Gorton Cultural Festival – Family Fun Day

Shekina Rose, Families Editor

Visit now

Gorton Cultural Festival - Family Fun Day

13 September 2025

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

rtr
Book now

The summer holidays may have come to an end (how fast did they go?) but the fun never, ever stops in Manchester. This September, head to the Gorton Cultural Family Festival, where culture comes out to play.

Get ready for a day of activities that might just keep the kids quiet for five minutes, from live performances to hands-on workshops, games, storytelling, maybe just maybe some dancing, and (very importantly) lots of delicious food!

It will be a celebration of community and diversity and that simple, wonderful joy that happens when you mix creativity with sugar and sunshine (we live in hope that there will be sunshine). But regardless of the weather it will be a great day out. There will be colour. There will be noise. There will hopefully be that one enthusiastic dad attempting a samba, perhaps, and lots of kids having a laugh and running around – rain or shine.

So bring the kids, the grandparents, the cousin who insists they’re “just here for the food,” and come experience a day where art, music and culture combine in the best possible way.

The Gorton Cultutral Family Festival is free to attend. All ages welcome, so bring your babies and your grandmas. No excuses.

Where to go near Gorton Cultural Festival – Family Fun Day

Tai Wu
Manchester
Restaurant
Tai Wu

Long-standing, trend-swerving Chinese restaurant on Manchester’s Upper Brook Street, with a reputation for authentic dim sum and traditional Cantonese cuisine.

Manchester
Food hall
BAB Korean Food

A highlight of Manchester’s K-Food space, Bab Korean Food serves up authentic, well-made dishes at the Kargo MKT food hall in MediaCity.

Dimitri's
Castlefield
Restaurant
Dimitri’s

Longstanding Greek taverna Dimtri’s delivers traditional, fuss-free Greek food, aimed at everyone from courting couples to multi-generational families in Manchester.

Kong's NQ
Manchester
Restaurant
Kong’s NQ

Kong’s isn’t like other chicken shops. This much-loved Northern Quarter restaurant is all about high-grade ingredients and expert preparation.

Castlefield
Restaurant
Trading Route

Trading Route serves up time-honoured Sunday grub, in a modern Manchester setting. Worth a visit for the expertly-curated soundtrack alone.

Side view of mixed race business colleagues sitting and watching presentation with audience and clapping hands
Theatre
Burnley Youth Theatre

Burnley Youth Theatre is a vibrant youth arts organisation based at our purpose built venue in Burnley, Pennine Lancashire.

Bar pub 3
Leeds
Restaurant
Arcadia Ale House

Arcadia Ale house is a sports bar located in the Headingly area of Leeds with a range of drinks offers throughout the week.

Restaurant
Leeds
Restaurant
Pasta Romagna

Pasta Romagna is a family owned, independent restaurant in the heart of the city centre. Bringing you homestyle Italian cuisine since 1982.

wine bar 2
Leeds
Restaurant
Farrands

Farrands is an independent bar located in the heart of Leeds city centre, specialising in a range of fine wine, beer and specialist cocktails.

Restaurant
Leeds
Shop
George and Joseph Cheesemongers

George and Joseph is Leeds’ only specialist cheesemongers, serving some of the city’s best cheese from its home in Chapel Allerton since 2013

What's on: Families

Culture Guides

Mermaid Chunky by Simon Pizzey.
Music

From manifesto-wielding DJs to bands blurring gigs with performance art, our music guide is newly stocked with artists who see live music as a place for risk.

Theatre

Theatre’s getting political this spring, with a run of new plays tracing how conflict plays out in individual lives.

Food and Drink in the North

It’s the early-May edition of the Food and Drink Guide and here's where to eat and drink while living out your warm-weather dreams.

a beach. red bricks are laid out in a spiral shape on the sand.
Exhibitions

We’ve got five new Manchester exhibitions this month, from thought-provoking photography to environmental art and community-led projects.

Emily Lloyd-Saini as Grace in Space and Harrie Hayes as Lieutenant Strong in Horrible Science
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.