SUMMER AT MEDIA CITY
Dates
1
Summer at MediaCity supports the national Summer of Play campaign to get children outside and playing with a host of free activities for families every Wednesday and Saturday throughout August.
The programme of activities ranges from sport to science, with our partners hosting a variety of workshops including; planting sessions with the RHS, circus skills classes with The Lowry, while the Science and Industry Museum are delivering STEM-workshops with a lively twist.
For fans of the childhood classic Elmer, Andersen Press are hosting drop-in story times over Pride weekend.
Throughout August, local artists will also turn the MediaCity Piazza into a colourful world of art and play. Scoot along rainbow road, run through a field of daisies or grab some chalk from the Box on the Docks outdoor bar and draw your own artwork on the Piazza floor.
There’s plenty to eat and drink too
Pick up a must-try ‘hoagie’ sandwich from Manchester based deli – Bada Bing, who’ll be serving out of a retro airstream. The unique, outdoor dining experience Box on the Docks is also open for eat-in or takeaway, or try dining in one of Seven Bro7hers boxes, who recently launched their beer house in MediaCityUK; and look out for Penelope’s Deli rainbow, ice-cream tricycle serving up locally made gelato and milkshakes.
Full schedule is below; some activities require booking in advance. All activities take place on the MediaCityUK Piazza.
We’re keen to make activities as accessible as possible for local people, so a portion of tickets have been reserved for Salford residents – please select this option if you live in the area.
More events will be added over the coming weeks, so watch this space and follow @mediacityuk #SummerAtMediaCity for updates.
Throughout August
ART AND PLAY ON THE PIAZZA
Throughout August, we’ll work with local artists to turn the MediaCity Piazza into a colourful world of art and play. Scoot along rainbow road, run through a field of daisies or grab some chalk from the Box on the Docks outdoor bar and draw your own artwork on the Piazza floor.
Throughout August
All ages
Drop in, no booking necessary
Free
CBEEBIES HOUR ON THE BIG SCREEN
Grab an ice cream and pull up a deckchair to join us for an hour of free screenings on our giant TV every Wednesday to Sunday from 3pm
Wednesday to Sunday throughout August | 3 – 4pm
All ages
Drop in, no booking necessary
Free
STORYTIME WITH MAMA G
To celebrate Manchester Pride and the bank holiday weekend, join the effervescent Pantomime dame, Mama G, who’ll be sharing some of Elmer’s most magical stories: from the original Elmer through to the most recent: Elmer and the Lost Treasure.
10am – 11am, 11am – midday, 1-2pm
Ages 3+
Drop in, no booking necessary
Free
OPEN WATER SWIMMING WITH USWIM
Every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning, Uswim is offering the chance to experience open water swimming for all ages and abilities. If you’re new to the sport, you can also book onto a bespoke family session, which gives an introduction to open water swimming, as well as tips and safety advice.
Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout August
All ages
Booking essential: www.uswimopenwater.com
See Uswim for pricing
DANCE WITH THE LOWRY
Wednesday 4th August
Running on Wednesdays throughout August, the Lowry are holding dance workshops on the MediaCityUK piazza.
10am – 4pm
All ages
Drop in, no booking necessary
Free
PLAY WITH THE SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY MUSEUM
Wings and Things Workshop
A hands on session making flying objects.
4th August
Ages 5-12 years
Booking essential: www.eventbrite.com/e/163840572563
Saturday 7th August
CIRCUS SKILLS WITH THE LOWRY
The Lowry are teaming up with Skylight Circus to teach spectacular skills, like spinning plates, juggling and diablo.
10am – 4pm
All ages
Drop in, no booking necessary
Free
DANCE WITH THE LOWRY
Wednesday 11th August
Running on Wednesdays throughout August in partnership with The Lowry
10am – 4pm
All ages
Drop in, no booking necessary
Free
PLAY WITH THE SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY MUSEUM
Codebreaker Workshop
Test your codebreaking skills in an interactive session and develop your own secret message.
11th August
10am – 3.30pm (30 minute slots)
Ages 5-12 years
Booking essential: www.eventbrite.com/e/163857589461
Free
“Walk-e-oke” WITH THE LOWRY
Saturday 14th August
Running on Saturdays throughout August, the Lowry are holding Walkeoke classes. A fun, easy walking-based workout to some of your favourite tunes from the 60s, 70s and 80s. You can easily take part on your feet or seated works great too, following the arms and upper body work. Come along to loosen your joints and muscles, smile more, worry less and even tick off around 2,000 steps (or equivalent work). In this friendly disco session we like to get warm instead of tired, using the music to boost your mood and increase your energy rather than use it up. It really gives you a lift!
10am – 4pm
All ages
Drop in, no booking necessary
Free
Percussion with Manchester School of Samba
Get into the Brazilian spirit with Quays Culture and Manchester School of Samba, who are running fun and vibrant drop-in percussion workshops lasting 15 minutes each.
11am, 1pm, 1:30pm
All ages
Drop in, no booking necessary
Free
Print the Rainbow
Try your hand at screen printing at Quays Culture’s pop up studio and take away your own Liz West inspired tote bag. This workshop is drop in throughout the day between 10am – 1pm & 2pm – 5pm
Drop in between 10-1pm and 2-5pm All ages, children 10 years and under to be accompanied by an adult
Drop in, no booking necessary
Free
THE RETURN OF QUAYS FESTIVAL
Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th August
A bold and colourful programme of free performances and events by our friends at Quays Culture for everyone to enjoy across the weekend of Sat 14th & Sun 15th August.
Powerflex
by Scarabeus Aerial Theatre
Outdoor aerial performance on The Lowry tower
Sat 14 Aug: 1pm & 4pm
Sun 15 Aug: 11am & 3pm
Through No.4
by Liz West
MediaCityUK steps
New permanent outdoor installation
Come and see ‘Through No. 4’ by artist Liz West, a mesmerising six-metre long triangular corridor of light and colour. The walk-through structure encourages visitors to look at their surroundings in a different light.
Colour Swim
In partnership with Uswim
Sat 14 Aug
Head to Dock 9 at Salford Quays for a colourful celebration that fuses open water swimming with choreography and live music!
Booking details will be released soon. Follow Quays Culture social media channels for the latest updates.
More details on Quays Festival can be found here: Quays Festival 2021 – QUAYS CULTURE
CREATE A RADIO SHOW WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD
Wednesday 18th August
Spend an hour co-presenting with the University of Salford’s National College Radio; interview guests, have a go at producing vox-pops (short interviews with members of the public) and then ‘drive’ the mixing desk for the live broadcast. You’ll learn how a live radio programme is produced in less than two hours and you’ll have lots of fun!
Ages 14-18 years
Booking essential: National College Radio x Summer at Media City Tickets, Wed, Aug 18, 2021 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite
Free
DANCE WITH THE LOWRY
Running on Wednesdays throughout August, led by the Lowry.
10am – 4pm
All ages
Drop in, no booking necessary
Free
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN VIRTUAL REALITY WITH HOST
HOST, Media City’s Home of Skills and Technology, is inviting participants to get hands-on with virtual reality (VR) technology in its innovation labs. Join a one-hour session and get an overview of VR from the experts, learn about how it can be used in the real world before you play around with it yourself.
1-2pm
Ages 13+ years
Booking essential:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/immerse-yourself-in-virtual-reality-with-host-tickets-164293138199
Free
PLAY WITH THE SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY MUSEUM
Super Suncatchers Workshop
Create your own suncatcher as we discover the best materials for letting light in.
18th August
Ages 5-12 years
Booking essential: www.eventbrite.com/e/163864361717
Free
STORYTIME YOGA WITH CARLY TONG
Saturday 21st August
Join our resident yogi Carly Tong, for a session on the piazza. She’ll be combining an adventurous story with yoga poses designed to build strength, balance and confidence, as well as to bring a sense of calm to your day.
Saturday August 21st | 12-1pm
Ages 7+
Booking essential: www.eventbrite.com/e/163872989523
Free
“Walk-e-oke” WITH THE LOWRY
Running on Saturdays throughout August, the Lowry are holding Walkeoke classes. A fun, easy walking-based workout to some of your favourite tunes from the 60s, 70s and 80s. You can easily take part on your feet or seated works great too, following the arms and upper body work. Come along to loosen your joints and muscles, smile more, worry less and even tick off around 2,000 steps (or equivalent work). In this friendly disco session we like to get warm instead of tired, using the music to boost your mood and increase your energy rather than use it up. It really gives you a lift!
10am – 4pm
All ages
Drop in, no booking necessary
Free
CREATE A RADIO SHOW WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD
Wednesday 25th August
Spend an hour co-presenting with the University of Salford’s National College Radio; interview guests, have a go at producing vox-pops (short interviews with members of the public) and then ‘drive’ the mixing desk for the live broadcast. You’ll learn how a live radio programme is produced in less than two hours and you’ll have lots of fun!
Ages 14-18 years
Booking essential: National College Radio x Summer at Media City Tickets, Wed, Aug 25, 2021 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite
Free
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN VIRTUAL REALITY WITH HOST
HOST, Media City’s Home of Skills and Technology, is inviting participants to get hands-on with virtual reality (VR) technology in its innovation labs. Join a one-hour session and get an overview of VR from the experts, learn about how it can be used in the real world before you play around with it yourself.
12-1pm
Ages 13+ years
Booking essential:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/immerse-yourself-in-virtual-reality-with-host-tickets-164294544405
Free
PLAY WITH THE SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY MUSEUM
Terrific Towers Workshop
Get stuck into the world of construction as you create towers designed to stand the test of time.
25th August
Ages 5-12 years
Booking essential: www.eventbrite.com/e/163866961493
Free
DANCE WITH THE LOWRY
Running on Wednesdays throughout August, led by the Lowry on the MediaCityUK piazza.
10am – 4pm
All ages
Drop in, no booking necessary
GARDENING WITH THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY (RHS)
Join the RHS for drop in planting sessions, where a team of gardening experts will pass on tips and tricks and share their passion for all things green.
Wednesday August 25th | 1pm – 3pm
Ages 18+ months
Drop in, no booking necessary
Free
CREATE A RADIO SHOW WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD
Spend an hour co-presenting with the University of Salford’s National College Radio; interview guests, have a go at producing vox-pops (short interviews with members of the public) and then ‘drive’ the mixing desk for the live broadcast. You’ll learn how a live radio programme is produced in less than two hours and you’ll have lots of fun!
Ages 14-18 years
Booking essential: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/mediacityuk-33880632819
Free
STORYTIME WITH MAMA G
Saturday 28th August
To celebrate Manchester Pride and the bank holiday weekend, join the effervescent Pantomime dame, Mama G, who’ll be sharing some of Elmer’s most magical stories: from the original Elmer through to the most recent: Elmer and the Lost Treasure.
10am – 11am, 11am – midday, 1-2pm
Ages 3+
Drop in, no booking necessary
Free