And so it has arrived, the New Year is upon us once again therefore what better than a quick look ahead into 2010. Here are just a few things I am already looking forward to in Manchester this year:

• Abandon Normal Devices (AND) Festival 2010 – Following on from last year’s AND Festival in Liverpool it’s Manchester’s turn in 2010 to host this event celebrating digital culture and new cinema – in conjunction with the Cornerhouse.
• National Football Museum move to Manchester – *sniff* Wipe the tears from your eyes as Urbis will be no more. However we’ll have a whole new museum to look forward to as Urbis officially becomes the National Football Museum from Spring 2010. The building will be closed to be kitted out ready for a grand reopening next year… so there is already something to look forward to in 2011.
• People’s History Museum reopening – Not long to go now the museum will be swinging it’s doors open to the public from the 13th of February 2010.
• World Cup 2010 – Okay not technically happening in Manchester… but I am already looking forward to locating a watering hole in the city where I can watch England crush the nation’s hopes once again. It’s sure to make for great British summer of sporting disappointment.
• Legoland Discovery Centre – Opening during Spring 2010 at Barton Square at the Trafford Centre it’s my childhood dream. This £7.5 million attraction is ideal for children 3-12 years old, however this big kid will also be finding an excuse to check it out.

Looks like it’s going to be a good ‘un!

c/o -nathan licensed under Creative Commons.