Family things to do in the North
Shekina Rose, Families EditorAs the nights draw in there’s plenty to look forward to this October, from cosy indoor performances, to Halloween adventures, dance experiences to creative workshops.
For nature lovers & creative souls, Bugs Are Us at Tate Liverpool invites families to discover the fascinating world of insects.
If you’re looking for spooky seasonal fun, Swithens Farm’s Pumpkin Festival by Night, promises glowing pumpkins, eerie lights, and plenty of witchy mischief. Over at Leeds Industrial Museum, The Scarecrow Trail brings a spooky twist the galleries and picnic grounds, with scarecrows lurking around every corner. In Manchester, Halloween in the City returns with a petrifying programme of spooky fun, eerie activities and hair-raising surprises for all ages.
Families with younger children won’t want to miss The Sticky Dance at The Lowry, Manchester, an interactive show for ages 3–5 where sticky tape meets dance in the most playful way. And over in Leeds, Northern Ballet’s Little Red Riding Hood brings a retelling of the classic fairytale to life.
Theatre fans can also catch The Gingerbread Man at Carriageworks Theatre, Leeds, a quirky new take on the story where the gingerbread hero’s kitchen-top adventures cause late-night chaos. Looking further ahead, The Gruffalo’s Child at Z-arts, Manchester offers songs, laughs and snowy adventures straight from Julia Donaldson’s much-loved tale.
Dance lovers are in for a treat too: Diversity – Soul comes to the Liverpool Empire. This brand-new tour explores the power of AI and what it means to be human, all through the group’s trademark energy and creativity.
