Manchester Histories

Heading to Manchester Histories Festival this weekend? This guide provides information on how to reach our festival venues using Metrolink services and Bee Network buses 🚋🚌

Included in this guide:
📍 Manchester Central Library & Town Hall Extension
📍 John Rylands Research Institute and Library
📍 Phil Martin Centre, Moss Side

We encourage visitors to travel sustainably where possible and make use of Manchester’s public transport network when attending festival events across the city.

Visitors travelling by public transport can also enjoy 20% off food and drink at the Manchester Central Library Café by presenting a valid ticket ☕

Swipe through to plan your journey ahead of your visit and find the most convenient route for you!

Manchester Histories Festival 2026 is made possible thanks to generous funding and support from Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Manchester, and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Celebration Day returns to Manchester Central Library, bringing a vibrant, free, and family-friendly day out for all ages.

Drop in to enjoy packed programme of storytelling, performances and creative activities from across Greater Manchester’s heritage sector 🎉

Don’t miss the festival finale, Corsets & Kippers—book your place now: https://bit.ly/MHF2026_Corsets

📷 Jonathan Keenan

Manchester Histories Festival 2026 is made possible thanks to generous funding and support from Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Manchester, and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Explore the legacy of Champs Camp, the UK’s first Black-led boxing gym, and the vision of founder Phil Martin through photography, film and archive stories.

Discover how a community space built on discipline and opportunity became home to champions, and how its story continues to be preserved today.

🥊 Book your place here: https://bit.ly/MHF2026_Champs

Manchester Histories Festival 2026 is made possible thanks to generous funding and support from Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Manchester, and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Join us at the historic John Rylands Library for an all-day event exploring what history is for, and how Manchester’s past is used, shaped and reimagined to influence identity, belief, and the city’s future.

Through talks, workshops and discussion, we’ll unpack the stories and ideas behind the city we think we know.

🐝Book now: https://bit.ly/MHF2026_WhatIsHistoryFor

📷 Mancsy

Manchester Histories Festival 2026 is made possible thanks to generous funding and support from Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Manchester, and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a culture lover, or just curious about the city you call home, this is your invitation to dive deeper into Manchester’s past, present, and future.

Expect fresh perspectives, big ideas, and powerful storytelling from the people shaping how we understand the city today.

✨ See the full line up and reserve your place here: https://bit.ly/MHF2026_CivicPrideTalks

📷 Manchester City Council

Manchester Histories Festival 2026 is made possible thanks to generous funding and support from Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Manchester, and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Manchester’s history is everywhere—if you know where to look!

This series of guided walks, talks, and special access events reveals the hidden spaces and untold stories that have shaped the city we know today.

👣 Explore here: https://bit.ly/MHF2026_ToursDiscussions


📷 Pexels / Miguel Arcanjo Saddi

Manchester Histories Festival 2026 is made possible thanks to generous funding and support from Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Manchester, and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Manchester history, reimagined and retold ✨
Histories Slam brings 14 performers from across Greater Manchester together for an evening of live storytelling 🎤

Don’t miss out — book your place now: https://bit.ly/MHF2026_Slam

📷Jonathan Keenan

Manchester Histories Festival 2026 is made possible thanks to generous funding and support from Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Manchester, and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Whether you’re picking up a needle for the first time or you’re already a skilled stitcher, you’re invited to join!

The Threads of a City workshops welcome you to take part in a creative collaboration woven from Manchester’s stories, cultures, and communities.

🧵 Reserve your place at our stitching workshops here: https://bit.ly/MHF2026_Threads

Manchester Histories Festival 2026 is made possible thanks to generous funding and support from Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Manchester, and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Banners are up and the countdown to Manchester Histories Festival 2026 is on! Have you spotted us around the city yet?

Tag us using if you see us out and about👀

Manchester Histories Festival 2026 is made possible thanks to generous funding and support from Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Manchester, and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Manchester Histories Festival 2026 programme is now live!

This year marks 10 years of Manchester Histories Festival, celebrating a decade of stories, people and places. Across the weekend, you can look forward to workshops, performances, talks, films, and even a special visit from a wandering friend 🐐

We’re proud to offer a wide range of free, family-friendly events, making the festival accessible to all.

Events will be taking place across Manchester Central Library, John Rylands Research Institute and Library, and the Moss Side Boxing & Athletics Association, with something for everyone across the city. We’re also pleased to share our Travel Smart offer in partnership with Manchester Central Library Café: travel in by public transport and receive 20% off food and drink at the café—just show your ticket to redeem.

👉 Explore the programme & book your tickets now: https://bit.ly/mhf2026

Manchester Histories Festival 2026 is made possible thanks to generous funding and support from Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Manchester Metropolitan University , The University of Manchester , and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.