribbean Nights: Windrush film screening
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
KANARIS THEATRE
Join us for an evening of remembering, honouring and sharing stories from the Windrush generation. A screening of Milestone: Streets Paved With Gold will be followed by a Q&A discussion with Victor Richards who stars in, wrote and directed the film, alongside local guests.
Collection Bites: Manchester Pride
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
MEET IN THE WELCOME AREA
Celebrate Manchester Pride with us! Join us for a closer look at some of the stories from our collections interpreted through a queer lens.
Family Collection Bites Archaeologist for the Day!
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
BASEMENT EDUCATION SUITE
Find out how archaeologists care for objects and use clues and evidence to describe them and uncover their stories.
Pride tours
FREE | JUST DROP IN
WELCOME AREA
Celebrate Manchester’s Pride week with us by enjoying Pride-themed tours of the Museum led by our Visitor Team.
Learning to repair with the Manchester Library of Things
FREE | JUST DROP IN
EXHIBITION HALL
Pop in to meet the team behind the Manchester Library of Things, who will be joined by a skilled repairer demonstrating how you can fix common repair issues with household appliances.
Intergenerational Climate Café
FREE | Book online
How do you feel about the climate crisis? Do you find it’s difficult to talk about it? Join us in a welcoming space for people of all ages to get together and talk about the climate crisis.
Family Collection Bites: Zoo Do You Think You Are?
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
BASEMENT EDUCATION SUITE
Meet some familiar animals close up and use your skills of deduction to decide who their closest relatives are.
Billie Bee Story Time
FREE | JUST DROP IN
BASEMENT EDUCATION SUITE
Interactive storytelling inspired by the new book Bille Bee and the secret glue that holds Manchester together.
Finds ID
FREE | JUST DROP IN
THE TOP FLOOR
Found an archaeological object in your garden, out walking, or metal detecting?
Come along to a finds day to learn more about your discovery and hand it in for recording with the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
Wellbeing Wednesday: Nature's Ecosystem
£2.88 | BOOK ONLINE
TOP FLOOR
A relaxed, therapeutic art and craft workshop, using reusable modelling clay to create rainforest-inspired pieces.