FAMILY EVENTS IN MANCHESTER
FAMILY EVENTS IN MANCHESTER
Most Popular Family Events in Manchester
Sun 16 Nov 2025 - Sun 31 May 2026
Thu 26 Mar - Tue 28 Apr 2026
Fri 21 Nov - Wed 31 Dec 2025
Thu 13 Nov 2025 - Sat 10 Jan 2026
Sat 6 Dec 2025 - Sun 4 Jan 2026
Gandeys Halloween Spooktacular
Sunday 12 October - Sunday 2 November 2025
Something wickedly spectacular this way comes...! Dare you enter the haunted Big Top? Gandeys Circus returns, bringing you a brand-new, spine-chilling, and action-packed Halloween Spooktacular-a legendary show filled with frights, delights,...
13 Going On 30 - The Musical
Sunday 12 October 2025
13 Going On 30 - The Musical is a totally grown up new musical comedy based on the hit 2004 film that starred Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo, and it's coming to Manchester Opera House for its World Premiere next year!Jenna Rink is an ador...
RNCM Young Explorers - Fairytales, Folklore and Fantasy
Sunday 12 October 2025
Adventure awaits with an interactive family-friendly afternoon of live orchestral music from How to Train Your Dragon, Peer Gynt, and Sleeping Beauty. But the magic doesn't stop there. Delve into the world classic fairy tales with a hila...
Adventures in Wonderland
Tuesday 14 October 2025 - Wednesday 22 July 2026
Fall down the rabbit hole and have your very own magical adventure with Adventures in Wonderland at Z-arts! Created by Z-arts in partnership with Macmillan Children's Books, step into Alice's shoes and have your very own magical Adventure i...
The Library of Enchantment
Friday 17 October - Monday 29 December 2025
Ever wanted to step inside a story? The Library of Enchantment is a fun-filled thrilling family-friendly escape room, full of seafaring adventures, time travelling tricks and a pesky old bookworm who's always up to meddlesome mischief! Can ...
Slava's Snow Show
Wednesday 22 - Sunday 26 October 2025
Slava's Snowshow promises a breath-taking multisensory delight in a joyous dream-like world which will touch both your heart and funny bone!The multi award-winning international sensation returns by popular demand. This truly unique theatri...
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Thursday 23 October - Sunday 2 November 2025
Escape to a world of pure imagination with ROALD DAHL'S Charlie and The Chocolate Factory - The Musical. The world-famous Willy Wonka is opening the gates to his mysterious factory... but only to a lucky few. Charlie Bucket, an imaginat...
Crown Ballet - The Nutcracker
Friday 24 October 2025
A wonderful treat full of glitter for the whole family, and an ideal introduction to audiences of any age to the magic that is classical ballet, Moldova's Crown Ballet returns to the UK to enchant you with their delightful production of an ...
ComedySportz
Saturday 25 October 2025 - Saturday 14 February 2026
You've seen football. You've seen tennis. But have you seen Comedy as a sport? Then you don't want to miss this all ages, all action, all improvised competitive comedy show! Two teams battle it out for laughs with quick-witted gags, games, ...
Flow (U)
Saturday 25 October 2025
★★★★★ Mysterious and magical, this Oscar-winning survival adventure is an animation worthy of Studio Ghibli. ~ Time Out --- Winner of the 2025 Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film, Flow is the latest film from the boundless imag...
Nick Cope - I've Lost My Bobble Hat
Sunday 26 October 2025
Help Nick find his beloved bobble hat in this fun filled musical hour with all your favourite Nick Cope hits and more. Nick Cope has been writing and recording his beautiful and totally unique songs for children and their families for over ...
The Smeds and The Smoos
Monday 27 October - Saturday 1 November 2025
Tall Stories presents The Smeds and the Smoos. Soar into space with this exciting adaptation of the award-winning book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. On a far off planet, Smeds and Smoos can't be friends. So when a young Smed and Sm...
Kidz Bop
Wednesday 29 October 2025
Make memories that will last a lifetime at the ultimate pop concert for kids, and their grown-ups too! Sing and dance along as the KIDZ BOP Kids perform your favorite songs like "Espresso," "greedy," "Lil Boo Thang," "Dance The Night,"...
The Wizarding Adventure
Wednesday 29 October 2025
It's a kind of magic! Are you ready to attend your first day at the Grand Old School of Wizardry. Join the madcap mages and wacky witches of the faculty on a spellbinding adventure to work on your wand waving, brush up on your broomstick sk...
A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong
Sunday 2 - Saturday 8 November 2025
GOD BLESS HELP US, EVERYONE The Cornley Amateur Drama Society are back with tidings of chaos and joy, ready to tackle the Charles Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol. A new production of CHRISTMAS CAROL GOES WRONG smashes into the Lowry pri...
Coram Shakespeare Schools Theatre Festival
Thursday 6 - Friday 7 November 2025
Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation presents the world's largest youth drama festival, an evening of live theatre, featuring a series of unique abridged Shakespeare productions by local schools. ...
Justin Live
Sunday 9 November 2025
Are You Ready To Rock?.... Because Justin has got the band back together! Famous for his BAFTA Award-winning appearances in hit programmes including Something Special, Justin's House, Gigglebiz and Gigglequiz, Justin and his friends are ba...
A Christmas Carol
Thursday 13 November 2025 - Saturday 10 January 2026
A joyful stage adaptation of the festive classic Whilst Christmas cheer and goodwill thrive across Victorian England, tight-fisted Ebenezer Scrooge goes to bed on Christmas Eve with no compassion or love in his heart. However, that night he...
Believe! The Polar Express Experience
Friday 14 November - Wednesday 31 December 2025
Believe! The Polar Express Experience is a brand new, truly magical, multi-room immersive walkthrough experience that brings the enchanting world of the beloved movie to life in a whole new way. Step into the Hero Boy's house where you be t...
Opera North - The Big Opera Mystery
Saturday 15 November 2025
A family-friendly show for children aged 5-12 years old. An expert thief is on the loose, and only you can catch them! Bring your thinking-caps, your magnifying glasses and all your crime-solving skills: this is a mystery like no other, whe...
Bluey's Big Play
Sunday 16 November 2025
When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans! Join them as they pull out all of the games and cleverness at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag. Bluey's Big Play is a brand-new thea...
English National Ballet - The Sleeping Beauty
Wednesday 19 - Saturday 22 November 2025
For wonder and enchantment, look no further than this classic fairy tale ballet: Kenneth MacMillan's The Sleeping Beauty will leave you spellbound. Experience all that is grand, gleaming and gorgeous with English National Ballet in this stu...
Cinderella
Friday 21 November - Wednesday 31 December 2025
Next Christmas, experience Cinderella like never before - the magical tale you love filled with laughter, fun, and unexpected surprises... Meet Mandy, Fairy 23780, fresh from Fairy Godmother school and excited to share her first assignmen...
Gladiators Live
Saturday 22 - Sunday 23 November 2025
Get ready for the ultimate action-packed experience, as Gladiators Live Tour makes its global debut in arenas across the UK for the very first time in 2025. Featuring the new stars of the UK TV series Gladiators, the live show will be a spe...
The Muppet Christmas Carol In Concert
Saturday 22 November 2025
Back by popular demand, Disney's much loved 1992 musical comedy The Muppet Christmas Carol returns to The Bridgewater Hall, the beloved festive movie brought to life by a talented orchestra performing its musical score live in time with the...
Santa Special
Saturday 22 November - Wednesday 24 December 2025
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Treat the family to an enchanting voyage through the magical Irwell Valley, kick start your Christmas on one of our famous Santa Specials! There's more family friendly fun, colourful characters a...
Freaky Friday
Thursday 27 November - Wednesday 31 December 2025
Directed by Andy Fickman Book by Bridget Carpenter Music by Tom Kitt Lyrics by Brian Yorkey The new musical, Freaky Friday, based on the beloved 1972 novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films, which has captured the hearts of genera...
The New Adventures of Peter Pan
Saturday 29 November - Wednesday 31 December 2025
Set Sail this Easter and Join the Swashbuckling Adventures of Peter Pan in this high flying pantomime for all the Family from Trio Entertainments! Starring Coronation Street's "Ashley", Steven Arnold, as Captain Hook alongside Bolton panto ...
The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe
Wednesday 3 December 2025 - Sunday 11 January 2026
Step through the wardrobe into the magic kingdom of Narnia where a world of wonder awaits. Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they meet new friends, face dangerous foes and learn the lessons of courage, sacrifice, and the power of love. ...
Snowstorm - Wish
Friday 5 December 2025 - Sunday 4 January 2026
"Wish": A Spellbinding Spectacle of Ice and Wonder This Winter Trafford Centre | Dec 5 - Jan 4 Back by overwhelming popular demand, the North West's most beloved winter production returns for its fifth triumphant year - and it's more spellb...
Aladdin
Friday 5 December 2025 - Sunday 4 January 2026
Take a magical carpet ride to the North West's home of sensational Pantomime entertainment for Stockport Plaza's glittering production of Aladdin starring Brian Capron, star of Coronation Street and many TV and stage presentations, who make...
Goldilocks & The Three Bears
Friday 5 December 2025 - Sunday 4 January 2026
Roll up! Roll up! The Circus is in town! Dame Gertie Dollop runs a Circus show with her son - Silly Billy, but they have fallen on hard times particularly with the dastardly Ringmaster Heinkel, owner of the rival 'Circus of Horrors' up to h...
Robin Hood
Saturday 6 December 2025 - Sunday 4 January 2026
Get ready for an adventure like no other as Jason Manford and Ben Nickless take over Sherwood Forest in this year's must-see show, Robin Hood!Join the most heroic outlaw of them all as the arrow-shooting hero Robin Hood and his trusty band ...
The Enormous Crocodile - The Musical
Tuesday 9 December 2025 - Sunday 4 January 2026
"For my lunch today I would like... a nice juicy little child!" He's greedy, he's grumptious, he's horrid! The Enormous Crocodile is weaving his way through the jungle to Lowry in search of delicious little fingers and squidgy podgy knees.....
Disney On Ice - Find Your Hero
Wednesday 10 - Sunday 14 December 2025
Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero, an adventure filled with tales of heroism from your favorite Disney stories. Join fearless wayfinder Moana and demigod Maui as they bravely voyage into uncharted territories to return the stolen heart ...
Mrs Claus Saves Christmas
Wednesday 10 - Wednesday 24 December 2025
Step into Mrs Claus' kitchen for a festive bake-off like no other! As she prepares holiday treats, things spiral into a recipe-tangling disaster. With everything going wrong, she'll need help from the children in the audience! A fun-filled,...
Shaun the Sheep's Circus Show
Thursday 11 December 2025 - Sunday 4 January 2026
A high-flying family adventure with un-BAA-lievable acrobats comes to Aviva Studios this winter Two worlds gleefully collide in Shaun the Sheep's Circus Show - brought to the stage by the internationally-acclaimed Australian circus ensemble...
The Hallé - Christmas Cracker
Friday 12 December 2025
Let the Halle add a little extra sparkle to your festive season with a selection box of your all-time favourite Christmas hits. Deck the halls and get ready for the most wonderful time of the year with the Halle's Christmas Cracker - a fest...
The Hallé - Carol Concerts
Saturday 13 - Sunday 14 December 2025
Step into the timeless magic of Christmas with the Halle's ever-popular carol concerts. This cherished tradition truly signifies the start of the festive season for many of you, so immerse yourself in the heart-warming music and carols, per...
Santa Live! The Ultimate Santa Show Party
Saturday 13 - Wednesday 24 December 2025
Get ready this Christmas as Darling Productions UK brings you Bolton's brand-new festive extravaganza... SANTA LIVE! Disaster strikes in Christmas town when the Christmas spirit runs out and all the children names have mysteriously vanished...
The Totally Improvised Pantomime
Saturday 13 December 2025
Bored of the same pantomimes every year? The ComedySportz team are back this Christmas for more Totally Improvised Pantomimes! Heroes, villains, songs and silliness are guaranteed this December as the gang create brand-new pantomime adventu...
Home Alone in Concert - The Film with Live Orchestra
Monday 15 December 2025
This beloved holiday favourite features renowned composer John Williams' charming and delightful score performed live to picture by a live symphony orchestra. Since its debut in 2013, Home Alone in Concert has become a seasonal favourite wi...
The Hallé - The Snowman & Shaun the Sheep
Saturday 20 - Sunday 21 December 2025
The Snowman will be walking in the air, followed by a 'ewe'-nique performance from Shaun the Sheep, as the Halle brings the captivating music of these beloved characters to life in this enthralling concert for all ages. Sit back and enjoy t...
Cirque Wicked Wizard of Oz
Tuesday 23 December 2025
Panto meets Cirque with a cast of 60 and spectacular aerial stunts and amazing special effects in this international class arena show as The World's Biggest Productions present a brand-new, breath-taking, Cirque staging... of the Wicked Wiz...
Jonathan Cohen - Christmas Carol Singalong
Wednesday 24 December 2025
Sing your heart out as irrepressible showman Jonathan Cohen returns to lead you through another fun-filled extravaganza of his most-loved carols and all time Christmas hits with guest singer Louise Dearman. This festive favourite from Raym...
Horrible Histories - Horrible Christmas
Sunday 28 December 2025
Horrible Histories proudly presents the terrific tale of Christmas! When Christmas comes under threat from a jolly man dressed in red, it's up to one young boy to save the day - but can he save Christmas? From Victorian villains to Medieval...
Little Bear and the Christmas Lights
Sunday 28 December 2025 - Sunday 4 January 2026
Join Little Bear on her magical adventure as she searches for the perfect Christmas lights. Filled with sensory wonders, puppetry and music this is the perfect theatrical experience for your Snowbabies. From the team that brought you Little...
The Night Sky Show
Sunday 25 January - Sunday 7 June 2026
Comedy, astronomy and so much more. A show for anyone with a slight interest or more in the night sky. A night for those who want to laugh, learn and enjoy. The Night Sky Show will take you on an epic journey from our celestial back yard an...
Groove Babies - Groove Onto The Moon
Sunday 1 February 2026
A jazz and funk fuelled family adventure to the Moon. Who will we find and will they be bad or good? Specially designed for ages 3 -7 and their grown-ups! A fun mixture of animation, interactive music making and solid groove from the Gro...
