Things to do in Greater Manchester this October Half Term

Halloween in the City Weekender Saturday 24th – Sunday 25th October 2026 Free family events across Manchester city centre. Celebrate the arrival of Halloween with a host of monstrously good events.  With the return of the MCR Monsters, live performances and fancy-dress fun, plus spooky…

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Whether you’re looking to get into the Halloween spirit with some spooky science or prefer to swerve a scare in favour of family favourite experiences, the Science and Industry Museum is offering something for everyone this Halloween half term (Saturday 25 October – Sunday 2 November)…

GET READY FOR MANCHESTER’S ULTIMATE WINTER EXPERIENCE! 25 OCTOBER 2025 – 4 January 2026 (Psst... as a special offer, ticket prices are staying at off-peak all day during October half term!) Skate Manchester is back, transforming Cathedral Gardens into the city’s premier ice…

Following the launch of Race Across the World: The Experience earlier this year, CityDays is delighted to announce that Race Across the World: The Experience has arrived in Manchester.  This high-stakes experience offers players the chance to live out their Race Across the World dreams by…

With a fantastic selection of rides, attractions and shows to see each day, Gulliver's World guarantees you one of the best family days out in the UK. There's so much to experience, from the wild rides in Western World to the thrilling rides of Smugglers Wharf. Gulliver's Resort…

Adventure through the streets of Manchester's city centre and unlock a hidden trail by finding clues, solving puzzles & completing challenges, earning points along the way all self-guided through the Go Quest Adventures app. See the area's highlights, explore it's hidden gems and…

• Lowry

A major new free family exhibition celebrating the work of one of Britain’s most popular writers and illustrators, Quentin Blake, is to open at Lowry, Salford on Saturday 19th July. Curated by Lowry in collaboration with the artist and his studio, Quentin Blake and Me will feature a wide…

• Lowry

Step inside LOWRY 360, a new FREE immersive gallery experience. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of LS Lowry’s iconic painting, Going to the Match, in the UK’s first FREE permanent immersive experience. Created in collaboration…

• Museum of Illusions

The Museum of Illusions offers a unique experience in Manchester to keep the kids entertained all May Half-Term.

• Depot Mayfield

SUPERMASSIVE is continuing for a few extra weeks at Depot Mayfield due to popular demand! A mind-bending mix of art, tech, and play — SUPERMASSIVE is continuing as Manchester’s most interactive experience, designed for curious humans of all ages. Don't miss your last chance to…

• Science and Industry Museum

A sense-sational exhibition! Get ready for a brand-new adventure of super-sized science and brilliant biology with Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You. Journey through an ear canal covered in gooey wax, squeeze past sticky snot and plunge headfirst into the incredible world of our senses. Get…

An unmissable big-screen adventure for little ones, featuring Disney’s Mickey Mouse and friends, Marvel’s Spidey and Iron Man, plus SuperKitties, Bluey and more! Disney Junior Cinema Club brings together songs, dancing, interactive games, and episodes that are perfect for…

• Manchester Museum

Journey with Manchester Museum into the heart of the Cretaceous to meet a true prehistoric icon. The latest exhibition is an adventure for all ages, bringing you literally face-to-face with the mighty Triceratops. Find out about one of the most iconic dinosaurs of all time through vibrant…

• Jodrell Bank

Blast off to Autumn adventures at Jodrell, including a brand-new science show and a journey to Mars in the Space Dome! With creative crafts, new exhibitions, and engaging talks galore, there's something for every aspiring astronaut… Book online to save 10% and return for FREE for 12…

• Elizabeth Gaskell's House

Join your local museum this October Half-Term for family fun and Halloween kids activities. Discover our Hidden Wonders Trail around the House, join our drop-in creepy craft activities and share some Autumn time out with friends and family. Children aged 4+ and their families are invited to…

• Manchester Jewish Museum

This half-term, join the Jewish Museum for a hands-on baking workshop where we'll be making delicious apple cakes, full of sweet autumn flavours. While your cakes are baking, you'll explore stories from our collection and learn more about the traditional connections between apples and…

• IWM North

Get creative and celebrate the threads that connect us.  This half term, join IWM North for a vibrant programme of free creative activities designed for children aged 5+ and their grown-ups.  Decorate your own cotton tote bag with colours, words, patterns and symbols that reflect your…

• IWM North

Meet IWM’s veterans and eyewitnesses of conflict to gain a unique insight into the impact of war on people’s lives. You'll hear an array of personal stories, recollections, and powerful memories from those who have experienced conflict firsthand, ranging from driving a tank to being…

• IWM North

Join designer and maker Tihara Smith for a fun, hands-on workshop inspired by Caribbean craft and storytelling. Families with children aged 8+ will learn raffia embroidery—a colourful textile technique—and create a mini hoop artwork using symbols, patterns, and words that reflect who you…

Visit the home of the Premier League Champions! Get behind the scenes and immerse yourself in the City story on the Manchester City Stadium Tour. Visit areas of the Stadium not usually available to the public. Using the latest technology, dreams come true as you and your loved ones sit and interact…

At iFLY believe flying shouldn't be reserved for a select few. That’s why we’ve made the thrill of indoor skydiving accessible to everyone, regardless of age or experience. Whether it’s your first flight or your fiftieth, iFLY delivers the magic of flight in a safe, guided, and…

Manchester welcomes World-Famous Museum of Illusions to the city! Enter the fascinating world of illusions where nothing is ever quite as it seems. This highly anticipated new attraction promises a captivating experience for visitors of all ages, immersing them in a world of optical illusions and…

Step into a giant rainforest in Printworks and discover a wilder world of mini golf. Explore two indoor immersive 18-hole courses, each packed with interactive jungle features. Take on twisting vines and talking trees on the Tropical Trail, or brave towering stone masks and cryptic carvings on the…

Stockroom is an exciting new creative and cultural centre in Stockport, designed for getting together, getting involved or just popping by for a brew. It has been developed with and for local people and the creative community to build an exceptional communal resource for entertainment and learning…

Discover the rich history of firefighting in Greater Manchester at Fireground. Learn about the area's pivotal role in the development of fire brigades and fire engineering, from forming England’s first municipal fire service in 1826 to receiving the country’s earliest motorised fire…

Step back in time and experience the sights and sounds of Britain's Home Front. Wander around the original tunnels, authentically re-equipped, which provide you with first-hand experience of daily life in 1940s wartime Britain. Enjoy the displays and the state-of-the-art audio-guide which tell…

Fall down the rabbit hole and have your very own magical adventure with Adventures in Wonderland at Z-arts! Curiouser and curiouser? Created by Z-arts in partnership with Macmillan Children's Books, step into Alice's shoes and have your very own magical Adventure in Wonderland, celebrating…

A family-friendly escape room. 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! Join Z arts for an…