Christmas Family Day: The Gruffalo at the RNCM

Shekina Rose, Families Editor

Book now

Christmas Family Day: The Gruffalo

18 December 2022

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Christmas Family Day: The Gruffalo
Image © Orange Eyes Limited 2009
Book now

But who is this creature with terrible claws
And terrible teeth in his terrible jaws?
He has knobbly knees, and turned-out toes,
And a poisonous wart at the end of his nose.
His eyes are orange, his tongue is black,
He has purple prickles all over his back...*

Oh help! Oh no! It’s the Gruffalo… and he’s on his way to the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) on Sunday 18 December for The Christmas Family Day: The Gruffalo, just in time for Christmas. The day will be packed with festive family fun and musical treats, including a screening of the magical, mesmerising film The Gruffalo, based on the best-selling book by Julia Donaldson and played alongside a stunning live orchestra.

Young children and their grownups are invited to join Mouse for a special day out, as he takes a stroll through the deep dark wood, where all is quiet… Shushhhh! Mouse is hungry for some delicious nutty snacks, and as he wanders through the forest to find his dinner, he bumps into all sorts of predatory creatures: a crafty, greedy fox, a wise old owl, and a sly, slithering snake, who are all hungry and want to invite tasty Mouse back to their homes for dinner.

But alas, Mouse is brave and clever, and he scares them off with stories of the mysterious, made up Gruffalo – or so he thinks! Little does he know, the unexpected furry Gruffalo beast might actually exist, and he too is peckish for his furry Mouse-shaped dinner…

Come along to the RNCM Christmas Family Day: The Gruffalo from 11am to 4pm for a day of fun, festive performances and creative activities, set up in a casual and relaxed environment for the whole family to enjoy together and get in the mood for the most wonderful time of the year!

Abel Selaocoe_Spring 2026_credit Phil Sharp_sq
Until
MusicManchester
Inspirational Artists at RNCM

The RNCM launches its second Inspirational Artists series, spotlighting a huge range of touring musicians and ensembles, each bringing something unique to the stage.

From £12.50
Promotional image of Branford Marsalis playing saxophone
Until
MusicManchester
RNCM Autumn Season

The RNCM unleashes a season of daring stories, fearless players and performances ranging from jazz and opera to film scores and full-blown orchestral spectacle.

From £8
Film still
CinemaManchester
Faust: A German Folk Legend at RNCM

F. W. Murnau’s silent-era masterpiece Faust: A German Folk Legend gets the big screen treatment at the RNCM, with a live improvised organ score.

From £12.00

Where to go near Christmas Family Day: The Gruffalo at the RNCM

Manchester
Restaurant
San Carlo Fumo

San Carlo Fumo is a sun trap on St Peter’s Square, serving up traditional Italian food at its best

Utility Gift Shop
Manchester
Shop
Utility Gift Shop

Utility Gift Shop on Oxford Road is all about products that are new, unique, quirky and cool. High street shopping at its best.

exterior of Contact Theatre building
Manchester
Theatre
Contact Theatre

Following a major redevelopment, the iconic venue on Oxford Road will be reopening its doors to welcome the public back into the building this autumn. 

The Salutation pub in Manchester
Manchester
Bar or Pub
The Salutation

This traditional boozer, surrounded by imposing flats and university buildings, was taken over by Trof (of the Deaf Institute fame). The Sally, as the regulars call it, hosts an energetic, arty crowd – and its recently expanded outside area is another good reason to visit.

What's on: Families

Culture Guides

Hofesh Shechter - Theatre of Dreams at Lowry
Theatre in the North

Picks this month include bold visual art, wondrous opera and cinematic dance - plus a touch of ghostly storytelling for the Halloween season.

A white mattress is burning in a black rocky landscape.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries in the North are far from spooky this October - instead you'll find tactile sculptures, plant magic and curatorial experiments.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

It's busy month across the cinemas of the north as Halloween programming leads into two of the region's biggest film festivals.

Poet Helen Mort.
Literature Events in the North

One to add to your TBR pile, our latest round-up is a bumper edition and features some amazing events in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and beyond...

Music in the North

From New York’s experimental underground to the most exciting sounds coming from local scenes, we're lining up a noisy autumn of gigs.