Live Music
Manchester is undeniably one of the UK hotspots for live music. With many of its most iconic venues based on the Oxford Road Corridor.
Knowledge Events
Talks, workshops & lectures from partners connecting academia, business & innovation.
Welcome to Oxford Road Corridor’s Knowledge Events — a curated showcase of talks, workshops, lectures and symposia hosted across our partnership. In an area renowned for ideas, innovation and collaboration, these events bring together experts from our three universities, the NHS, industry and civic organisations to share insights, explore challenges, and shape the future across sectors including health, digital technology, creative industries, sustainability and urban innovation.
Whether you’re a researcher, entrepreneur, policymaker or simply curious, these events offer a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and engage with the knowledge that drives our city forward.
Upcoming Events
Colours in the Field: Cotton, Empire and alternative futures in India
Samuel Alexander Building Until 30 November 2026Explore the colonial legacy of cotton between India and Manchester through archival research, natural pigments and women’s farming stories.
Osaka Calling: Manchester’s Gateway to Global Innovation
Renold Building 12 November 2026Watch UK and international start-ups pitch at the Tech Osaka Award regional competition, connecting Manchester with Japan’s innovators.
Robotics Innovation Showcase 2026 – From potential to progress
Renold Building 17 November 2026Discover robotics and AI research, emerging technologies, funding opportunities and industry collaborations at this innovation showcase in Manchester.
The Whitworth After Hours: Autumn Preview
The Whitworth 19 November 2026Explore the Whitworth’s latest exhibitions after hours, including a felt installation by Gulnur Mukazhanova and an artist conversation.
Armed with Hope
Citylabs 1.0 19 November 2026Manchester Lit & Phil presents a talk exploring the Royal Armouries’ history and its role in a world of modern weapons, conflict and political uncertainty.
See My World Film Festival
Contact 21 November 2026Discover diverse stories and perspectives at the See My World Film Festival, celebrating representation, identity and inclusion through film.
Communities, Collections and CARE: UK Collections Management Symposium
Manchester Museum 24 November 2026Explore how museums can centre Indigenous rights, community care and data sovereignty in collections management at this sector symposium.
Festival of Business
Alliance Manchester Business School 25 – 26 November 2026Explore the future of the North at Alliance Manchester Business School’s Festival of Business, with talks, debate and networking.
Celebrating older people’s lives and communities in North Manchester
Manchester Museum 25 November 2026Discover photographs, textiles and stories celebrating older residents, community life and belonging in North Manchester at this exhibition.
FinTech North: Manchester 2026
Whitworth Hall 26 November 2026Dive into fintech innovation, AI, payments, banking and financial resilience at FinTech North’s Manchester conference and networking event.
Carol Ann Duffy and Friends: Imtiaz Dharker and Guests
Manchester Poetry Library 26 November 2026Join Carol Ann Duffy, Imtiaz Dharker and special guests for an evening of poetry, music and conversation celebrating Manchester Writing School alumni.
Bunker Talk #170 Nicola Dale
Grosvenor East Theatre 1 December 2026Visual artist Nicola Dale explores sculpture, performance and the power of objects, touch and interaction in contemporary art practice.
Sustainable Futures Conference: Thriving, Inclusive and Sustainable Places
Renold Building 2 December 2026Explore how research and collaboration can create greener, fairer places through discussions on communities, low-carbon infrastructure and future economies.
Venture.Community Manchester Launch Event
Circle Square 2 December 2026Meet founders, investors and specialists at Venture.Community’s Manchester launch, with panel discussions and opportunities to showcase businesses.
Reading Place Writing by David Cooper
Manchester Poetry Library 3 December 2026Join David Cooper and Jean Sprackland for a discussion of Reading Place Writing, exploring how creative non-fiction writers examine the places around us.
Edges of Languaging
Manchester Poetry Library 10 December 2026Explore language, poetry, art and social justice at Edges of Languaging, a seminar series curated by Dr Khawla Badwan at Manchester Poetry Library.
Decolonise! Understanding Multiracial Britishness through Colonial Hong Kong
Manchester Museum 16 January 2027Dr Vivian Kong explores how colonial Hong Kong shaped multiracial British identities, migration and ideas of belonging in British history.
Bunker Talk #171 Restoke
School of Digital Arts (SODA) 26 January 2027Clare Reynolds explores how co-created performance with communities and young people can build connections, creativity and solidarity.
Bunker Talk #172: Daphne Baram
The Salutation 2 February 2027Visual artist Nicola Dale explores sculpture, performance and the power of objects, touch and interaction in contemporary art practice.
Manchester Digital Festival 2027
Multiple venues 8 – 12 February 2027Discover Manchester Digital Festival 2027, with talks, networking, AI, cyber security, business growth and tech careers events.
Anjuman: A New Mushaira
Manchester Poetry Library 4 March 2027Discover Anjuman, an inclusive poetry gathering celebrating South Asian languages, shared experiences and diverse voices through readings and performance.
Manchester Translation Series 2027
Manchester Poetry Library 9 – 11 March 2027Celebrate translated poetry at the fifth Manchester Translation Series, with international poets, translators and publishers exploring language and literature.
Manchester Writing School Alumni Showcase
Manchester Poetry Library 18 March 2027Join Manchester Writing School for an evening of memoir and poetry presented by Kim Moore, featuring alumni Sue Kennett and Carson Wolfe alongside current students.
Bunker Talk #174: Simon Moreton
The Salutation 13 April 2027Artist and writer Simon explores how landscape, memory, grief and belonging intersect through walking, drawing and creative practice.
Inner and Outer Worlds
Manchester Poetry Library 15 April 2027Explore the relationship between photography and poetry through a conference, workshops, exhibition and an evening with Malika Booker.
The Prince of Whitechapel by Rachel Lichtenstein
Manchester Poetry Library 6 May 2027Join Professor Rachel Lichtenstein for an illustrated talk and reading exploring the near destruction of Yiddish, its remarkable survival and the quest to save it.
Bunker Talk #175: Viv Gardner
School of Digital Arts (SODA) 1 June 2027Viv Gardner explores gender, sexuality and performance history, from the New Woman to suffragettes and contemporary reinterpretations of archives.
More things to do
Literature
The area is immortalised in prose, poem and song and offers exciting and original opportunities to experience outstanding live literature.
Galleries & Museums
Some of the best Galleries & Museums in Manchester are here on Oxford Road Corridor. Explore a diverse programme for all cultural enthusiasts.