Events
From frogs to ancient Egypt, we’ve got you covered! Check out our free events for all ages here.
19 May to 31 August 2021 - Manchester Museum
How does nature make you feel? Discover Wild Chorus and Voicing Silence, two new artistic responses to the beauty, complexity and decline of wildlife.
Every Wednesday throughout summer 12pm / Online
Discover more about the wild species on your doorstep and beyond, with the Vivarium Team.
Our Sixty Second Species will continue with members of the vivarium team presenting a video fact file covering the things you might not know about a range of wild animal and plant species, filmed in the country of origin, and presented on a weekly basis throughout the summer – each week you’ll get to hear and discover more about a new species.
Free, families, online
Thursday 29 July
2pm / Online
From hieroglyphs to mummification, find out more about ancient Egypt with Dr Campbell Price, Curator of Egypt and Sudan.
Using key objects from our collection, we’ll be exploring stories of everyday life and connections with nature from over 2,000 years ago.
In Egyptology LIVE, Campbell will be answering your questions about ancient Egypt, as well as sharing resources to access the collection from home.
Free, suitable for all ages, including budding Egyptologists and the generally curious.
Find out more about our collections from Egypt and Sudan from Dr Campbell Price here:
egyptmanchester.wordpress.com
Friday 30 July
10.30am-12pm / Online
MAES (Manchester Adult Education Service) and Manchester Museum have teamed together to share a story time event with a difference. Join us as we hear the story ‘Oi Frog’ and get to meet some of the animals the book is inspired by.
We’ll be joined by Manchester Museum’s team who care for the live animals in the Museum’s Vivarium, such as frogs, lizards and snakes.
The team will share a little bit about their work, and some fascinating facts about the amazing animals they care for.
Get your crafting kits ready, & create your very own dangly frogs too.
Part of READ Manchester initiative
Free, Families, ages 5+, younger siblings welcome too. All children must be accompanied by a parent or carer
Spaces are limited
Thursday 5 August
10-10.45am / In the Museum
From the spots of a cheetah to the spirals of a sunflower, patterns are everywhere in nature.
Using fossils, shells and plants from our collection of over 4.5 million objects, join our Curators for a show and tell event with the best patterns nature has to offer.
FREE, Families, ages 7+ with accompanying parents/carers
Spaces are limited
Tuesday 10 August
10.30 – 11.15am / Online
Discover something special this summer, inspired by the museum’s collections, exhibitions and forthcoming galleries.
Each week we will be creating artworks inspired by nature or exploring nature’s influences in art.
This week join Guru Kajal Sharma and South Asia Gallery Collective member Dr Poonam Kakkar to celebrate the beauty of storytelling through Kathak dance and music. Kathak is one of the nine major forms of classical Indian dance that is still practiced globally today. In Kathak, the hands play a really important role in how we can communicate through rhythm and expression.
You will discover how to create a dance sequence of graceful hand gestures inspired by nature, such as the Peacock, Rain and Clouds. In association with Vedic Organisation for Indian Culture and Education (VOICE, Manchester).
Workshop is suitable for complete dance beginners.
Free, Families, ages 7+ and accompanying parents/carers, younger siblings welcome too.
Spaces are limited book in advance:
Thursday 12 August
10-10.45am / In the Museum
From the spots of a cheetah to the spirals of a sunflower, patterns are everywhere in nature.
Using fossils, shells and plants from our collection of over 4.5 million objects, join our curators for a show and tell event with the best patterns nature has to offer.
FREE, Families, ages 7+ with accompanying parents/carers
Spaces are limited
Saturday 14 August
4-5pm / Online
Experience a unique online sharing of two works filmed within Manchester Museum, ‘I Should Have Held You Tighter When We Last Met’ and ‘Healing’, alongside a Q&A with collaborators and South Asia Gallery Collective members Balraj Samrai and Farah Ahmad Khan.
Based on recorded interviews, research and fusions of traditional South Asian percussion, spoken word and contemporary electronic production, these collaborative pieces share the numerous perspectives at two critical points of the Covid pandemic and its impact on communities of colour.
This discussion will explore their contrasting attitudes and processes of research and collaboration, followed by an open reflection of what the future might hold for artists and communities of colour as we begin to move out of lockdown restrictions. This discussion will be co-hosted by OSCH members Urussa Malik and Tarrine Khanom.
Free, Ages 16+, Online via Zoom
Spaces are limited
Wednesday 18 August
10.45am-12pm / In the Museum
Ever wanted to upcycle, but not sure where to start? This workshop is for you.
As the 3rd floor at the museum evolves and becomes a space for the future of education, we’re giving our furniture a makeover, too.
Using collaging techniques inspired by nature, you can create something beautiful for our new space as well as getting practical experience in upcycling and tips for future projects, from artist Kate Eggleston-Wirtz and Jerwood Early Career Fellow Hattie Kongaunruan.
FREE, Families, children age 7 + with accompanying parents/carers,
Spaces are limited
Thursday 26 August
10-10.45am / In the Museum
From the spots of a cheetah to the spirals of a sunflower, patterns are everywhere in nature.
Using fossils, shells and plants from our collection of over 4.5 million objects, join our Curators for a show and tell event with the best patterns nature has to offer.
FREE, Families, ages 7+ with accompanying parents/carers
Spaces are limited
Every Monday / Online
Manchester Museum is delighted to share Dinos A to Z: a fortnightly dose of dinosaur fun and facts.
Stomp through the alphabet to explore the extraordinary world of dinosaurs.
Dinos A to Z is created by the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis with Dr Victoria Egerton, their Extraordinary Scientist in Residence.
Dr Egerton is also a Research Fellow in The University of Manchester’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. Manchester Museum works with many academics and scientists, and with their support we continue to learn about the collections as well as new discoveries, so we can share the latest research with our visitors.
Free, families, online
Thursday 29 July
7-8pm / Online
A film screening by Amber Akaunu, accompanied by a sharing of a music video from MC Nelson with a live performance, followed by a discussion on what it means to be British and how/why artists like Amber Akaunu and MC Nelson explore this in their practice through archive material, lyrics and art. We'll also cover topics such as accessibility and archive material, with an open Q&A at the end from the audience.
Free, Ages 16+ years, Online via Zoom
Tuesday 3 August
10.30 – 11.15am / Online
Create something special this summer, inspired by the museum’s collections, exhibitions and forthcoming galleries.
Each week we will be creating artworks inspired by nature or exploring nature’s influences in art.
This week inspired by the Museum’s plant collection and flower models join Kate from KaperArts who will be sharing some top tips for paper crafting, as we create our very own paper flowers.
Free, Families, ages 7+ and accompanying parents/carers, younger siblings are welcome too
Spaces are limited
Thursday 5 August
11am-12pm / Online
Ever wondered if you could samba sitting down? Well, now you can-can!
Dance is a great way of building stamina, increasing joint flexibility and having fun, whatever your experience and ability.
Join dance practitioner Hazel Roy for our Age Friendly online dance sessions, inspired by nature and Manchester Museum’s collections.
You don’t need to be an expert to take part, and leopard print leotards are strictly optional.
Free, Ages 50+, Online via Zoom
Spaces are limited
Wednesday 11 August
10-10.45am / Online
From Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi, musicians have always been influenced by the natural world.
Join musician Rachel Swanick for an interactive music and movement session, inspired by highlights from the museum’s collection, introducing your young ones and you to some familiar songs and rhymes from ‘the little green frog’ to ‘there’s a spider on the floor’ and many more…
Free, Families, children ages 0-5 years, and accompanying parents/carers, older siblings welcome too
Spaces are limited
Thursday 12 August
11am-12pm / Online
Ever wondered if you could samba sitting down? Well, now you can-can!
Dance is a great way of building stamina, increasing joint flexibility and having fun, whatever your experience and ability.
Join dance practitioner Hazel Roy for our Age Friendly online dance sessions, inspired by nature and Manchester Museum’s collections.
You don’t need to be an expert to take part, and leopard print leotards are strictly optional.
Free, Ages 50+, Online via Zoom
Spaces are limited
Tuesday 17 August
10.30 – 11.15am / Online
Create something special this summer, inspired by the museum’s collections, exhibitions and forthcoming galleries.
Each week we will be creating artworks inspired by nature or exploring nature’s influences in art.
This week inspired by the wildlife around us, join artist Lydia Meiying for this family friendly nature craft activity - we’ll be using natural found items from leaves, to twigs, berries and feathers to create wildlife pictures
Free, Families, ages 7+ and accompanying parents/carers, younger siblings welcome too.
Spaces are limited
Thursday 19 August
10-10.45am / In the Museum
From the spots of a cheetah to the spirals of a sunflower, patterns are everywhere in nature.
Using fossils, shells and plants from our collection of over 4.5 million objects, join our Curators for a show and tell event with the best patterns nature has to offer.
FREE, Families, ages 7+ with accompanying parents/carers
Spaces are limited
Thursday 26 August
2pm / Online
From hieroglyphs to mummification, find out more about ancient Egypt with Dr Campbell Price, Curator of Egypt and Sudan.
Using key objects from our collection, we’ll be exploring stories of everyday life and connections with nature from over 2,000 years ago.
In Egyptology LIVE, Campbell will be answering your questions about ancient Egypt, as well as sharing resources to access the collection from home.
Free, suitable for all ages, including budding Egyptologists and the generally curious.
Find out more about our collections from Egypt and Sudan from Dr Campbell Price here:
egyptmanchester.wordpress.com
July and August 2021
Can you hop like a bunny or slither like a snake? Explore the museum in a whole new way with our free, family friendly ‘Walk on the Wildside nature trail.’
Complete the challenges as you move around the museum on your visit, then share your photos of your visit with us @mcrmuseum on Twitter and Instagram.
Download in advance of your visit, or scan the QR code in our Entrance Hall on arrival when you arrive for a totally roar-some experience.
Thursday 29 July
10-10.45am / In the Museum
From the spots of a cheetah to the spirals of a sunflower, patterns are everywhere in nature.
Using fossils, shells and plants from our collection of over 4.5 million objects, join our Curators for a show and tell event with the best patterns nature has to offer.
FREE, Families, ages 7+ with accompanying parents/carers
Spaces are limited
Friday 30 July
9.45am-12pm
In the museum and online
There’s no doubt that lockdown made us truly appreciate the beauty of the natural world around us, from local parks and window boxes, to rugged coastlines and wild moorland.
Voicing Silence, Wild Chorus and The Insect Hotel, are three new, artistic responses to the beauty, complexity and decline of wildlife, now on display at Manchester Museum.
These works prompt visitors to pause and ask the question – how does nature make you feel? On selected dates over the summer, meet the artists behind these works and take part in interactive, artist-led sessions.
On Friday 30 July – meet artist Laurence Payot and create your own response to her holographic video piece Voicing Silence, currently presented in the ‘We are nature’ exhibition.
During this workshop, you'll be invited to talk about nature and biodiversity loss, what it means to you and your family, how it makes you feel. Together, you'll create a collage/ stop motion video using images from the museum collection, which will then be projected as a mesmerising hologram.
Free, Families, ages 7 plus and accompanying parents/carers
Spaces are limited
Wednesday 4 August
10.45am-12pm / In the Museum
Ever wanted to upcycle, but not sure where to start? This workshop is for you.
As the 3rd floor at the museum evolves and becomes a space for the future of education, we’re giving our furniture a makeover, too.
Using collaging techniques inspired by nature, you can create something beautiful for our new space as well as getting practical experience in upcycling and tips for future projects, from artist Kate Eggleston-Wirtz and Jerwood Early Career Fellow Hattie Kongaunruan.
Free, for Adults
Spaces are limited
Monday 9 August
11am -12pm / Online
Help us to shape our new gallery exploring the theme of Belonging with an interactive, family friendly workshop.
Join us on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, for an introduction to indigenous storytelling and practical comic creating skills, then use the museum’s collections and your thoughts about belonging to share your story through a comic book.
Free, Families, ages 7+ and accompanying parents/carers, younger siblings welcome too
Spaces are limited
Wednesday 11 August
10.45am-12pm / In the Museum
Ever wanted to upcycle, but not sure where to start? This workshop is for you.
As the 3rd floor at the museum evolves and becomes a space for the future of education, we’re giving our furniture a makeover, too.
Using collaging techniques inspired by nature, you can create something beautiful for our new space as well as getting practical experience in upcycling and tips for future projects, from artist Kate Eggleston-Wirtz and Jerwood Early Career Fellow Hattie Kongaunruan.
FREE, Families, children age 7 + with accompanying parents/carers,
Spaces are limited
Friday 13 August
10-10.45am, with option to continue for 15 minutes with harder working examples/ Online
Discover the magic of Vedic Maths where you will learn to do mental sums so fast, you’ll beat your parents!
Vedic Maths is a unique study of mathematics and problem solving, developed in ancient India from one of the oldest books of knowledge. Join Professor Nawal Prinja to change the way we can think about numbers - learn quick and practical skills to solve long multiplication in your head, calculate change faster than a shop till, and even beat your calculator!
Free, Ages 7+, Online via Zoom
Spaces are limited
Wednesday 18 August
10-10.45am / Online
From Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi, musicians have always been influenced by the natural world.
Join musician Rachel Swanick for an interactive music and movement session, inspired by highlights from the museum’s collection, introducing your young ones and you to some familiar songs and rhymes from ‘the little green frog’ to ‘there’s a spider on the floor’ and many more…
Free, Families, children ages 0-5 years, and accompanying parents/carers, older siblings welcome too
Spaces are limited
Booking via Eventbrite
Tuesday 24 August
10.30 – 11.15am / Online
Create something special this summer, inspired by the museum’s collections, exhibitions and forthcoming galleries.
Each week we will be creating artworks inspired by nature or exploring nature’s influences in art.
Free, Families, ages 7+ and accompanying parents/carers, younger siblings welcome too.
Spaces are limited
Booking via Eventbrite
Thursday 26 August
10-11am / In the Museum
Ever wondered if you could samba sitting down? Well, now you can-can!
Dance is a great way of building stamina, increasing joint flexibility and having fun, whatever your experience and ability.
Join dance practitioner Hazel Roy for our Age Friendly online dance sessions, inspired by nature and Manchester Museum’s collections.
You don’t need to be an expert to take part, and leopard print leotards are strictly optional.
Free, Ages 50+, Online sessions via zoom
Spaces are limited, book in advance, www.mcrmuseum.eventbrite.com
Past events
Wednesday 28 July
10.45-12pm / Online
Ever wanted to upcycle, but not sure where to start? This workshop is for you.
As the 3rd floor at the museum evolves and becomes a space for the future of education, we’re giving our furniture a makeover, too.
Using collaging techniques inspired by nature, you can create something beautiful for our new space as well as getting practical experience in upcycling and tips for future projects, from artist Kate Eggleston-Wirtz and Jerwood Early Career Fellow Hattie Kongaunruan.
Free, families, children age 7 + with accompanying parents/carers
Spaces are limited
Tuesday 27 July
10.30 – 11.15am / Online
Create something special this summer, inspired by the museum’s collections, exhibitions and forthcoming galleries.
Each week we will be creating artworks inspired by nature or exploring nature’s influences in art.
This week inspired by the wildlife around us, join Kate from KaperArts who will be sharing some top tips for paper crafting, as we create our very own nature mobiles.
Free, Families, ages 7 plus and accompanying parents/carers, younger siblings welcome too.
Spaces are limited book in advance:
Thursday 22 July
6pm / Online
HUNGER - Online Screening
Join us for a livestream of HUNGER from Manchester Museum.
HUNGER is a unique, site-specific, filmed performance piece created by international artists Abas El Janabi, Farjana Kabir and Louison Kangombe at Manchester Museum, responding to the museum’s collections.
The event features a Q&A with the artists.
Free, Online.
Spaces are limited, book in advance: www.mcrmuseum.eventbrite.com
Monday 19th July
6pm / Online
Join us for Part One of our OSCH x Decolonise University of Manchester Radical Readers summer special, when we will be discussing Postcolonial Banter by Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan.
We will have a relaxed conversation, discussing themes from the poetry such as belonging, identity, faith and culture. An e-book can be accessed by University of Manchester students via their online library. We will share a Jamboard with some resources for all who register for the event.
Free, Ages 18+, Online via Zoom.
Spaces are limited, book in advance: www.mcrmuseum.eventbrite.com
Sunday 20 June, 11am-11.45
A LIVE virtual visit to Manchester Museum's Vivarium - live animals gallery
Thursday 3 June, 11.30am -12.15pm
Will you be out nature spotting this May half term? What wildlife will you see? From birds to butterflies and everything in between.
Saturday 29 May, 10.30 - 11.15am
Get crafty & create nature inspired collages from natural/found items
20 May 2021
Get ‘inside’ Manchester Museum before it reopens, and discover how scientists past and present collect and learn about nature!
3 March 2021
Join Manchester Museum in the celebration of UN World Wildlife Day 2021 - Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet on 3 March 2021 from 2pm.
11 - 28 February 2021
Join Manchester Museum to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year 2021 as we welcome the Year of the Ox, a symbol of strength and determination.
6 August 2020
Please join us on Thursday, 6 August 2020 online to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Hiroshima & Nagasaki Atomic Weapons Attack and remember all innocent victims of war and terrorism.
28 June 2020
LIVE natural arts with Manchester Museum and The Whitworth, part of Festival of Nature
Wednesday 28 July
2.30-4.30pm / Online
Part of our Black History Month & Beyond programme.
Make your own mini-book by imagining shared with other people from different places and communities.
Materials Needed: Paper, scissors, tools to draw and colour.
There will be a small break in the middle and then participants will have an opportunity to share descriptions of where they are (without actually saying where they are!) and others will create imagination maps based on the descriptions.
Free, ages 7-14 (accompanying parents/carers welcome too)
Spaces are limited book in advance:
mcrmuseum.eventbrite.com
Monday 26 July
10.30am-12pm / Online
MAES (Manchester Adult Education Service) and Manchester Museum have teamed together to share a story time event with a difference. Join us as we hear the story ‘Oi Frog’ and get to meet some of the animals the book is inspired by.
We’ll be joined by Manchester Museum’s team who care for the live animals in the Museum’s Vivarium, such as frogs, lizards and snakes.
The team will share a little bit about their work, and some fascinating facts about the amazing animals they care for.
Get your crafting kits ready, & create your very own dangly frogs too.
Part of READ Manchester initiative
Free, Families, ages 5 plus, younger siblings welcome too, - all children participating must be accompanied by parents/carers
Spaces are limited, booking required signup at mcrmuseum.eventbrite.com
Thursday 22 July
3pm / Online
Dr. Paulette Steeves presents the opening lecture "Finding Home: Reviving, Reclaiming, and Rewriting the Indigenous Past for the Present"
18+ (16+ with consent of parent/carer)
Free, Online.
Spaces are limited, book in advance: www.mcrmuseum.eventbrite.com
Thursday 8 July
2.30pm - Online
Join us as we host the second conversation of REIYL spaces with Danielle Jawando on Museum Spaces, Inclusion and Belonging.
Book on Eventbrite:
Saturday 19 June, 2pm -2,45pm
A live family friendly story-making & language sharing event using museum objects as inspiration.
Wednesday 2 June, 3pm (BST) / 9am (CST )
A digital showcase of fun family-friendly activities.
Join us for three days of exploration, interaction and conversation.
27 May 2021
Discover more about Ancient Egypt with Dr Campbell Price, Curator of Egypt and Sudan Live.
Egyptology Live, Thursday 27 May - 2pm, on YouTube.
19 May 2021 - ongoing
How does nature make you feel? Discover Wild Chorus and Voicing Silence, two new artistic responses to the beauty, complexity and decline of wildlife.
30 January 2021
Do you have your Dino sketchbook ready? Celebrate National #DrawADinosaurDay, Saturday 30 January 2021, with our Curator of Earth Sciences David Gelsthorpe, and join us for this roarsome online family friendly event.
Multiple Dates
Tune in on Periscope @McrMuseum every Friday at 1pm where we will be live from the Vivarium answering all of your frog questions
28 June 2020
A chance to find out more about Manchester Museum’s spectacular collection of over 4.5 million objects and to meet some of the team of curators who look after it.
Tuesday 27 July
11am-1pm / Online
‘Science of Afro Hair’ & ‘Social Implications and History of Afro Hair’ with Artist Simone Trumpet, and Genevieve Bent and Kemi Oloyede from Young Black Teachers Network
Join us for a two part interactive and creative workshop with Artist Simone Trumpet and Kemi Oloyede from Young Black Teachers Network.
Part 1: Science of Afro Hair
This will be a chance for them to learn what makes afro-hair the way it is and the various textures. The session will be led by Genevieve Bent (Chemistry) & Kemi Oloyede (Biology) who are experienced secondary school Science teachers.
Part 2: Social Implications and History of Afro Hair.
This will be a chance for them to learn about how afro hair is perceived in society by Black people and other races, as well as the natural hair movement, how afro hairstyles have changed over time and what the different styles represent to various groups around the world.
Free, Ages 12+, must be accompanied by parent or carer.
Online via Zoom
Book in advance,
Wednesday 28 July
10.45-12pm / Online
Ever wanted to upcycle, but not sure where to start? This workshop is for you.
As the 3rd floor at the museum evolves and becomes a space for the future of education, we’re giving our furniture a makeover, too.
Using collaging techniques inspired by nature, you can create something beautiful for our new space as well as getting practical experience in upcycling and tips for future projects, from artist Kate Eggleston-Wirtz and Jerwood Early Career Fellow Hattie Kongaunruan.
Free, families, children age 7 + with accompanying parents/carers
Spaces are limited
Wednesday 21 July
6pm / Online
Belonging: Space & Place - Poetry Workshop
Following on from our Whose Statues? Whose Stories? sessions for young people, join OSCH for a poetry workshop, hosted by one of our Young Collective members Amina Beg. Take part in free-writing activities inspired by prompts/poems relating to statues, history, decolonisation and heritage, and have the opportunity to share your work with the group at the end (optional) for feedback and discussions.
Free, Ages 18 to 26 (16+ with parental/carer consent), Online via Zoom.
Spaces are limited, book in advance: www.mcrmuseum.eventbrite.com
June, Online and Heaton Park
Throughout June, we’ll be celebrating the wildlife we find in Manchester. Look out for the Manchester Festival of Nature online and in Heaton Park on 27 June 2021.
Tuesday 1 June, 11.30am -12.15pm
Will you be out nature spotting this May half term? What wildlife will you see? From birds to butterflies and everything in between.
11, 25 March - 15 April 2021
Come and find out about Pakistan best kept secret, the Lahore Museum. A panel discussion with Anwar Akhtar, Manchester Museum and the Osch collective around Diaspora, Identity and Languages
Multiple Dates
A social prescribing programme; of a series of friendly, interactive, music sessions, led by music therapist, Rachel Swanick .
28 June 2020
LIVE plant pressing workshop with Rachel Webster, curator of Botany at Manchester Museum, part of Festival of Nature