MIF19: Animals of Manchester at The Whitworth

Gemma Gibb, Associate Editor
MIF19 Animals of Manchester at The Whitworth Manchester International Festival

Animals of Manchester at The Whitworth at The Whitworth, Manchester 20 — 21 July 2019 Entrance is free — Visit now

Head to Animals of Manchester, a cultural experiment, for some wild times like no other as artists, scientists, musicians and theatre-makers take over The Whitworth and Whitworth Park for Manchester International Festival’s final weekend.

Step into a world where all animals live alongside each other as equals on a rambunctious and transformative live art trail.

Expect a Mouse Palace (for both mice and humans), Human School where dogs do the teaching, an edible Arndale Centre for squirrels and birds, a film studio run by beetles, Hedgehog Hospital, a conference of animals led by cows and workshops taught by pets.

Expect familiar spaces and places to be transformed into a new Animals of Manchester realm. Explore curious goings-on from creatures and humans alike at Pigadilly, Dogsgate and Beastiary Beauty Parlour across the weekend.

A fine way to end the festival and celebrate the start of the school holidays alike. Animals of Manchester takes a weekend walk in the park to another level.

Animals of Manchester at The Whitworth at The Whitworth, Manchester 20 — 21 July 2019 Entrance is free Visit now

What's on at The Whitworth

Where to go near MIF19: Animals of Manchester at The Whitworth

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Big Hands

Big Hands is the one-time haunt of legendary Manchester band Elbow; it’s shabby, loud and dark, with a jukebox and excellent roof terrace.

The Giving Tree
Manchester
Restaurant
The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree is a cafe and community hub based in Rusholme, a short walk from the city centre.

Pankhurst Centre
Manchester
Museum
The Pankhurst Centre

The Pankhurst Centre houses a small museum and heritage centre that remains as a legacy to the Pankhurst family and the Suffragette movement born in this city.

Whitworth Park, Manchester
Manchester
Park
Whitworth Park

This 18-acre park opposite the Manchester Royal Infirmary provides a welcome patch of green in an otherwise densely populated and heavily used part of the city.

Manchester
Music venue
Manchester Academy 3

Brilliant venue for catching a touring band on the rise. The boringly titled Academy 3 or more interesting Hop and Grape, as it was once known, is a self contained…

Cafe at the Museum
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
The Cafe
at the Museum

Manchester Museum’s cafe is run by the people behind award-winning cafe Teacup Kitchen. The menu features home-baked cakes, the finest loose leaf teas and breakfast, as well as a wide selection of mains and meals for kids.

Manchester Academy music venue on Oxford Road Manchester.
Manchester
Music venue
Manchester Academy

The Manchester Academy is a mid size, modern warehouse venue adjacent to the University of Manchester Students’ Union. It lacks any architectural merit and has always been a difficult place…

What's on: Families

Two young visitors looking up at a banner in a case, holding pencils and an activity sheet.
Until
ActivityManchester
2025 Banner Bingo at PHM

Explore the People’s History Museum with your banner bingo card in hand as you navigate their galleries through the lens of craftivism.

free entry

Culture Guides

Mohair Man, 1991, by Dave Swindells
Exhibitions in the North

Cinematic sets, 90s nightclub photography and even new gallery - we have a great mix of exhibitions for you this month.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

DaDaFest’s 40th anniversary line-up, contemporary reimaginings and outlandish fringe, check out our top theatre picks for spring onwards.

We shelter here sometimes promo image. Featuring My Dog Sighs inside and abandoned building.
Cinema in the North

David Lynch, International Women's Day and Manchester Film Festival are amongst our cinematic highlights this March.

Poet Imtiaz Dharker. Photo by Ayesha Dharker
Literature Events in the North

Some of our favourite leftfield live literature regulars are back with their first events of the year – we’ve picked a weird and wonderful heap we think you’ll love.

GROVE
Music in the North

We’re championing all things underground this month, with a selection of gigs and festivals that embrace the strange.

Classical Music in the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.

Good Fridaze Family Social at Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we edge towards spring we take a look at the best events and activities for families, from theatre to festivals, dinosaur adventures to family raves.