September is a huge month, filled with so much to do. If you are new to Manchester, these first few weeks will be full of events to help you find your course mates, meet other students and get to know the city.
If you’re a returning student or a fresher who would like to explore events going on around the city, read on to find out what’s on this September (if the SU events aren’t enough to keep you busy!)
Sports and Joyful Movement
If you’re after some joyful movement plus a fun night out, the SU’s roller disco might be the perfect event (26 September, various times, £3) but if you’re looking for other ways to get active, have a look at the clubs and classes you can join at Sporticipate.
Plants and Nature
Manchester centre might not be the greenest, so if you’ve got a green thumb or you’re craving getting back in touch with nature, here are some events for you. The uni hosts a houseplant fair from 18-20 Sep, check it out for sun lovers, shade lovers, air purifiers, exotics, hangers, flowerers, edibles and more! You’ll find some houseplants suitable for any room for cheap.
The Evening Gardening Club at Plant NOMA is ongoing, head down to meet other keen gardeners without the pressure of having to maintain your own space or if mushrooms are more your thing, join a family-friendly Fungi Trail to find out what’s growing from late summer into autumn. If you’re more into animals and you’re gearing up for Spooky Season, try this Bat Walk at Broadhurst Park Local Nature Reserve (11 Sep).
Gigs and Festivals
September is a huge month for music so here’s a bumper list of events that still have tickets for sale. Northern Grooves (1 Sep), Throwing It Back Brunch: 90s & 00s Party (various dates), Hot Mulligan (2 Sep), Lalalar (5 Sep), Green Island Festival (9 Sep), Temples (9 Sep), Charlotte Cardin (14 Sep), Half Moon Run (16 Sep), Lovejoy (22 Sep), Luke Smith (22 Sep), Foreverland: Dopamine Dreams (23 Sep), Busted (24 Sep), Thrax Punks (24 Sep), Shania Twain (25 Sep), African Head Charge (27 Sep), Daisy Cameron (28 Sep), Muse (29 Sep), Coach Party (30 Sep).
Arts and Culture
There are two exhibitions opening this month that you won’t want to miss Dopamine Land: A Multisensory Experience runs for the whole month and aims to channel the limitless imagination of your inner child. The Light Exhibition at Cotton On, runs for the last two weeks of the month and all artworks will have the theme of light, but this is up to the artist to interpret.
If you’re interested in the literary arts, September is a great month, from the excellent Manchester Literary Festival programme, Chorlton Book Festival (15-23 Sep) and this outdoor performance of Sense and Sensibility (2 Sep).
If you’re interested in fashion, there’s the Rare Finds Flea Market (17 Sep) and a Sustainable Wardrobe book launch, panel talk, and swap shop (15 Sep). You might fancy making your own pewter jewellery at this workshop (23 Sep).
If you’re a history buff, check out the Manchester Medieval Quarter Festival put on by Chetham’s Library (23-24 Sep) or head to Manchester Museum Late (20 Sep).
And finally, for the creatives: the Interflora World Cup – the biggest floristry competition is happening here in Manchester (multiple dates), the Manchester Craft and Design Centre is showing the works of Michael Beard and other artists and is a great place to get some homemade gifts from local designers. Manchester Cathedral is hosting The Meditation of Drawing to explore and promote the positive aspects of drawing (various dates) and Cotton On have a Night-time Landscape Workshop (21 Sep).
Comedy
If you’re a comedy lover, there are some great shows happening this month including Grace Petrie musing on the butch experience (16 Sep), Russel Kane’s Work-in-Progress (25 Sep), Jenny Eclair’s Sixty-Plus (FFS!) (23 Sep) and Laughterama at Castlefield Bowl (6-10 Sep)