From rejuvenating outdoor sun salutations to nocturnal sensory club parties, Manchester marks the longest day of the year with an eclectic programme of solstice specials, scientific spectaculars and spiritual workshops, as the sun (presumably) lingers high above the city for the last time before the nights begin to draw in once again.
On Fri 21 Jun, Jodrell Bank hosts a uniquely fascinating programme of panels, screenings and walking tours to mark the solstice while honouring the award-winning Cheshire fantasy novelist Alan Garner.
Featuring a captivating assortment of experts from the fields of physics, archaeology and literature, Jodrell Bank’s solstice special explores Garner’s influence on scientific and artistic endeavour, with a focus on the ways in which time, place and space are reimagined throughout his work.
Staged amidst the delicate tranquility of Worsley’s immaculate botanical landscape in full bloom, RHS Garden Bridgewater celebrates the summer solstice with an evening of horticultural wonder set to live music from local talent Haydn Owen.
As part of the event, mental health and wellbeing guru Suzy McCafferty leads a 70-minute spiritual garden session to guide visitors on a journey of natural connection, expounding on floral folklore and traditions surrounding the equinox, while Margaret Gul hosts a series of drop-in Qigong sessions which present guests the opportunity to discover inner harmony and their transcendent link to the natural world.
Billed as ‘an explorative club night into the depths of human perception’, SENSES takes over the enveloping chambers of Islington Mill on Sat 22 Jun with a solstice party that promises to challenge our sensory limits with an immersive blend of art, music and communal connection, elevating the mundane into an unforgettable equinox experience.
For those who prefer a soirée to spirituality, Harvey Nichols recognises the longest day with a timely if tenuous solstice wine-tasting extravaganza, during which a resident Rosé expert will guide visitors through an exquisitely curated taste of summer with five wines, light nibbles and £10 to redeem on Wine Shop items afterwards.
Book your place below.
- Words:
- Wolf McFarlane
- Published on:
- Mon 17 Jun 2024
To celebrate the harmonious concurrence of the summer solstice and International Yoga Day, The Life Centre North hosts a free, restorative two-hour outdoor session on Friday morning in the Great Northern’s iconic amphitheatre.
Suitable for all abilities, The Life Centre’s sun salutation session features 108 gentle, rejuvenating movements led by world-class yoga teachers as dawn breaks on the longest day of the year.
Book your place below.