What's On
Bluedot festival reveals line up for long weekend of music and cosmic culture
You’ll have a blast at this cosmic carnival!
Bluedot has revealed its music and science line up for this summer’s festival, for a long weekend combining music and cosmic culture.
Appearances from ’80s icon Grace Jones, acclaimed singer Roisin Murphy, American indie-rock band Pavement, dance legends Leftfield and composer Max Richter will top the out of this world music bill for the intergalactic carnival held at Cheshire’s Jodrell Bank Observatory.
Performances will be held beneath the legendary iconic Lovell Telescope at this four-day family friendly event, lifting off from Thursday July 20th – Sunday July 23rd.
By sunlight, panellists, keynotes and leading scholars will discuss the frontiers of space exploration and what might lie ahead in our journey beyond the pale blue dot of planet Earth.
Unveiling its first science speakers visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site, this interstellar event will feature talks from BBC Sky At Night’s Chris Lintott and Maggie Aderin-Pocock, as well as representatives from the UK Space Agency, NASA collaborators Hassell Studio, the Square Kilometre Array Observatory, and many more.
By moonlight, visitors can take some time out to watch some of the most thoughtful cosmic films the universe has ever seen at the iconic Jodrell Bank — for over 75 years it has been at the heart of groundbreaking discoveries and world-leading research.
Professor of Astrophysics and Associate Director of Jodrell Bank, Tim O’Brien will present the latest discoveries from the team’s groundbreaking work, accompanied by Jodrell Bank’s team of researchers and students.
Specialist talk topics will include deep dives into the Northern Lights, solar flares, pulsars and the Big Bang. In case you’re wondering, the festival is named after Pale Blue Dot, a famous 1990 photograph of planet Earth popularised by Carl Sagan.
Also happening will be late-night electronica in Orbit, science Dot Talks in Mission Control and The Star Pavilion, award-winning culture and comedy in Contact, family fun across the Science Fields and Big Bang Stage, and much, much more.
A g-astronomical variety of food and drink will be available with dishes from around the planet. And don’t for get the Real Ale Festival held in the main arena.
Teresa Anderson, Director at Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement and science curator for bluedot has said: “We’re thrilled to announce such a wide ranging bill of space speakers for this first wave of science at bluedot 2023, curated by the team here at Jodrell Bank.
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming so many groundbreaking speakers, scientists, research teams, exhibitors and science communicators to bluedot.”
For more information or to purchase tickets for this spectacular event click HERE.
What's On
The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Get in the festive spirit!
Get in the festive spirit with a brand new FREE Christmas makers night market, with over 40 traders and small businesses from across the region.
Brought to you by Renaker, the Manchester Made Christmas night market is coming to New Jackson, Deansgate Square from Friday December 6th to Sunday December 8th.
Following on from a successful summer market in May, the Manchester Made Market is returning bigger and better than before but with a Christmassy twist.
Manchester Made Market
Expect a ‘cosy and magical’ Christmas night market experience, with food, drink, live music and even a grotto for visits to Father Christmas.
There’ll be Christmas trees galore, glittering with lighting, with one huge show-stopping tree taking centre stage.
Bringing together over 40 artisanal traders and small businesses from across the region, the three-day event will showcase a plethora of food produce, homewares, crafts and creations.
Manchester Made Market
Visitors will be sure to find unique Christmas gifts that support local businesses, including from The Cole Men and their award winning sauces, Moon & Sixpence’s handmade jewellery, and fine art photography by Craig Barker.
There’ll be live music from a 20-piece choir, playing Christmas classics, cocktails from Manchester Gin and Gooey’s sweet treats.
The experts from Millington Hall Farm in Altrincham will be bringing a taste of their Wild Grill experience, including live sausage making demonstrations and an array of German sausages served from a festive BBQ trailer.
Manchester Made Market
Families with children can visit the Christmas grotto, where Father Christmas himself will be waiting in a cosy tipi – kids will get a gift from Santa, and bookings can be made online for £8.50 per child.
Manchester Made Market will be open from 4pm to 9pm on Friday December 6th, and 1pm to 9pm on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th – pre-register for a free guest list ticket and 50% off a hot chocolate HERE, or book the Christmas grotto HERE.
What's On
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Get in the festive spirit in Stockport!
Stockport’s free, one-day Christmas festival is returning this festive season, with 200 performers and more than 50 shows.
Spectacular Sunday will return to the town on November 17th at various sites and venues.
Following the success of last year’s event, hundreds of performers will take over Stockport, with everything from giant roller-skating presents to a living snow globe and roaming Christmas dolls.
There will also be street theatre, including grumpy Christmas grandads, a gigantic balloon man and water show.
Matthew Nichol Photography
Produced by carnival arts organisation Global Grooves and organised by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway and Stockport Market, the town centre will be buzzing with Christmas excitement.
Events will be happening in iconic Stockport locations like Market Place, Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock and Suffragette Square.
A grand finale in Merseyway will bring together the brass bands of Stockport, ending the day with a huge flash mob and rendition of All You Need Is Love.
Cirq Delight
Cllr Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, said: “We’re so excited to bring this event back after last year’s amazing success.
“It’s such a fun way to get everyone in the festive spirit and really shows off what makes Stockport special – our sense of community and joy.
“With loads of free performances and activities, plus a chance to enjoy the newly improved areas of Merseyway, it’s a perfect day out for families.
“Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday is all about having fun, making memories, and starting the holiday season in style.”
Spectacular Sunday is happening from 11am to 5pm on Sunday November 17th – find out more HERE.
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year next month, bringing with it a vibrant gallery space showcasing thousands of works from over 500 artists.
One of the biggest and most significant events in the UK art world calendar, it’ll take over Manchester Central for three days, from Friday November 15th to 17th.
The city will be flooded with art from all corners of the world, championing everything from local heroes to new emerging talent, as well as international artists with worldwide acclaim.
Manchester Art Fair
A wide range of artistic disciplines will be represented at the event, from painters, illustrators, and sculptors to graffiti artists and everything in between.
Expect exhibitions, workshops, Q&A sessions, demos, book signings and parties happening across the event.
Tickets include free access to art workshops and talks from leading artists and cultural experts, and are on sale now.
You can grab them HERE.
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The VR gaming experience at airport where you can escape reality
The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Simmons Bar opens first Northern site in Manchester with free drinks at launch party
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year
