Manchester Medieval Quarter Festival

** The festival will return in 2025 **

A unique family-friendly festival in Manchester’s historic medieval quarter returned for its second year on 23 – 24 September 2023.

It featured fascinating history tours, live music, film screenings, workshops, food and drink, and medieval entertainment, plus historical reenactment from Historia Normannis!

Chetham’s School of Music, Chetham’s Library and Manchester Cathedral make the most complete medieval site to survive in the north of England and the Manchester we know and love today grew from this area. These buildings date back to 1421 and Chetham’s was originally used to accommodate the priests of Manchester’s Collegiate Church. The two-day festival celebrated this rich history and the incredible stories from Manchester’s past.

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With thanks to our partners, University of Manchester and Manchester City Council, as well as HiRequirements for their generous support.

Events

  1. Medieval Festival Chetham’s Library Tours

    Chetham's Library
    Sat 23 September 2023 10:30am

    Part of Manchester Medieval Quarter Festival 2023. Packed with historical facts and fascinating stories, tours of Chetham’s Library are led...

  2. The Mighty Medieval Bean

    NOMA Sadler's Yard
    Sat 23 September 2023 10am

    This event is part of Manchester Medieval Festival 2023. Head to Sadler's Yard, NOMA, for a free, drop-in workshop in celebration...

  3. Football Printing Workshops

    Pitch Gallery, National Football Museum
    Sat 23 September 2023 10:30am-1:30pm

    This event is part of Manchester Medieval Festival 2023. Did you know the printing press was created in the late...

  4. Sir Scallywag and the Golden Underpants

    The Stoller Hall
    Sat 23 September 2023 11am

    Part of Manchester Medieval Quarter Festival 2023. When King Colin’s golden underpants go missing, it’s Sir Scallywag to the rescue!...

  5. Manchester Medieval Quarter Walking Tour

    Chetham's School of Music
    Sat 23 September 2023 11am

    This event is part of Manchester Medieval Festival 2023. Jonathan Schofield Tours lead a series of walking tours around the Manchester...

  6. Medieval Festival Chetham’s Library Tours

    Chetham's Library
    Sat 23 September 2023 11:30am

    Part of Manchester Medieval Quarter Festival 2023. Packed with historical facts and fascinating stories, tours of Chetham’s Library are led...

  7. Medieval Festival Chetham’s Library Tours

    Chetham's Library
    Sat 23 September 2023 12:30pm

    Part of Manchester Medieval Quarter Festival 2023. Packed with historical facts and fascinating stories, tours of Chetham’s Library are led...

  8. Stoller Story Sounds: Little Green Dragon

    The Stoller Hall
    Sat 23 September 2023 1pm

    Part of Manchester Medieval Quarter Festival 2023. Can you help Little Dragon, scared to breathe fire, find her courage and...

  9. Sir Scallywag and the Golden Underpants

    The Stoller Hall
    Sat 23 September 2023 1pm

    Part of Manchester Medieval Quarter Festival 2023. When King Colin’s golden underpants go missing, it’s Sir Scallywag to the rescue!...

  10. Stoller Story Sounds: Little Green Dragon

    The Stoller Hall
    Sat 23 September 2023 2pm

    Part of Manchester Medieval Quarter Festival 2023. Can you help Little Dragon, scared to breathe fire, find her courage and...

  11. Discover Medieval Manchester

    100 Embankment
    Sat 23 September 2023 2pm

    This event is part of Manchester Medieval Quarter Festival 2023. Extra tickets now released! Join two of the country's leading...

  12. Medieval Festival Chetham’s Library Tours

    Chetham's Library
    Sat 23 September 2023 2pm

    Part of Manchester Medieval Quarter Festival 2023. Packed with historical facts and fascinating stories, tours of Chetham’s Library are led...

  13. Medieval Manuscripts at the Rylands

    John Rylands Library
    Sat 23 September 2023 2pm

    This event is part of Manchester Medieval Festival 2023. The John Rylands Research Institute and Library is a beautiful 19th...

  14. Stoller Story Sounds: Little Green Dragon

    The Stoller Hall
    Sat 23 September 2023 3pm

    Part of Manchester Medieval Quarter Festival 2023. Can you help Little Dragon, scared to breathe fire, find her courage and...

  15. Manchester Baroque

    Carole Nash Hall
    Sat 23 September 2023 5pm

    Part of Manchester Medieval Quarter Festival 2023. Since their launch in 2019, Manchester Baroque has built a reputation for engaging...

  16. Medieval Festival Chetham’s Library Tours

    Chetham's Library
    Sun 24 September 2023 10:30am

    Part of Manchester Medieval Quarter Festival 2023. Packed with historical facts and fascinating stories, tours of Chetham’s Library are led...

  17. Football Printing Workshops

    Pitch Gallery, National Football Museum
    Sun 24 September 2023 10:30am-1:30pm

    This event is part of Manchester Medieval Festival 2023. Did you know the printing press was created in the late...

  18. Come and Try: Beginner Recorder (10-11 yrs)

    Carole Nash Hall
    Sun 24 September 2023 11am

    This event is part of Manchester Medieval Quarter Festival 2023. Perfect for children aged 10-11 years, our beginner recorder sessions...

  19. Come and Try: Beginner Recorder (7-9 yrs)

    Carole Nash Hall
    Sun 24 September 2023 11am

    This event is part of Manchester Medieval Quarter Festival 2023. Perfect for children aged 7-9 years, our beginner recorder sessions...

  20. Manchester Medieval Quarter Walking Tour

    Chetham's School of Music
    Sun 24 September 2023 11am

    This event is part of Manchester Medieval Festival 2023. Jonathan Schofield Tours lead a series of walking tours around the Manchester...

  21. Medieval Dance – for all the family!

    Carole Nash Hall
    Sun 24 September 2023 11:15am

    This event is part of Manchester Medieval Quarter Festival 2023. Get your dancing shoes on! Learn and enjoy traditional medieval...

  22. Yiimimangaliso (The Mysteries)

    The Stoller Hall
    Sun 24 September 2023 2pm

    Part of Manchester Medieval Quarter Festival 2023. In England of the 13th and 14th centuries, the Mystery Plays developed to...