Events
Talks, tours, workshops and more at the Whitworth – both outdoors and in.
Find out what's on at the gallery – nearly all of our events are free. Join our newsletter list to be among the first to hear the latest news and updates.
Get a deeper insight into the Whitworth’s gallery and park. Led by a member of our Visitor Team, our daily tours (Tuesdays - Sundays at 2pm) alternate between a more detailed look at our current exhibitions and works on display, and an escape to the outdoors to share the stories of Whitworth Park. For more information, please visit our Gallery Tours page.
-
PLAYTIME
This summer, PLAYTIME takes inspiration from the Hyundai Translocal Series: Entangled and Woven exhibition.
22 July - 28 August
Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays
1-4pm
Throughout the holidays unless otherwise stated.Read more
-
Artist in Residence
Join Venture Arts artist Sally Hirst most Thursdays in our Everyday Art School space on our Mezzanine.
Every Thursday
10am-2pm
Free, drop inFind out more
-
Creating the Great Wave
A family-friendly day of play and creativity led by local schools, showcasing artwork inspired by Beneath the Great Wave. Take part in hands-on activities using natural materials and explore how nature can inspire your own Great Wave creation.
Saturday 18 July
11am-3pm
Free, drop-in -
Curator Tour with Victoria Hartley
Thursday 23 July 2026
6–7pm
Free, booking requiredAssistant Curator Victoria Hartley leads this introduction to Hyundai Translocal Series: Entangled and Woven, focusing on the connections between contemporary commissions and the Whitworth’s world-class textile collection. Discover how historic and contemporary works are brought into conversation across time and place.
This event is sold out, but you can still join the waitlist.
-
Curator Tour
Join Vaishna Surjid (Curatorial Assistant, the Whitworth) to discover more about the exhibition Michaela Yearwood-Dan: The Practice of Liberation.
Thursday 30 July
6pm - 7pm
Free, booking requiredThis event is sold out, but you can still book onto the waitling list.
-
Manchester Sacred Harp
An afternoon of uplifting social singing. Our door is open – sit and sing with us if you want to give it a try – or pop in to listen.
Sunday 2 August
2pm - 4:30pm
Free, drop inFind out more
-
In Demand MCR: Life Drawing
Join us once a month for a chill evening of relaxing music and drawing a live model. Soft refreshments provided. We alter between female and male models. Materials provided (pencils and paper). Bring your own charcoal, pastels or watercolours. All drawing abilities welcome.
Thursday 6 August
6–8:30pm
£10-29, booking requiredBook your place now
-
Embroidery Workshops with Ibukun Baldwin
Second Saturdays (Aug–Dec)
11am–1pm
Free, booking requiredBuilding on the themes of Hyundai Translocal Series: Entangled and Woven and artist Jounghye Yoo’s work, these sessions, led by Ibukun Baldwin, offer a relaxed introduction to embroidery through hands-on making. Participants will work on intricately hand-printed ajrakh textiles featured in Yoo’s installation, and create their own piece to take home.
Workshop dates:Saturday 8 August 2026
Saturday 12 September 2026
Saturday 10 October 2026
Saturday 14 November 2026
Saturday 12 December 2026Book your place now
-
Blether Craft Club’s Ceramics Workshop
Join El Garrard from Blether Craft Club to make a ceramic tile inspired by The Practice of Liberation. Blether is a community arts collective who run events, workshops and a monthly Craft Club at the Carlton Club in Manchester.
Thursday 3 September
6pm - 8pm
From £32, with concessions availableBook your place now
-
A virtual journey in Edo Japan (1603-1868): mapping famous places
Join us for our fourth talk in the series The Floating World: People and Landscapes in Edo with Dr Sonia Favi on the topic A virtual journey in Edo Japan (1603-1868): mapping famous places, introduced by Dr Erica Baffelli.
Thursday 17 September
6:30pm-8pm
Free, booking requiredBook your place now
-
Beneath the Great Wave Curator tour with Imogen Holmes-Roe
Join Imogen Holmes-Roe, Curator of Historic Fine Art as she gives an overview of this landmark exhibition, where Imogen will be pulling out some of the social and historical themes from within the exhibition.
Thursday 24 September
6pm-7pm
Free, booking requiredBook your place now
-
Beneath the Great Wave Curator Tour with Imogen Holmes-Roe
Join Imogen Holmes-Roe, Curator of Historic Fine Art as she gives an overview of this landmark exhibition, where Imogen will be pulling out some of the social and historical themes from within the exhibition.
Thursday 29 October
6pm-7pm
Free, booking requiredBook your place now
.png)
.png)
.png)