WHAT'S ON AT Z-ARTS, MANCHESTER
Z-arts in Hulme, Manchester is the only arts centre in the UK dedicated to offering best-practice in creative provision for children and families, with a leadership role in networks including Big Imaginations, MADE, and Family Arts Campaign. Opening their doors in 2000 in the former Zion building, their 230 seat theatre hosts shows, productions, events and premiers for different ages each season, including international touring theatre shows.
Z-arts also homes a studio theatre, a recording studio, music space, dance studio, and offers numerous dance, drama, and arts & crafts classes, workshops, and activities. They offer numerous outreach programmes with local communities and educational establishments.
Be entertained and inspired at Z-arts with plays, comedy, dance, and musicals to look forward to and the immersive experiences such as The Family Escape room - The Library Of Enchantment, Adventures In Wonderland, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jnr, Lip Sync Battle, Finding Nemo Jnr, and The Snowy Day. See what’s on at Z-arts below and book tickets online.
Most Popular Shows and Events at Z-arts, Manchester
What's On at Z-arts, Manchester
Adventures in Wonderland
Z-arts, Manchester
Tuesday 9 December 2025 - Wednesday 22 July 2026
Fall down the rabbit hole and have your very own magical adventure with Adventures in Wonderland at Z-arts! Created by Z-arts in partnership with Macmillan Children's Books, step into Alice's shoes and have your very own magical Adventure i...The Library of Enchantment
Z-arts, Manchester
Friday 12 - Monday 29 December 2025
Ever wanted to step inside a story? The Library of Enchantment is a fun-filled thrilling family-friendly escape room, full of seafaring adventures, time travelling tricks and a pesky old bookworm who's always up to meddlesome mischief! Can ...Family Dance Stars
Z-arts, Manchester
Friday 12 December 2025
Move and groove with your loved ones!We are excited to welcome Family Dance Stars to our timetable from October. Get groovy every month as a family. Let?s play games, dance and explore our creativity together. No experience is required, jus...The Snowy Day
Z-arts, Manchester
Friday 12 - Tuesday 30 December 2025
A Polka Theatre and Can?t Sit Still co-productionDiscover a world blanketed in wonder in this brand new dance adaptation of ?The Snowy Day?, inspired by the award winning picture book by Ezra Jack Keats. One winter morning, Peter woke up an...Creative Care: Art for Kids with Additional Needs
Z-arts, Manchester
Saturday 20 December 2025
Join Kirsty for ?Creative Care: Art for Kids with Additional Needs.? ? an Inclusive Art Session that Celebrates Diverse Ways of Thinking & Learning!Children aged 8 to 16 will explore various art techniques, from painting and drawing to coll...LibraryLab
Z-arts, Manchester
Saturday 17 January - Saturday 25 April 2026
Our special guest programme in our Children?s Library. Each LibraryLab will welcome a local author or illustrator to the library to share their work. Join storyteller Neysa Killeen for a relaxed sharing of Irish folklore for children. These...The Wizard and The Mechanic
Z-arts, Manchester
Saturday 31 January 2026
An exciting adventure for families and brave young explorers aged 5?10!Hold onto your hats and tighten those boots ? it?s time for an epic tale of magic, mayhem, and unlikely friendship!Join Kronos, a flamboyant chaos wizard with more spark...Meet the Hatter
Z-arts, Manchester
Saturday 14 - Sunday 15 February 2026
Curiouser and curiouser??In celebration of their 15th anniversary, Joss Arnott Dance return with the company?s most ambition production to date, their brand-new, cinematic dance and multimedia show Meet the Hatter. Integrating dance, storyt...February Half Term Holiday Club - All Creatures Great & Small
Z-arts, Manchester
Tuesday 17 - Friday 20 February 2026
Come and join some of the Z-arts Creative Team for the week to explore all creatures great and small!Tuesday ? Thursday we will run two sessions for 4 ? 7 year-olds. These will be a repeated session 10:30am ? 12:30pm and 1:30pm ? 3:30pm. Pl...Z-access Day
Z-arts, Manchester
Saturday 21 February - Saturday 6 June 2026
Enjoy an afternoon of inclusive workshops in drama, music, circus, and art, designed to showcase the diverse talents of our community. In partnership with local organisations supporting children and families with additional needs, we?re cre...The Gruffalo's Child
Z-arts, Manchester
Friday 27 February - Sunday 1 March 2026
Tall Stories presents The Gruffalo's Child Adapted from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's award-winning picture book Optional book line subheading: The Gruffalo said that no gruffalo should Ever set foot in the deep dark wood... Â Follo...Brave Bettie
Z-arts, Manchester
Saturday 14 March 2026
A magical woodland adventure about courage, friendship and finding your voice. Date ? Saturday 14 MarchRunning time ? 50 minutesAge recommendation ? Ages 3 ? 8Bettie loves the forest ? it?s her sanctuary, where she feels calm and in control...Counting Sheeps
Z-arts, Manchester
Saturday 28 - Sunday 29 March 2026
A sleepy, sheepy show from Herd Theatre for babies and toddlers (and very tired grown ups). Two sheep think they know everything about sleep. They're experts in the field. But tonight they're wide awake. Snuggle up and join two sheep on a j...There's A Monster In Your Show
Z-arts, Manchester
Thursday 2 - Saturday 4 April 2026
Tom Fletcher's interactive adventures for big imaginations are leaping from page to stage, as the beloved 'Who's in Your Book?' series makes its debut as a brand-new musical show. A group of performers are preparing to start their show, but...Mika and the Polar Bear
Z-arts, Manchester
Saturday 18 April 2026
Mika and the Polar Bear is an imaginative and unforgettable journey into the wonders of our natural world, with friendship, compassion, and the power of hope at it?s centre. When Mika is swept away by a climate disaster, they find themselve...Dance Month of May
Z-arts, Manchester
Saturday 2 - Saturday 23 May 2026
Get ready to move, groove, and have fun together this May!Join us for a series of four exciting family dance workshops, each with its own special theme. Every week brings a brand-new style, rhythm, and way to connect through movement. No ex...The Detective Dog
Z-arts, Manchester
Saturday 16 May 2026
Tiny & Tall Productions, formerly Tessa Bide Productions, brings you Julia Donaldson and Sara Ogilvie's well-loved story, The Detective Dog on stage for Deaf and hearing family audiences. Whether it's finding a lost shoe or discovering who ...Take Flight
Z-arts, Manchester
Saturday 23 - Sunday 24 May 2026
Take Flight is a stunning aerial theatre show for 0-2 year olds and their grown ups. The story follows a musical mother bird as their baby hatches, grows and explores, navigating the challenges of hunger, sleep and play. Culminating in a be...Nurse Even's Bank Shift Show
Z-arts, Manchester
Saturday 30 May 2026
PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT IS NOT IN ENGLISH ? IT IS PERFORMED IN TAGALOGBrace yourself for a night of laughs that might just leave you with sore cheeks!Come join me for an unforgettable evening packed with quirky skits, stand-up, and more. Whe...Magic Gareth: BALLOONATIC
Z-arts, Manchester
Saturday 6 June 2026
BALLOONATIC is full of MINDBLOWING magic, balloons and fun for all the family!Performances ? Saturday 6 June, 2pmRunning time ? 55 minutesAge recommendation ? Age 5+Ever wanted to see a BALLOON fly on its own?Witness the BIGGEST Balloon in ...Hulme Is Where The Art Is
Z-arts, Manchester
Saturday 13 June 2026
Get ready for a FREE, fun-filled family day in Hulme Park!Whether you?re crafting, grooving, juggling, or just soaking in the good vibes, Hulme Is Where The Art Is is all about celebrating community and creativity....Bright Sparks Showcase
Z-arts, Manchester
Saturday 27 June 2026
Join us for our end of year Bright Sparks Showcase across our drama and dance programme to celebrate all of the hard work the young people have taken part in this year. Our Bright Sparks will take to the stage and for some of them this will...How to get to Z-arts, Manchester
Z-arts Frequently Asked Questions
Zion Arts Centre, 335 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester, M15 5ZA
There is some on-street parking available near Z-arts (Dearden Street opposite, Ancroft Street round the corner).
There are on street restrictions in place from Mon-Fri 8am-6pm. After 6pm and at the weekend these restrictions are lifted.
Some streets offer 3 hours free parking. Always check the parking signs as they are individual to each street.
Disabled parking bays are available at the front of the venue.
Watch this video for further information.
Oxford Road Station is a 15 minute walk away from Z-arts.
Piccadilly Station is a five minute walk from Piccadilly Gardens bus rank where you can catch one of the regular bus services that will take you to Z-arts.
The nearest tram stations are Deansgate (23 mins walk) or Trafford Bar (22 mins walk).
The capicity of the main theatre in Z-arts is 230.
Please contact Z-arts directly and their team will be able to help you.
If you would like to buy a ticket in person from Z-arts Box Office, they open:
Tuesday - Thursday 9am - 6pm
Fridays 9am - 9pm
Saturdays 9am - 6pm
Closed Sun & Mon (unless there is a show on).
Alternatively, you can see what's on and book online here.
When we know of a duration of a show, we add it to the description of the show on our event pages. For example, on our Wicked event page, after the description of the show we have added the duration of the show in large capital letters. If the time isn't listed, we do not have the information yet. We update our pages daily so it maybe a case of knowing closer to the performance itself, so keep checking.
You can also contact Z-arts and they will be able to advise you.
Please click here for accessibility information at Z-arts.
Whether you have positive or negative feedback you would like to feedback to Z-arts, please click here for more contact information.
Z-arts lost property will be held at Z-arts for one month. After this it is donated to charity or disposed of. Refillable water bottles are disposed of at the end of every day for hygiene reasons.
Click here to contact Z-arts.
Z-arts have their own Z-Cafe for you to grab a sandwich, coffee and cake.
Alternatively, with loads of great places to eat in Manchester and decent pre-theatre menus, you should check out our Manchester Restaurant site here!
Z-Cafe turns into a licensed bar for grown up events.
Alternatively, Manchester is full of great bars and pubs and some decent ones close to the venue. check out our Manchester Bar site here!
Absolutely! If you are attending a theatre show, you can leave it in the buggy park area if there is limited space in the theatre.
For immersive experiences, there is space within the exhibition to park your buggy, but due to space you cannot take them around the full experience.
Either use the map at the side of the FAQ section as it has all types of accomodation or click here for hotels in Manchester.
If you need further information about your visit Z-Arts, click here to visit their website or contact their team directly.
Please note that ManchesterTheatres.com isn't the venue itself. We promote what's on at the Z-arts and all other venues in Manchester and the local region. Feel free to contact us if you need more help though and we'll do our best to support you.