FAMILY EVENTS IN MANCHESTER
FAMILY EVENTS IN MANCHESTER
Most Popular Family Events in Manchester
Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World
The Lowry
Fri 8 Dec 2023 - Sun 7 Jan 2024
Around the World in 80 Days
Octagon Theatre
Fri 8 Dec 2023 - Sat 6 Jan 2024
Snowstorm 3 - Northern Lights - ‘Aurora Borealis' Spectacular Ice Show
Trafford Centre
Fri 8 Dec 2023 - Mon 1 Jan 2024
Jack and the Beanstalk
Manchester Opera House, Manchester
Friday 8 - Sunday 31 December 2023
Fee-fi-fo-fum, a giant of a panto full of fun!Comedy superstar Jason Manford is back by popular demand to lead the cast of Jack and the Beanstalk in the title role. He is joined by returning Manchester panto favourite Ben Nickless as Silly ...Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World
The Lowry, Salford
Friday 8 December 2023 - Sunday 7 January 2024
Empowering pop musical Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World returns to the stage in 2023 and 2024. This kick ass-pirational stage show, based on the popular children's book by Suffragette relative Kate Pankhurst comes from one of...We're Going on a Bear Hunt
The Lowry, Salford
Friday 8 December 2023 - Sunday 7 January 2024
See the smash-hit production of We're Going on a Bear Hunt at the Lowry, as it returns vividly and noisily in director Sally Cookson's fun-filled adaptation set to Benji Bower's versatile lively score. Join our intrepid family of adventur...Around the World in 80 Days
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Friday 8 December 2023 - Saturday 6 January 2024
Adventure awaits this festive season - trek across Europe, trail across Asia and soar through the Americas as Jules Verne's classic tale is brought to life in a rip-roaring new musical adaptation by Kate Ferguson & Susannah Pearse - the wri...Snowstorm 3 - Northern Lights - ‘Aurora Borealis' Spectacular Ice Show
Trafford Centre, Manchester
Friday 8 December 2023 - Monday 1 January 2024
Following on from last years skate away success! Everything you dreamt of at Christmas in 1 sensational show. 16 top ice skaters. All new ProductionAll new Circus actsAll new CharactersInternational circus stars.A show for the whole family ...Peter Pan
Stockport Plaza, Stockport
Friday 8 December 2023 - Sunday 7 January 2024
Ahoy there Panto lovers!! ..... it's time to take flight to join us at The Plaza for Stockport's Swashbuckling Family Pantomime Adventure PETER PAN starring BRIAN CAPRON as the 'oh so evil' Captain Hook! With a sensational cast, spectacular...Cinderella (Bolton)
The Albert Halls, Bolton
Friday 8 - Sunday 31 December 2023
Prepare to sparkle at the Albert Halls 2023 pantomime Cinderella presented by Polka Dot Pantomime. A family pantomime where dreams really do come true. ...Jack and the Beanstalk - Middleton's Christmas Panto
Middleton Arena, Manchester
Friday 8 - Friday 29 December 2023
A pantomime full of Fe, Fi, Fo & Fun! Starring TV legends Sooty & Sweep; Hollyoaks' David Tag as Fleshcreep*; BBC Pitch Battle's Joe McEvoy as Jack; comedy star David Drewitt as Silly Billy; the hilarious Danny Jay as Dame Trott; singing se...Aladdin - St. Helens Christmas Pantomime
St Helens Theatre Royal, St Helens
Friday 8 December 2023 - Sunday 14 January 2024
Hop on a magic carpet this Christmas and fly to St Helens Theatre Royal for a genie-ous adventure! There's nothing Wishee Washee about Regal Entertainments' spectacular panto Aladdin which comes to the Theatre Royal stage this festive seas...Sleeping Beauty - The Garrick Pantomime
Altrincham Garrick Playhouse, Altrincham
Friday 8 December 2023 - Tuesday 2 January 2024
Step into a fairy-tale world of magical castles, bewitched spinning wheels and an enchanted sleep that only true love's kiss can break... Once upon a time in a land far away, a beautiful Princess is given a twenty-first birthday present b...The Totally Improvised Pantomime
Waterside, Manchester
Friday 8 - Saturday 9 December 2023
Bored of the same pantomimes every year? The ComedySportz team are back this Christmas for more Totally Improvised Pantomimes! Heroes, villains, songs and silliness are guaranteed this December as the gang create brand-new pantomime adventu...Aladdin
The Met, Bury
Friday 8 - Tuesday 26 December 2023
Make your wishes come true this Christmas with Aladdin! Join us this holiday season for a carpet ride to a mystical world of magic lamps, flying carpets, and adventure! Will Aladdin win the hand of Princess Jasmine or will the villainous Ab...Julia and Axel - Thirty Years of Favourite Stories
The Lowry, Salford
Friday 8 December 2023 - Monday 1 January 2024
The Lowry in collaboration with publishers Macmillan Children's Books and Scholastic, are hosting a new exhibition celebrating the acclaimed partnership between Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, who have created some of the world's best-l...Lightwaves
The Lowry, Salford
Friday 8 - Sunday 10 December 2023
Lightwaves Salford invites you to explore a trail of dramatic light art installations that animate and transform the waterside environment at Salford Quays and MediaCity. In 2023, they will be celebrating their 10th Lightwaves with a trail ...Wonka (PG)
HOME, Manchester
Friday 8 - Thursday 14 December 2023
★★★★ "It may not scale the heights of his Paddington duo, but Paul King's Wonka is a beguiling way to spend 116 minutes, perfectly anchored by Chalamet's benevolent dandy. All together now: Oompa Loompa, doompety doo..." ~ Empire. -...
The Library of Enchantment
Z-arts, Manchester
Friday 8 - Sunday 31 December 2023
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 ...Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You
Science & Industry Museum, Manchester
Friday 8 December 2023 - Sunday 9 June 2024
Dive headfirst into the digestive system for an unforgettable journey of super-sized science with Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You. Get ready for a special mission to find out what happens to food when we eat. Guided by videos and illust...Cosgrove Hall Films Archive - Scene on Screen
Waterside, Manchester
Friday 8 December 2023 - Saturday 6 January 2024
This new exhibition from the Cosgrove Hall Films Archive explores animated worlds, sharing recent acquisitions to the archive, including original design drawings and concept artwork from The BFG, Count Duckula and Fool of the World and the ...Les Misérables School Edition
New Mills Art Theatre, New Mills
Friday 8 - Saturday 9 December 2023
Winner of over 100 international awards and seen by over 65 million people worldwide, Les Miserables is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. Now adapted for high school performers, Les Miserables School Editio...Sleeping Beauty (Guide Bridge Theatre)
Guide Bridge Theatre, Manchester
Friday 8 - Sunday 10 December 2023
It's not Christmas without Guide Bridge Theatre's traditional family panto. This year we bring you the enchanting classic story of Sleeping Beauty. Princess Aurora is born with great beauty and has a wonderful christening, but the evil fair...Cinderella
Contact, Manchester
Saturday 9 - Sunday 31 December 2023
The Godmother of all pantomimes is back (now with added girl power!). It's panto time and you shall go to the ball! eight-freestyle's wildly popular panto returns with a girl-power spin on the traditional rags-to-riches tale of Cinderella! ...The Snow Queen
Waterside, Manchester
Saturday 9 - Saturday 30 December 2023
At the top of the world lives the Snow Queen who is supposed to control the weather. But the seasons aren't behaving. The world is getting warmer. And it hasn't snowed for years.... Lumi gazes up at the stars and worries about the world. Th...Santa Special
East Lancashire Railway, Bury
Saturday 9 - Sunday 24 December 2023
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Treat the family to an enchanting voyage through the magical Irwell Valley, kick start your Christmas on one of our famous Santa Specials! There's more family friendly fun, colourful characters a...Little Penguin's First Christmas
Waterside, Manchester
Tuesday 12 - Friday 15 December 2023
From the company that brought you the sell-out productions of Snowbabies! and Aleena's Garden, Little Penguin's First Christmas is an immersive, festive experience for babies aged 0-36 months and their grown-ups! Filled with puppetry, origi...Disney On Ice - 100 Years of Wonder
AO Arena, Manchester
Wednesday 13 - Sunday 17 December 2023
Celebrate with Mickey and friends while reliving the adventures of favourite Disney stories at Disney On Ice presents 100 Years of Wonder. See Mirabel and the stars of Encanto for the first time live on ice! Set sail with Moana, bring back...Lost and Found
Aviva Studios, Manchester
Wednesday 13 December 2023 - Saturday 6 January 2024
Come with us on an epic journey to the South Pole as a boy tries to take a wandering penguin home, in this heart-warming adaptation of Oliver Jeffers' award-winning children's story. 'Once there was a boy and one day he found a penguin at h...Alfie The Elf's Christmas Rescue
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Wednesday 13 - Saturday 23 December 2023
Oh dear, it's a Christmas disaster! Alfie the Elf has been stranded - with no way to get back to the North Pole! Join Alfie for this 45 minute show as he brings his fabulous stories to life, cracks jokes and tells us all how Christmas reall...Little Creatives
The Lowry, Salford
Wednesday 13 December 2023
Join The Lowry for their weekly Little Creatives session. This is designed for under 5's with different activities each week. Your little one is sure to have fun and get creative in these workshops. All attendees will need to book a ticket....Twinkle Twinkle
Z-arts, Manchester
Thursday 14 - Sunday 31 December 2023
TouchedTheatre's hit show for 1-3 year olds. There are melodies that live in all of us. No one knows that more than Marty the puppy, whose songs and play-time with his Dad are the best part of his day. But sometimes, you have to learn how t...The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG)
HOME, Manchester
Saturday 16 - Saturday 23 December 2023
★★★★ "A stop-motion animation classic which, it turns out, that it's not only in Tim Burton's mind that Santa being tortured on a rack and a severed head left in a children's Christmas stocking, are essential scenes for festive fa...
Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas with Live Brass Band
RNCM, Manchester
Sunday 17 December 2023
Grab your Christmas jumper as the RNCM's festive family fun day sees the WFEL Fairey Band and Aardman team up for an exclusive screening of Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas with a live score for brass band. The RNCM's annual C...Hook (U)
HOME, Manchester
Sunday 17 December 2023
★★✭ "Less JM Barrie's classic tale, and more swashbuckling adventure, Steven Spielberg's self-indulgent family fantasy boasts a great cast but is widely regarded as one of his worst movies." ~ ManchesterTheatres. --- A high-flying a...Jurassic Park (12A)
HOME, Manchester
Tuesday 19 December 2023
★★★★✭ "Don't miss the opportunity to see Spielberg's animatronic masterpiece on the big screen with the best sound system you can find." ~ ManchesterTheatres. --- Experience one of the biggest films in motion picture history wit...Miracle on 34th Street (U)
Altrincham Garrick Playhouse, Altrincham
Tuesday 19 December 2023
The perfect feel-good Christmas film, the 1994 version of Miracle on 34th Street stars Richard Attenborough as the mysterious Kris Kringle. Reluctantly hired as the Coles department store Santa, Kringle not only aids the store to bring...The Muppet Christmas Carol In Concert
The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Wednesday 20 December 2023
Back by popular demand, Disney's much loved 1992 musical comedy The Muppet Christmas Carol returns to The Bridgewater Hall, the beloved festive movie brought to life by a talented orchestra performing its musical score live in time with the...The Muppet Christmas Carol (U)
The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Wednesday 20 December 2023
★★★★ The Muppets do Dickens with that trademark blast of irreverence, affection and tap-along tunes. ~ The Times. --- A Christmas cinema screening of Brian Henson's 1992 classic, starring The Muppets and Michael Caine. The Muppets ...Little Bear and the Christmas Lights
The Lowry, Salford
Thursday 21 - Sunday 31 December 2023
Join Little Bear on her magical adventure as she searches for the perfect Christmas lights. Filled with sensory wonders, puppetry and music this is the perfect theatrical experience for your Snowbabies. From the team that brought you Little...Hallé - The Snowman + Gaspard's Christmas
The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Friday 22 - Saturday 23 December 2023
A must for all the family. Watch Raymond Briggs' classic animated film accompanied by the Halle performing Howard Blake's magical score. In the first half is Gaspard's Christmas, a heart-warming festive adventure for Britain's handsomest f...Elf - The Musical
AO Arena, Manchester
Saturday 23 - Sunday 24 December 2023
ELF, the hit Hollywood blockbuster movie, has been supersized into an epic live arena spectacular by World's Biggest Productions for this Christmas, with a massive stage featuring amazing film backdrops on a huge LED screen plus a mobile st...Christmas Carol Singalong
The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Sunday 24 December 2023
Sing your way into Christmas as Jonathan Cohen leads you through the very best Christmas songs and seasonal classics in one irresistibly family friendly extravaganza. Frosty the Snowman Sleigh Ride Merry Christmas Everyone Santa Claus is Co...Horrible Histories - Horrible Christmas
The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Tuesday 26 December 2023
Horrible Histories proudly presents the terrific tale of Christmas! When Christmas comes under threat from a jolly man dressed in red, it's up to one young boy to save the day - but can he save Christmas? From Victorian villains to Medieval...The Gingerbread Man - The Panto
The Lowry, Salford
Friday 12 - Sunday 14 January 2024
Barton Theatre Company is back with its latest home baked pantomime, 'Gingerbread Man: The Panto' by Siobhan and Aaron Triplett... and it promises to be a tasty treat for all the family. Join Merry Berry, Hansel & Gretel and Little Red on t...Dick Whittington & The Pirates
Waterside, Manchester
Friday 12 - Sunday 21 January 2024
Sale Nomads amateur theatre club present the spectacular tale of Dick Whittington, the rags to riches tale of one boy's rise from scruffy northerner to heroic Lord Mayor of London! A breathless, hilarious, story of ambition, treachery, sche...Ballet Theatre UK - The Wizard Of Oz
Middleton Arena, Manchester
Saturday 13 January 2024
Ballet Theatre UK follow the yellow brick road to discover all the wonders of Oz in this two act, full-length ballet adaptation of the iconic tale by L. Frank Baum, told through the magic of classical dance. Enjoy Dorothy, the Scarecrow, ...Sing-a-Long-a Matilda The Musical (PG)
Stockport Plaza, Stockport
Sunday 14 January 2024
Calling all revolting children and their parents - come and be a little a bit naughty at Sing-a-Long-a Matilda the Musical From the producers of Sing-a-longa-a Sound of Music and Sing-a-long-a The Greatest Showman. Now if your chance to in...
The Sooty Show
Stockport Plaza, Stockport
Saturday 27 January 2024
Celebrating 75 amazing years in show business, Sooty, Sweep and Soo are planning a very special birthday party and you're all invited. However, in true Sooty style nothing goes to plan! The party preparations are well underway: Sooty gets m...ComedySportz
Waterside, Manchester
Saturday 27 January - Saturday 21 September 2024
You've seen football. You've seen tennis. But have you seen Comedy as a sport? Then you don't want to miss this all ages, all action, all improvised competitive comedy show! Two teams battle it out for laughs with quick-witted gags, games, ...The Sooty Show
The Lowry, Salford
Sunday 28 January 2024
Celebrating 75 amazing years in show business, Sooty, Sweep and Soo are planning a very special birthday party and you're all invited. However, in true Sooty style nothing goes to plan! The party preparations are well underway: Sooty gets m...Snowmen
The Lowry, Salford
Sunday 28 January 2024
Two snowmen are on a mission not to melt when they discover their perfect home, an ice arena. It's cold, the music's great and the slushies taste delicious. They just need to remember one thing, they can't be discovered by the humans. With ...Animal Farm
