Manchester Histories Festival 2026 | Civic Pride & Conservation
Explore this year's festival theme through a series of talks, presentations, and films.
Explore the full Civic Pride & Conservation series below.
Friday 5th June
Talk: Manchester Town Hall with Martin Sykes
12:00–13:00pm
Learn more about the project to restore one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings with its Senior Conservation Architect, Martin Sykes.
Friday 5th June
Talk: Growing Cities with Brian Groom
13:15-14:15pm
Journalist and author Brian Groom presents an illuminating talk on the growth of towns and cities, drawing from his works These Isles: A People’s History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales (2026), Northerners: A History (2022) and Made in Manchester: A People’s History of the City that Shaped the Modern World (2024).
Friday 5th June
Talk: Tales of Manchester’s Musical History
14:30–15:30pm
From the Manchester Digital Music Archive, hear stories of 3 incredible women who made history in Manchester’s music scenes: Maria Malibran, Kathleen Moorhouse and Isobel Baillie.
Through the remarkable work of the Strawberry Recording Studios Archive, 150 analogue tapes have been restored and digitised. Three rare recordings—captured in Stockport and deeply connected to Manchester’s musical heritage—will be shared exclusively with us.
Keera Kalirai of Forget the Footnote invites you to explore the cultural significance of the iconic Hacienda nightclub, through to the punk explosion of the late 1970s and back to the present day.
Friday 5th June
Talk: Down at the Club Revisited.
4pm – 5.30pm
Katie Milestone & Susan O’Shea, Music & Sonic Studies/School of Sociology & Criminology, MMU. Reflecting on Manchester’s nightclub histories from 1960s to 1980s and the impact of these scenes on contemporary club culture in Manchester and the North West. Featuring DJ Richard Searling and others.
Friday 5th June
Film Premire: Champs Camp
18:00–20:00pm
The Champs Camp Archive Project, Northern Lights Film, and Rekindle present a collaborative project showcasing how young people from Moss Side, Hulme have responded to the story of Champs Camp through film.
Following the screening there will be a panel discussion and Q&A with the young filmakers, Northern Lights, and former British light-heavyweight champion Maurice Core.
Want to learn more about the Champs Camp Archive Project? Book your place on our open day to learn more about founder Phil Martin and join a guided tour of the gym.
Saturday 6th June
Talk: Since Attlee and Churchill Live Podcast with Lee David Evans and Richard Johnson
11:00–12:00pm
One of Britain’s most popular history podcasts comes to Manchester! Join hosts Lee David Evans and Richard Johnson as they discuss some of Manchester’s underlooked political figures.
Free to attend, with donations welcome. Book your tickets here. Please note: each event listed is ticketed separately, giving you the flexibility to book one or several sessions.
