Community Festival

Each year we throw open our doors for our local friends and neighbours to discover the variety of work we do here at the University.

This free day is jam-packed with fun activities for all the family, including interactive demonstrations, musical and drama performances, and behind the scenes tours. Take a look at photos from previous festivals.

Our Community Festival offers an inviting, informal space for visitors to meet our staff and students and community partners, and for us to take part in conversations that connect and inspire.

We’ve got something for everyone. There are creative sessions with poetry, music, and art; tours and meets-ups with our inspiring curators; activities for your wellbeing; science experiments; and stories of local history and experiences for you to share.

The Festival is a great way to find out exactly what goes on at our University and see behind our doors.

The Community Festival returns Saturday, 8 June 2024 as part of Universally Manchester!

The University of Manchester is hosting Universally Manchester, a free festival to celebrate its bicentenary – taking over campus from Thursday, 6 June to Sunday, 9 June 2024. Festival goers will be able to curate their own varied programme, from behind-the-scenes tours to salon discussions, music, theatre, comedy, art, poetry, wellbeing and more, with something on offer for all ages and interests.

Saturday, 8 June will provide family-friendly fun with the return of the ever-popular Community Festival – insightful performances, have-a-go activities and an engaging experience for all.

Previous festivals

Take a look at our festival films from previous years.

Community Festival 2023

• Community Festival 2022 (YouTube)
• Community Festival 2019 (YouTube)
• Community Festival 2018 (YouTube)
• Community Festival 2017 (YouTube)

Festival Reports

• Community Festival Evaluation Report 2022 (PDF)
• Community Festival Summary Evaluation Report  2017 – 2019 (PDF)