On this page you will find details of museums and archives exhibitions and events.
Wigan Museum is free unless otherwise stated.
If you have any event queries, you can contact the Wigan Museum and Archives: Wigan & Leigh teams.
Exhibitions
Wigan's Voice
A new exhibition which brings together art, heritage and community voices to explore what Wigan has been, what it is now and what it might become.
Drawing on the museum’s collections alongside newly commissioned artworks, Wigan’s Voice gives space to the stories, sounds and perspectives of the people who live here. The exhibition reflects on Wigan’s heritage, culture and changing landscape, honouring local roots while looking collectively towards the future.
The exhibition is structured around three interconnected strands:
- Nature’s Voice explores Wigan’s changing landscape through artworks, objects from the collections and a new commission by Alex Shaw, inspired by nature and environmental change. The museum is also excited to present the recently commissioned projection installation ‘Data Mapping’ by artists Henrich and Palmer
- Traditional Voice re-examines Wigan’s heritage and craft traditions, offering new narratives around time, making and labour. Historic objects from the collection sit alongside contemporary artistic responses, including a new commission by Abigail Kerner, and an interactive digital game by FACT gallery and Global Friends
- Community Voice centres the lived experiences of Wigan’s people. Through interactive displays and newly commissioned work by Tom Stocks, voices, sounds and stories from across Wigan are brought together, capturing past, present and future perspectives through spoken word. This strand also features a newly commissioned film by Tom Doona, inviting visitors to reflect on what it means to live in Wigan today and what the future might hold for them. Voices are captured not only through words, but through sound and drawings.
By combining collections, contemporary art and community participation, Wigan’s Voice presents a collective portrait of Wigan. Shaped by its people and grounded in its past.
- When? 21st February to 25th July
- Where? Wigan Museum.
Archives: Wigan and Leigh permanent exhibition
This amazing display of local stories, archives, and museum objects showcases the local history of the East side of the borough. Our team and volunteers are on hand to answer your questions and help you explore the collection!
- Where? Archives: Wigan and Leigh
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? No.
Upcoming events
Mega-saurus Dinosaur Day
Raaaaaaar! Tommy the T-Rex is back at the museum!
Have your photograph taken with the world’s friendliest dinosaur, have your face painted, get crafty with themed activities, and solve the pterodactyl trail. We’d love to see your fancy dress!
- When? Saturday 30th May, 11am to 1pm
- Where? Wigan Museum, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? No, drop in.
The rise of the cotton industry in Wigan 1800 to 1880 by Ken Scally
Come and explore the interaction between coal, canals, and steam power on textile manufacture. This talk will combine a presentation with historical narrative and images, all interspersed with period songs and poems, many in the old dialect.
- When? Saturday 18th April, 12pm to 1.30pm
- Where? Wigan Museum, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
- What is the cost? £3.50
- Do I need to book? Yes, via Eventbrite - Wigan Museum (external link) or call 01942 828128.
Wigan’s Voice artist event - Alexandra Shaw
From Bog to Brook: Tracing the Hidden Journeys of Water
Exploring peatlands and connected landscapes through art and science.
Join artist and researcher Alex Shaw for a hands-on workshop exploring the hidden connections between water, soil and landscape. Drawing on her MA Art in Science research at Liverpool John Moores University, Alex’s practice brings together art, ecology and local history to explore peatland degradation and restoration, the unseen life within soils, and the ways in which water moves through connected landscapes.
Through simple demonstrations and creative activities, the workshop will explore how peatlands act like natural sponges, slowing the flow of water and supporting diverse ecosystems. Alex will also share how her research into historical maps and archival images helped shape her artwork for the museum, revealing how the brooks and rivers around Wigan connect both upstream to peatland landscapes and downstream to wetlands and waterways across the wider region.
Golborne mining disaster talk
On 18th March 1979, a tragic explosion at Golborne Colliery killed 10 miners and profoundly impacted the local community, defining its mining history. There was only one survivor.
Join us to meet miners who were working on that fateful day and hear first-hand accounts of the tragedy that changed the town forever.
- When: Saturday 16th May, 12pm to 1pm
- Where: Wigan Museum, Library Street, Wigan. WN1 1NU
- What is the cost: £3.50 (includes drink)
- Do I need to book: Yes, via Eventbrite - Wigan Museum (external link) or call 01942 828128.
Half-term family fun
Join us for school holiday fun packed full of crafts, trails, and more!
- When: Saturday 23rd and Wednesday 27th May, 11am to 12:30pm
- Where: Wigan Museum, Library Street, Wigan. WN1 1NU
- What is the cost: Free
- Do I need to book: No, drop in.
Wigan’s Voice artist event - Tom Stocks
Afternoon POSITIVI-TEA
Join the Chubby Northerner for a warm and uplifting creative workshop inspired by the PO-E-TEA project. Afternoon POSITIVI-TEA invites visitors to slow down, share a brew, and explore the power of positive words. In this relaxed session you’ll be guided through simple poetry prompts designed to help you reflect, write, and celebrate the small moments of joy in everyday life.
Together we will create Positive Poetry Scrolls - hand-rolled scrolls filled with encouraging words and make our own POSITIVI-TEA bags, each containing a short quote or line of poetry to brighten someone’s day. No writing experience is needed. Just bring yourself, your imagination, and a willingness to share a little positivity. Come along for poetry, tea, and good conversation, and leave with something uplifting to keep or pass on.
Leigh Town Hall tour
Join us for this exciting tour of Leigh Town Hall and see behind-the-scenes of the new Archives: Wigan and Leigh. Availability is limited so you must book in advance.
Relaxed mornings
This time is specially dedicated to visitors with special needs. What’s special about it? It will be a SEND-friendly environment with low number of visitors, sensory resources to use during your visit and staff will be available to help with anything you need.
- When? Last Saturday of the month, 10am to 12pm
- Where? Archives Wigan and Leigh
- What is the cost? Free
- Do I need to book? No need to book, just drop in.