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
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1. Explore our Museums at Home with the Science and Industry Museum
Image courtesy of Drew Forsyth/ Science and Industry Museum Explore our Museums at Home at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield and online, Until 31 December 2020, free entry - Visit now
Ignite curiosities and discover inspiring stories with the museum’s treasure trove of online activities, games and science.
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2. Family Gorgeous Storytime Sessions with Waterside
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3. Early Years Atelier with The Whitworth
Image courtesy of The Whitworth. -
4. Ideas Worth Exploring – at home and online with People’s History Museum
People's History Museum -
5. Manchester Animation Festival
Manchester Animation Festival -
6. Dunham Massey
National Trust -
7. Humbug with Waterside
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8. Manchester Museum
Manchester Museum, The University Of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M13 9PL - Visit now
Round up the family and explore Manchester Museum’s collection from your home. Head over to their new site for entertainment and education until they reopen.
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9. Formby Beach
By Berit from Redhill/Surrey, UK (Formby beach) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons -
10. Lightopia at Heaton Park
Image courtesy of Heaton Park. Lightopia at Heaton Park, Manchester, 3 December 2020–10 January 2021, from £13.00 - Book now
The award-winning and visually sensational lantern and light festival returns to illuminate Manchester this winter.
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11. A Christmas Carol at Storyhouse
Image courtesy of Peter Cook - Storyhouse. A Christmas Carol at Storyhouse, Chester, 2 December 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.
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12. Virtual Forest of Forgotten Discos! with Contact
The Forest of Forgotten Discos! at Contact Theatre, Manchester and online, 5 December 2020, from £10.00 - Book now
Join the Zoom-party. A digital version of Jackie Hagan’s interactive family show can be beamed straight into your homes this December.
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13. Duckie at HOME
HOME Duckie at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 14–23 December 2020, from £10.00 - Book now
Sparkling and sincere, Le Gateau Chocolat brings family-friendly cabaret and a good dose of glitz in this retelling of The Ugly Duckling.
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14. 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.
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15. 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.
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.
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.
Swallows and Amazons For Ever! at Windermere Jetty Museum
Celebrate the spirit of adventure, learn more about the Cumbrian landscape and uncover the inspiration behind Arthur Ransome’s classic tale.
My First Protest Song Online with the People’s History Museum
My First Protest Song goes online. Round up the family and join Matt Hill for this live-streamed event full of toe-tapping tunes.
Give Handmade this Christmas –Online with Manchester Craft & Design Centre
Now more than ever is the time to keep your Christmas shopping as local and handmade as possible. And Give Handmade makes this easy.
A Christmas Carol at Oldham Coliseum – CANCELLED
This performance has been cancelled due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.
The Jungle Book at Oldham Coliseum
Previously postponed due to Covid-19, we’re pleased that The Jungle Book is set to run at Oldham Coliseum in April 2021.
Can Mowgli outwit the cruel and powerful tiger, Shere Khan? With the help of his animal friends, he learns the law of the jungle and confronts the dangers in his path.
Packed with memorable characters, original songs, humour and brilliant storytelling, this modern musical reworking of Rudyard Kipling’s famous story is the perfect Easter treat for the whole family.
An Oldham Coliseum Theatre production
Directed by Sarah Punshon
Culture Guides
Cinema in Manchester and the North
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Exhibitions
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Literature
Live Literature Land has you covered for entertainment and intellectual stimulation with Zoom book launches, online readings and virtual open mics in plentiful supply as we head towards Christmas and beyond.
Classical Music in Manchester and the North
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Food and Drink in Manchester and the North
For the November guide, we’re looking at the best delivery options in Manchester, whether it’s for alcohol or food.
Online events
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Tours and Activities
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For the November guide, we’re looking at the best delivery options in Manchester, whether it’s for alcohol or food.
Exhibitions
Galleries may be closed once again, for now, but there’s plenty of new exhibitions on the horizon to forward to.
Theatre
We can’t wait to be back in the stalls again…until then our theatre guide features online performance you can enjoy at home and the live shows we’re most looking forward to.
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.
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