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Finally, we can say goodbye to what feels like the longest month ever and start to really enjoy 2023. There are so many family events and activities taking place in Manchester and the north over the coming weeks and months, and here are our top picks.
Pancake lovers rejoice. It’s time to celebrate the best flipping invention ever (pancakes) at Tatton Park and Farm this February half-term and learn all there is to know about these tasty treats.
Here’s one for the budding scientists – from 18 February – 5 March, discover the really wild side of science at Chester Zoo. Explore the fascinating world of animals, including getting hands-on with no other than elephant poo. Yuck!
The youngest creative souls will enjoy a stunning, visual performance at Z-arts on 5 March. Here you can meet the curiously wonderful shapeshifting creature, the marvellous toooB.
And older little ones aged 4-7 are invited to step inside the dark, dark, hilarious world of FunnyBones at The Lowry. This is a brand new, special storytelling adventure based on Janet and Alan Ahlberg’s much-loved children’s tale.
Looking further ahead, in May it’s time to splash into some deep-sea family fun at The Spongebob Musical at the Manchester Opera House, where our favourite underwater spongey character has floated all the way to visit us from his home under the sea.
Also coming up very soon: Izzy Gizmo brings an energetic, live performance to The Stoller Hall on 4 February, and on 11 February head to the charming and funny Cardboard Carnival at The Edge to experience 45 brilliant minutes of playful puppetry and creative joy. Zipping through to the end of February – get ready to tap those toes at Marty and the Party at HOME Manchester, and head to The Lowry for a glorious adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s The Smartest Giant in Town.
Additionally, there’s still time to enjoy the interactive Fairy Tales wonderland at Z-Arts. An innovative and enchanting exhibition that transports children aged 0-8 and their grownups to a magical world, full of storytelling and immersive play.
Here are our picks
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1. February Half Term at the Science and Industry Museum
Image courtesy of The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum Group. February Half Term Fun at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, 11–26 February 2023, free entry - Find Out More
Love music? Dancing? Singing? The Science and Industry Museum’s half term programme of events is filled to the brim with sound-related activities for the whole family.
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2. Dinosaur World Live at The Lowry
Image courtesy of Dinosaur World Live. -
3. Pancake Weekend at the Farm
Image courtesy of Nikldn (Unsplash). Pancake Weekend at the Farm at Tatton Park, 18–19 February 2023, £6.00 - Book now
Celebrate the best flipping invention ever (pancakes) at Tatton Park and Farm this February half term and learn all there is to know about these tasty, easy-to-cook (easier to eat) treats.
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4. Wild Science at Chester Zoo
Image courtesy of Chester Zoo. Wild Science at Chester Zoo at Chester Zoo, Chester, 18 February–5 March 2023, from £23.00 - Book now
Discover the wild side of science at Chester Zoo – explore the fascinating world of animals: their habitats, their safety, and even their poo.
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5. toooB at Z-arts
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6. FunnyBones at The Lowry
Manchester Theatres -
7. The Spongebob Musical at the Manchester Opera House
via ATG Tickets The Spongebob Musical at Manchester Opera House, City Centre, 16–20 May 2023, from £13.00 - Book now
Splash into some deep-sea family fun at the Manchester Opera House, where our favourite underwater spongey character is visiting us from his magical home under the sea.
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8. Cardboard Carnival at The Edge
The Edge Theatre Cardboard Carnival at The Edge Theatre and Arts Centre, Chorlton, 11 February 2023, from £6.00 - Book now
Experience forty-five brilliant minutes of playful puppetry and creative joy with none other than plain, simple, cardboard set to the delicious backdrop of stunning musical melodies.
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9. Marty and the Party at HOME Manchester
Image courtesy of Holly Revell. Marty and the Party at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 23–25 February 2023, from £10.50 - Book now
Dress very smartly and party like Marty, in the arty and marvellous Marty and the Party taking place at HOME.
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10. The Smartest Giant in Town at The Lowry
Image courtesy of Ellie Kurttz. -
11. 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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12. The Lion King at the Palace Theatre
Image courtesy of Johan Persson. The Lion King at Palace Theatre, Manchester, Until 11 March 2023, from £20.00 - Book now
A wonderful reinvention of one of the most successful animated feature films of all time, Julie Taymor’s celebrated stage adaptation of The Lion King comes to Manchester.
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13. Outdoor Art Club at The Whitworth
Image courtesy of The Whitworth. Outdoor Art Club at The Whitworth, Manchester, Until 18 March 2023, free entry - Visit now
Visit the Outdoor Art Club at the Whitworth Art Gallery, jam-packed with 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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14. Fairy Tales at Z-arts
More in Families
The Singing Mermaid at Waterside CANCELLED
Keep the kids entertained this half term, with songs, puppetry and delight as our favourite singing mermaid tries to escape the cunning circus master!
Power UP at the Science and Industry Museum
Families of Manchester! Do you just LOVE gaming? This summer, head to Power UP at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester for an out-of-home, extraordinary gaming experience like never before.
Afrocats Takeover at The Whitworth
Keep the kids entertained this half term with a variety of Indian inspired cultural and creative movement activities, and inspiring arts and crafts workshops for children, young people and families.
Geronimo Festival at Arley Hall
Head to the Geronimo Festival 2023 to experience children’s entertainment & activities, music, food stalls, camping, and loads of fun!
The Welcome at Factory International
The Welcome is a huge nine-day celebration to mark the opening of Manchester’s phenomenal new arts space, Factory International. Everybody’s invited.
Culture Guides
Exhibitions
The world of art and exhibitions never quite stops, so we have lots of new shows to look forward to at the start of 2023.
Literature
From local writing to international talent, we have heaps of online launches and in real life readings not to mention some extra special festival events coming our way in live literature land.
Classical Music
We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester and the north.
Food and Drink
Start 2023 as you mean to go on, with the best restaurants and bars in Manchester and the North.
Tours and Activities
Eat your way through Ancoats, build a miniature eco-system and immerse yourself in visual art in this month’s tours and activities guide.
Destination Guides
Related Guides
Food and Drink
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Exhibitions
The world of art and exhibitions never quite stops, so we have lots of new shows to look forward to at the start of 2023.
Theatre
Queer Contact Festival, stunning physical theatre and intimate in-the-round performance top our eclectic list of drama, comedy and dance this month.
Things to Do in Manchester
There’s plenty of things to do in Manchester, from award-winning theatre and exhibitions to exciting food and drink offer and thriving literature and music scenes. Our guide to the best things to with your time in Manchester.
