Hero Image Credit: Lizzie Coombes
Get ready, Manchester! The Super Duper Family Festival is set to transform the city into the ultimate playground from Saturday, 15th February to Tuesday, 18th February 2025. With six FREE Play Zones, games, performances, and activities galore, it’s an unmissable event for families looking to make the most of their February Half-Term in Manchester.
Running daily from 10am to 5pm, here’s everything you need to know about the festival’s exciting play zones and activities.
1. The Arcade
Location: Printworks
Step into a retro gaming paradise under Europe’s largest LED screen roof! Whether you're a fan of classic arcade games or modern tech marvels, there’s something for everyone:
- Interactive Screen Games: Use your phone to play arcade-style games on Printworks' giant LED screen.
- Retro Arcade Machines: Relive nostalgic hits, including the World’s Largest Pac-Man – A supersized twist on a fan favourite and Batak Reaction Challenge – Test your reflexes in this fast-paced challenge.
Gaming enthusiasts of all ages won’t want to miss this immersive experience!
2. The Garden
Location: Exchange Square & Manchester Arndale
Escape the urban hustle and dive into a lush, playful oasis in the heart of the city. Highlights include:
- A Giant Hedge Maze: Navigate twists and turns while searching for a hidden gnome.
- Giant Inflatable Flowers: Snap photos with vibrant, oversized blooms.
- Garden Workshops: Join the Clocktower Florist for green-fingered fun.
- Outdoor Games and Roaming Performers: Enjoy surprises at every corner with activities and entertainers bringing the garden to life.
- Eco-School at Manchester Arndale: Build a bug hotel, craft your own bee finger puppet, make seeded paper crafts and more, at The Big Green Leaf Eco-School.
3. The Playground with Waterloo Road
Location: New Cathedral Street
Take a trip down memory lane with this nostalgic pop-up playground filled with fun for all ages:
- Giant Games: Challenge your friends to oversized versions of classic games.
- Street Games: Relive childhood favourites like hopscotch and skittles.
- Creative Crafts: Unleash your imagination with hands-on activities, including designing your own locker and colouring Waterloo Road stained glass.
4. The Carnival
Location: St Ann’s Square
St Ann’s Square will come alive with the sights and sounds of a traditional carnival.
Experience:
- A Victorian Carousel: Enjoy a magical ride on this timeless attraction.
- Carnival Stalls: Try your luck at classic games, a Hall of Mirrors, and a Test of Strength.
- Circus Skills Workshops: Learn juggling and plate spinning with experts
- Mind-Bending Brain Games with Museum of Illusions: Puzzle your way through interactive challenges..
- Roaming Performers: Be amazed by jugglers and the hilarious Big Mob—giant roaming slinkies you have to see to believe.
5. The Sports Hall
Location: Great Northern
Unleash your competitive spirit in this ultimate sports haven, packed with activities for everyone:
- Table Games: Test your skills at table football, air hockey, and table tennis.
- Remote Racing Track: Race to the finish line on the Scalextric track or in racing simulators.
- Indoor Curling and Sub Soccer: Unique games for sporty adventurers.
- The Ping Hub: Free Table Tennis for all the family.
- Little Northerners: A chill-out area for younger kids with free play and reading.
6. The Party
Location: Aviva Studios, home of Factory International
Get your dancing shoes on for a family rave like no other! Hosted by The Playhouse Project, The Party features:
- Family Raves: Dance to live DJ sets while enjoying bubble-making, parachute games, and face painting.
- You can find more information about the rave sessions, and book your tickets here. Tickets are free, but require booking to reserve your spot!
- Chill-Out Zone: Relax with dance-themed family films, storytelling sessions, and craft workshops inspired by music and movement.
Plan Your Visit
Download the event map here to plan your visit.
More Fun Across the City
In addition to the Play Zones, enjoy even more half-term activities at Manchester’s museums, galleries, and outdoor spaces. Check out more to Discover here.
Don’t forget to check out special offers at local hotels, shops, and restaurants to make the most of your visit! Check out the range of fantastic offers here.
Plan today...
The Super Duper Family Festival is coming to Manchester. 4 days of Free Half Term Fun across the city.
Join the Fun! For FREE
The Super Duper Family Festival is unticketed and FREE to attend! All you have to do is turn up!
With the exception of The Party at Aviva Studios, home of Factory International. This event is still FREE, but will require booking.
Tickets are available to book here.
If you’re looking for Free things to do over half-term in Manchester, then don’t miss The Super Duper Family Festival!
The Festival zones are open from 10am-5pm daily, with the exception of the Eco-School at Manchester Arndale which is open 12pm-5pm daily.
Follow The Super Duper Family Festival on socials for updates, sneak peeks, and more:
Mark your calendars and get ready for four days of unforgettable family fun... February Half-Term in Manchester has never looked so good!
Discover more events...
2025 Banner Exhibition
A colourful exhibition of historic and contemporary banners displayed across two galleries…
40 things to see, do and discover
Discover 40 of the highlights and hidden gems that are available to explore everyday at the Science…
40 Years of the Future: Painting
40 Years of the Future: Painting welcomes back Sarah Feinmann, Tricia Gillman, John Hoyland…
Alcotraz Prison Cocktail Bar
Alcotraz Cell Block Three-Four promises to be one of the most unique cocktail bars in Manchester…
Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Manchester
This February, immerse yourself in a unique universe with Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE…
Astronomy Photographer of the Year
Experience world-class space photography at the Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition at…
At Home with the Pankhurst Family
The transformation of the Pankhurst Centre exhibition space is incredible thanks to its new…
Be My Valentine's at Oh you Pretty Things
Oh You Pretty Things is Manchester’s treasure, a trendy hangout in the heart of Trafford…
Ben Barnes
Ben Barnes, actor and singer-songwriter, has announced a performance at New Century Hall. Best known…
Between the Earth and the Sky: Capturing Nature's Fleeting Moments in Print, Photo, and Film
A New Contemporary Exhibition Exploring Nature's Fleeting Moments New Adelphi Exhibition Gallery…
Chila Welcomes You
Step into Chila Kumari Singh Burman’s imagination at Chila Welcomes You , a major new…
City Walking Tour & Interactive Treasure Hunt
Adventure through the streets of Manchester's city centre and unlock a hidden trail by finding…
Dance:Music
Dance and music are inextricably linked, each amplifying the other’s power to evoke emotion…
Escaped Alone and What If If Only
Director Sarah Frankcom returns to the Exchange with two short plays by Caryl Churchill, brought…
esea ArtClub
An arts programme designed for East and Southeast Asian residents of Manchester aged over fifty…
Exhibition Highlights 2024
The Whitworth is proud to announce its exhibition highlights for 2024, spanning survey exhibitions…
Exhibition: The story of Elizabeth Gaskell's House from dereliction to delight
October 2024 is the 10-year anniversary of Elizabeth Gaskell's House being opened to the public…
Factory International Autumn/ Winter Season at Aviva Studios 2024
Join Factory International for a jam-packed schedule this season! Here's what's going on…
Family films at HOME
Join us every week for family films at HOME Treat yourself to a Saturday cinema trip or catch a film…
G-Eazy
Multi-platinum selling superstar G-Eazy takes his “Freak Show” world tour across the…
In conversation with… Mike Gayle
Join Mike Gayle, author of A Song for Me and You, at Urmston Library to chat about his brand new…
Inspirational Artists
Inspirational Artists No individual musician or group of musicians is the same. Each one brings…
International Concert Series at the Bridgewater Hall
Welcome to the 28th International Concert Series, which once more brings some of the world's…
Jakkai Siributr: There's no Place
This autumn, the Whitworth presents There's no Place a significant new exhibition by acclaimed…
JMW Turner In Light and Shade
Marking the 250th anniversary of his birth, this exhibition will explore the work and technique…
Kids go half price with Northern Trains
Travel car-free to Manchester this February half term with Northern Trains Exploring and…
Lancastrian Luncheon 2025
What better way to enjoy a traditional British Sunday Roast than being hauled by a vintage steam…
LEGO Creativity Academy
Explore your creativity at LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Manchester to learn awesome LEGO…
Little Faces Big Feelings
A poignant photographic collection documenting and highlighting the profound impact of the Covid-19…
Local National International
Aliyah Hussain, Paloma Proudfoot, Renee So A trio of solo exhibitions from three artists who work in…
LS Lowry: The Art and the Artist
The Lowry is home to the world’s largest public collection of paintings and drawings by LS…
Lunar New Year at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet
Celebrate Luna New Year at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet with exclusive offers, on site…
Manchester Mid-Day Concerts Society 2024/25 Season
Manchester Mid-day Concerts Society are delighted to present the new 2024/25 Manchester Mid-Day…
Manchester Sleep Out
Sign Up to Centrepoint's Manchester Sleep Out on 21 February and say goodnight to youth…
Menagerie Bottomless Brunch
Manchester's Most Popular Bottomless Brunch Enjoy 2 breakfast plates (or double up on one plate)…
Movement Through Materiality
Each year, the Manchester Craft & Design Centre selects and exhibits talented students from the…
Murder Mystery Experience
Get ready to immerse yourself in an exciting and exclusive adventure. Explore the city like never…
New Lily Parr display at National Football Museum
Lily Parr – one of football's first female superstars - gets a new permanent museum…
Peterloo to the Pankhursts: Radicalism and Reform in the 19th Century
You can join more than 8,000 people who have taken part in online course Peterloo to the Pankhursts…
PHM's Playful Protest Space
A fun, free and relaxed space for families to get creative, play games, and watch films all inspired…
Pink Afternoon Tea
The Perfect Celebration with Menagerie's Pink Afternoon Tea Featuring Classic or Menagerie Style…
Power Up
Take gaming to the next level with Power Up at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester…
Pre Theatre Dining at Menagerie Restaurant
The world's a stage with Menagerie's new Pre-Theatre dining offers! Going to see a…
Rethinking the Grand Tour
For 200 years the Grand Tour set the standard for western culture. In the 1700s and 1800s, it…
Rhythm of Wellbeing
Feel the beat! This project used the the therapeutic power of drumming to bring people together and…
Sci-fi Film Season
Settle in for an incredible sci-fi season under the Space Dome at Jodrell Bank, from mind-bending…
Shadow and Void: Buddha10
esea contemporary and MAO (Museum of Asian Art), Turin, are pleased to present ‘Shadow and…
Shirley Craven
An exhibition of vivid, colour-filled textiles by post-war designer Shirley Craven. Born in Hull in…
Snap a Selfie with Paddington
Manchester's very own Paddington statue has arrived in Spinningfields as part of the Paddington…