It’s nearly that time of year again, the summer holidays are almost here. To help parents across Greater Manchester filled with ideas to entertain the kids, or to help parents from further afield plan a summer holiday visit to the region, we’ve created a list of all of the family-friendly events and activities that are happening.

From activities designed for little ones to special moments for bigger kids, there’s plenty to keep them entertained this summer, regardless of your budget or taste. Here are just some of the events that can help make summer 2023 your best yet.
 

One-of-a-kind experiences 

Into the Night at Chester Zoo

This summer, Chester Zoo is hosting spectacular family evenings so you can discover the magic of the zoo as the sun goes down, for just £10 per child and £16 per adult. Not only can you see what the animals get up to at night, including your nocturnal favourites with after-hours access, but there will also be live entertainment, special guest appearances and delicious food and drink. Learn more.

Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You

The Science and Industry Museum is hosting a world premier blockbuster exhibition this summer, and you’re invited to learn all about it. Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You brings to life the hit CBBC series and teaches you all about the digestive system and where our food goes in super size. Discover more about our brilliant bodies in this unique, educational and fun supersize exhibition for just £9 per child and £10 per adult. Learn more.

Family Explorer on East Lancashire Railway

This summer, take the entire family on an adventure and discover the beauty of the Irwell Valley on a genuine steam train. On selected dates from Saturday 8 July to Sunday 17 September a family of two adults and three children can travel for £22.50. Tickets include entry to the Bury Transport Museum so you can explore vintage vehicles and make a day of it. Learn more

What’s more, throughout the school holidays The East Lancashire Railway will be hosting themed days for little explorers. Take them on a Wizarding Adventure, travel back to Jurassic times on a Dino Adventure or go down the rabbit hole and Travel to Wonderland in these unique themed steam train journeys that are sure to make summer extra special.

Encanto In Concert at Bridgewater Hall

The magic of Encanto will be brought to life at Bridgewater Hall this summer, with an exclusive screening of the full-length film accompanied by an orchestra. All of your favourite songs will suddenly sound a whole lot better, with enchanting live music to create a truly incredible, one-of-a-kind experience on Tuesday 1 August. Tickets cost £25.50. Learn more.

The Hundred

For sports fans, there’s nothing like the hundred. It’s heading back to Manchester with four weeks of entertainment and intense cricket action from Tuesday 1 August at Emirates Old Trafford. With men’s and women’s sporting action, live music and family-friendly entertainment, The Hundred is an all-rounder of a family day out with something for everyone and some incredible sporting fun. Learn more.

After Hours with the Mermaids

When the lights go off at SEA LIFE Manchester, the magic comes to life and some very special visitors come out of their shells (or hiding places). This summer, you have a unique opportunity to meet the mermaids after hours at SEA LIFE Manchester. Watch them join the sea turtles and swim with their fish friends for a truly magical and mer-mazing experience! Plus, you get to see all the other incredible creatures too. Tickets are limited and cost £21.50 for children and £25 for adults. Learn more.

Tour of Britain Grand Depart

Another one for sports enthusiasts and a truly unmissable moment. The Tour of Britain’s Grand Depart will be hosted in Manchester on Sunday 3 September 2023 and you can catch all of the action for free. The streets of Manchester will come to life with entertainment, cycling pros and anticipation for the 8-day cycling extravaganza. Kicking off the race is a momentous moment for Greater Manchester, the home of British cycling, and not one to be missed. Learn more.
 

Theatre Performances

Winnie the Pooh at Opera House Manchester

From Monday 24 July to Wednesday 26 July, everyone’s favourite bear is bringing all of his friends to Manchester from the Hundred Acre Wood to Manchester’s Opera House! Join Winnie the Pooh, Christopher Robin, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, Owl and of course, Tigger for his beautifully crafted stage musical is told with life-sized puppetry. Follow the friends on their adventures for a totally enchanting afternoon of fun. Tickets cost £17.50 and there are various showtimes. Learn more.

Buzz at Waterside Sale

On Thursday 27 and Friday 28 July, Waterside Sale is hosting a wonderful 30-minute interactive performance perfect for ages 3 and above. BUZZ follows the story of a young worker bee who doesn’t think her work makes a difference when so many other bees are doing the same role, so would anyone notice if she didn’t bother? Through musical and physical storytelling, this performance is sure to have little ones entertained. Tickets cost £7.50 for adults and £5.50 for children. Learn more.

Shrek the Musical

From Tuesday 1 August to Saturday 12 August, join Shrek and Donkey as they embark on a big, bright musical adventure, leaving their swamp for an epic quest. Shrek the Musical is a fantastically funny musical, featuring all of your favourite characters from the classic DreamWorks film and songs that will really make you a believer. Tickets start from £13 per person. Learn more.

Cirque The Greatest Show

On Thursday 3 August and Friday 4 August, the spotlight is on The Lowry Theatre as it's time for Cirque The Greatest Show. The performance will feature your favourite musical hits like you’ve never seen them before with the help of amazing circus performers and thrilling feats of agility and flair. Roll up, roll up and get ready for an unforgettable night out. Tickets start from £36.50. Learn more.

Robin Hood Outdoor Theatre

On Friday 18 August Bury’s Holcombe Hill and its stunning views will be the backdrop to an unforgettable outdoor theatre production. We couldn’t think of a better place to set the scene for a classic tale like Robin Hood! Bring your own seating (whether that’s a picnic blanket or camping chairs), make sure you’re prepared for all weather and get ready for story time as you watch the tale of Robin Hood come to life before your eyes. Learn more.

Zog at The Lowry

Based on the classic children’s book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, Zog will be taking over the Lowry Theatre from Friday 4 August to Sunday 3 September. Little ones will love watching Zog as he works his way through Madam Dragon’s School, the place where dragons learn everything they need to know, and gets ready for his biggest challenge yet, a duel with Sir Gadabout the Great. This smash-hit stage adaptation will be a roar-some way to entertain your little ones as it’s jam-packed with lively songs, bright colours and that Zog magic. Tickets cost £17. Learn more.

Hey Duggee! At The Lowry

Big, lovable dog HEY DUGGEE is touring for the first time ever and he’ll be at The Lowry between Thursday 31 August and Saturday 2 September. He’ll be bringing along all of your favourite characters including the Squirrels, Betty, Happy, Tag, Norrie and Roly. Join them in the Clubhouse and be a part of the hit CBeebies show in a vibrant, interactive production. Expect music, puppets and lots of laughs that little ones will love. Tickets cost £16.50. Learn more.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at The Lowry

Close the curtain on their summer holidays in serious style, as The Lowry is hosting smash hit musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie from Thursday 7 September to Saturday 16 September. This critically acclaimed West End musical is funny, fabulous and feel-good. Watch as Jamie, a sixteen-year-old from a council estate in Sheffield who doesn’t quite fit in prepares to become a sensation. Adult tickets cost £33.50 and children cost £30.50. Learn more.
 

Free Events

Kids go free with Transport for Wales

This summer, children under 16 can travel for free on Transport for Wales trains when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Each adult can take up to two children for free, under 11’s on all services and under 16’s on off-peak services. This means that your family can explore the beauty of Wales and all of its landmarks for a hugely discounted price this summer. Whether it’s a day trip or you’re hoping to stay overnight, a train journey to Wales is the secret to stunning scenery, amazing attractions and the perfect summer getaway. Learn more.

The Lowry Exhibition: Julia and Axel 30 Years of Favourite Stories

This Summer Salford’s The Lowry is working in collaboration with publishers Macmillan Children’s Books and Scholastic to host an exhibition celebrating the wonderful works of beloved authors Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Starting on Saturday 22 July, this free family-friendly exhibition will feature notebooks, illustrations, sketches and fun opportunities for kids to be creative. See how all of their favourite stories including The Gruffalo, Room and the Broom and Zog came to life. Learn more.

Feel Good Family Picnic

The organisers behind Rochdale’s Feel Good Festival are back with a day full of fun activities, performances, music, sports and shows for children of all ages. Bring your picnic and get ready for a day of free family fun. Staged in four Rochdale parks over the school holidays, The Feel-Good Family Picnic will take place in Falinge Park (Rochdale) on Tuesday 25 July, and then Limefield Playing Fields (Middleton) on Wednesday 26 July before moving to Harehill Park (Littleborough) on Thursday 27 July. The final stop will be Queen’s Park (Heywood) on Friday 28 July. Events will run from 11am to 4pm. Learn more.

Manchester Day on Holiday

Get ready to pack your bags, because this year Manchester Day is taking you on holiday on Saturday 29 July. The city centre will be taken over by a special summer’s day that will captivate families and friends for free. Performers, musicians and even animals will take over the city streets in a day like no other. Rumour has it there’s going to be a helter-skelter on Deansgate, a bandstand and dancefloor in St Ann’s Square with some of the UK’s best street acts and performers. Bring your packed lunch or grab a snack from the food and drink stalls, chill out on a deckchair and embrace the Costa Del Deansgate for one day only. Learn more.
 

Get Outdoors

Summer Holidays at RHS Bridgewater

RHS Bridgewater will be buzzing this summer, as there are plenty of family-friendly activities taking place all centred around insects. Inspired by the animated series Lloyd of the Flies, the team at RHS Garden Bridgewater need you to help Lloyd and his friends find their way to The Grand Bug & Pest Hotel, with an interactive app-based AR bug hunt and family-friendly activities all summer long. Activities include story sessions, animal encounters from ZooLab, model making, welly walks, animation workshops and so much more. There’s something for kids of all ages! It’s a great way to enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors and learn more about the creepy crawlies that are so crucial in keeping nature alive. Learn more.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea and Mog at Tatton Park 

This summer, Tatton Park is celebrating beloved children’s author Judith Kerr with two family-friendly trails dedicated to two of her classic books. Firstly, the fun and interactive The Tiger Who Came to Tea adventure trail will take over the spring gardens until Sunday 3 September with trail packs costing £2 alongside garden entry. It’s a brilliant chance to engage with nature and bring to life one of your kids' favourite stories.

If that’s not enough, Mog the Forgetful Cat needs your help completing her farmyard chores and navigating the maize maze. Follow Mog’s trail through the farm with plenty of activities along the way. Trail packs cost £2 each and farm entry applies, but please remember the farm is closed on Mondays to avoid disappointment. There will also be a lot of Judith Kerr-themed activities taking place throughout the summer so keep an eye on Tatton Park’s website for more. Learn more.

Oldham’s Summer Beach 2023

The popular Oldham Summer Beach is back for 2023 in a celebration of seaside fun in the heart of Alexandra Park. Manchester may have everything except a beach, but with this incredible family fun event, you sure will feel like you’re at the seaside. There’s going to be a mega-decked beach sandpit with deckchair seating, daily beach games and treasure hunts, huge inflatables and rides, a clowns cave with daily magic shows and even some special guests at weekends. Of course, there will be plenty of food and refreshments to help you make a day of it. The Summer Beach Event 2023 runs from Monday 31 July to Sunday 3 September and is open from 11am to 6pm daily. Learn more.

Adventure Kingdom at Uppermill Park

From Friday 11 to Monday 14 August Oldham’s Uppermill Park will be hosting a super family fun day with a huge array of inflatables and rides as well as food and drink stalls to entertain the whole family. From 11am to 6pm, the adventure kingdom gives kids a chance to get outdoors and enjoy good old-fashioned play. Learn more.

Stalybridge Street Fest

On Friday 14 July, Friday 11 August and Friday 8 September, the much-loved Stalybridge Street Fest is back on the menu. With great street food and drink traders alongside musicians and activities, this family-friendly event is a great excuse to explore Stalybridge and its surrounding countryside. Running from 5pm to 9pm on the second Friday of every month until the end of the year, this artisan market organised by Tameside Council couldn’t be a better place to stop and grab a bite to eat after exploring. Learn more.

Heaton Park Food & Drink Festival

Heaton Park’s Food and Drink Festival is back for 2023 and you’re in for a feast! On Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 August, one of the region’s biggest green spaces will be taken over by free cookery demos, an artisan market, live entertainment and music. There will be plenty of activities to keep little ones entertained from a fun fair and shows to a mobile farm. Whatever your tipple or whatever tickles your taste buds, this is a great day out that the whole family can enjoy. Best of all, it’s free! Learn more.

Bolton Food and Drink Festival

The 18th edition of the infamous Bolton Food and Drink Festival will return on the August Bank Holiday weekend. From Friday 25 to Monday 28 August 2023, renowned celebrity chefs from James Martin to Gok Wan will take to the streets of Bolton to serve up some deliciously good expertise. The whole family will love soaking up the fantastic atmosphere of the North West’s largest food festival with four days packed to the brim with food and drink, cookery demos, markets and brilliant live music and entertainment for little ones and big kids. Learn more.

Luna Outdoor Cinema at Tatton Park                       

Nothing says summer like sitting back and enjoying a film surrounded by nature. This year, Tatton Park is once again hosting Luna Outdoor Cinema for four nights between Friday 25 and Monday 28 August. You can catch screenings of Pretty Woman, Top Gun: Maverick, Mamma Mia! And The Great Gatsby with the stunning backdrop of Tatton Park’s parkland and estate. What could be a better treat this summer? Learn more.

Funtopia Stockport

The Big day out for little kids is returning to Stockport on Saturday 27 August. The fun-filled festival for under 10s has everything you could need for a good time from giant inflatables, role-play areas, shows, competitions, character meet and greets, giant games, water fights and a tasty food court. There’s even a special play area for Under 5’s and an exclusive Autism Friendly session so everyone can join in the fun with no worries! Tickets cost £5 with adults free of charge. Learn more.

To view more events taking place across Greater Manchester throughout the summer holidays and beyond visit our What’s On page.

Or more family-friendly ways to entertain the kids throughout the year, take a look at our blog