BEYOND 2026

BEYOND 2026 is a conference and festival for the creative industries, held at MediaCity in Salford, Manchester. Two themed days — Experience (Tues 24 Nov) and Growth (Weds 25 Nov) — bring together researchers, innovators, investors, and creative practitioners across screen, XR, immersive, gaming, VFX, live performance, music, and CreaTech.

BEYOND Conference explores what comes next for the creative industries — across screen, music, live performance, immersive and the wider experience economy. The 2026 edition launches BEYOND Festival, a bigger, bolder Fringe reimagined to complement the conference. Talks, workshops, showcases, an expanded EXPO, and networking are complemented by a free Festival Ticket covering open festival events. Programme Partner: UKRI AHRC and British Council.