DON'T MISS HORIZONS FESTIVAL 2026 AT HOME

Preview by Steve Cooke

HOME and Community Arts North West (CAN) have announced that the not to be missed, highly recommended Horizons Festival will return on Fri 12 and Sat 13 June, taking place as part of Refugee Week at HOME.

Celebrating creativity, community, and connection, Horizons Festival celebrates the arts and the global communities that have helped to shape creativity and culture in Greater Manchester across generations.

Horizons is a free 2-day global arts festival in the heart of Manchester - packed with shows, live music events, creative family activities, global cinema, workshops, standup comedy and open discussions.

Each year, Horizons curators seek out new artistic voices from Greater Manchester to bring local contemporary stories of migration to audiences through new creative work.

By honouring these layered histories and commissioning artists to shape their own narratives, Horizons celebrates migration not only as movement, but as a unique personal story and relationship to belonging, resilience, and creative practice.

This year, Horizons Festival has a newly expanded film programme screening at HOME. Specially selected by a panel of creatives whose own lives have been impacted by migration, it will explore the complex human experiences of migration and displacement through vibrant, insightful films from across the globe.

The film programme has been produced and facilitated by Nuala Shaar, Horizons Film Programme Producer, and voted for by Ana Lucía Cuevas, Linnae Yllane, Maryam Nazari and Tina Ramos Ekongo. Maryam Nazari said: "Real migration stories are rarely only about suffering; they also include resilience, creativity and adaptation. When media or culture presents migrants only through crisis narratives, it creates distance and misunderstandings.

Maryam Nazari, said: “Real migration stories are rarely only about suffering; they also include resilience, creativity and adaptation. When media or culture presents migrants only through crisis narratives, it creates distance and misunderstandings.”

In speaking about this year's festival Community Arts North West Creative, Rodney Adams Creative Producer, explains what visitors can expect: “This year’s Horizons Festival is an inspiring opportunity to experience, enjoy and explore a rich mix of globally influenced art and culture.  Through a dynamic programme of artist-led events and activities – rooted in lived experience and created with and for communities – Horizons reflects real lives, celebrates diverse cultural voices, and forges connections. We invite everyone to be part of this shared journey of creativity, connection and discovery.”

Community Arts North West, Creative Director / Joint CEO Anna Vu Thompson commented on what makes the festival meaningful right now: “Horizons is a powerful reminder of what makes our communities so vibrant. Here in Greater Manchester—and across the UK—we have always been shaped by people, cultures, and stories from all over the world. That diversity isn’t new; it’s a defining part of the UK. Festivals like Horizons celebrates that shared heritage and creates a space for new voices, new perspectives and new connections to flourish. Community Arts North West is proud to work in partnership with HOME and the Arts and Migration Network to create a festival that collaborates with communities to shape their narratives and ensure accurate representation.  Horizons aims to challenge stereotypes and share unique stories that might not be heard in the mainstream”

As a long-standing partner of Horizons, HOME is welcoming the festival back to its spaces.

Louise Harney, Head of Creative Engagement at HOME talks about Horizons and the significance of the festival returning to HOME: “Bringing Horizons back to HOME feels especially meaningful at a time where amplifying unheard voices and connecting our communities is more important than ever.  This festival is rooted in celebrating the work of artists with lived experience of migration — creating space for perspectives that build shared understanding.  Through this exciting programme, we’re not only showcasing incredible artistic talent, but we're inviting audiences to come together, experience new narratives, and recognise the shared humanity that connects us all.”

The festival is open to everyone to join in with Manchester’s long-held tradition of celebrating international cultures and creativity.

Horizons Festival is curated by HOME and Community Arts North West (CAN) in collaboration with the Arts & Migration Group and is proudly supported by The Evan Cornish Foundation.

The full programme for Horizons Festival 2026: https://homemcr.org/theme/horizons-festival-2026-5tkn

Friday 12 & Saturday 13 Jun 2026