February half term at the Science and Industry Museum

Gemma Gibb, Associate Editor

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February half term events

18-24 February 2019

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

Science and Industry Museum
Science Museum Group
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Come rain or shine, if you have just half an hour or an entire day, there is always something to see, experiment with, make, watch and do at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum.

Dedicated to ideas that have shaped our world, this half-term is all about movement, inspired by Victorian endeavour.

Make tracks to see Stephenson’s Rocket back on the site of the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway, now the Science and Industry Museum we know and love, for the first time in over 180 years.

Roll those sleeves up and get involved in Science Showdowns to witness live experiments, explosions and other surprising scientific shenanigans. Decide which of three ordinary people who went on ordinary journeys deserve to be crowned the winner.

Power Pack at the Science and Industry Museum

Design and build your own train of the future in Rocket Racers workshops and test your engineering skills in The Great Bridge Build Off challenge.

We love the interactive shows and workshops by the ingenious and welcoming explainer team, Power Packs for toddlers and also, quite frankly, any chance to find out more and celebrate how Manchester’s scientific enterprises kick started the modern world (and continue to change it in so many ways).

Don’t forget some hard-earned pennies for the Victorian Fairground (complete with charming Helter-Skelter, Carousel, Chair-O-Plane and more).  Visit the mega Electricity exhibition (with accompanying free family trail) too.

 

Where to go near February half term at the Science and Industry Museum

Manchester
Restaurant
Teppanyaki Chinatown

A Japanese teppanyaki restaurant in the centre of Chinatown. The focus is on high-quality food with a minimum of theatrics. It doesn’t disappoint.

Manchester
Music venue
Castlefield Bowl

The Castlefield Bowl is an outdoor events pavilion in the inner city conservation area of Castlefield in Manchester. The 8000-capacity arena is often used for food festivals and music events.

Great John Street Hotel in Spinningfields in Manchester.
Castlefield
Hotel
Great John Street Hotel

A converted Victorian school house nestled on the edge of Spinningfields, the Great John Street Hotel has a relaxed and decadent atmosphere.

Castlefield
Bar or Pub
Cask

Cask is a well-loved pub on Liverpool Road in Manchester. It has an excellent selection of continental beers and a cosy beer garden.

Castlefield
Event venue
Castlefield Viaduct

Launching in summer 2022, the National Trust and Twelve Architects and Masterplanners will be bringing a new lease of life to Castlefield Viaduct.

Campfield Open Day-3
Castlefield
Event venue
Campfield Market Hall

Having undergone years of transformative and restorative work, the complex will now be known as Campfield Mega Campus, Manchester’s most ambitious creative-tech destination.

Manchester
Restaurant
Fenix

Modern Greek Mediterranean cuisine from the team behind Tattu.

Altrincham
Shop
IDAHO

Every piece in IDAHO has something special and will guarantee to make your homes, offices and wardrobes feel a little more inspiring.

Castlefield
Theatre
Versa Manchester Studios

Formerly the Old Granada Studios, VERSA Manchester Studios is evolving into a dynamic Studio Campus with TV, Film, Motion Capture and VR / AR Studios alongside a glamorous new Soho House.

What's on: Families

Haphazard 2025 at Z-arts
FamiliesManchester
Haphazard 2025 at Z-arts

A free day of bizarre behaviour and exciting live performance at Z-arts. Expect the unexpected. Playful, unpredictable, and not easily forgotten.

Free entry
Africana and Caribbean Food Fest
FestivalsLeeds
African & Caribbean Food Fest 2025

Calling people of Leeds and beyond! The city’s favourite African and Caribbean Food Fest is back, and this year it’s turning up the heat with Harmony of Colours, a celebration…

Free entry

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