Culture Guides
Destination Guides
Summer Holidays in Manchester start on the 19 July 2019! Eeek … school’s out for six heady weeks of adventures to be had. Indoor, outdoor, free, ticketed …. whatever you fancy. Look no further for your ultimate guide for cultural things to do together to make long-lasting memories (and also achieve precious hours of relative sanity this hols). Here is our first lot of highlights but we’ll be updating this each week so keep checking back.
To make that budget go further take a look also at our round up of the best free things to do with kids in Manchester.
Don’t miss our guides to parks and top picks of places to go rural for some more outdoor days out without leaving the city and our families guide for other longer-term capers.
Here are our picks
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1. MIF19: Tuesday at Saint Augustine’s Church
Studio ORKA: Tuesday at Saint Augustine’s Church, Manchester, 10–21 July 2019, free entry - Visit now
A family-friendly odyssey on the uniqueness of human experience by Belgium theatre royalty Studio ORKA
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2. MIF19: Animals of Manchester at The Whitworth
Animals of Manchester at The Whitworth at The Whitworth, Manchester, 20–21 July 2019, free entry - Visit now
Little and large beasts alike should make tracks for this wild celebration for Manchester International Festival’s final weekend.
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3. The Hepworth Wakefield Summer Fair
The Hepworth Wakefield The Hepworth Wakefield Summer Fair at The Hepworth Wakefield, 17–18 August 2019, free entry - Find Out More
A fine summer arts festival and the chance to be the first to explore the new Hepworth Wakefield Garden.
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4. Summer 2019 at Little Moreton Hall
at Little Moreton Hall, Cheshire, 3 May–3 November 2019, free entry - Visit now
With its beautifully charming and quirky style, Little Moreton Hall offers an iconic Tudor manor house, moat, manicured knot garden and plenty of fun activities for everyone.
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5. Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories
Courtesy of Lakeland Arts -
6. A World Inside a Book: Gruffalo, Dragons and Other Creatures at Z-arts
Ludovic Des Cogents A World Inside a Book: Gruffalo, Dragons and Other Creatures at Z-arts, Manchester, 12 February–26 October 2019, from £6 - Book now
The UK’s first immersive exhibition of the much-loved tales of Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler. Expect enchanting forests, miniature towns and watery worlds.
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7. The Sun at the Science and Industry Museum
Science Museum Group The Sun at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, 20 July 2019–5 January 2020, from £6 - Book now
Try on’ sunglasses from different eras and cultures, bask on an indoor beach, pose in a giant sunbeam and experience a solar storm in this mega new exhibition guaranteed to keep you out of trouble come rain or shine.
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8. REFRACT:19 at Waterside Arts
REFRACT:19 at Waterside Arts, Manchester, 18–27 July 2019 - Book now
Back with a bang – Trafford’s flagship arts festival returns to Waterside for ten-days of experiential performance and cultural delight. Don’t miss Wiredo, and Our Kids Social’s Silent Disglo
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9. Mill Trail: Become a Factory Inspector at Quarry Bank
Arnhel de Serra Mill Trail: Become a Factory Inspector, 10 July–31 August 2019, Quarry Bank admission prices apply (free for National Trust members) - Visit now
Head back to the nineteenth century for super adventuring at Quarry Bank. Become a factory inspector in this new trail by children’s author Philip Ardagh.
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10. Underneath The Stars Festival 2019 at Cinderhill Farm
Underneath The Stars Festival Underneath The Stars Festival at Cinderhill Farm, Barnsley, 2–4 August 2019, from £55 - Book now
This charismatic folk and acoustic music festival in the stunning South Yorkshire countryside has a cracking family-friendly arts programme and tremendous food.
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11. BBC Summer Social at Croxteth Hall and Country Park
Photo courtesy of CBBC BBC Summer Social at Croxteth Hall and Country Park, Liverpool, 3–4 August 2019, from £25 - Book now
This summer promises to be a right scorcher so why not make the most of the glorious weather and join the fun at the CBBC Summer Social?
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12. Caribbean Carnival of Manchester at Alexandra Park
Caribbean Carnival of Manchester Caribbean Carnival of Manchester at Alexandra Park, Manchester, 10–11 August 2019, free entry - Find Out More
Don those dancing shoes. All are welcome to join in the revelry of legendary proportions in the region’s largest festival of Caribbean music and carnival arts.
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13. Just So Festival 2019
Pillow Fight at Just So Fesival courtesy of Chris Payne Just So Festival at Rode Hall, Cheshire, 16–18 August 2019, from £20 - Book now
The best family festival in the UK? We think so. Adventure together into a wonderland of the best outdoor theatre, music, comedy, literature and other curious creative escapades. With midnight feasts, pillow fights and the bonkers Tribal Tournament be sure to snap up a ticket fast.
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14. The Lost Words at Lyme
National Trust Images/Chris Lacey -
15. Things to do in the Lakes this Summer
Courtesy of Lakeland Arts , 15 February–15 October 2019, free entry
Not only one of Britain’s most picturesque national parks, the Lake District is also brimming with culture. Here’s what not miss this summer.
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16. Power UP at the Science and Industry Museum
Science Museum Group Power UP at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, 20 July–1 September 2019, from £7.00 - Book now
Stretch those competitive muscles and explore 40 years of video game challenges and design from Pacman to the latest in virtual reality.
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17. The Borrowers at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre
Image courtesy of the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre The Borrowers at Grosvenor Park, 13 July–25 August 2019, from £26.50 - Book now
In a new adaptation by Bryony Lavery, The Borrowers is brought to the magical Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre this summer.
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18. Romeo and Juliet at Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens
Romeo and Juliet at Fletcher Moss Botanical Garden, Manchester, 17–18 August 2019, from £11.50 - Book now
Join Heartbreak Productions for this super glam outdoor adaptation of Shakespeare’s star crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet.
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19. People’s History Museum
Image courtesy of the People's History Museum. People’s History Museum, Left Bank, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3ER - Visit now
Head to Manchester’s Left Bank for the Doodle Den and other sessions exploring creative disobedience as part of the museum’s programme marking 200 years since the Peterloo Massacre, a defining moment for Britain’s democracy.
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20. Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, Wakefield, Yorkshire, WF4 4LG - Visit now
Explore Yorkshire Sculpture Park’s award-winning 500 acres in all weather with additional family events this summer including Outdoor Sculpture Building, Family Summer Walks and the Family Studio Space.
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