MHF 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. Please note: each event listed is ticketed separately, giving you the flexibility to book one or several sessions.

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 and Northern Lights Film 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.

These events are part of Manchester Histories Festival 2026. #MHF2026

Donation

These events are part of many free events programmed at Manchester Histories Festival 2026. As a small charity we truly welcome any contribution you are able to make. Suggested donations of £3–£10 help us continue our work with local communities, create imaginative and inclusive programmes, and sustain the Manchester Histories Festival in celebrating Greater Manchester’s rich and diverse histories and heritage. Every donation, whatever the amount, makes a real difference. Thank you for supporting us.

Accessibility

Manchester Central Library is fully accessible. To help us make this event as inclusive as possible, we welcome you to contact us at least two weeks in advance regarding any specific access requirements, including BSL interpretation or other support needs. Thank you.

Email: info@manchesterhistories.co.uk

Call: 0161 306 1982

Data Gathering

We may contact you after the event with an event feedback form. We’d really appreciate it if you could take a couple of minutes to fill it out. Your thoughts will help us improve future events and strengthen the case for more programmes like this.

Complete the feedback form for your chance to win some Manchester Histories merch and a copy of These Isles: A People’s History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales by the brilliant author Brian Groom — available to Manchester Histories Festival 2026 attendees only!