Award-winning Manchester Histories Festival is back for its ninth edition. It will be a four-day programme full of events, including music, performances, talks, showcases, vintage vehicles, crafts, food and more. It is a festival for all, which means there are many opportunities for everyone to get involved. 
This year, the biennial festival will also be partnered with The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, both 200 years old in 2024. Highlights will include a day and evening of public talks, workshops and music exploring sonic sound heritage at Manchester Met on Saturday 8 June and a wonderful Celebration Day will take place in the historic Whitworth Hall and on campus on Sunday 9 June as part of the Universally Manchester Festival.
As a group, historian, cultural organisation, artist or individual, you are all invited to be part of the programme, to share your stories or to put up a stall.
Friday 7 and Saturday 8 June 2024 at Manchester Central Library
Manchester History Festival 2024: ‘R Histories Open Mic Extravaganza
Be on stage. Take part in the ‘R Histories Open Mic Extravaganza at Manchester Central Library. You get 10 minutes on the stage to perform, play, show, sing, speak, tell, or dance your piece of history that you are passionate about. You must be at least 16 years old to take part. Find out more and apply here Deadline: 29 March 2024.
Sunday 9 June 2024 at Whitworth Hall, University of Manchester
Set up a stall at the Manchester Histories Festival 2024 Celebration Day at the Histories and Heritage Marketplace in the iconic Whitworth Hall. A day that celebrates organisations across Greater Manchester and the North West which play a vital role in telling local stories and help to connect people through history, heritage, and cultural activities. To show your interest in having a stall apply here Deadline: 29 March 2024.
Are you an emerging / early career artist in Greater Manchester? The It Started with a Seed International Storytelling Festival (IS WAS) will launch in June 2024, a collaboration with Manchester Met Arts and Humanities Faculty, Manchester Met Poetry Library, and Manchester Histories. The partnership team is actively seeking to commission four early career artists (you must be a UK resident, living in Greater Manchester or the North West of England and at least 18 years old) to create new work inspired by Manchester Met at 200 years. Welcoming diverse artistic expressions, including poetry, film, audio, art, storytelling, and performance. The commissioned works will be featured at the Manchester Histories Festival 2024. This opportunity is open to all, including students from Manchester Met. Find out more and apply here Deadline for submissions: 4 March 2024
The full programme of events for Manchester Histories Festival 2024 will be announced in spring 2024. The festival will take place across the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and Manchester Central Library.