MACFEST unveils a stunningly diverse programme of international arts and culture for 2025

Returning to the North West with another wondrously diverse programme of free, ticketed and online events for all ages and tastes, the groundbreaking Muslim Arts and Culture Festival 2025 stages a dazzlingly eclectic celebration of literature, art, photography, comedy, unique historical narratives and rich cultural heritage of the Muslim diaspora all over the world between February and July.

Featuring over 85 events including workshops, musicals, dance, cuisine classes, children’s activities, women and youth panels and much, much more, MACFEST offers an unmissable feast of art and culture both in-person around Manchester and online streams from around the globe, with countless events hosted from Afghanistan, Kenya, Kuwait, the USA, Canada, Pakistan and beyond.

This year, MACFEST’s hybrid programme features a starring cast of local, national and international speakers, poets, writers, academics, newsreaders, comedians, photographers, artists and singers, hosted in partnership with various organisations across the North West, from Manchester Lit & Phil, Manchester Histories Festival, Creative Manchester and MOSI to Manchester Museum, Bury MET, Gaskell House and several libraries around the region.

The festival kicks off with the Muslim Women’s Art Festival and the ever-popular Opening Ceremony at The Whitworth on Sat 22 Feb. There is something for everyone, with poetry reading from the Blind Chef Ibraheem Iqbal, singing from Jamil Felix, a live performance by the Arabic Sudanese School and Nasheed by Whalley Range High School, as well as an assortment of art exhibitions, cake-cutting and welcome speeches from Qaisra Shahraz MBE, founder and executive director of MACFEST, and Sook-Kyung Lee, Director of the Whitworth Art Gallery. This year, MACFEST is also launching Muslim Artists Network to provide a platform for artists to meet, network and share experiences relating to art and creativity. 

The ceremony also celebrates the launch of the fourth Muslim Women’s Arts Festival, a trailblazing initiative dedicated to platforming women artists both locally and internationally with more than 20 incredible events featuring over 75 multi-talented contributors. This year’s highlights include calligraphy workshops, cultural heritage hubs, Turkish folk dance performances and more in a largely free programme of women-led creativity.

Alongside its main programme, MACFEST presents a succession of themed festivals including Women, Ramadan, Environment, Museums, Eid, Libraries and more, each with their own captivating sub-schedule of exhibitions, panels, multi-lingual poetry recitals, debates, literature, music, performance and family-friendly entertainment. This year’s festivals features lots of art workshops across the North West and the return of the Lowry Eid Musical.

Following the soaring success of its inaugural instalment last year, the second Muslim Arts Awards will showcase more spellbinding works by UK Muslim artists, with selected pieces in Calligraphy, Drawing, Painting and Photography set to feature in a special exhibition at the University of Salford in November.

For more information about MACFEST, click here, and check out their full programme brochure here.