With the celebrations of the holiday season a distant memory and exams in full swing, it can start to feel like January and the long winter nights will never end. To get you thinking ahead, we’ve put together a list of things to look forward to this year.
From the Olympic Games in Tokyo to a NASA mission to Mars, 2020 is full of events to look forward to. We’ve rounded up 20 of the best – so get your calendars out and start planning.
1. 18 January – 1 February – Push Festival
If you’re at a loss for things to do this month, why not discover some new theatre at HOME?
For two weeks, Push Festival returns in 2020 for a celebration of the best emerging creative talents in the North West.
2. 24 – 26 January – Chinese New Year in Manchester
At the end of January, welcome in the Year of the Rat with celebrations in Chinatown all weekend, a parade from St. Peter’s Square through the city, and a Giant Golden Dragon in St. Ann’s Square.
3. 10 February – Dippy the dinosaur on tour
The Natural History Museum’s dinosaur, Dippy the Diplodocus, is coming to Rochdale! From 10 February until 28 June, Dippy will be outside Number One Riverside in Rochdale, and is free to visit.
4. 15 March – St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The best of Ireland will be showcased by Manchester’s Irish community at Manchester Irish Festival, with live music, dance and charity events, as well as the famous St Patrick’s Day parade.
5. 5 April – Manchester Marathon
Cheer on everyday athletes, 25,000 of them. For the first time, the Manchester Marathon route will be heading into the city centre along a three-mile loop through Deansgate, Spinningfields and up to the Central Library. Get your pomp-pomps and signs at the ready. Or if you’re up for a challenge, why not enter?
You can take a look at the route here.
6. 17 May – After All Festival
After All Festival is a brand new festival in Northern Quarter, which celebrates the alternative music of Manchester. From folk to rock music, there’s plenty to suit all tastes.
7. 22 May – Dot to Dot Festival
This year celebrates the 15th anniversary of Dot to Dot festival, a festival taking place on the May bank holiday weekend on three consecutive days in Manchester, Bristol and Nottingham.
It’ll be coming to Manchester on the 22nd May and you can buy tickets here.
8. 24 May – Purple Wave
If you’re not quite ready to enter into the Manchester Marathon, why not get involved in the Purple Wave 10k? Join over 3,000 University of Manchester staff, students and alumni in running, walking, or jogging your way to the finish line.
9. 12 June – 12 July – UEFA Euro 2020
2020 is a big year for sport, kicking off with the UEFA Euro 2020 championships. The tournament will be held in 12 different cities with both the semi-finals and finals in London.
10. 13 – 14 June – Parklife Festival
The annual Parklife Festival will be returning to Heaton Park this June, just in time for the end of summer exams. You can find information about tickets here.
11. 24 – 28 June –50th anniversary of Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury Festival is celebrating its 50th year this year, with headliners such as Paul McCartney and Taylor Swift already announced.
While tickets are sold out for now, you’ll still be able to watch the festival from the comfort of your own living room!
12. 1 July – 11 July – Sounds of the City
‘Sounds of the City’ returns in July 2020 at Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl for a series of headline concerts. Missed out on tickets to Glastonbury? See some of your favourite acts right on your doorstep. You can buy tickets here.
13. 17 July – The Mars 2020 Mission
In July, the Mars 2020 Rover will join the Curiosity rover on Mars. NASA’s new Rover will capture samples of rocks and soil that could be returned to Earth to study, and even search for signs of past life to see whether the planet could someday host humans.
14. 24 July – 6 September – 2020 Tokyo Olympics
This summer, the sporting world will descend on Tokyo for the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games.
There are even five new sports being introduced this year: karate, softball, skateboarding, sports climbing and surfing.
15. 24 July – Bluedot Festival
Bluedot is a family friendly festival packed with music, art, science and culture, returning in 2020 at the University’s very own Jodrell Bank in Cheshire.
You can find out more about Jodrell Bank and how to get there here.
16. 28 – 31 August – Manchester Pride
Back again this year on August bank holiday weekend, Manchester Pride Festival celebrates the LGBTQ+ community in our city.
Tickets aren’t out yet, but make sure to keep an eye on the website so you don’t miss out.
17. 12 September – The Color Run Manchester
The Colour Run is a 5k untimed run through Heaton Park. At each kilometre mark, Color Runners are doused from head to toe in a different coloured powder.
You can find out how to get involved here.
18. 2 – 18 October – Manchester Literature Festival
Manchester Literature Festival (MLF) holds over 80 literature events, in both fiction and non-fiction. MLF provides the opportunity for audiences to experience high quality live literature during the annual festival, as well as associated projects throughout the year.
To find out what’s on this year, take a look at the What’s On website
19. 2020 – 125 years of the National Trust
2020 is the 125th anniversary of the National Trust. To celebrate, they’re trying to raise £125,000 to support projects across the country. You can find out about getting involved in donating or volunteering here.
20. Opening in 2020 – RHS Garden Bridgewater
RHS Garden Bridgewater is a 154-acre garden currently being built at Worsley New Hall in Salford. It will be opening later this year after a complete transformation of the grounds.