What’s On for Families in Manchester

Looking for family-friendly events happening in Manchester?

Having kids of various ages, we know it’s not easy to find great events to suit the whole family.

Whether you’re planning a day out this weekend, looking ahead to the school holidays, or just want to know what’s going on with kids in mind, this is your go-to guide.

Here, Family On The What’s On guides focus on events — from one-day activities, seasonal and special things happening across Manchester and Greater Manchester. From pop-up activities and workshops to theatre shows, festivals and free community events, we keep track of what’s happening so you don’t have to.

This page acts as the main hub for all of our family-friendly event guides. From here, you can explore what’s on month by month, browse upcoming shows, or jump straight to seasonal highlights.

The event guides are updated often, so keep checking back

Monthly What’s On Guides

Our monthly round-ups are the best place to find out what’s happening right now.

Each month, we publish a dedicated guide packed with family-friendly events across Manchester. These include indoor and outdoor activities, free and cheap events, family shows and special one-off experiences. We update these guides regularly as new events are announced, making them ideal for planning days out throughout the month.

Browse >>> What’s On in Manchester by Month

Find Events Near You in Manchester

If you’d rather search by location than by date, our general what’s on section makes it easy to find events happening near you.

This section lets you browse events across different areas of Manchester and Greater Manchester, helping you discover family-friendly activities close to home — perfect for last-minute plans or exploring something new in your local area.

Find >>> Events Near You in Manchester

Family Theatre Shows & Live Entertainment

Manchester has a brilliant family theatre scene, with everything from large-scale touring shows and pantomimes to smaller performances created especially for younger audiences.

Our theatre and shows guide brings together family-friendly productions happening across Manchester, helping you find shows suitable for different ages — from toddlers and primary-aged children to tweens and teens.

Explore >>> Family Theatre Shows in Manchester

Festivals, Fairs & Special Events

Throughout the year, Manchester hosts a wide range of family-friendly festivals, fairs and themed events. These include seasonal celebrations, cultural festivals, outdoor events and large-scale attractions hosting special family days.

You’ll find these featured within our monthly guides and highlighted during key times of the year, making it easy to spot something a little different for your next family outing.

Read >>> Family Festivals, Fun Fairs and Carnivals In Manchester 

Free & Community Events for Families

Not all family days out need to be expensive. Manchester is home to a wide variety of free and low-cost events, from museum activities and library workshops to community celebrations and drop-in sessions.

We regularly feature free community events within our monthly round-ups and budget-friendly guides, helping families enjoy great days out without stretching the budget.

Discover Free and Cheap Things To Do in Manchester

School Holidays & Seasonal Highlights

During the school holidays, Manchester’s event calendar gets even busier. To keep things simple, we create separate guides for each school holiday and major seasonal period.

These guides include larger attractions, extended events and holiday-specific activities, and they sit alongside our monthly what’s on round-ups rather than replacing them.

• February Half Term
• Easter Holidays
• May Half Term
• Summer Holidays
• October Half Term
• Christmas in Manchester

Looking for Everyday Things To Do?

If you’re searching for permanent attractions, indoor play centres, parks, museums or everyday days out, our Ultimate Guide to Things To Do with Kids in Manchester is the perfect next stop.

Explore Things To Do with Kids in Manchester

Make sure to bookmark this page and check back regularly — new family-friendly events are added all the time.