Our top tips for making the most of half term, with brilliant things to do across the whole of Greater Manchester… For even more ideas, check out our 12 Things to do in Greater Manchester this Half Term post. 

People's History Museum Exterior

1. Get your hands dirty at RHS Bridgewater 

This half term (Saturday 19  Sunday 27 February), families can enjoy feeding time with the infamous pigs and much more at RHS Garden Bridgewater. Zoolab's Animal Encounters are back, allowing guests to get up and personal with a variety of creepy-crawly micro-beasts, as well as construct a small wormery, participate in planting workshops, and engage in interactive storytelling. 

2. Explore Manchester’s history of firefighting 

Fireground, located near Rochdale train station, is a unique museum offering visitors the opportunity to learn about the fascinating history of firefighting in Greater Manchester. With a vast array of expert knowledge from a dedicated team of volunteers, the restored 1933 fire station has over 20 fire engines, as well as equipment, uniforms, medals, and other memorabilia. Fireground is open from 10am to 4pm every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. 

3. Seek out scarecrows at Tatton Park 

Join the team at Tatton Park from Saturday 19 to Sunday 27 February for their annual scarecrow festival. Countless scarecrows can be found around the 50-acre Gardens and Farm and this year's theme is Myth and Magic, so keep an eye out for a wondrous mix of wizards, witches, trolls, unicorns, mermaids, and fairies, to mention a few all made of straw! 

4. Channel your inner witch or wizard onboard the Hogwarts Express 

On Wednesday 16 February, dust off your broomsticks and ready your wands for your trip on the magical Hogwarts Express. This half term, join the grand old school's madcap wizards and wacky witches on a Harry Potter inspired adventure on the East Lancashire Railway. This interactive adventure will take you on a two-hour return trip from Bury to Rawtenstall, complete with magical activities and wonderful photo opportunities. If you can’t make it in February you can book now for Wednesday 6 April, Wednesday 13 April or Wednesday 1 June. 

5. Meet your favourite superhero at The Printworks 

From Saturday 19 to Sunday 27 February, seven legendary superheroes will take over The Printworks to offer fans the ultimate superhero selfie. Meet a 10-foot-tall Hulk, Captain America, Spider-Man, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aqua Man, and Iron Man. You could also be in with the chance to win tickets to the upcoming release of “The Batman”. 

6. Visit the home of ideas worth fighting for 

Take the opportunity to pay a visit to the People's History Museum, the nation's democracy museum, this half term to experience the brand new 2 022 Banner Exhibition. It's a colourful and creative presentation of moments of protest coupled with stories about their role in history. You can also take part in one of their interactive family trails, which tell the stories of three different British migrants. 

7. Celebrate LGBTQ+ culture in an iconic Manchester theatre 

Having undergone a multi-million pound transformation, Manchester’s Contact Theatre brings its annual Queer Contact arts festival back to the building. Beginning over a decade ago, the festival provides a platform for a broad range of life experiences and celebrations of queer identities and, for the first time, will create opportunities to engage in educational activities around queer life and health. The festival runs until Saturday 19 February, culminating with the trailblazing House of Suarez Vogue Ball.  

8. Explore the Cancer Revolution exhibit at the Science and Industry Museum 

Join Manchester’s renowned, Science and Industry Museum from Saturday 12 to Sunday 27 February for fun half-term activities all about the body, inspired by the world-first exhibition Cancer Revolution: Science, innovation and hope. Explore the past, present, and future of cancer prevention, detection, and treatment and discover extraordinary artefacts ranging from a dinosaur fossil to a lifesaving cytosponge, plus interactive exhibits and inspiring personal stories told throughout the exhibition.  

9. Become King or Queen of the jungle 

With the adrenaline-filled experience, I'm A Celebrity Jungle Challenge, you can tackle the high wire and face the challenges and trials of ITV's hit show I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! The experience welcomes adventurers over the age of eight to conquer a variety of challenges such as rock climbing, zip lining, and Europe's only indoor roller glider. Compete with your friends to see who will be crowned King or Queen of the Jungle! 

10. Visit Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture of 2022 

Following in the footsteps of historic market town Bury in 2021, Tameside’s Stalybridge was recently awarded the title of Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture. The post-industrial town sits just to the west of the Peak District and features an array of parks, galleries and museums as well as some new and exciting venues for 2022.   

New Opening of the week: Hello Oriental 

Burrowing down three floors under the enormous Circle Square development on Oxford Road in Manchester city centre, Hello Oriental, is a huge market hall and dining destination that will focus on Chinese and Vietnamese food as well as entertaining guests with live music and regular DJ’s. The new venture from the team behind the well-known Manchester restaurant Ocean Treasure, aims to be a place for food-lovers of all backgrounds to come together, socialise and enjoy some of the finest foods East Asia has to offer.  

Book Now: Manchester Craft and Design Centre 

Manchester Craft & Design Centre has been home to some of the region's most talented independent designers and producers for almost 40 years. Each of the 20 studios offers much more than simply a shopping experience, selling textiles, jewellery, accessories, pottery, glass, prints, and homeware. You can get involved in the crafting process yourself at one of their upcoming workshops, and with the help of some resident creators, design some of your own hand-crafted works of art.