Events

Your event at the Museum

Want to hold an event at the Museum?

At Manchester Museum, we bring the world to our doorstep through dynamic, engaging and inspiring events that connect people with the natural world, cultures and histories. As a vibrant hub of discovery and creativity, our mission is to spark curiosity, foster learning and build community by making our collections and exhibitions accessible and relevant to everyone.

We’re always excited to hear new ideas for events at the Museum. Before submitting a proposal, please read the information at the bottom of the page first to ensure it aligns with our values, audiences and programming. You can then submit your event idea via the form below.

Alternatively, if you would like to hire the Museum for a private event, you can find all the details on our venue hire pages.

What we do

Our events programme is a vital part of the museum’s work, designed to reach diverse audiences across all ages and interests. From family-friendly activities to thought-provoking adult experiences, our events celebrate knowledge, creativity and connection. Whether through special exhibitions, interactive workshops, talks or our popular Wednesday Lates, we create meaningful opportunities for engagement and dialogue.

Why We Do It

We believe that museums are spaces for exploration, education and inspiration. Our events aim to enrich visitor experiences, support lifelong learning and nurture a sense of belonging and wonder. By collaborating with artists, academics, community groups and experts, we ensure our programme is inclusive, thought-provoking and culturally responsive.

Manchester Museum aligns closely with The University of Manchester’s aims of fostering understanding between cultures and building a sustainable world. We develop programming, events and exhibitions with our communities that explore local and global social and environmental issues from many perspectives, encouraging public conversations about the climate and ecological crisis.

You can find out more about our approach to sustainability on our environmental action page and find out more about our approach to social justice on our social justice page.

Our Mission and Values

Our mission is to build understanding between cultures and a more sustainable world, and we are driven by our values to be inclusive, imaginative and caring.

In practice, these values mean:

  • We provide opportunities for everyone to discover, explore and learn through our collections and programmes.

  • We strive to create an environment that respects and celebrates different cultures, perspectives and abilities.

  • We work closely with communities, artists and partners to ensure our events are relevant and impactful.

  • We are committed to promoting environmental awareness and social responsibility through our activities.

Manchester Museum hosts a wide range of exhibitions, led by our mission and values, and building on the themes found in the collections we care for, across natural history, archaeology and living cultures. Our events complement these themes through distinct strands tailored for different audiences:

  • Family and Age Friendly. Hands-on workshops, storytelling sessions and interactive activities designed for children and families, as well as programmes to help foster connection, health and creativity in older adults.

  • Adult and academic. Expert talks, panel discussions, film screenings and creative workshops offering deeper exploration.

  • Wednesday Lates. Manchester Museum stays open until 9pm every Wednesday, giving audiences the opportunity to experience the Museum after hours. Lates creatively engage adult audiences with collections, mission and values.  

  • Community and partnership. Collaborative projects that engage local groups, schools and cultural partners.

At a glance: what we do and don’t support

We welcome innovative, inclusive, educational and community-focused events that align with our mission and values.

We do not support events or activities that conflict with our commitment to social justice, environmental sustainability, or that are commercial in nature without clear educational or cultural benefit.

All programming must be appropriate for a public museum setting and respect the dignity of all participants and audiences.