Women of the World Festival celebrates gender equity with a weekend of unmissable events at Aviva Studios

Taking over the internationally renowned Aviva Studios from Fri 24-Sun 26 May, Women of the World Festival brings a packed programme of innovative workshops, vibrant discussions, live music and more to the city for the first time in celebration of world-changing women and the ongoing fight for gender equity.

Hosted by Factory International, Manchester’s maiden WOW Festival welcomes a cohort of esteemed speakers, activists, and performers to share their stories and insights across a series of transformative conversations, with guests including Mel B, Jordan Stephens, Julia Gillard, Maxine Peake, Zawe Ashton, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and others, alongside a programme of wondrously unique workshops including music and mindfulness with Katumba, anti-algorithm pole-dancing, drag DIY and more.

Tickets are now on sale for a fascinatingly insightful and riotously funny evening of conversation with beloved comedian and writer Sara Pascoe, who joins WOW Founder and CEO Jude Kelly for a discussion about her craft and how to tell engaging stories on the page, as well as readings from her hotly anticipated debut novel, Weirdo.

When booking a ticket for Sat 25 May, guests will have access to an array of events and activities including the Hercienda Day Rave, Pole Dancing Against the Algorithm and an unmissable conversation with former Australian Prime Minister Julie Gillard, who opens the Saturday schedule with an uplifting discussion about the state of the modern world for women, girls and non-binary people, and how we can affect positive change going forward.

Book a ticket for Sun 26 May and enjoy everything from DIY drag workshops and menstrual mood mapping to a live conversation with Maxine Peake and an enlightening panel discussion which explores identity through the transformative power of clothing, from the creative force of repurposing our clothing to the thread of women’s history sewn into various cultures via traditional craftsmanship.

Throughout the weekend, WOW Festival hosts a fabulously eclectic series of free events available to visitors without a day or weekend ticket, including natural dye workshops, multi-disciplinary Speed Mentoring sessions and inspirational stories delivered by women and non-binary people from all walks of life as part of the WOW Bites programme. Elsewhere, families with children can hop on the WOW Girls Festival Bus outside Aviva Studios for an engaging interactive exploration of gender equity with creative crafts, fascinating conversations and digital experiences on offer for guests of all ages and genders.

Book your tickets to WOW Festival and check out the full weekend schedule via the website, and watch the trailer below.