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Festivals, shows, museums, and much, much more – there’s plenty of summer fun to be had for families in Manchester and the North, whatever the weather. Here are our top picks of some of the best indoor and outdoor family-friendly events and activities happening soon.
Festival lovers – rejoice! Geronimo Festival at Arley Hall is back! The festival described as ‘Glastonbury for Kids’ will feature an incredible array of fun and interactive family activities and events, food stalls, music, and camping, on 27-29 August.
For budding young musical piglets, head to Peppa Pig: My First Concert at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, taking place on 30 July, for a fun introduction to orchestral music.
Roald Dahl fans and creative souls will not be disappointed at The BFG in Pictures, a new, free exhibition based at Chester’s Grosvenor Museum, opening from 23 July – 2 October. This glorious, whizzpopping exhibition features a number of original Quentin Blake illustrations, first prepared by Quentin for Roald Dahl’s much loved and classic story The BFG.
For something a bit different, head to the thrilling Nickelodeon Experience at Heaton Park from 23-5 August, taking you on an immersive journey behind-the-scenes of your most-loved TV shows, including Paw Patrol, Henry Danger, Spongebob Square Pants and many more.
Looking forward to the summer months and into September, the festival we’ve all been waiting for is back, bigger and better than ever before. Are you ready for infinite fun that knows no limits? Science and space-loving families are invited to the Bluedot Festival 2022, which returns for its fifth year of awe-inspiring, inter-planetary fun and delight, on 21-24 July. Families who love the outdoors and digging in the sand can visit the Great Northern Sandpit, which is open throughout the entire summer, with 50 tonnes of soft sand, wooden logs, buckets and spades for digging and building amazing sandcastles.
Just So Festival returns this August with a weekend of wonderful treats and fun for the whole family. While in September our favourite nanny, Mrs Doubtfire, is taking to the stage at the Manchester Opera House, in a hilarious and touching musical comedy about family, love, and friendship.
Open all year round is the interactive Fairy Tale wonderland at Z-Arts, in an innovative and enchanting exhibition that takes children aged 0-8 and their grownups to a magical world, jam-packed with storytelling and immersive play. And if its a rainy day – which could be quite likely during a British summer, there’s loads of great indoor museums to visit, including the Science and Industry Museum and the National Football Museum.
Here are our picks
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1. Geronimo Festival at Arley Hall
Adrian Myers Geronimo Festival at Arley Hall and Gardens, Cheshire, 27–29 August 2022, from £20.00 - Book now
Geronimo Festival at Arley Hall is back! The festival described as ‘Glastonbury for Kids’ will feature an incredible array of fun and interactive family activities and events, food stalls, music, and camping.
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2. Peppa Pig: My First Concert at The Bridgewater Hall
Photo: Dan Tsantilis Peppa Pig at the Bridgewater Hall at The Bridgewater Hall, City Centre, 30 July 2022, from £15.50 - Book now
Introduce your youngest piglets to orchestral music the fun way: Peppa Pig: My First Concert at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester will have you snorting with joy and excitement in this a toe-tapping, fun-filled, interactive introduction to live orchestra, aimed for children aged 18 months and older.
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3. The BFG in Pictures at The Grosvenor
The BFG in Pictures The BFG in Pictures at The Chester Grosvenor, Chester, 23 July–2 October 2022, free entry - Find Out More
Roald Dahl fans and creative souls will not be disappointed at The BFG in Pictures, a new, free exhibition based at Chester’s Grosvenor Museum, featuring a number of original Quentin Blake illustrations, first prepared by Quentin for Roald Dahl’s much loved and classic story The BFG.
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4. The Nickelodeon Experience at Heaton Park
Photo: Nickelodeon / The Luna Cinema The Nickelodeon Experience at Heaton Patk at Heaton Park, Manchester, 23 July–5 August 2022, from £19.50 - Book now
Aimed at families with children aged 2-14, the thrilling Nickelodeon Experience at Heaton Park will take you on an immersive journey behind-the-scenes of your most-loved TV shows, including Paw Patrol, Henry Danger, Spongebob Square Pants and many more.
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5. The Great Northern Sandpit
The Great Northern -
6. Families at Bluedot Festival 2022
Image of Bluedot 2019, courtesy of Lucas Sinclair Families at Bluedot Festival at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, Macclesfield, 21–24 July 2022, from £59.75 - Book now
Are you ready for infinite fun that knows no limits? Science and space-loving families are invited to the Bluedot Festival 2022, which returns for its fifth year of awe-inspiring, inter-planetary fun and delight.
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7. Fairy Tales at Z-Arts
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8. Outdoor Art Club at The Whitworth
Image courtesy of The Whitworth. Outdoor Art Club at The Whitworth, Manchester, Until 16 July 2022, free entry - Visit now
Families of Manchester! Take a visit to the Outdoor Art Club at the Whitworth Art Gallery this summer, 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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9. Outdoor Art Club at The Whitworth
Image courtesy of The Whitworth. Outdoor Art Club at The Whitworth, Manchester, Until 16 July 2022, free entry - Visit now
Head to the Outdoor Art Club at the Whitworth for fun, creative activities designed to encourage your little ones to play freely in the fresh air, while exploring nature and the outdoors with family and friends.
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10. Just So Festival 2022
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11. Electric Gamebox at The Arndale
The Electric Gamebox Electric Gamebox at Manchester Arndale, City Centre, Until 22 October 2022, from £5.00 - Book now
Step into the Electric Gamebox in the Arndale Centre in Manchester for a totally new digital gaming adventure experience. You’ll be mind blown by this interactive, fully private high-tech digital room full of fun and immersive arcade-style games and challenges.
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12. 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.
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13. Mrs Doubtfire at Manchester Opera House
Courtesy of ATG Tickets Mrs Doubtfire at Manchester Opera House, City Centre, 2 September–1 October 2022, from £13.00 - Book now
A hilarious and touching musical comedy about family, love, and friendship, Mrs Doubtfire, based on the much-loved 1993 film featuring Robin Williams, is live on stage at Manchester Opera House this autumn.
More in Families
The Saturday Sessions at Company Chameleon Studios
Calling budding young movers aged 4 – 16 years. Get the weekend off to a leaping start with these energetic and engaging dance sessions.
Behind the Scenes Tour of Central Library
Get an access all areas view of Central Library in Manchester, with a brand new behind the scenes tour.
Romeo and Juliet at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre
Don’t miss one of the greatest love stories ever told when it comes to Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre this summer. Theatre and fresh air. Perfect.
Alfie’s First Fight at Z-Arts
A show described as ‘Crime-Thriller meets Rocky’, Alfie’s First Fight at Z-Arts is for children aged 5+ and their grown ups, taking place on Sunday 10 July 2022. The production, at first glance, is about boxing, but at the core of this moving, heartwarming and hilarious performance is a powerful story of love, family, and loss, and the importance of fighting for what you want.
Summer Fun in Gaskell’s Garden
Elizabeth Gaskell once wrote: ‘Every Plant that Peeps up is a Treasure’, when talking about her garden in Manchester, and this Summer, families are invited to experience this treasure for themselves. Summer Fun in Gaskell’s Garden is launching on Wednesday 20 July, running until Sunday 4 September
REFRACT Festival 2022 at Waterside
Now in its fifth year, Trafford’s flagship arts festival returns to Waterside for ten days of experiential performance and cultural delight.
Stig of the Dump at Grosvenor Open Air Theatre
A revival of Grosvenor Park’s sell-out, critically acclaimed production of the classic tale of a boy’s friendship with a mysterious caveman.
The Gruffalo at The Lowry
Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s well-loved picture book.
We Invented The Weekend
Expect everything from community feasts, vintage markets, water sports, live music and performance, right across MediaCity and Salford Quays this September. A new free festival for everyone.
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