Family things to do in Manchester and the North

Gemma Gibb, Families Editor

Last Updated 21 October 2018

The nights may be drawing in but there are oh so many reasons to get out. This month’s guide to top family things to do together is about both embracing spectacle and quieter moments. We can have it all, honest.

At Manchester’s mighty Science and Industry Museum don’t miss the chance to see Stephenson’s Rocket return for the first time in almost two centuries. Back where it all began when the first railways changed the world. It’s exciting stuff. A whole 10 days of mindblowing events and family things to do await also at Manchester Science Festival.

If spectacle is your bag, this is the month for you. Hands down one of the best events of the year, the Winter Droving is the perfect Lake District escapade. Masquerade, phenomenal street performance, live music and the finest Cumbrian food and drink. Elsewhere in the region, Lightpool in Blackpool and Light Up Lancaster will be providing luminary free adventure galore.

For some calmer family things to do, literary lovers should head to Lady Lever Art Gallery for Quentin Blake and John Yeoman: 50 Years of Children’s Books and Quarry Bank too for The Tiger Who Came to Tea exhibition.

Enjoy!

Here are our picks

1. Quentin Blake and John Yeoman: 50 Years of Children’s Books at Lady Lever Art Gallery

Quentin Blake

Quentin Blake and John Yeoman: 50 Years of Children's Books at Lady Lever Art Gallery, 19 October 2018–3 March 2019, free entry - Visit now

Bookworms rejoice! The first exhibition to celebrate illustrator Quentin Blake’s decades-long partnership with author and childhood friend John Yeoman promises literary larks and crazy characters for all.

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2. Rocket Returns to the Science and Industry Museum

Science Museum Group

Rocket Returns at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, 25 September 2018–28 April 2019, free entry - Visit now

Make tracks for Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum. A one-in-a-lifetime chance to see Stephenson’s Rocket return to the site of the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway for the first time in over 180 years.

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3. Manchester Science Festival family events

Science and Industry Museum

Manchester Science Festival free family events at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, 18–28 October 2018, free entry - Visit now

Play, investigate and be surprised at some of the most exciting family science events around.

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4. The Winter Droving in Penrith

Eden Arts

The Winter Droving at Penrith Old Fire Station, Cumbria, 26–27 October 2018, free entry - Find Out More

An incredible wonderland of outdoor arts, masquerade and pint carrying competitions in Penrith.

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5. The Tiger Who Came To Tea exhibition at Quarry Bank

National Trust

The Tiger Who Came To Tea exhibition at Quarry Bank, Cheshire, 8 September–28 October 2018, free entry - Visit now

Get up close to this much-loved stripey tale in a new interactive exhibition of Judith Kerr’s life and work.

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6. Fusion: Adventures in Digital Art at Eureka!

Eureka!

Fusion: Adventures in Digital Art at Eureka!, 16 June–25 November 2018, from £5.25 - Book now

Step into a digital waterful, human-sized scanner and more in a major new exhibition of digital art created by the Lumen Prize.

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7. Lightpool Festival

Pyronix courtesy Geert Vyverman

LightPool Festival at Blackpool Promenade, 25–27 October 2018, free entry - Find Out More

Taking place during Blackpool’s annual Illuminations display, Lightpool is a celebration of spectacular art works and live, illuminated performance across the iconic town.

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8. Electricity: The Spark of Life at the Science and Industry Museum

Museum of London

Electricity: The spark of life at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, 18 October 2018–28 April 2019, free entry - Visit now

A headline event for Manchester Science Festival, this super-charged new exhibition tells the story of mankind’s quest to understand, unlock and master the power of electricity.

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9. Light Up Lancaster 2018

Image courtesy Robin Zahler

Light Up Lancaster at The Storey Creative Industries Centre, Lancaster, 2–3 November 2018, free entry - Find Out More

Festival of light and art Light Up Lancaster returns to the city with installations, projections, performance and fireworks illuminating the city’s historic buildings, charming streets and hidden squares.

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Families 17 May 2017–3 May 2019,

Wonderlab at the Science and Media Museum

Explore a maze of mirrors and take part in Star Wars inspired sound battles in over 20 new state-of-the-art experiences in this new exhibition.

Annual Banner Changeover 2018, courtesy of the People's History Museum

Education 20 January 2018–6 January 2019, FREE

Annual Banner Changeover 2018 at the People’s History Museum

Explore the story of democracy through a special display of banners that were integral to the women’s suffrage movement, as well as other campaigns for representation at the People’s History Museum.

Families 6 February–31 December 2018, FREE

Lark Hill Place 1918 at Salford Museum and Art Gallery

Investigate the brand new 1918 setting for atmospheric street installation Lark Hill Place, then let loose in Peel Park.

Families 5 May–28 October 2018, from £Quarry Bank admission prices apply (free for National Trust members)

Journeys of the Imagination at Quarry Bank

Pack your bags for an adventure as you discover the incredible journeys made by the people of Quarry Bank in an interactive trail.

Education 11 September–13 November 2018, from £35

Baby Book Club: Autumn 2018 at The Bluecoat

The Bluecoat’s popular Baby Book Club returns with a course of 10 weekly sessions for parents and carers with babies aged from 3 to 12 months.

Exhibitions 16 September–4 November 2018, FREE

To Stop Her Mouth at Lyme

Until the 4th of November, the magnificent stately home at Lyme park will be filled with a newly commissioned sound installation recounting the scandalous events of Ellen Turner’s abduction and the subsequent trial.

Comedy 21 September–4 December 2018, from £8

Mum’s the Word Comedy Club at The Edge

See the best stand ups on the circuit without having to leave your baby at home.

Exhibitions 18–28 October 2018,

Distortions in Spacetime at the Science and Industry Museum

Step into a black hole in Marshmallow Laser Feast’s brand new groundbreaking experience.

Autumn at the Science and Industry Museum - Distortions in Spacetime by Marshmallow Laser Feast

Exhibitions 18–28 October 2018, FREE

Manchester Science Festival 2018

Meet a real-life cyborg, immerse yourself in a black hole or one of 120 other events in 11 days … yes Manchester Science Festival is back.

Culture Guides

Tours and Activities

In this month’s top picks of Tours and Activities in Manchester, we are featuring the guides who take you into the darker underbelly of the city, as well as some of the more macabre activities.

Exhibitions

Autumn is festival season in the visual art world. We preview some familiar favourites alongside a brand-new addition to the scene – brainchild of Manchester’s resident prize-winning peace activist, Qaisra Shahraz.

Theatre

For this month’s eclectic theatre guide we’ve hunted out exclusive dance events, durational performance and some hair-raising Halloween hijinks.

Cinema

It’s October, and the cinemas of Manchester and the North are taking the opportunity to host all manner of spooky screenings.

Literature

More spoken word nights are emerging to join our favourite regulars, there are lots of launches and one-offs and workshops and conferences and even walking tours, and tickets are selling like hot cakes for Manchester Literature Festival, the Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival and Chester Literature Festival.