Museums and exhibitions for kids near Manchester & Cheshire

October 2026

Myriad by Architects of Air (walk-in luminarium) The Children's Country House at Sudbury, Sudbury, Ashbourne · 85 min 30-minute slots 10.30/11.30am to 3.30/4pm depending on day; quieter and slow sessions also listed£10–25

Weird Wonders: Halloween at Museum of Illusions Museum of Illusions Manchester, Manchester city centre · 25 min 2-31 Oct, 10am-8pm£10–25

Calan Gaeaf Trail at Chirk Castle Chirk Castle, Chirk, Wrexham · 85 min Daily 10am-5pm (garden/tower close 4pm); After Dark evening Sat 31 Oct 6-8pm£10–25

From Here to There: a tour for children Dunham Massey, Altrincham · 10 min Daily 17 Oct - 1 Nov, 11am-4.15pm; collect passport at house entrance£10–25

Indoor play space at Quarry Bank (half term) Quarry Bank, Styal · 15 min Daily 16 Oct - 1 Nov, 10.30am-5pm£10–25

October Half-Term: Doors to Hallowtide Lyme Park, Disley · 35 min 10:30am-4pm (3pm from 26 Oct)Under £10

Portrait of Black Britain (Cephas Williams photography exhibition) Aviva Studios, Manchester · 30 min Tue-Sun 10am-6pm; closes Sun 1 NovFree

Stranger Folk at Quarry Bank (app-based folklore trail) Quarry Bank, Styal, Wilmslow · 15 min Daily 10.30am-5pm; download the free app beforehand£10–25

Wandering Wolves (wolf-spotting at the Tudor hall) Little Moreton Hall, Congleton · 50 min Open dates 16-18, 21-25, 28-31 Oct and 1 Nov; 10.30am-4.30pm£10–25

October Half Term at Elizabeth Gaskell's House Elizabeth Gaskell's House, Manchester · 25 min 19 Oct-2 Nov; house open Wed, Thu and Sun 11am-4.30pm (last entry 3pm); drop-in crafts and trails 11am-3pm; ages 4+Under £10

The Trees of Lyme Park and Their Fungal Associates (exhibition and Top Lawn trail) Lyme Park, Disley · 35 min 10.30am–4pm to 25 Oct, then 10.30am–3pm; curator Dr Qin Qi on site Sat 24 and Sat 31 Oct£10–25

Stranger Folk at Speke Hall (app-based folklore adventure, ages 7-12) Speke Hall, Speke, Liverpool · 50 min Daily 10am–4pm; start at Visitor Reception£10–25

Mini Makers (drop-in craft Mondays) Speke Hall, Speke, Liverpool · 45 min Mondays 19 and 26 Oct; 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Nov; 10.30am-12pm at Home Farm restaurant£10–25

Secret Society Skeleton activity People's History Museum, Manchester · 25 min Museum open daily except TuesdaysFree

Sir Alex Ferguson pop-up exhibition National Football Museum, Manchester · 25 min Date unconfirmed · Included with museum admission (annual pass)Under £10

Smithsonian Starstruck: Immersive Space Experience Transmission House, Manchester (Northern Quarter) · 25 min Date unconfirmed · Timed tickets via Fever; runs to end of December£10–25

The Worst Record Covers in the World (free exhibition) Grosvenor Museum, Chester · 50 min During museum opening hoursFree

The North Revisited (photography exhibition, free with admission) Jodrell Bank, Lower Withington (Macclesfield) · 35 min Tue–Sun 10am–5pm (last entry 3.30pm)£10–25

Our Story with David Attenborough (immersive experience) Chester Zoo, Upton, Chester · 45 min Daily 10.30am-4.30pm in 50-min slots (not 25-26 Dec, 20 Jan); evening showings Thu-Sun until 9 Nov£10–25

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

Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors and Awful Egyptians Storyhouse Theatre, Chester · 55 min Thu 22 - Sun 25 Oct; showtimes on booking page£10–25

The Witch's Potion Trail Bramall Hall, Bramhall · 25 min 22–25 Oct and 27 Oct – 1 Nov, 11am–3.30pmUnder £10

Threaded Legacies - Black Heritage in Manchester Museum Manchester Museum · 25 min 23–30 OctFree

Calan Gaeaf at Erddig Erddig, Wrexham · 75 min 10am-5pm; wishstones 28-30 Oct 11-3; pumpkin carving (£3) and lanterns Sat 31 Oct 11-3£10–25

Scarecrow Festival at Rufford: Rufford Rocks Rufford Old Hall, Rufford, near Ormskirk · 50 min 23-27, 30, 31 Oct and 1-3, 6-8 Nov (closed Wed/Thu); 10.30am-4pm£10–25

Brick Show (LEGO model displays plus steam train rides) at Ribble Steam Railway Ribble Steam Railway & Museum, Preston · 60 min Sat 24 Oct, 10.30am–4.30pm; timed entry, then ride any departure£10–25

Steve Backshall's Deadly Live! M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool · 55 min Sat 24 Oct, doors 1pm, show 2pm£10–25

Tilly & Primrose Artisan Market at Victoria Baths Victoria Baths, Manchester · 30 min Date unconfirmed · Listed 'from 24 Oct'; 80+ stalls, three bookable workshops, tea room; explore the historic bathsUnder £10

Horrible Hunt (free Horrible Histories quest trail) Storyhouse, Chester · 55 min Sat 24 Oct from 9am, Sun 25 Oct from 10am; drop inFree

Miniature Steam Weekend National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port · 45 min Sat and Sun 10am-4pm£10–25

Wallace & Gromit: A Grand Day Out (live show) Jodrell Bank, Goostrey · 35 min 24–25 OctSold out£10–25

Apprentice House Spooky Tours Quarry Bank, Styal · 15 min Daily 10:45am-3:45pm£10–25

Autumn Family Fun (Wandering Wolves, Design Detective) Little Moreton Hall, Congleton · 50 min 10.30am-4.30pm on open days; free spotter guides from the Welcome Building£10–25

Branching Out: October half-term family art Tate Liverpool + RIBA North · 55 min Daily 10am-4pmFree

Coronation Street Experience: Kids Go Free Coronation Street Experience, Salford Quays · 25 min Weekends only: Sat 24-Sun 25 Oct and Sat 31 Oct-Sun 1 Nov (not midweek); guided tour times at bookingSelling fast£25+

Grumpy Pumpkins: A Halloween Trail Norton Priory Museum & Gardens, Runcorn · 40 min 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30 Oct and 1 Nov, 10am-5pmUnder £10

Halloween Half Term: The Great Pumpkin Party at Bolsover Castle Bolsover Castle · 90 min 10am-4pm daily; fancy dress competition each day£10–25

National Frightball Museum (Halloween half term) National Football Museum, Manchester · 25 min Sat 24 Oct - Sun 1 Nov, activities 10am-4pm; The Riddler 12pm-2pm£10–25

October half term at IWM North: Story Seekers trail, Making a Museum hub and We Were There IWM North, Trafford Park · 25 min Story Seekers drop-in trail daily 24 Oct-1 Nov 10am-4pm; Making a Museum family hub Mon 26-Fri 30 Oct; meet veterans and eyewitnesses Wed 28 Oct 11am-3pmFree

October half term: Aliens have landed Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, Manchester · 25 min Daily 10am-4pm; animation sessions 10.20-12.20 & 13.20-16.20Free

October Half Term: Myths & Legends Eureka! Science + Discovery, Seacombe, Wirral · 60 min Wed-Fri 10am-3pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm; workshops at 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 1.30, 2.30£10–25

October Half Term: School of Witchcraft & Wizardry Eureka! The National Children's Museum, Halifax · 50 min School of Witchcraft & Wizardry Mon 26 - Fri 30 Oct; Story Postcards 24-25 Oct and 31 Oct-1 Nov£10–25

Paper Pumpkin Trail Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse, Northwich · 35 min 24 Oct – 1 NovUnder £10

Spooky half term at the National Waterways Museum (free ghost tours, pumpkin trail, crafts, Halloween boat trips) National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port · 45 min Daily 10am–4pm; boat trips 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm£10–25

Wicked Week at Magna (magic show, fizzing potion workshops, spooky inflatables) Magna Science Adventure Centre, Rotherham · 75 min Magic show Mon-Fri 26-30 Oct at 10.30am, 11.45am, 1pm; potion workshops daily 11am-2pm hourly£10–25

Camera Obscura: Experiments in Animation (free exhibition) Waterside Arts, Sale · 15 min Gallery hours; animated shorts shown with their hand-drawn framesFree

Halloween Spooktacular open day at Wythenshawe Hall Wythenshawe Hall · 15 min Sun 25 Oct, 11am-4pm (last entry 3.30pm)Under £10

Find the Familiars Trail (9 imps and familiars hidden in the hall and gardens) Ordsall Hall, Salford · 20 min Sun 25, Mon 26-Thu 29 Oct and Sun 1 Nov during opening hours (Mon-Thu 10am-4pm, Sun 11.30am-4pm); buy at receptionUnder £10

Halloween half term at Ordsall Hall (Find the Familiars trail, broomstick, wand and spell-book workshops) Ordsall Hall, Salford · 20 min Trail Sun 25, Mon 26-Thu 29 Oct and Sun 1 Nov (£2 per child, no booking, 10am-4pm Mon-Thu, 11.30am-4pm Sun); broomstick making 26 Oct £3, spell book 27 Oct £1.50, clay faces 28 Oct £3, wand making 29 Oct £3 (bookable)Under £10

Broomstick Making Workshop Ordsall Hall, Salford · 20 min Mon 26 Oct, sessions at 11am, 1pm and 2pm; ages 6+Under £10

Halloween Fun at Crich Tramway Village Crich Tramway Village, Crich, Derbyshire · 80 min Mon 26 - Fri 30 Oct; Wendy Witch session Mon 26 Oct 10am£10–25

Halloween Pumpkin Fest at Samlesbury Hall (pumpkin hunt through the haunted rooms) Samlesbury Hall, Samlesbury, Preston · 60 min All day, Halloween week; fancy dress encouragedUnder £10

October Half Term at Jodrell Bank Jodrell Bank, Goostrey · 35 min Tue-Sun 10am-5pm (last entry 3:30pm)£10–25

The Brain Bending Science Illusion Show The Met, Bury · 40 min Tue 27 Oct, 2pm; ages 6+£10–25

Self-Led Crafts: Spooky Museum Grosvenor Museum, Chester · 50 min Tue 27 & Wed 28 Oct, drop inFree

School of Witchcraft & Wizardry at Hoghton Tower Hoghton Tower, Hoghton, Preston · 55 min About 2-hour sessions; ages 7-12 only, one accompanying adult per child; children's lunch package £6£10–25

Halloween half term at Salford Museum (Junk Monsters, Crafty Ghosts, Clay Ghosts, spooky storytime) Salford Museum and Art Gallery · 30 min Junk Monsters Tue 27 Oct 10-11am and 11.30am-12.30pm (£3, book); Crafty Ghosts Thu 29 Oct and Clay Ghosts Fri 30 Oct (£3 each, book); spooky keyring (29 Oct) and spooky storytime (27 Oct) freeUnder £10

Half term family fun at Manchester Museum Manchester Museum · 25 min Tue 27 - Sat 31 Oct, 10am-5pm: Waste to Wonder building (28-29 Oct), Billie Bee storytime (28 and 30 Oct, ages 2-7, book on the day), Halloween eco-makes with Biffa (30 Oct), CALFE storytelling (31 Oct)Free

Halloween Fun Day at Smithills Hall Smithills Hall, Bolton · 35 min Wed 28 Oct, 11am-3pmFree

Helga the Haunted Railbus (half-term spooky railbus rides) Ribble Steam Railway & Museum, Preston · 60 min Wed 28 Oct, 10.30am–3.30pm, all-day travel£10–25

Museum Explorers: Halloween Potions Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse, Northwich · 35 min Wed 28 Oct, sessions 11am and 12pmUnder £10

October half-term spooky crafts at Gawthorpe Hall Gawthorpe Hall, Padiham, Burnley · 60 min Wed 28 Oct 12-4pmUnder £10

Self-Led Crafts: Creepy Bats and Spiders Lion Salt Works, Northwich · 30 min Wed 28 & Thu 29 Oct, 10.30am-3.30pmFree

Canaletto free drop-in craft workshops Tatton Park, Knutsford · 22 min Wed 28 Oct, Sat 31 Oct and Sun 1 NovUnder £10

Family Art Workshop with Michelle Leigh Warrington Museum & Art Gallery · 30 min Thu 29 Oct, 1pm-3pm; max 15 participants, children must be accompaniedFree

Grosvenor Museum's 140th Birthday Party (free half-term drop-in) Grosvenor Museum, Chester · 55 min Thu 10.30am–3.30pm; Victorian birthday party in the Roman Chester Gallery; highlights tours 11am daily 27–30 OctFree

Magic Makers: Mystical Magic School Chetham's Library, Manchester · 25 min Thu 29 Oct, 2-4pmUnder £10

Myth, Magic and Mystery at the Old Hall Tatton Park, Knutsford · 22 min 29–31 Oct£10–25

Ghost Puppets (Halloween craft) Stockport Museum · 25 min Fri 30 Oct, 10am-12pm drop-inFree

Halloween Torchlight Tours at Samlesbury Hall Samlesbury Hall, Samlesbury, Preston · 55 min Fri 30 Oct, 6pm-11:30pm (last entry 10:30pm); tours about 60 min£10–25

Spooky goings-on at Stockport Museum: gruesome trail and sugar skull masks Stockport Museum · 25 min Fri 30 Oct, 1pm-3pm mask craft (ghost puppets 10am the same day); gruesome trail and craft table all half-term weekFree

Arc Saturday Art Club Hat Works, Stockport · 30 min Last Saturday of the month - check timesUnder £10

Flip into Wonder with CALFE (children's authors, storytelling, drums, mask-making) Manchester Museum · 25 min Sat 11.30am–4pmFree

Halloween Ghost Tour at Hoghton Tower Hoghton Tower, Hoghton, Preston · 55 min Evening tour£10–25

Halloween Trail in the grounds at Gawthorpe Hall Gawthorpe Hall, Padiham, Burnley · 60 min Sat 31 Oct 12-3pm drop-in; collect trail sheet at the front of the HallUnder £10

Spooky Halloween Trail at Denbigh Castle (crafts, face painting, chocolate prizes, fancy dress) Denbigh Castle · 95 min Sat 31 Oct 10am-4pm; come in scary costumeUnder £10

Halloween Spooky Trains at Ribble Steam Railway (dress up and find the ghosts) Ribble Steam Railway & Museum, Preston · 60 min Sat 31 Oct and Sun 1 Nov, 10.30am–4.30pm£10–25

March 2026

Head, Shoulders, Knees & Goals National Football Museum, Manchester · 25 min 27 Mar – 1 Nov£10–25

Beneath the Great Wave: Hokusai and Hiroshige The Whitworth, Manchester · 25 min Closes Sun 15 Nov; gallery open Tue-SunFree

April 2026

Human Natures (exhibition, final week) Manchester Museum · 25 min Closes Sun 1 Nov; museum closed MondaysFree

National Museums Liverpool at 40 (free exhibition: Titanic artefacts and treasures from seven museums) World Museum, Liverpool · 55 min Date unconfirmed · Museum opening hoursFree

July 2026

Wild Things: free animal storybook exhibition The Lowry, Salford Quays · 18 min 18 Jul – 1 NovFree

Warrington Wolves: A Game For All (free rugby league exhibition) - final weeks Warrington Museum & Art Gallery · 30 min Museum opening hoursFree

September 2026

Mythic Reinvention: costumes from 50 years of the Royal Exchange Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester · 25 min 16 Sep – 15 NovFree

Rae-Yen Song: •~TUA~• 大眼 •~MAK~• (free glowing-pond installation) FACT, 88 Wood Street, Liverpool · 55 min Wed–Sun 11am–6pmFree

January 2026

2026 Banner Exhibition with family Banner Bingo trail People's History Museum, Manchester · 25 min Open daily except Tuesdays, 10am–4pmFree

February 2026

Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, Manchester · 25 min 13 Feb 2026 – 3 Jan£10–25

Your Salford 100 (centenary exhibition of 100 objects chosen by Salfordians) - final weeks Salford Museum and Art Gallery · 30 min Museum opening hoursFree

September 2025

Performing Trees (free collection exhibition) - closes 4 April The Whitworth, Manchester (Whitworth Park) · 25 min Gallery opening hoursFree

November 2026

Manchester Museum Celebrates Diwali Manchester Museum · 25 min Wed 4 Nov, 4pm-9pm; drop inFree

Bramall Hall Decorated for Christmas 2026: A Musical Celebration Bramall Hall, Bramhall, Stockport · 25 min Hall opening days from Thu 5 Nov to Sun 3 Jan, from 11am (council listings run in weekly blocks through Dec 29-31 and Jan 2-3)Under £10

The Elf Trail at Bramall Hall Bramall Hall, Bramhall, Stockport · 25 min Runs on hall opening days from Thu 5 Nov to Sun 3 Jan (11am-4.30pm, last admission 3.45pm); no trail on 5-6 Dec, bank holidays or Christmas closureUnder £10

Magic at the Mansion: Christmas at Harewood (Studio McGuire) Harewood House, Leeds · 95 min Timed house slots; weekdays 10am-4pm, weekends and 21-23 Dec 10am-5.30pm; closed 25-26 Dec£25+

Fireworks and Bonfire at Lancashire Mining Museum (heritage rides, Wigan Ukulele Club) Lancashire Mining Museum, Astley, Wigan · 25 min Sat 7 Nov; times not yet publishedUnder £10

Christmas at Chatsworth: The 12 Days of Christmas Chatsworth House, Bakewell, Derbyshire · 75 min 7 Nov - 3 Jan (some pages say 4 Jan); market access 7 Nov-13 Dec onlySelling fast£25+

Altrincham Remembrance Sunday service Garden of Remembrance, Dunham Road, Altrincham · 10 min Sunday, arrive by 10.30am; service about 10.55am for 30–40 minutes, then a short service at the Chapel Street memorial on Regent Road. Refreshments at St Margaret's afterwards.Free

Bowdon Remembrance service Stamford Park, Stamford Park Road, Bowdon · 10 min Sunday: arrive by 9.45am; church service 10am, wreath laying at the memorial outside 11am.Free

Hale Barns Remembrance service All Saints Parish Church, Hale Road, Hale Barns · 15 min Sunday 10am church service, procession to the war memorial 10.40am, outdoor interfaith service 10.55–11.15am.Free

Hale Remembrance parade and service Hale War Memorial, Broomfield Lane · 10 min Sunday: parade leaves St Peter's Church about 2.45pm; service at the war memorial 3.15pm. Rolling road closure 2.15–4.30pm.Free

Mercatum Christmas Artisan Market at Haddon Hall Haddon Hall, Bakewell · 65 min Wed-Sun only; timed sessions 9.15am-12.45pm, 1pm-4.30pm, twilight 3pm-4.30pm£10–25

WYC Makes: free drop-in making workshop led by young artists The Whitworth, Manchester · 25 min Sat 1pm–3pm, drop in; run by and mainly for teenagers and young adultsFree

What Santa Sees (Space Dome show) Jodrell Bank, Lower Withington · 35 min Weekends 14 Nov-20 Dec at 10.30 & 14.00 (plus 12.00 from 5 Dec); Mon 21-Wed 23 Dec at 10.30, 12.00, 14.00Under £10

Festive Fun at Jodrell Bank Jodrell Bank, Lower Withington · 35 min Tue-Sun 10am-5pm (last entry 3.30pm); Goofus Theatre puppet show Stars and Stones Sat 19 & Sun 20 Dec (£6)£10–25

Wythenshawe Hall open day: World War I Remembered Wythenshawe Hall · 10 min Sunday 11am–4pm (last entry 3.30pm). Volunteer-run themed open day in the Tudor hall for Remembrance.Under £10

A Trail of Tails: Christmas in the House Dunham Massey, Altrincham · 10 min Daily 10am-3pm, last entry 3pm£10–25

The Manifold of Memory: immersive felt installation by Gulnur Mukazhanova The Whitworth, Manchester · 25 min Gallery open daily 10am–5pm (Thu to 9pm)Free

Christmas at Astley Hall (Nutcracker-themed decorated hall) and An Audience with Father Christmas Astley Hall, Chorley · 50 min Hall dressed Sat 21 Nov-Sun 20 Dec; Father Christmas weekends only, ticketed personal family meetingNot on sale yet£10–25

Meet Father Christmas in the Power Hall Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, Manchester · 25 min Sat-Sun 21-22, 28-29 Nov, 5-6, 12-13 Dec; daily Wed 16-Wed 23 Dec£10–25

Around the World in 80 Days: The Christmas Mansion Tatton Park, Knutsford · 22 min Selected dates 21 Nov – 31 Dec, 11am–4pm, last entry 3pm (e.g. 21–22, 25–29 Nov; most Dec weekends and 18–23 Dec)£10–25

Once Upon a Time... The Snow Queen (house dressed for Christmas) The Children's Country House at Sudbury, Sudbury, Ashbourne · 85 min 11am-4pm on 21-23 and 27-30 Nov; 4-7, 11-23, 27-31 Dec; 1-3 Jan£10–25

Emergency on Planet Earth: The Cost of Pollution (free exhibition with hands-on interactives) Warrington Museum & Art Gallery · 30 min Museum opening hoursFree

Football Art Prize exhibition National Football Museum, Manchester · 25 min 21 Nov 2026 – 21 Feb£10–25

Christmas Gift Fair (local makers, choir and brass band, mince pies) Norton Priory Museum & Gardens, Runcorn · 40 min Sun 11am–4pm (ticket page says 10am–5pm)Under £10

Christmas Tree Festival (Spirit of Christmas) Chester Cathedral · 55 min Last entry 5.30pm; over 80 decorated trees; pre-booking suggested (link 'coming soon')Not on sale yetUnder £10

The World at Christmas at Lyme Lyme Park, Disley, Stockport · 35 min 27-30 Nov and 1-24 Dec, 11am-4pm (last entry 3pm)£10–25

Arc Saturday Art Club (family drop-in arts and crafts above Hat Works) Hat Works, Stockport · 30 min Sat 11am–3pm, drop in (no December club)Under £10

Christmas Gift Market at Hoghton Tower Hoghton Tower, Hoghton, Preston · 55 min Sat 28 & Sun 29 Nov 10am-3pm (last entry 2.30pm); Christmas Through the Ages guided tours same weekendUnder £10

Meet Victorian Father Christmas (Dickensian grotto with traditional toys) Grosvenor Museum, Chester · 50 min Sat 28 Nov 10.30am–4pm; Sun 29 Nov 1–3.30pm; timed slots£10–25

Victorian Christmas Weekend at Gawthorpe Hall (Father Christmas, crafts, bellringers) Gawthorpe Hall, Padiham, Burnley · 60 min Sat 28 & Sun 29 Nov 11am-3.30pm; phone 01282 771004 to reserve a Father Christmas slotUnder £10

Reverse Grotto at Erddig Erddig, Wrexham · 75 min 28 Nov - 20 Dec, 11am-3pm (selected dates)£10–25

December 2026

Little Liverpool Christmas Special (festive sensory play, under-6s) Pier Head, Liverpool · 55 min Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun 11.15am; Fri 2.15pmOn sale Sun 1 NovUnder £10

12 Days of Christmas Trail (free museum clue hunt) Grosvenor Museum, Chester · 50 min Daily during opening hours; collect a trail sheet from receptionFree

An Evening of Festive Music (carols by candlelight in the Tudor Great Hall) Speke Hall, Speke, Liverpool · 50 min Wed 2, Fri 4 and Thu 10 Dec; sessions 5.45–7.30pm and 7.15–9pm; cake and a hot drink first in the Home Farm Restaurant£10–25

Operation Elf: Save Christmas - festive play space Quarry Bank, Styal, Wilmslow · 15 min Daily 10.30am-4pm (closed some days; check calendar); 4th floor of the Mill£10–25

Chester Winter Watch Parade (ghosts, dragons, Lord of Misrule, fire-breathing finale) Town Hall Square, Chester · 55 min Thu 3 and Thu 10 Dec, 7pm from Town Hall Square; sword fights and fire in Eastgate StreetFree

Festively Floral: Movie Magic Arley Hall & Gardens, Great Budworth, Cheshire · 25 min Fri 4 to Tue 8 Dec; hall 10am-3.30pm, choir at 11am and 2pm£10–25

Christmas concerts in the Great Hall (choirs, hand chimes, lute and flute) Rufford Old Hall, Rufford, near Ormskirk · 55 min Fri/Sat/Sun; mostly 11am–1pm (lute and flute Sundays 11am–3.30pm; Preston Orpheus Choir Sat 12 Dec 11.30 and 12.30); Great Hall holds 60 so arrive early£10–25

Misrule at Yule Little Moreton Hall, Congleton · 50 min 4-6, 11-13, 18-20 Dec, 10.30am-4pm; live music and jesters on weekends only£10–25

Stan's Secret Santa Saturday Manchester Museum, Manchester city centre · 25 min Sat 5 Dec, 11am-3pmFree

Storytime and Crafts with Mother Christmas Grosvenor Museum, Chester · 50 min Sat 11am–3pm; storytelling at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pmUnder £10

Father Christmas Experience at Bramall Hall Bramall Hall, Bramhall, Stockport · 25 min Sat 5 and Sun 6 Dec; timed slots from 10am£10–25

Festive Breakfast with Father Christmas Rufford Old Hall, Rufford, near Ormskirk · 50 min 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20 Dec; 10-11am single sitting£10–25

A Magical Meeting with Father Christmas at Hoghton Tower (Postmaster, Reindeer Keeper, Mrs Claus storytime) Hoghton Tower, Hoghton, Preston · 55 min Sat 5, Sun 6, Sat 12, Sun 13, Sat 19, Sun 20 and Mon 21 Dec; timed slots; tearoom 10am-4pm; Sun 20 Dec also farmers' market (£3/car site fee)£10–25

The Eureka! Christmas Experience (private meet with Santa) Eureka! The National Children's Museum, Halifax · 50 min 5-6, 12-13 and 18 Dec, then daily 19-23 Dec; timed slots, 12 families per slot£10–25

Festive Boat Trips and Santa's Grotto Experience National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port · 45 min 5-6 Dec, 12-13 Dec and 19-24 Dec, 10am-4pm£10–25

Story Time with Santa at Liverpool Town Hall Liverpool Town Hall, Liverpool city centre · 55 min Selected dates; sessions about 45-60 minutes; sensory-friendly session usually offered£10–25

A Very Merry Christmas at Eureka! (Gruffalo's Child storytelling, trail) Eureka! The National Children's Museum, Halifax · 50 min December weekends, daily 18-23 Dec and 28 Dec-3 Jan; storytelling 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm£10–25

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

Victorian Father Christmas at Samlesbury Hall Samlesbury Hall, Samlesbury, Preston · 60 min Sundays 6 and 13 Dec only, 11am-4pm, timed slots; private 5-minute meeting for 1-4 children aged 10 and underUnder £10

Brunch with Santa in the Refectory Chester Cathedral Refectory · 55 min Sun 6, 13 and 20 Dec, sittings 9am-11.30am; also Thu 24 Dec from 8.30am; ages 1-10; Afternoon Tea with Santa on 6 and 20 Dec 1.30-3pm£10–25

Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs Aviva Studios, Manchester · 25 min Tue 8 Dec - Wed 6 Jan£10–25

David Bowie: You're Not Alone (Lightroom immersive show) Aviva Studios, Manchester · 30 min Slots every 30 mins; one-hour loop; daytime slots all ages, 6pm onwards 12+£25+

'Twas the Night Before Christmas (immersive Victorian Christmas Eve market in the Stable Yard, LJMU students) Croxteth Hall, Croxteth, Liverpool · 50 min Thu 10 and Fri 11 Dec 6pm; Sat 12 Dec 1pm and 4pm; outdoors, bring a torchSelling fastUnder £10

Christmas at Wythenshawe Hall (hall dressed for Christmas, Santa's grotto) Wythenshawe Hall · 15 min Sat 12 and Sun 13 Dec; usual open-day hours 11am-4pm; 2026 prices to be confirmed (last time £3 entry, grotto £3.50 per child, grotto queue closes 2pm)Under £10

Santa Special train ride with Santa in a replica miners' cottage Lancashire Mining Museum, Astley, Wigan · 25 min Sat 12 and Sun 13 Dec; times not yet published; open carriages so wrap upUnder £10

Father Christmas at Smithills Hall (grotto with elves and photos) Smithills Hall, Bolton · 45 min Date unconfirmed · Planned days 12, 13, 15, 18, 19 and 20 Dec incl. a My First Father Christmas (0-3) day and SEND days; public times and prices not yet publishedNot on sale yet£10–25

Christmas at The Works (Santa's grotto, frosty science, letters to Santa, carols, free crafts) Lion Salt Works, Northwich · 30 min Sun 11am–4pm; grotto and science sessions are timed and bookableUnder £10

A Christmas Carol (A Place For Us Theatre Company) Norton Priory Museum & Gardens, Runcorn · 40 min Wed 16 – Fri 18 Dec, 6pm or 7.45pm; 60 minutes£10–25

Goofus Theatre: Stars and Stones (puppet show in the Space Dome) Jodrell Bank, Goostrey, Macclesfield · 35 min Sat 19 and Sun 20 Dec, showings 11.15am, 12.45pm and 2.30pmUnder £10

A Christmas Carol performed by Gerald Charles Dickens (great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens) The Stoller Hall, Manchester city centre · 25 min Sun 20 Dec, 2.30pm matinee (doors 2pm) and 7.30pm£10–25

January 2027

Relaxed Visits to Jodrell Bank (quieter early opening, first Sunday of the month) Jodrell Bank, Goostrey, Macclesfield · 35 min Sun 3 Jan, Sun 7 Feb and Sun 7 Mar; 10am-11am relaxed session with reduced sound and lights, relaxed showing of the intro film at 10.15am, quiet space£10–25

The Brain Bending Science Illusion Show The Lowry, Salford Quays · 18 min Sun 1.30pm-3pm (Quays Theatre)£10–25

For the Love of the Force (independent Star Wars fan convention: cosplay, props, guests) Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Stretford · 25 min Sat 30 & Sun 31 Jan, 9am-6pm (last entry 4.30pm)£10–25

February 2027

Snowdrop Tour and Breakfast at Rufford Old Hall Rufford Old Hall, Rufford, near Ormskirk · 55 min Fri 5 Feb and Fri 12 Feb only; meet in tearoom 10am, breakfast barm then 10.30am guided snowdrop walk, finishes 11.30am£10–25

Arley Hall open for February half term (hall tours with the gardens) Arley Hall & Gardens, Great Budworth, Northwich · 25 min Sat 13, Sun 14 and Mon 15 Feb; hall 10am-3.30pm (last entry 3pm); gardens 10am-5pm£10–25

Draw a Line in the Sand: free February half-term family art activities Tate Liverpool + RIBA North · 55 min Daily 10am–4pmFree

Ministry of Science LIVE: Science Saved The World Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent · 55 min Tue 16 Feb 2027 (Feb half-term), 4pm£10–25

March 2027

Ministry of Science LIVE: Science Saved The World Parr Hall, Warrington · 30 min Sun 7 Mar 2027, 3.30pm£10–25

Bricks & Paper: A Story in Light (outdoor projection show on Elizabeth Gaskell's House, two nights only) Elizabeth Gaskell's House, Manchester (Longsight / Victoria Park) · 30 min Fri 12 and Sat 13 Mar, 6.30pm–9pmFree

Arley Hall open on Mother's Day weekend Arley Hall & Gardens, Great Budworth, Northwich · 25 min Sat 13, Sun 14 (Mother's Day) and Mon 15 Mar; hall 10am-4.30pm (last entry 4pm)£10–25

Easter Organ Coffee Morning (free Compton organ concert) Stockport Plaza · 30 min Easter Saturday 11am-2pm, drop inFree

The Ultimate Bubble Show (Ray Bubbles) The Met, Bury · 40 min Sat 27 Mar 2027, 1pm (approx 65 mins)£10–25

April 2027

The Space Explorers Academy (Science Museum / UK Space Agency live show, ages 6-12) Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton · 40 min Fri 9 Apr (Easter holidays), 12.30pm£10–25

Natural History Museum Presents Dinosaurs Live Buxton Opera House · 45 min Sun 11 Apr 2027, 12.30pm£10–25

Bluebell Tour and Breakfast at Rufford Old Hall Rufford Old Hall, Rufford, near Ormskirk · 55 min Mon 19 Apr and Mon 26 Apr only; meet in tearoom 9.30am, breakfast then 10am guided bluebell walk, finishes 11am£10–25

Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain (Birmingham Stage Company, with 3D effects) Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, Wirral · 60 min Fri 30 Apr to Sun 2 May 2027 (early May bank holiday weekend); various times, about 2 hours£10–25

May 2027

The Night Sky Show: A Sky Full of Hope (astronomer Adrian West) The Lowry, Salford Quays · 18 min Date unconfirmed · Sun; show times not yet published£10–25

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway 1940s Weekend (steam, swing bands, re-enactors, vintage vehicles) Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, Keighley / Haworth · 75 min Fri 14 – Sun 16 May; trains all day, times to be publishedNot on sale yet£10–25

Natural History Museum Presents Dinosaurs Live Parr Hall, Warrington · 30 min Sat 15 May 2027, 3.30pm£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

June 2027

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

Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain (Birmingham Stage Company) Opera House Manchester · 30 min Thu 24 Jun 1.30pm; Fri 25 Jun 10.30am & 6.30pm; Sat 26 Jun 2.30pm & 6.30pm£10–25

July 2027

Manchester International Festival 2027 (20th anniversary) Aviva Studios, Manchester city centre · 25 min 1-18 Jul 2027; family programme not yet announcedNot on sale yetUnder £10

Manchester Science Festival 2027 (20th anniversary summer festival) Science and Industry Museum, Manchester · 25 min Sat 24 – Tue 28 Jul 2027, with activities continuing to 31 AugFree