Sparky Saturdays: October

Bring the whole family to explore our exhibition, enjoy a cuppa and try a hands-on activity.

You can also browse our dressing-up rails, try the Percy Trail and go shopping in the Penny Bazaar!

Free light refreshments included, or bring a packed lunch and use our indoor picnic space.

Have a look at our Family Visits page to find out more about getting here and what to expect.

Booking details: No need to book, just drop in – it’s all free!

Online Talk: Design at M&S

From Parisian-designed fabrics in the 1930s, to today’s archive-inspired clothing ranges, discover the story of clothing design at M&S.

Our Archivist will share highlights from the collection, and for the duration of the event will be on hand to answer any questions via the chat box.

This is a free online event, book your place to receive details of how to join the talk.

Don’t worry if you miss any of our online talks, they’re all available on our You Tube channel to view at a time that suits you.

Sparky Saturdays: September

Sparky Saturdays are open to everyone, our high-quality activities are designed to be fun and accessible to all ages, and the programme covers a wide variety of subjects, styles and experiences!

As well as the Sparky Saturday activities, you can try the Percy Pig trail around our family-friendly, interactive exhibition which tells the M&S story, spanning over 140 years on the high street.

Strike a pose in our dressing-up collection, go shopping in the Penny Bazaar and get creative in the Design Studio.

Free event. No booking required, just drop in.

Heritage Open Days: Behind the Scenes at the Archive

Ever wondered how we care for the collection? Or where we keep it?

Join us for a behind the scenes tour and find out! 

Tours will take place every half hour from 10.30am to 3pm, and will last approximately 20 minutes.

No need to book, just drop in. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

There’ll be free refreshments to enjoy and our exhibition to explore too!

Opera North: Little Listeners - Mini Vixen

Join Opera North for a fun, family-friendly adventure into the forest. Our adventure takes place in a mystical woodland where a Vixen meets a Fox. As their friendship grows, they discover how working together is vital to protect their home and the habitat around them.  

Based on the music and story of Janáček’s opera The Cunning Little Vixen and led by a cast of professional opera singers and musicians, join us for this interactive and relaxed concert where singing and moving around is encouraged. Experience the magic of opera, storytelling and music, whatever your age!

Sparky Saturdays: August

From tinned sardines in the 1930s to today’s responsibly sourced salmon, we think fish are fantastic!

Celebrate our fishy friends with some deep-sea design and join our expert printer to create your own fish-inspired relief print to take home.

Bring the whole family to explore our exhibition, enjoy a cuppa and have a go at printing.

You can also browse our dressing-up rails, try the Percy Trail and go shopping in the Penny Bazaar!

Free light refreshments included, or bring a packed lunch and use our indoor picnic space.

Summer Family Fun at the M&S Archive

Come and explore the exhibition and try our trail to claim your pack of Percy Pigs!

There’ll be free squash, biscuits and hot drinks for the grown-ups and a picnic room – so why not bring your lunch with you?

Our family-friendly exhibition tells the story of over 140 years of history on the high street.

Strike a pose in our dressing-up collection, go shopping in the Penny Bazaar and get creative in the Design Studio.

No need to book, just drop in – it’s all free!

Sospiri Wind Quintet - ‘The Brontes – a Musical Portrait.’

The fabulous Sospiri Wind Quintet have joined forces with Philip Henderson, composer of the West End musical The Far Pavilions and the Henderson/ Macari fantasy opera Giacomo’s Muse which had its world premiere in the U.S.A in June 2023.

Also joining forces with Sospiri and Philip is Chilean opera soprano Valentina Diaz. Valentina has captivated audiences on major international stages with her remarkable talent. Together they present the premiere of ‘The Brontes–a Musical Portrait.’

Sparky Saturday: July

‘Don’t ask the price – it’s a penny!’ was our very first slogan, created by Michael Marks for his Penny Bazaar market stalls.

Have you ever looked closely at a penny coin? Join us at the Sparky Saturday unofficial penny mint to design and create your own limited edition currency! We’ll make custom stamps that feature your most regal face (and perhaps even a certain Percy Pig) and then use them to fill your coffers with coins.

Bring the whole family to explore our exhibition, enjoy a cuppa and try our activity.