Horizons Festival 2026 is set to return to HOME in Manchester on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 June, taking place as part of Refugee Week. The event is a collaboration between HOME and Community Arts North West (CAN), celebrating creativity, community, and connection. This free, two-day global arts festival will showcase shows, live music, creative family activities, global cinema, workshops, stand-up comedy, and open discussions, all highlighting the diverse cultures and communities that have shaped Greater Manchester.
Each year, Horizons curators seek out new artistic voices from the region, bringing local contemporary stories of migration to audiences through original creative work. By honouring layered histories and commissioning artists to shape their own narratives, the festival celebrates migration as a unique personal story of belonging, resilience, and creative practice.
This year, Horizons Festival features a newly expanded film programme screening at HOME cinema. Selected by a panel from the Arts & Migration Group, the programme explores the complex human experiences of migration and displacement through vibrant, insightful films from around the world. The panel, whose own lives have been impacted by migration, includes Maryam Nazari, Ana Lucía Cuevas, Linnae Yllane, and Tina Ramos Ekongo.
Maryam Nazari commented: "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." Rodney Adams, Creative Producer at Community Arts North West, added: "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."
Anna Vu Thompson, Creative Director and Joint CEO of Community Arts North West, explained the festival's significance: "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 celebrate that shared heritage and create 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."
Louise Harney, Head of Creative Engagement at HOME, said: "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, continuing Manchester's tradition of celebrating international cultures and creativity. Horizons Festival is curated by HOME and Community Arts North West in collaboration with the Arts & Migration Group, and is supported by The Evan Cornish Foundation. The full programme will be available in mid-May. For more information, visit the HOME website.
