Culture Guides
Destination Guides
Seasonal Guides
Because of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, our usual recommendations for family things to do in Manchester and the North are a little different. Our thoughts at this time are with our readers and with the organisations and businesses that make the North of England a great place to live and visit.
We are so grateful to National Lottery players, The National Lottery, DCMS and Arts Council England for supporting our freelance writers during this crisis. This means that, although venues remain shut and campaigns cancelled, our writers can be reengaged to help arts organisations and artists across the North of England share their online content with our culture-hungry readers.
Be sure to check out our full guide to the best online events from organisations in Manchester and the North too.
Stay well folks.
Here are our picks
-
1. The Sun at the Science and Industry Museum
Science Museum Group The Sun at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, Until 29 November 2020, free entry - Visit now
This blockbuster exhibition was due to close at the end of March, but has been extended until 29 November as part of the Science and Industry Museum’s reopening programme.
-
2. My First Protest Song Online with the People’s History Museum
People's History Museum My First Protest Song online, online, 8 October 2020, free entry - Find Out More
My First Protest Song goes online. Round up the family and join Matt Hill for this live-streamed event full of toe-tapping tunes.
-
3. Quarry Bank
Quarry Bank Mill / National Trust Quarry Bank, Styal, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 4LA - Visit now
Head to Quarry Bank for a jam-packed day-out inspired by the great outdoors.
Although the indoors places remain closed for now, the car park, gardens and woodland are now open. Do remember to book your visit in advance though as you’ll be turned away if you arrive without a booking.
Happy adventuring.
-
4. Swallows and Amazons For Ever! at Windermere Jetty Museum
Image courtesy of Lakeland Arts. Swallows and Amazons For Ever! at Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories, Cumbria, Until 18 April 2021 - Book now
Celebrate the spirit of adventure, learn more about the Cumbrian landscape and uncover the inspiration behind Arthur Ransome’s classic tale.
-
5. Little Journeys into Creativity – Part of Journeys Festival International 2020
Little Journeys into Creativity, online, 3–4 October 2020, free entry
Get creative at home with an exciting activity for little ones exploring the themes of Hope and Celebration. Part of Journeys Festival International.
-
6. Coliseum Creates with Oldham Coliseum
Image courtesy of Oldham Coliseum. Coliseum Creates at Oldham Coliseum, Manchester and online, Until 31 December 2020, free entry - Visit now
Creative and fun, get the family together for these activities from Oldham Coliseum and you could win four tickets to next year’s family show, The Jungle Book.
-
7. Circus House: Circus Online
Photo by Jamie Lowe -
8. Yorkshire Sculpture Park
-
9. Manchester Museum Online
Pexels Pixabay -
10. National Football Museum
Image courtesy of National Football Museum National Football Museum, Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 3BG - Visit now
The National Football Museum attracted 100,000 visitors in the first six weeks of opening. It continues to be hugely popular – expect football-related displays and exhibitions, a café and an extensive shop.
One of the first attractions in Manchester to reopen, The National Football Museum has been welcoming visitors from Thursday – Sunday since the end of July.
-
11. A Christmas Carol at Storyhouse
Image courtesy of Peter Cook - Storyhouse. A Christmas Carol at Storyhouse, Chester, 7 November 2020–17 January 2021, from £23.00 - Book now
You will go to a Christmas show this year…packed with song, laughter and festive joy, head to Chester for a cracking adaptation of Dickens’ timeless tale.
-
12. Lightopia at Heaton Park
Image courtesy of Heaton Park. Lightopia at Heaton Park, Manchester, 20 November 2020–3 January 2021, from £13.00 - Book now
The award-winning and visually sensational lantern and light festival returns to illuminate Manchester this winter.
-
13. Manchester Science Festival
© Manchester Science Festival Manchester Science Festival at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, 12–21 February 2021, Tickets TBC - Find Out More
Expect another action-packed programme of inspiring, entertaining and playful experiences for all ages as Manchester Science Festival returns.
-
14. Dunham Massey
National Trust
More in Families
POSTPONED -The Tiger Who Came to Tea and the Adventures of Mog the Forgetful Cat at Z-arts
In this immersive exhibition, children can let their imaginations go wild as they take centre stage alongside some of their favourite characters from beloved children’s author, Judith Kerr.
Science Learning at Home with Jodrell Bank
Science Learning at Home with Jodrell Bank is a perfect way to keep children (and their adults) busy while learning from home.
Love Letters to a Liveable Future with HOME
Part of Homemakers, this ongoing project offers the space to imagine how we would like our world to change once we emerge from lockdown.
Lost Online with HOME, Z-Arts and STUN
One for our next generation of digital natives: an exciting new dance commission inspired by the dance challenges on TikTok and Instagram.
People’s History Museum’s Radicals Quiz
Find out which radical you are, and some of the ideas they fought for, in this fun and interactive quiz from the People’s History Museum.
Journeys Festival International 2020 – Online
This year’s Journeys Festival International takes place online, exploring the experiences of refugees from around the world through art, comedy, film, music, food, sci-fi adventure and politically charged conversation.
Little Journeys into Creativity – Part of Journeys Festival International 2020
Learn how to make an Iranian-inspired photo collage exploring your family tree and symbols that mean something to you with artist Maliheh Zafarnezhad.
Little Journeys into Creativity – Part of Journeys Festival International 2020
Get creative at home with an exciting activity for little ones exploring the themes of Hope and Celebration. Part of Journeys Festival International.
Culture Guides
Cinema in Manchester and the North
We look at the socially distant screenings and digital releases you can enjoy as cinemas begin to reopen safely.
Exhibitions
Art and women’s wrestling, Ancient Akkadian gravesites and invented artefacts – check out this month’s pick of exhibitions from across the north.
Literature
Festival fever takes hold of Live Literature Land as it does every October, just this year it’s in the ether. Grab a glass and settle down in the Zoom room for some online readings.
Classical Music in Manchester and the North
We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester.
Food and Drink in Manchester and the North
For the August guide, we’ve dug out the best Food and Drink in Manchester and the North to explore now that lockdown has thankfully eased.
Online events
Discover the best things to do online from the organisations we love in Manchester and the North.
Tours and Activities
Socially distant walks and virtual tours are among the offerings in this month’s guide of Tours and Activities.
Related Guides
Food and Drink in Manchester and the North
For the August guide, we’ve dug out the best Food and Drink in Manchester and the North to explore now that lockdown has thankfully eased.
Exhibitions
Art and women’s wrestling, Ancient Akkadian gravesites and invented artefacts – check out this month’s pick of exhibitions from across the north.
Theatre
We can’t wait to be back in the stalls again…until then our theatre guide brings the best of online theatre and interactive performance to enjoy at home.
Half Term
Half term fun here we come! Read through our specially selected family event line up and pick your personal favourites for some quality time together.
Things to Do in Manchester
Spend a day in the city and it rapidly becomes apparent just how much it…
Music
Discover the best live-streamed concerts, broadcasts, musical activities and exhibitions on offer during lockdown Mk II.
Things to do right now
Powered by
