Looking Back and See You on 13 June 2026

On Saturday 14 June 2025, we opened our campus to more than 2,000 people from our local neighbourhoods and beyond for this year’s Universally Manchester Festival.

This free, family-friendly festival is part of our ongoing commitment to sharing the University’s research, teaching, and cultural work with the wider public in ways that are inclusive, engaging, and meaningful. With over 80 hands-on activities and conversations across science, art, engineering, and history, the day celebrated curiosity and connection.

The festival was shaped by three themes greener, fairer, and healthier. These themes reflect our commitment to working together with partners and communities for a better future to address some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing humanity.

“Everyone has been very friendly. It’s been great for the kids to learn lots of new topics. I love that it was very interactive.”  Festival visitor 2025

This year, our research platforms teamed up with local art collective Grit Studios to present The Art of Research, a vibrant showcase of artwork inspired by university research.

Visitors also had the chance to engage directly with some of our community partners, sowing seeds of hope and exploring green spaces with Sister, imagining future careers with the Innovation Factory, and engaging in hands-on building activities with The Works.

Our cultural institutions brought their own energy to the day with Jodrell Bank taking visitors of all ages on an extraordinary journey to the universe and The Whitworth exploring sensory play with some of the younger visitors. Meanwhile the Manchester Museum hosted a language trail alongside engaging exhibitions, offering new perspectives on culture, heritage and the environment.

“Everything was perfect the children as well as myself we’ve had a brill day!” Festival visitor 2025

The University Community Allotment, developed in partnership with Ardwick Climate Action, offered a space for learning and wellbeing, encouraging visitors to explore the role of biodiversity in keeping our air clean and our ecosystems resilient.

Outdoors, visitors uncovered the hidden world beneath their feet, discovered how plants link us to food, beauty, and science, and shared their own hopes for a fairer society.

The Bee Curious programme brought additional performances and engaging discussions to the festival. Dr Eamonn Kerins from Jodrell Bank took visitors “out of this world” with insights into alien life. Sens Sagna and Dr Anita Greenhill immersed visitors in the Rhythm of Life through exhilarating drums and uplifting dance.

Manchester-based poet Rebecca Hurst invited festival-goers to pause and rediscover joy in the everyday, while this year’s young winners of the annual Schools Poetry Competition shared their powerful verses on the theme Connected Science.

Prof Dawn Edge and Reverend Paul Grey led a thought-provoking discussion inviting visitors to consider whether current approaches in mental healthcare fully embrace diverse perspectives, and what this could mean for delivering truly person-centred support.

So, save the date! As we look head to another exciting programme of learning, creativity and community. We can’t wait to welcome you back to the University of Manchester campus on Saturday, 13 June 2026.