THE HERDS Summer Family Workshop

Shekina Rose, Families Editor

Visit now

THE HERDS Summer Family Workshop

28 June 2025

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

A puppet of a bear in production as a part of The Herds
Congo Basin. Berclaire for The Walk Productions.
Book now

Looking for something fun to do with the kids before Manchester International Festival 2025 kicks off? Head to Let the Wildness In, a playful family workshop inspired by the spectacular new MIF25 production, THE HERDS.

Led by professional artists and makers, these drop-in sessions invite families to get creative and make their very own animal puppets, using the Let the Wildness In activity pack. It’s a brilliant opportunity to explore the ideas behind THE HERDS, get a behind-the-scenes look at the production, and bring your own imagination to life.

No previous experience is needed, just come along to The Social at Aviva Studios, roll up your sleeves and get going. It’s a fantastic event for children who love getting creative, storytelling and having fun.

Free to attend and suitable for all ages, this workshop is a great chance to connect with and get excited for MIF25 ahead of the festival’s full launch. To find out more about THE HERDS and everything else happening at Manchester International Festival 2025, check out the full programme.

Where to go near THE HERDS Summer Family Workshop

Manchester
Bar or Pub
The Rat & Pigeon

A slice of alternative Manchester in pub form, down a grotty, gritty backstreet and with a disgusting name. What’s not to love?

Manchester
Restaurant
Butter Bird

Butter Bird is a newly opened casual but stylish restaurant in Ancoats, based around the very delicious concept of tea-brined chicken.

Asmara Bella
Manchester
Restaurant
Asmara Bella

Eritrean & Ethiopian Restaurant in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, serving up traditional food from the Horn of Africa.

Rochdale Town Hall is a Victorian-era municipal building in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England. It is
Manchester
Rochdale Town Hall

Rochdale Town Hall is a Victorian-era municipal building in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, widely recognised as being one of the finest municipal buildings in the country.

Cafe Beermoth
City Centre
Bar or Pub
Cafe Beermoth

Cafe Beermoth is the very definition of a modern Manchester pub – relaxed, friendly and with a wide range of carefully curated booze options.

Chorlton
Restaurant
Horse and Jockey Chorlton

Chorlton’s magnificent Horse and Jockey has had an almighty do-over, transforming it into one of South Manchester’s top must-visit drinking and dining destinations.

The Curling Club - Vinegar Yard
Castlefield
The Curling Club

New Jackson in Manchester is having a full scale seasonal takeover. Think curling lanes, lively bars and a packed line up of DJs and performances.

Chadderton Town Hall
Manchester
Event venue
Chadderton Town Hall

Chadderton Town Hall is a magnificent example of Edwardian architecture . Built in 1912/13 in the style of ‘English Renaissance’ and recently restored maintaining its traditional features in regal reds

Cumbria
Restaurant
Heft

A Michelin star restaurant and homely 17th century inn in the Lake District, with food provided by esteemed chef Kevin Tickle.

What's on: Families

Pinocchio at the Lowry
FamiliesMediaCityUK
Pinocchio at Lowry

Watch a playful, high-energy adaptation of Pinocchio where everyday objects become puppets and family relationships take centre stage.

Culture Guides

Theatre

Classic texts and new work meet in this month’s Theatre Guide, with a bumper crop of shows shaped by power, consequence and collective action.

Music

From underground festivals showcasing emerging talent to global icons unveiling new work, here are our latest live music highlights.

Exhibitions

From monumental to minutiae, this month’s exhibitions trace power, care and community across galleries big and small.

Food and Drink in the North

Spring is coming, but first let's get Valentine's Day done and dusted. Here's our deal-packed guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.

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.