May half-term 2027

22 May – 6 Jun 2027

Day-by-day ideas for the may half-term 2027 (22 May – 6 Jun 2027), from one-off shows and workshops to trails and farm days that run all holiday.

16 events on, 2 free and 1 within 20 minutes of Timperley. Nearest: Jurassic Wild: The Musical Adventure at Wythenshawe Forum (15 min, Sat 29 May). Next up: AJ Bell Great Manchester Run 2027 (Sat 22 May).

Saturday 22 May 2

The Tiger Who Came to Tea (stage show) The Atkinson, Southport, Lord Street · 65 min Fri 21 and Sat 22 May 2027; times TBC (usually daytime shows of about 55 min)Not on sale yetUnder £10

AJ Bell Great Manchester Run 2027 (Junior and Mini races Saturday; 10k and half Sunday) Portland Street / city centre, Manchester · 30 min Sat 22 May: Junior (9-15) 2.5km 9am, Mini (3-8) 1.5km 10.05am; Sun 23 May: half 8.30am, 10k 11.30amUnder £10

Wednesday 26 May 1

Taskmaster Live On Stage (Greg Davies and Alex Horne's first UK live show) AO Arena, Manchester city centre · 25 min Wed 26 May 2027, 6:30pm show (5:30pm early slot listed for premium packages); final times TBC£10–25

Saturday 29 May 3

Dear Zoo Live! Lyceum Theatre, Crewe · 45 min Sat 29 May (May half term), 1.30pm£10–25

Roman Day at Chester Races 2027 Chester Racecourse · 55 min Date unconfirmed · Sat 29 May 2027, gates from 11.30am (start of May half term)Not on sale yet£10–25

Jurassic Wild: The Musical Adventure (life-size dinosaur show) Wythenshawe Forum · 15 min Sat & Sun of May half term, 12 noon and 4pm£10–25

Monday 31 May 1

Jurassic Wild: The Musical Adventure M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool · 55 min Mon 31 May 2027 (bank holiday, May half-term), 12pm & 4pm (doors 11am & 3pm)£10–25

Wednesday 2 June 1

Pip and Posy - Live On Stage! HOME, Manchester city centre · 30 min Date unconfirmed · Wed 2 - Fri 4 Jun (May half term); times not confirmed£10–25

Saturday 5 June 2

Dinosaur Adventure Live: Trouble on Volcano Island Stockport Plaza · 25 min Sat 5 Jun 2027, 2pm (end of May half term)£10–25

Strawberry Festival 2027 (family music festival: Boney M, Five Star, Betty Boo, Dollar) Richmond Rovers Football Club, Hazel Grove, Stockport · 30 min Sat 12pm-10.30pm, last entry 6pm; chairs allowed, no gazebos, no dogs, no outside food£10–25

Sunday 6 June 1

Horrible Histories Live: Horrible Henrys Lyceum Theatre, Crewe · 45 min Sun 6 Jun 2027; performance times on the Lyceum booking page£10–25

On through May half-term 5

Trails, exhibitions and seasonal runs, nearest first. Check opening days.

Dead or Alive: Birds in our World Manchester Museum · 25 min Mainly an online exhibition on the museum's collections website; check with the museum what's on show in the buildingFree

William Morris: Common Paradise (major free exhibition) The Whitworth, Manchester · 25 min Gallery open daily 10am–5pm (Thu to 9pm)Free

Family Feastival Sundays (kids' crafts, free face painting, kids' quiz and food deals) Boxpark Liverpool, Liverpool (Baltic Triangle) · 55 min Most Sundays 12pm-4pm (not 14 Mar)Under £10

Starlight Express (UK tour) Liverpool Empire · 55 min 26 May-12 Jun 2027; eves 7.30pm, matinees Thu/Sat 2.30pm, Sun 30 May 1pm & 6pm£25+

Mog the Forgetful Cat (new musical stage show, Judith Kerr) Liverpool Playhouse, Liverpool city centre (Williamson Square) · 55 min Tue 1 to Sat 5 Jun 2027 (likely May half-term week); performance times TBCNot on sale yetUnder £10

Dates follow Trafford's school calendar. Some academies and independent schools break up on different days, so check your own school's dates.

Popular holiday activities often sell out, especially timed sessions at farms, theatres and soft plays. Anything selling fast is flagged; see book ahead for the full list.

Questions parents ask

When is the may half-term 2027?

22 May – 6 Jun 2027, following Trafford's school calendar. Some schools differ, so check yours.

What's free to do?

Look for the Free label on each event, or see free things to do.

What can we do if it rains?

Events marked Indoors work whatever the weather. See rainy day ideas.