Events List
Anindilyakwa Arts: Stories from our Country
FREE | 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.
The Artefacts of Prediction: Imagining Tomorrow
FREE | Drop in
RESEARCH GALLERY, FLOOR 2
From tarot cards to uranium glass, from paper dresses to futuristic games, how have people from 1900 to the present tried to glimpse, design, or control what comes next?
Highlights Tours
FREE and £5 tours available | Book online
Within Manchester Museum’s collection of 4.5 million objects, there are stories that span millennia. Join a member of our Visitor Team for our family-friendly highlights tours, as they share a selection of the stories that have captured the imagination of staff and visitors for over 100 years.
Human Natures
FREE | Booking open soon
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.
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.
RSPB Pop-Up Stall
FREE | Just drop in
Pop along to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) pop-up stall to get involved in fun activities, while discovering more about their work and how you can get involved.
Manchester Museum Celebrates Africa Day
FREE | Just drop in
ACROSS THE MUSEUM
Immerse yourself in the energy, richness and vibrancy of African culture when Manchester Museum celebrates Africa Day. Experience African music, dance, fashion and food, while learning about Africa’s story through talks, workshops and opportunities to engage with African items cared for by the Museum.
Reuse and Recycle Crafts
FREE | Just drop in
THE TOP FLOOR
Don’t chuck it away, put it to good use! Join us to get creative through fun craft activities using waste materials, inspired by our exhibition Human Natures.
(Re)imaging faces: restoring humanity through art, archaeology and science
FREE | Book online
KANARIS THEATRE, FLOOR 2
Join the Museum’s Curator of Egypt and Sudan, Dr Campbell Price to explore research on the human face from art, medicine and engineering perspectives.
Right to a Healthy Environment, with Friends of the Earth
FREE | Just drop in
THE TOP FLOOR
Get involved in fun, family-friendly activities and find out more about Friends of the Earth’s Right to a Heathy Environment campaign at their pop-up stall throughout May half term.
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.
RSPB Pop-Up Stall
FREE | Just drop in
Pop along to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) pop-up stall to get involved in fun activities, while discovering more about their work and how you can get involved.
Manchester Museum Celebrates Vesak
FREE | Just drop in
ACROSS THE MUSEUM
Discover one of the most important festivals in the Buddhist calendar and join the celebrations during Vesak at your Museum.
Family-friendly Chinese Ink Painting
FREE | Just drop in
TOP FLOOR
Try your hand at Chinese ink painting in one of our family-friendly sessions. We’re joining forces with Chinese Art Zone Manchester for a day-long celebration of this traditional artform, which will be perfect for families, art lovers and curious creatives of all ages.
Design your own Challah cover
FREE | Book online
LOCATION TBC
As part of Jewish Culture Month, join textile designer Francesca Kletz to learn about Jewish traditions and symbolism while creating your own personalised Challah cover.
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.
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.
Introductory tai chi qigong summer session
FREE | Book online
LEE KAI HUNG CHINESE CULTURE GALLERY, FLOOR 1
Enjoy the benefits of relaxed, free-flowing movement during our introductory tai chi qigong sessions aimed at people aged 50+.
Collection Bites: Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution Contextualised
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
RESEARCH STUDIO, FLOOR 2
Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution did not emerge in isolation. This talk will focus in on the social, political and scientific climate of the mid 19th century and how this impacted on Darwin’s early life and studies.
Meet the Manchester Urban Diggers
FREE | JUST DROP IN
MAIN HALL
A celebration of the work Pinc College students have created over the past year. An independent Specialist College for Creative Studies, Pinc College is based on the Museum’s Top Floor.
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.
Help MUD make a community cookbook
FREE | JUST DROP IN
EXHIBITION HALL
50 years from now and it's 2076. Do we still use cookbooks? What would they look like? What will we be eating? and how?
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.
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.
Universally Manchester Festival
FREE | Just drop in
ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER CAMPUS
This vibrant free one-day festival is packed with fun, interactive activities for all ages. Universally Manchester is The University of Manchester’s community festival and, whether you’re curious about the latest scientific discoveries or passionate about arts and culture, there’s something for everyone.
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.
SEND Live Animal Encounters
FREE | Book online
THE VIVARIUM, FLOOR 2
Specially for groups of students with special educational needs/disabilities, our Live Animal Encounters allow students to get up close to frogs, snakes and more from our amazing Vivarium.
Wellbeing Wednesday: Nature's Jewels
£2.88 | BOOK ONLINE
TOP FLOOR
A relaxed, therapeutic mixed art and craft workshop taking inspiration from some of the insects in our Entomology collection.
Upcycling Workshop with The Or Foundation
FREE | Book online
THE VIVARIUM, FLOOR 2
Specially for groups of students with special educational needs/disabilities, our Live Animal Encounters allow students to get up close to frogs, snakes and more from our amazing Vivarium.
Four Seasons - Chinese Landscape, Poetry and Sound
Free | Book online
MAIN HALL
Four Seasons is a composer-led live performance project by Abigail Yang from Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), inspired by the natural imagery and emotional depth of classical Chinese poetry.
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.
Refugee Week film screening
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
LOCATION TBC
Join us for a film screening, as part of the Refugee Week Film Festival. Each year, Refugee Week curates a selection of short and feature-length films exploring themes of displacement, migration, belonging and community. The films invite reflection, conversation, and connection.
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.
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.
Wellbeing Day
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
VARIOUS LOCATIONS
In celebration of World Wellbeing Week 2026, we warmly invite you to our free wellbeing day.
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.
What's Found Under the Ground?
£250 | Book online
MUSEUM TAKEOVER FOR SCHOOLS
In this memorable, playful and action-packed full day in Manchester Museum, children will encounter scientists such as Palaeontologists, Archaeologists and Biologists to discover the fascinating real-world applications of their studies in school.
Collection Bites: Neolithic bodies. Fragments, landscapes and identities
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
RESEARCH STUDIO, FLOOR 2
In this Collection Bites, you’ll meet a 5,000-year-old clay fragment from the Neolithic Vinča culture. We’ll use fragments as storytellers about belonging and whose bodies we imagine as whole.
Pinc College summer exhibition
FREE | JUST DROP IN
MAIN HALL
A celebration of the work Pinc College students have created over the past year. An independent Specialist College for Creative Studies, Pinc College is based on the Museum’s Top Floor.
Creative writing workshop with Jenny Lau
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
TOP FLOOR CLASSROOM
Join Jenny Lau, author of An A–Z of Chinese Food (Recipes Not Included), for a unique and inspiring creative writing workshop.
Conversation panel with ESEA writers
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
TOP FLOOR CLASSROOM
Join Zoe Li from The Juniper by the Sea, the UK’s first East and South East Asian bookshop, as she chairs a lively conversation with ESEA writers.
The Contributions of North West Nurses to NHS Health and Social Care
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
KANARIS THEATRE AND SOUTH ASIA GALLERY
Celebrate the start of South Asian Heritage Month and the South Asia Gallery’s new installation, marking the contribution of nurses from across South Asia to nursing in the UK.
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.
SEND Live Animal Encounters
FREE | Book online
THE VIVARIUM, FLOOR 2
Specially for groups of students with special educational needs/disabilities, our Live Animal Encounters allow students to get up close to frogs, snakes and more from our amazing Vivarium.
Wellbeing Wednesday: Nature's Adornments
£2.88 | BOOK ONLINE
TOP FLOOR
A relaxed, therapeutic paper craft workshop, creatiung garlands and artworks based on buttercups and daisies.
Punjab Registers: Sharing the Stories for Evermore
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
KANARIS THEATRE
An evening of discussion and remembrance, raising awareness of the ‘Punjab Registers’, a significant initiative that commemorates the contribution and sacrifice of Punjabi soldiers during the World Wars.
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.
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.
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.
Collection Bites: Families - Gotta Match ‘Em All
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
BASEMENT EDUCATION SUITE
Video games are full of creatures inspired by real animals, but can you work out which is which?
Young People Moving Through Manchester
FREE | JUST DROP IN
MAIN HALL
A mixed-media art exhibition created by young people at 42nd Street and The Horsfall. It shares stories of journeys, barriers, freedom, frustration and imagination, offering honest and creative reflections on how transport shapes everyday life.
Collection Bites: Indo-Greek numismatics and colonial imagination
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
RESEARCH STUDIO, FLOOR 2
How Indo-Greek coins shaped Western understanding of the ancient Indo-Greek kingdoms.
Made in South Asia Games Night
FREE | JUST DROP IN
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.
Collection Bites: Families - Egg Detectives
FREE | BOOK ONLINE
BASEMENT EDUCATION SUITE
Grab your magnifying glasses and get cracking with Egg Detectives this summer!
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.
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.
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.
Collection Bites: Families - 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.
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.
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.
Collection Bites: Families - 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Critical Conversations: Relooted Game
FREE | Book online
THE TOP FLOOR
Critical Conversations is a space for young people to explore museums, culture and heritage. In this session, play and discuss Relooted, an Afrofuturist heist game.
SEND Live Animal Encounters
FREE | Book online
THE VIVARIUM, FLOOR 2
Specially for groups of students with special educational needs/disabilities, our Live Animal Encounters allow students to get up close to frogs, snakes and more from our amazing Vivarium.
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. Shared Reading is for everyone, whether you love books or have never read before. Grab a brew, come for a friendly chat and to hear brilliant texts read out loud – no pressure to read!
Waving Kites: Flowing Stories
FREE | Book online
KANARIS THEATRE, FLOOR 2
Enjoy stories of the Hongkonger diasporic experience across different moments and places, through two film screenings as part of the Waving Kites: Hong Kong Diasporic Cinema UK Tour.
Talk English Circle
FREE | Just drop in
TOP FLOOR
Come along to Talk English Circles at Manchester Museum to practise speaking English and meet other people. Learn English, build confidence and join a friendly group exploring conversation, language skills and community connection.
Introductory tai chi qigong sessions
FREE | Book online
LEE KAI HUNG CHINESE CULTURE GALLERY, FLOOR 1
Enjoy the benefits of relaxed, free-flowing movement during our introductory tai chi qigong sessions aimed at people aged 50+.
Waving Kites: Reunification
FREE | Book online
KANARIS THEATRE, FLOOR 2
Enjoy stories of the Hongkonger diasporic experience across different moments and places, through two film screenings as part of the Waving Kites: Hong Kong Diasporic Cinema UK Tour.
Talk English Circle
FREE | Just drop in
TOP FLOOR
Come along to Talk English Circles at Manchester Museum to practise speaking English and meet other people. Learn English, build confidence and join a friendly group exploring conversation, language skills and community connection.
Dan Hicks: Monuments Will Fall
£5 | Book online
KANARIS THEATRE, FLOOR 2
Join Dan Hicks in conversation with Sadia Habib, to mark the release of the paperback edition of Every Monument Will Fall.
Wellbeing Wednesday: It's a long time from May to December!
FREE | Book online
THE TOP FLOOR
Don’t just count the days - make the days count! Come along and chat with our friends from Inner Space to think about the impact of the seasons on our sense of wellbeing.
Introductory tai chi qigong sessions
FREE | Book online
LEE KAI HUNG CHINESE CULTURE GALLERY, FLOOR 1
Enjoy the benefits of relaxed, free-flowing movement during our introductory tai chi qigong sessions aimed at people aged 50+.
What's Found Under the Ground?
£250 | Book online
MUSEUM TAKEOVER FOR SCHOOLS
In this memorable, playful and action-packed full day in Manchester Museum, children will encounter scientists such as Palaeontologists, Archaeologists and Biologists to discover the fascinating real-world applications of their studies in school.
Talk English Circle
FREE | Just drop in
TOP FLOOR
Come along to Talk English Circles at Manchester Museum to practise speaking English and meet other people. Learn English, build confidence and join a friendly group exploring conversation, language skills and community connection.
Lahore to Longsight vinyl album launch
FREE | Book online
SOUTH ASIA GALLERY, FLOOR 1
Celebrate 25 years of Aziz Ibrahim’s pioneering British Asian album Lahore To Longsight with the release of a double vinyl edition.
Introductory tai chi qigong sessions
FREE | Book online
LEE KAI HUNG CHINESE CULTURE GALLERY, FLOOR 1
Enjoy the benefits of relaxed, free-flowing movement during our introductory tai chi qigong sessions aimed at people aged 50+.
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.
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.
Chinese bottle painting workshop
FREE | Book online
LEE KAI HUNG CHINESE CULTURE GALLERY, FLOOR 1
Learn about the beautiful and intricate traditional painting technique for the inside of Chinese snuff bottles with artist Jianyong Guo. Then try it yourself.
City Nature Challenge 2026
FREE | Join in online
Join the global biodiversity challenge by finding and documenting wildlife across Greater Manchester. Explore nature around you, take pictures of wild plants and animals, record your observations and contribute to a regional environmental survey.
Talk English Circle
FREE | Just drop in
TOP FLOOR
Come along to Talk English Circles at Manchester Museum to practise speaking English and meet other people. Learn English, build confidence and join a friendly group exploring conversation, language skills and community connection.
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.
Human Natures launch event
FREE | Just drop in
EXHIBITION HALL, GROUND FLOOR
Join us to celebrate Earth Day and get a first look at our new exhibition, Human Natures. We’ll have a variety of fun activities inspired by the exhibition and our incredible planet.
Wellbeing Wednesday: April showers bring May flowers!
£2 | Book online
THE TOP FLOOR
Inspired by the spring flowers in our botany collections, this is your chance to get creative and make your own herbarium sheet or botanical illustration.
Introductory tai chi qigong sessions
FREE | Book online
LEE KAI HUNG CHINESE CULTURE GALLERY, FLOOR 1
Enjoy the benefits of relaxed, free-flowing movement during our introductory tai chi qigong sessions aimed at people aged 50+.
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. Shared Reading is for everyone, whether you love books or have never read before. Grab a brew, come for a friendly chat and to hear brilliant texts read out loud – no pressure to read!
Chinese Culture Corner: Chinese Language Day
FREE | Just drop in
LEE KAI HUNG CHINESE CULTURE GALLERY, FLOOR 1
Discover the Beauty of Chinese characters to mark UN Chinese Language Day. Join Dr Fang Zong in the Chinese Culture Gallery for an engaging introduction to the fascinating world of logograms and pictographs.
RSPB Pop-Up Stall
FREE | Just drop in
Pop along to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) pop-up stall to get involved in fun activities, while discovering more about their work and how you can get involved.
Dadikwakwa-kwa Come Out to Play!
FREE | Book online
RESEARCH STUDIO, FLOOR 2
Enjoy a rare chance to play with collections that are on display, and connect with the spirits and ancestors of the Anindilyakwa People. Sessions will run at 2-3pm on Tuesday 7 April, Wednesday 8 April, Thursday 9 April, Tuesday 14 April, Wednesday 15 April and Thursday 16 April.
Clay Play
Free | Just drop in
THE TOP FLOOR
Mould, shape, and create your very own clay creations in our Clay Play craft activity. Sessions run 11am-1pm and 2-4pm, 14-17 April.
Manchester Museum Celebrates Vaisakhi
FREE | Just drop in
ACROSS THE MUSEUM
A day full of energy, warmth and generosity that you really won’t want to miss, marking the most important festival in the Sikh calendar. Part of our Manchester Museum Celebrates event series, building connection and understanding through vibrant cultural celebrations.