Topsy Turvy 25

Shekina Rose, Families Editor

Book now

Topsy Turvy 25

7-10 August 2025
Date
Time
Session Features
07 Aug 2025
11:00 am-9:00 pm
08 Aug 2025
11:00 am-9:00 pm
09 Aug 2025
11:00 am-9:00 pm
10 Aug 2025
11:00 am-9:00 pm

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

Topsy Turvy
Theatre Porto
Book now

Topsy Turvy is back this summer with its annual outdoor delight! No, your eyes are not deceiving you. That IS a capoeira demo next to a puppet show next to a DJ spinning in the sunshine – as you can tell, it’s going to be perfectly topsy and turvy and all things wondrous!

From 7–10 August, Theatre Porto transforms into a gloriously playful wonderland for Topsy Turvy 25, a free festival of fantastic topsy-turvy nonsense and brilliance, made especially for children, young people and of course, last but not least, their grownups.

There’s no such thing as too much, too bizarre, too creative at this amazingly imaginative event. Expect walkabout performers, LEGO parties, fables with twist, sketching, crafting, live music, puppets with personality and monsters that dance.

Launching with the As Colourful as a Box of Surprises installation, the four-day festival promises something new around every corner, from BBQs and pizza parties to poetry and pop-up performances. And for grownups that need a chill and to imagine they’re in Ibiza (basically most of them), there will be DJ sets on the sun terrace taking place throughout the weekend.

Most festivals might say this, but Topsy Turvy 25 actually is super creative and community-minded, with plenty of Pay What You Like events, a lovely on-site café, and supported visits for those with access needs.

Sprinkle your best glitter,  pack your favourite picnic blanket, and start practicing your weirdest dance moves. Whitby Park is calling.

Where to go near Topsy Turvy 25

family 3
Museum
Blue Planet Aquarium

Blue Planet Aquarium is home to animals from all around the world, one of the UK’s largest collections of sharks and a 71-metre underwater tunnel to see them from!

Speke Hall
Liverpool
Museum
Speke Hall

Speke Hall Gardens and Estate is a National Trust property just outside Liverpool. A wonderful place to visit for all ages.

Stone Villa hotel, Chester
Chester
Hotel
Stone Villa

Stone Villa, built around 1850, is located in an attractive suburb just 0.8 miles from the centre of the city and its famous walls.

Sticky Walnut, Hoole, Chester
Chester
Restaurant
Sticky Walnut

The Sticky Walnut is an award-winning ‘local’ bistro in the heart of Hoole, serving humble dishes using the best possible ingredients.

Chester
Wales Coast Path from Chester to Flint

The section of the North Wales Coast Path from Chester to Flint, starts off from Chester Station and the first section being unofficial isn’t way-marked. However, it offers pleasant urban walking and a stretch along the towpath of the Shropshire Union Canal, along Catherine Street to an area known as The Cop.

Grey n Pink Records Chester
Chester
Shop
Grey n Pink Records

Grey n Pink Records has the largest selection of new, second hand and collectible vinyl records in Cheshire. Established for over 30 years in the Chester record shop, they specialise in collectible vinyl LPs, 7″ and 12″ singles.

Hypha restaurant, Chester
Chester
Restaurant
Hypha

Hypha was Chester’s first plant-based restaurant and has gone on to earn high praise with eco-conscious foodies across the North.

Chester
Event venue
Alexander’s Live

Established in 1991, Alexander’s puts on an amazing range of live music including jazz, blues, soul, roots and rock, comedy & drama. Alexander’s is famous for the alternative comedy nights every Saturday.

What's on: Families

Until
FamiliesCity Centre
Manchester Christmas Markets

The Manchester Christmas Markets are back for 2025, with many dozens of stalls in front of the town hall, and hundreds of traders spread across city-centre squares.

Free entry
Two young visitors looking up at a banner in a case, holding pencils and an activity sheet.
Until
ActivityManchester
2025 Banner Bingo at PHM

Explore the People’s History Museum with your banner bingo card in hand as you navigate their galleries through the lens of craftivism.

Free entry
A performer in a bright red costume sits on a snowy stage set, holding a large snowball between their legs with a surprised expression. The colourful winter backdrop features snowflakes, hills, a snowman, and a traffic light with glowing lights.
FamiliesManchester
The Snowy Day at Z-arts

This winter, families with little ones are invited into a shimmering world of snow and discovery with the new production of The Snowy Day.

From £10.00

Culture Guides

Sepia image of a courtroom with the words 'Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird’
Theatre in the North

Winter brings a huge haul of seasonal shows, as well as productions that resolutely veer away from the fairy lights.

Music in the North

Manchester’s closing out the year – and looking to the new one – with a run of gigs from some of the country’s best underground exports.

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.

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

In galleries around the North this autumn, you'll find tactile sculptures, Treasures with a capital 'T' and plant magic.

Food and Drink in the North

Hear ye, hear ye. Take some eating-out tips from our wintertime guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.