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Seasonal Guides
Halloween is officially over, bonfire night is finished, so does that mean we can finally say the word… ‘Christmas’?!
That’s right, the most wonderful time of the year is just around the metaphorical corner and we are little bit excited to say the least. There are so many events coming up in the run up to Christmas and throughout the festive season, and here, we present to you our top family events and activities taking place in Manchester and the North, both indoor and outdoor, in the coming months.
Get your hat and gloves on and visit The Lanterns at Chester Zoo, now in its eleventh year. Families of all ages are welcome to experience the zoo after dark, where it will be transformed into a sparkling wonderland.
Enjoy some really Christmassy Christmas shopping at the Festive Sundays in Manchester City Centre, starting on 13 November and running every consecutive Sunday until 18 December. Featuring dazzling street performances, live music and incredible puppetry for families in the weeks running up to Christmas.
Next up, it’s time to journey across to the coldest part of the planet. The Man Who Wanted to be a Penguin at Waterside Arts, tells the magical, heartwarming tale of a curious explorer planning for his next adventure, running from 30 November – 31 December.
On 4 December, join fantastic singer/songwriter Yemi Bolatiwa and her band at Z-arts, Manchester for T’was the Gig Before Christmas, a musical celebration featuring amazing music and some familiar festive friends.
And for the older kids, The Ocean at the End of the Lane at The Lowry welcomes young people aged 12+ and adults to experience an exciting and dangerous adventure beyond your wildest dreams! Various dates starting 12 December.
Shush… What’s that we hear? Oh help! Oh no! It’s the Gruffalo… and he’s on his way to the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) on 18 December for The Christmas Family Day: The Gruffalo, just in time for Christmas.
This is not one for the faint hearted. Learn all there is to know about Christmas the horrible way at Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas at The Bridgewater Hall on 20 December.
Other December events coming up include The Room on the Broom at The Lowry and There’s a Rang-Tan in My Bedroom & Other Stories at HOME Manchester. You can also wrap up warm in your cosiest hats, scarves and gloves and make your way to Glow at RHS Garden Bridgewater, featuring a brand-new lit-up trail jam-packed with shimmer and sparkle.
Open all year round is the interactive Fairy Tales wonderland at Z-Arts, in an innovative and enchanting exhibition that takes children aged 0-8 and their grownups to a magical world, full of storytelling and immersive play. And for a rainy day.
Here are our picks
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1. The Lanterns at Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo The Lanterns at Chester Zoo, Chester, Until 23 December 2022, from £5 - Book now
Get your hat and gloves on and visit The Lanterns at Chester Zoo where you can experience the zoo after dark, transformed into a sparkling wonderland.
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2. The Man Who Wanted to be a Penguin at Waterside Arts
The Man Who Wanted to be a Penguin at Waterside Arts, Manchester, 30 November–31 December 2022, from £12.00 - Book now
Experience the magical, heartwarming tale of a curious explorer planning for his next adventure at The Man Who Wanted to be a Penguin at Waterside Arts, Manchester.
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3. Festive Sundays in Manchester City Centre
Matt Eachus Festive Sundays at St Ann’s Square, City Centre, Until 23 December 2022, free entry - Visit now
Enjoy some really Christmassy Christmas shopping at the Festive Sundays in Manchester City Centre. Featuring dazzling street performances, live music and incredible puppetry.
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4. T’was the gig before Christmas at Z-arts
T'was the gig before Christmas at Z-arts, Manchester, 4 December 2022, from £9.00 - Book now
Celebrate Christmas with singer/songwriter Yemi Bolatiwa and her band at Z-arts, Manchester at T’was the Gig Before Christmas, featuring amazing music and familiar festive friends.
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5. Christmas Family Day: The Gruffalo at the RNCM
Image © Orange Eyes Limited 2009 Christmas Family Day: The Gruffalo at Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), Manchester, 18 December 2022, from £12.00 - Book now
Shush… What’s that we hear? Oh help! Oh no! It’s the Gruffalo… and he’s on his way to the Royal Northern College of Music for The Christmas Family Day: The Gruffalo, just in time for Christmas.
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6. Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas
Horrible Histories at the Bridgewater Hall Horrible Christmas: Horrible Histories at The Bridgewater Hall, City Centre, 20 December 2022, from £20.00 - Book now
Learn about Christmas the horrible way at Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas at The Bridgewater Hall on 20 December. Caution: this is not one for the faint hearted.
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7. Room on the Broom at The Lowry
Helen Warner Room on the Broom at The Lowry, Salford, 7 December 2022–8 January 2023, from £21.00 - Book now
Our favourite Witch and her cat are zooming into The Lowry, Manchester on their broomstick this festive season! Will there be room on the broom for the creatures they meet along the way?
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8. Glow at RHS Garden Bridgewater
RHS Garden Bridgewater Glow at RHS Garden Bridgewater, Until 30 December 2022, from £6.00 - Book now
Wrap up warm in your cosiest hats, scarves and gloves and make your way to Glow at RHS Garden Bridgewater this festive season, featuring a brand-new lit-up trail jam-packed with shimmer and sparkle.
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9. Turn It Up: The Power of Music at the Science and Industry Museum
Science Museum Group © The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum Turn It Up: The Power of Music at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, Until 21 May 2023, from £6.00 - Book now
A world premiere exhibition comes to the Science and Industry Museum. Suitable for children and adults alike, Turn It Up: The Power of Music is an interactive experience exploring the science of music’s mysterious hold over us, and how it drives us to create, perform, feel and share.
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10. There’s a Rang-Tan in my Bedroom & Other Stories at HOME
HOME There’s a Rang-Tan in my Bedroom & Other Stories at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 9–23 December 2022 - Book now
Experience a magical mix of puppetry, music and discovery at HOME Manchester this December, as we explore what we can do to make a difference to our planet and our animal friends.
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11. Outdoor Art Club at The Whitworth
Image courtesy of The Whitworth. Outdoor Art Club at The Whitworth, Manchester, Until 31 December 2022, free entry - Visit now
Take a visit to the Outdoor Art Club at the Whitworth Art Gallery this autumn, jam-packed with fun and creative activities designed to encourage your little ones to play freely while exploring nature and the outdoors with family and friends.
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12. The Lanterns at Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo The Lanterns at Chester Zoo, Chester, Until 23 December 2022, from £5 - Book now
We can’t be more excited about this winter’s return of The Lanterns at Chester Zoo, transformed after dark with nine new magical, illuminated worlds to explore.
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13. Autumn season at Z-arts
Snow Mouse at Z-Arts -
14. Fairy Tales at Z-Arts
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15. Families at the National Football Museum
National Football Museum Families at the National Football Museum at National Football Museum, Cathedral Quarter, Until 1 December 2022 - Book now
The National Football Museum in Manchester boasts a variety of football-themed activities for people of all ages. Prepare for a day of football discovery, penalty shoot-outs, interactive play and much, much more.
More in Families
The Lion King at the Palace Theatre
The sun may have set over our Manchester theatres during the pandemic – but now “it’s rolling high through the sapphire sky” once again. Hit musical The Lion King has added even more dates to its previously postponed run.
Cinderella at Hope Mill Theatre
Dig out those glass slippers…the previously postponed run of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella comes to Manchester. The perfect warm-up to the festive season.
Robin Hood at Oldham Coliseum
Hitting the target this Christmas, Robin Hood promises to be a traditional pantomime of the highest order – great for the whole family.
A Christmas Carol at Bolton Octagon
Bringing music, laughter and a welcome dose of festive cheer, a brand-new adaptation of the Dickensian classic is the perfect festive treat for families this Christmas.
Lightopia at Heaton Park
The award-winning and visually sensational lantern and light festival returns to illuminate Manchester this winter.
Saltaire Living Advent Calendar
The Saltaire Living Advent Calendar has been a staple of the village since 2006, with community buildings and houses lighting up their windows with intricate illuminations.
Christmas at Gibside
Get away from it all at Christmas at Gibside, a fantastical fire and lantern trail. We all love a stroll in the countryside, but this is a brand new way to experience the stunning eighteenth-century house and gardens.
GRUB Sustainable Indie Christmas Market
GRUB are hosting a sustainably focused group of makers, bakers and curators in their Indie Christmas Market. Join them for a thoroughly festive afternoon.
Star of Wonder at Theatre Porto
Experience a magical new show that tells the tale of three travellers who follow a star. For children aged 5+ and their grownups.
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The festive season is here, and whether you want to escape it or embrace it, we’ve got you covered.
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