• HYPEHUNZ

    25 - 26 May, 11am–5pm

    Don’t be surprised when Girl Gang Manchester’s HYPEHUNZ come and gas you up!

    • Wheelchair Access
  • CDM UK delivering a screenprinting workshop in The Welcome

    ClayLife

    25–26 May, 11am–5pm

    Take on free clay modelling or learn how to make a plant pot, guided by a facilitator.

    • Family
    • Courses & Workshops
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • Members of WAST Choir singing and waving their hands in the air

    WAST choir – Women Asylum Seekers Together

    25 May, 11–11.30am

    The WAST choir open WOW with joy!

    • Music
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • Sewing materials laid out on a table

    Tatreez: Embroidery for Wellbeing

    25 May, 11.30am – 12.15pm

    Learn about traditional Palestinian embroidery, its history and conservation, and give it a go with your very own cross stitch.

    • Family
    • Courses & Workshops
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • A person stood at a table taking part in a craft workshop

    Recycled Me!

    25 May, 1–2pm

    Learn how to repurpose beautiful materials and offcuts from Pakistan to create a rod puppet with Yamina Peerzada.

    • Family
    • Courses & Workshops
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • Drummers from Katumba performing outside in a park

    Katumba: Music, Movement & Mindfulness

    25 May, 1.15–2pm

    Feel uplifted through this music and mindfulness workshop inspired by Afro-Brazilian dance and body percussion.

    • Courses & Workshops
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • Headshot of Dr Carolina Are with red heart-shaped sunglasses on her head

    Pole dancing against the algorithm

    May 25, 2.30–3.15pm

    What can pole dancers teach us about social media? Dr Carolina Are discusses online censorship and its relationship with the patriarchy.

    • Talks
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • Gift Sally Akinyi O smiling wearing a bright blue and pink top

    WOW Big Ideas – Saturday

    25 May, 2.30–3.15pm

    Hear from speakers on a range of fascinating topics

    • Talks
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • Hattie Hasan posing with a plumbing instrument

    All Cisterns Go

    25 May, 2.30–3.15pm

    DIY doesn't need to be a pipe dream! Learn the basics of plumbing with Hattie Hasan MBE.

    • Courses & Workshops
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • Headshots of Liz Carr and Sophie Willan

    Who Cares? Women on TV

    25 May, 4–5pm

    Sophie Willan and Liz Carr discuss the challenges and triumphs of being women on TV, and why representation matters.

    • Talks
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • A person writing at a table

    Zine Making

    25 May, 4–4.45pm

    Join local feminist zine makers for a fun and creative session on storytelling and learn how to express yourself through zines.

    • Family
    • Courses & Workshops
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • The outlines of people walking into the dark Warehouse – with bright lights in the stairway

    Scream into the Void

    26 May, 11am – 1pm

    Do you struggle to find the time to fit your uncontrollable rage into your busy schedule?

    • Courses & Workshops
    • Family
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • A Girl Generation panel event at WOW Manchester – 4 people on stage with a large audience

    The Girl Generation

    26 May, 11.30am – 12.15pm

    Hear from The Girl Generation, Dr Leyla Hussein and young people who are leading the fight against gendered violence in their communities.

    • Talks
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event

  • Drawing your Inner Self

    26 May, 11.30am – 12.15pm

    Discover the power of art as a tool for self-discovery and introspection in this drawing workshop with Promina Shrestha from WOW Nepal.

    • Courses & Workshops
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • Headshots of Zawe Ashton and Gemma Cairney

    Zawe Ashton and Gemma Cairney: Sisters not Systems

    26 May, 1–1.45pm

    Actor Zawe Ashton and broadcaster Gemma Cairney join forces for an open discussion touching on race, gender and new motherhood.

    • Talks
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • Headshot of Jackie Michaela

    Black Joy

    26 May, 1–1.45pm

    Explore the resilience, strength and beauty inherent in Black joy and make your very own care plans.

    • Courses & Workshops
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • Audrey Hall smiling wearing a black hat

    Safe Space Sisterhood

    26 May, 2.30–3.15pm

    Audrey Hall facilitates a sharing circle for women creatives over the age of 35 as part of her Safe Space Sisterhood community.

    • Courses & Workshops
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • Julia Gillard smiling in front of a bookshelf

    "I will not be lectured about misogyny by this man” – in conversation with Julia Gillard

    25 May, 11.30am–12.15pm

    Join WOW Founder Jude Kelly and former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard as they open Saturday at WOW Manchester.

    • Talks
    Past event
  • A mentor talking to a younger mentee during a speed mentoring session

    WOW Manchester: Speed Mentoring

    25 - 26 May 2024

    Share challenges, exchange stories and meet a whole range of incredible women and non-binary people, including WOW speakers

    • Free
    • Courses & Workshops
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • Philippa Vishnyakov smiling in front of a brick wall

    WOW Manchester: Women in Footnotes

    25 - 26 May 2024

    Discover the side-lined women of Manchester in a walking tour led by Philippa Vishnyakov

    • Free
    • Talks
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • DJ Paulette wearing big hoop earrings on a bright blue background

    HERcienda: Women, Music And Manchester

    25 May, 1–1.45pm

    Join Manchester legend DJ Paulette for a conversation on the absence of women in music and club spaces.

    • Talks
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • Headshot of Chimene Suleyman on a black background

    The Chain: Sisterhood, Sex And Storytelling

    25 May, 4–4.45pm

    Join us as we explore how relationships can quickly turn sour in this talk by The Chain author, Chimene Suleyman.

    • Talks
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • Tania Kovats stood besides some water holding a paper that says 'Dirty Water'

    Artistic Installations

    25 - 26 May, 11am–5pm

    Artists Ina-Maria Shikongo and Tania Kovats will join us across the weekend to exhibit specially commissioned work.

    • Art & Exhibitions
    Past event
  • A person painting multicoloured dots

    Total Block Out!

    25–26 May, 11am–5pm

    Join local non profit CDM for a full day of drop-in block printing.

    • Family
    • Courses & Workshops
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • A headshot of the actor Maxine Peake wearing a white shirt

    Maxine Peake In Conversation

    Sunday 26 May, 11–11.30am

    Join Maxine Peake and WOW Founder Jude Kelly for a Sunday morning discussion on Manchester, the arts and creative industries.

    • Talks
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • A messy table of crafts

    Menstrual Mood Mapping

    26 May, 3.45–4.45pm

    Menstrual Mood Mapping is a calming, playful and creative workshop exploring the different phases and moods of menstrual cycles.

    • Courses & Workshops
    • Family
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • The Social at Aviva Studios during a DJ set

    HERcienda: Live

    25 May, 11am–12.30pm

    Eves’Drop Collective host an epic day rave filled with eclectic selections, good vibes and plenty of nostalgia.

    • Family
    • Music
    Past event
  • A group of people seated in the Social at Aviva Studios

    WOW Closing Event

    26 May, 4.45–5pm

    Join us for the grand finale of the WOW and a joyous send-off by WOW Founder Jude Kelly.

    • Talks
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • Colourful WOW Bus parked outside Aviva Studios

    WOW bus

    25 - 26 May, 10am–6pm

    Bringing the family? Hop onto the WOW Girls Festival Bus and take part in a creative exploration of gender equity.

    • Family
    • Courses & Workshops
    • Free
    Past event
  • Two people holding a yellow tie-dye cloth

    To Dye For

    25 – 26 May, 11am – 5pm

    Get stuck in making dyes from natural ingredients in this free workshop.

    • Courses & Workshops
    • Free
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • A marketplace seller smiling behind their stall of colourful accessories

    A Different Kind of Dragon’s Den

    25 May, 4–5pm

    We’re calling out to female and non binary-led North West social businesses with a product to sell!

    • Courses & Workshops
    • Free
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • An audience shot of people watching

    WOW Bites

    25 – 26 May, 12–2pm

    Hear from inspirational local activists and speakers about the issues that matter to them.

    • Talks
    • Free
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • Helen Pankhurst smiling in front a green tiled wall

    WOW Big Ideas – Sunday

    26 May, 2.30–3.15pm

    Hear from a range of fascinating speakers

    • Talks
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • Photo of Dr Leyla Hussein in front of a bookcase

    Crash and Burn

    26 May, 2.30–3.15pm

    Learn some practical strategies to take care of your mental wellbeing and address burnout with psychotherapist Dr Leyla Hussein.

    • Courses & Workshops
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • Three people taking part in an aerobics class

    Angst Aerobics

    26 May, 3–4pm

    Let off some physical, mental and emotional steam in a workshop from Girl Gang Manchester.

    • Courses & Workshops
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe sitting in a blue chair and talking on stage at WOW festival

    The worlds we weave: fashion, freedom and choice

    26 May, 4–4.45pm

    Join author and former hostage Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, curator and art historian Rachel Dedman and author on sustainable fashion Aja Barber.

    • Talks
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • Two people smiling stood next to a stall at the WOW Marketplace

    WOW Marketplace

    25 – 26 May, 11am – 5pm

    Head to the South Warehouse to explore stalls, shop from amazing businesses and social enterprises, and take part in workshops.

    • Family
    • Courses & Workshops
    • Talks
    • Art & Exhibitions
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • Two photos displayed outdoors as part of the WOW Hope Brigade

    The Hope Brigade at Selfridges

    13–27 May, 10am–8pm (Sundays 11am–5.30pm)

    Step outside Aviva Studios and head to Selfridges Exchange Square to check out our very special Manchester edition of The Hope Brigade.

    • Art & Exhibitions
    • Free
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event
  • An illustration of different women's bodies

    Cut the Red Tape!

    25–26 May, 11am–5pm

    Free yourself from the 'red tape' of conventions with this drop-in art workshop

    • Courses & Workshops
    • Wheelchair Access
    Past event