Manchester Histories

Manchester Histories There are free activities and events year-round and Manchester Histories Festival biennial.

Manchester Histories is a multi-award-winning charity working collaboratively to reveal, share and celebrate Greater Manchester’s diverse histories and heritage. Multi-award-winning charity working collaboratively with people, organisations, and partners to reveal, share and celebrate Greater Manchester's diverse histories and heritage. We deliver free projects and events throughout the year that

reveal and celebrate histories and heritage, build networks for participation, develop and share skills and knowledge across Greater Manchester, and increase participation in histories and heritage across communities, including the Manchester Histories Festival, a biennial festival that takes place across Greater Manchester.

Not sure where to start with the programme? We're sharing some of our must-see talks and films. 🎵Tales of Manchester’s...
04/06/2026

Not sure where to start with the programme? We're sharing some of our must-see talks and films.

🎵Tales of Manchester’s Musical Histories

Discover stories and sounds from three unique music archives across Greater Manchester in this special event.

We’ll explore the lives and legacies of three remarkable women who shaped Manchester’s musical history — Maria Malibran, Kathleen Moorhouse, and Isobel Baillie — brought to life through the Manchester Digital Music Archive.

You’ll also hear rare, digitally restored recordings from Stockport’s Strawberry Recording Studios Archive, offering a fascinating glimpse into the city-region’s musical heritage.

Alongside this, Keera Kalirai traces Manchester’s wider musical journey — from the cultural impact of the Hacienda nightclub, through the punk explosion of the late 1970s, and into the present day.

Together, these stories reveal how Manchester’s music history continues to shape and resonate today.

📍 Performance Space, Manchester Central Library
📅 Friday 5 June, 2.30–3.30pm
🎟️ Free to attend

Book your place here: bit.ly/MHF2026_CivicPrideTalks

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.

Not sure where to start with the programme? We're sharing some of our must-see talks and films. 🎬 Champs Camp Film Pre...
04/06/2026

Not sure where to start with the programme? We're sharing some of our must-see talks and films.

🎬 Champs Camp Film Premiere

This powerful new film, created by Northern Light Film in collaboration with young people from Moss Side and Hulme as part of the Champs Camp Archive Project, responds to the legacy of Champs Camp through the experiences, creativity, and perspectives of local young people.

Champs Camp was the UK’s first Black-led boxing club, founded in Moss Side in 1981 by Phil Martin, and remains a defining part of the area’s sporting and cultural history.

The premiere will be followed by a Q&A with the young filmmakers, Northern Light Film, and Maurice Coore, former British light-heavyweight champion and respected boxing trainer.

Enjoy an evening of film, conversation, and community, with food and drink available throughout.

📍 Performance Space, Manchester Central Library
📅 Friday 5 June, 6–8pm
🎟️ Free to attend

Book your place here: bit.ly/MHF2026_CivicPrideTalks

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.

Not sure where to start with the programme? We're sharing some of our must-see talks and films. 🎙️ Since Attlee & Chur...
04/06/2026

Not sure where to start with the programme? We're sharing some of our must-see talks and films.

🎙️ Since Attlee & Churchill

It’s only fitting that for Manchester Histories Festival we’re joined by one of Britain’s most popular history podcasts!

Since Attlee & Churchilll comes to Manchester Central Library for a special live recording, hosted by historians Richard Johnson and Lee David Evans.

For this live event they turn their attention to Greater Manchester — uncovering the stories of overlooked politicians with connections to the city and region.

Bringing sharp insight and engaging storytelling, this is a chance to experience the podcast live while discovering new perspectives on Manchester’s political past.

📍 Performance Space, Manchester Central Library
📅 Saturday 6 June, 11am–12pm
🎟️ Free to attend

Book your place here: bit.ly/MHF2026_CivicPrideTalks

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.

Not sure where to start with the programme? We're sharing some of our must-see talks and films. 🪩 Down at the Club Rev...
04/06/2026

Not sure where to start with the programme? We're sharing some of our must-see talks and films.

🪩 Down at the Club Revisited

In the mid-1990s, Manchester Metropolitan University hosted Down at the Club, a series of talks featuring DJs and key figures from Manchester's nightclub scene. Now, three decades later, we're revisiting those conversations to explore the city's rich club culture heritage and its lasting impact on Manchester and the North West.

Join Dr Katie Milestone and Dr Susan O'Shea, alongside iconic DJ Richard Searling BEM, for a discussion spanning Manchester's nightclub histories from the 1960s onwards, including the legendary Twisted Wheel and Wigan Casino.

Whether you're interested in music, nightlife, local history, or Manchester's cultural identity, this is a fascinating opportunity to reflect on a defining part of the region's story.

📍 Performance Space, Manchester Central Library
📅 Friday 5 June, 4–5.30pm
🎟️ Free to attend

Book your place here: bit.ly/MHF2026_CivicPrideTalks

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.



Image credits: Twisted Wheel — Manchester Digital Music Archive; Northern Soul dancing — ITV/Rex Features; Wigan Casino—Northern Soul: Wigan Casino Oldies (album cover).

Venue Focus: the Phil Martin Centre From humble beginnings above a Co-op store to becoming one of Britain's most succes...
03/06/2026

Venue Focus: the Phil Martin Centre

From humble beginnings above a Co-op store to becoming one of Britain's most successful boxing camps, the story of Champs Camp is one of community, determination and opportunity.

Founded by former professional boxer Phil Martin, the gym supported generations of young people and left a lasting legacy that continues through the Phil Martin Centre today.

Swipe through to discover more — and join us at to the story of Champs Camp and the Champs Camp Archive Project.

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.

Venue Focus: John Rylands LibraryFew places capture Manchester’s rich history quite like the John Rylands Library. With ...
03/06/2026

Venue Focus: John Rylands Library

Few places capture Manchester’s rich history quite like the John Rylands Library. With its soaring ceilings, stained-glass windows and world-renowned collections, the Library has been an iconic place to preserve, share, and discover stories for over 125 years!

This year, we’re excited to bring Manchester Histories Festival to this extraordinary venue with What is History For?- a series of talks and workshops exploring why history matters while considering how Manchester’s past will shape its future.

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.

Venue Focus: Manchester Central Library 📚 A true icon in the heart of the city, Manchester Central Library has been a pl...
02/06/2026

Venue Focus: Manchester Central Library 📚

A true icon in the heart of the city, Manchester Central Library has been a place of learning, connection, and discovery for generations. As part of Manchester Histories Festival 2026, we’re delighted to bring stories, ideas, and communities together in this remarkable space.

Swipe through to discover more about what Central Library has to offer as a venue!

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.

Heading to Manchester Histories Festival this weekend? This guide provides information on how to reach our festival venu...
01/06/2026

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 age...
31/05/2026

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 ph...
31/05/2026

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.

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Manchester Histories Hub, Lower Ground Floor, Manchester Central Library
Manchester
M25PD

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