Last Updated on 20 July 2026 by Colette
This post features a gifted experience & affiliate links
If you’re starting to think about making plans for the summer holidays, I thought I’d put together a list of great things to do in Manchester this summer. Whether you are looking for something to do on a sunny summer weekend or something to keep the kids busy during the summer holidays, it is worth thinking ahead as everywhere seems to be booked up so much earlier these days!
I’ve put summer holiday specific events at the start followed by more general suggestions of things to do in Manchester this summer – I have tried to put the events in chronological order but to be honest I think you’ll need to just scroll through and see what takes your fancy or hit up the contents button as lots of events are repeated through the holidays in 2026!
(Click here for cheap or free things to do in Manchester this summer or I’ve got a whole post of outdoor theatre events in Manchester here.)
I will keep updating this post as more details on summer events and activities in Manchester becomes available but please do make sure you check with individual venues for the most up to date information.
Contents - Click here to jump to the section you need
Cool things to do in Manchester this summer holidays with kids of all ages!
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Quarry Bank – Saturday 23rd May to Sunday 6th September 2026
Calling Pokémon fans new and old! This summer holidays, get active outdoors on a Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution Trail at Quarry Bank. Team up as a family to search the gardens for each Mega Evolution Pokémon, discover their powers, and complete your own challenges.
Are you ready for a mega adventure? Trail sheets will be available to collect on the day.
This trail is free to take part however normal admission applies (free for National Trust members).
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Dunham Massey – Saturday 10th July to Sunday 6th September 2026
This summer holidays, get active outdoors on a Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution Trail at Dunham Massey. Flex your skills, discover Pokemon zones and collect Mega Evolution stickers!
Are you ready for a mega adventure? Trail sheets will be available to collect on the day.
This trail is free to take part however normal admission applies (free for National Trust members).
Pigs Galore at Tatton Park – Saturday 11th July 2026
Strictly speaking this event is probably before the summer holidays for most but what the heck, I’m including it anyway.
Pigs Galore is a two hour workshop giving you the chance to spend time with a member of the knowledgeable Tatton Park Farm team, learning all about the rare breed pigs including feeding, care, breeding and pig keeping legislation.
The session is suitable for everyone, including those who are looking to keep their own animals, aspiring farmers and of course, those who have a passion for animals.
It’s worth pointing out that Pigs Galore is for children and adults age 12+ so not one for younger pig fans but Dave and Chloe did it a couple of years ago and absolutely loved it!
Book tickets for Pigs Galore at Tatton Park priced at £25 per person.
Summer of Play at Quarry Bank – Saturday 18th July to Tuesday 1st September 2026
With a mini obstacle course, hay bale maze, natural art, and traditional garden games there is something for everyone to enjoy on the Mill Meadow this summer. There will even be a stage for your little ones to put on their very own performances!
Explore the site and have a go at building your own Mill, try to find the secret music glade in the gardens or discover your favourite Georgian parlour game in Quarry Bank House.
With a changing programme of events from puppet shows to storytelling, and wild art to teddy bears picnics, Quarry Bank are set to offer a summer filled with play and fun for all the family.
Activities are free to both members and none members however standard admission fees do apply. Pre-booking is not required.
Three Cheers for Pooh! Garden Story Trail at Tatton Park – from Saturday 18th July to Sunday 6th September 2026
Right through the summer holidays, Tatton Park are hosting a brand new Three Cheers for Pooh! Garden Story Trail in celebration of 100 years of Pooh!
Standard parkland, farm and garden entry fees apply. Garden entry is free for National Trust and RHS members.
Wild Things exhibition at Lowry Arts Centre – from Saturday 18th July to Sunday 1st November 2026
This free exhibition celebrating animals in children’s books opens at The Lowry Arts Centre just in time for the summer holidays. The exhibition features beloved classics including Elmer, Dear Zoo, Owl Babies, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, to new favourites, including Time for Bed, Fred!, The Steves; and The Great Unicorn Rescue
The exhibition also includes lots of fun interactives and games designed especially for under‑7s including the Bee Calm Spa, Vera’s Veggie Delights Stall, and The Furry Wardrobe.
Although this exhibition is free, you are required to book timed entry slots and of course donations are welcome.
Summer Fair at Trafford Centre – Saturday 18th July to Monday 31st August 2026
This summer, the Summer Fair (previously known as Summer Daze or even Bright Lights, Big Fun) returns to the Trafford Centre outside the Great Hall with a 600 square metre beach and splash pool!
Entry to this summer event costs £2.50 per person (if booked in advance) or £3.50 on the door. Ride tokens are purchased separately and have the potential to change this from a very cheap day out in Manchester to quite an expensive one so if you’re on a tight budget, you’re going to need to stand firm on not adding extra rides or food.
You can pre-book Summer Fair tickets here
Summer holiday fun at RHS Bridgewater – Saturday 18th July to Monday 31st August 2026
There is so much to do at RHS Garden Bridgewater this summer with the new Brick Explorers adventure featuring incredible wildlife sculptures and creative builds!
Enjoy a fun-filled family adventure celebrating the amazing biodiversity found in the RHS Bridgewater gardens. Discover wildlife superhero sculptures made from hundreds of thousands of bricks, pick up an activity booklet packed with fun facts and challenges, follow the wildlife superhero trail and get creative at the interactive brick building station – all inspired by the plants, animals and fungi that call the Bridgewater gardens home.
Check out the full timetable of activities at RHS Garden Bridgewater here. – Most activities are included with garden admission (though some attract a small fee and need pre-booking) Garden admission is free to RHS members and children under 5.
Open Air Bounce, Bolton – Saturday 18th July to Saturday 30th August 2026
Open Air Bounce returns to Bolton for the summer holidays, with sessions running daily from Saturday 18th July to Saturday 30th August. If you’re planning a visit, you can save 25% on tickets every Tuesday and Wednesday using the code Summer26.
Set on Umberton Farm in Over Hulton (near our favourite ice cream spot – Milk Maids!), the outdoor attraction features 15 giant inflatables, including bouncy castles, slides and obstacle courses. There’s also a sandy play area, small fairground rides and picnic benches, making it easy to spend a few hours here as a family.
Tickets for Open Air Bounce cost £12.95 for children aged four and over, £9.95 for ages one to three, while babies under 12 months go free in the under-threes area. Adults who aren’t bouncing pay £2.50. Tickets are valid for two and a half hours play with sessions starting at 11am and 2.30pm. Parking is included.
From Here to There: a trail for children at Dunham Massey – Monday 20th July to Sunday 1st November 2026
This year, children are invited to take a journey through the historic house at Dunham Massey, accompanied by Speechly the Pineapple.
Pick up your Pineapple Passport from the entrance of the house, spot the suitcase stacks, and collect a stamp for your passport.
The trail is free to take part with no booking required. Standard National Trust admission charges apply.
Summer of Play at Dunham Massey – Saturday 18th July to Sunday 30th August 2026
Dunham Massey’s Play, Everyday programme brings a daily dose of playful happenings and activities, every single day of the summer holidays.
Summer of Play – Movement Mondays: Head to Dunham Massey this summer and join a family-friendly dance workshop with Street Style Surgery. The drop-in sessions are a great way for children to learn some new moves, build confidence and burn off a bit of energy.
Each workshop lasts around 45 minutes and takes place at 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm on Mondays from Monday 20th July to Monday 24th August 2026. No booking is needed – simply drop in and join the next session.
Summer of Play – Circus Tuesdays: Drop in and have a go at a range of circus skills with The Circus House. These free workshops give children and adults the chance to try activities such as balancing, spinning and twirling, with friendly instructors on hand to help.
The sessions are suitable for beginners, so no previous experience is needed. Workshops run from 11am to 3pm, with no booking required – just turn up and join in.
Summer of Play – Yoga Wednesdays: As part of this year’s Summer of Play, Dunham Massey invite you to move, stretch and unwind with uplifting sessions combining movement and mindfulness through fun and engaging activities.
Drop-in workshops (approx. 45 mins) at 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm & 2.30pm.
Summer of Play – Arty Thursdays: Dunham Massey invites you to unleash your creativity with drop-in art workshops this summer holidays.
Summer of Play – Fancy Dress Fridays: Let your imagination take over for Fancy Dress Friday – head down to Dunham Massey in your favourite fancy dress or find a costume to borrow from the baskets in the Play Hub.
Meet at the Big Tipi at 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm & 2.30pm for a costume parade.
Summer of Play – Storytelling Weekends: As part of this year’s Summer of Play, Dunham Massey invites you to join one of their skilled storytellers for a moment of engaging narratives and creativity.
Storytimes take place on weekends at 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm & 2.30pm.
The event is free to take part with no booking required. Standard National Trust admission charges apply.
For the latest announcements related to Summer of Play, follow Dunham Massey on Facebook and Instagram.
Summer of Play at Dunham Massey runs from Saturday 20th July to Sunday 30th August 2026 and is included with admission to the park and gardens. Free to National Trust members.
Come to the Beach, Heaton Park – Saturday 18th July to Sunday 30th August 2026
The North West’s biggest beach lands at Heaton Park for summer! Arriving on Saturday 18th July and hanging out until Sunday 30th August, there’s a fun-filled family funfair with a giant beach area, complete with deck chairs, buckets and spades, children’s entertainment and character appearances at the weekend! Entry is free but charges apply to rides and on-site purchases. Keep an eye on Carousel Funfairs Facebook page for more information.
Farmlife Festival at Cockfields Farm, Oldham – Sunday 25th July to Sunday 30th August 2026
This summer, Cockfields Farm, Oldham will be hosting their very own Farmlife Festival throughout the holidays – a celebration of all things fun, farm and family.
Tickets for Farmlife Festival are available now and must be pre-booked due to limited capacity. Tickets are priced from £8.95 per person.
You can read more about visiting Cockfields Farm here:
Cockfields Farm – Review & Tips
K-Pop Sunset Party Night at Cockfields Farm – Saturday 25th July 2026
Cockfields Farm are hosting a K-Pop Sunset Party this summer!
Your ticket also includes access to the Farm Park before the event with all its usual activities including Cuddle Corner, Party Tractor, Animal Feeding, Reptile Encounters, Carousel, go karts and bouncy pillow.
Book tickets for K-Pop Sunset Party at Cockfields Farm for £14.95 per person.
You can read more about visiting Cockfields Farm here:
Cockfields Farm – Review & Tips
Summer of Adventure at Farm at Tatton Park – from Tuesday 28th July to Friday 28th August 2026 (the farm is closed on Mondays)
Head down to Tatton Park this summer holidays to meet YouTube sensation, Little Grey Fergie! He’s a small tractor with a big character and heart. He’s happy and curious and loves to help. The Farm remains Fergie’s home for 2026.
Standard Parkland and Farm entry apply. You can book tickets for the Gardens, Farm and Mansion now and enjoy 10% off Parkland, Gardens, Farm and Mansion visit when you book 3 days or more in advance.
Junior Longbow at Tatton Park – Thursday 30th July / Friday 14th August 2026
Head to Tatton park for an exciting Junior Longbow session this summer holidays where you will learn about the history of the longbow and other weapons used in the past as well as get the chance to shoot the English longbow like a Medieval archer.
This event is strictly for young people aged 8 – 15 years old, due to strict health and safety guidance and group size is limited to 12.
Book tickets for Junior Longbow priced at £30 per person. Ticket price includes park entry and one spectator pass. Additional spectator passes can be purchased for £5 per person (if you’re travelling separately, the park entry fee will apply).
Farm Fest at Reddish Vale Farm – Saturday 1st to Monday 31st August 2026
This summer holidays, Reddish Vale Farm is bringing fairground rides, entertainment, popcorn, candyfloss and even a beach area with deckchairs to add to all the usual Reddish Vale Farm fun including small animal handling, tractor rides and outdoor adventure play. (Make sure you treat yourself to a Grandpa Greene’s ice cream while you are there too!)
Tickets for the Reddish Vale Farm Fest event must be pre-booked are priced at £12.50 for adults and £12.50 for children. In order to reduce the ticket prices and give the best value to families, fairground rides are no longer included in the ticket price. Ride tokens can be purchased on the day.
You can read more about Reddish Vale Farm here:
Reddish Vale Farm – Perfect for Under 5s
Emergency Services Day at Trafford Centre – Thursday 6th August 2026
Although it’s not something I’ve been to myself, when my kids were little, Emergency Services Day was a staple in our childminder’s calendar!
Emergency Services Day at the Trafford Centre is a free family event celebrating the emergency services. The event takes place on car parks 10 & 11 outside The Great Hall (which is a change to previous years).
Expect to see up to 100 emergency services vehicles with displays and demonstrations, character experiences, bands and a choirs.
The Dino Adventure at East Lancs Railway – Friday 7th / Sunday 16th August 2026
Here’s an adventure for the dinosaur fans . . . and we know there are lots of them!
Join the East Lancs Railway for a Jurassic adventure where you can interact with baby dinosaurs and learn about them from expert handlers.
This family-friendly, interactive experience includes a return trip from Bury to Rawtenstall on a dino-proofed steam train, a two-hour dinosaur experience with with “expert rex wranglers and triceratops tamers”, dinosaur-themed activities, and plenty of photo opportunities.
This dinosaur themed experience is aimed at children age 5 – 12 but everyone is welcome!
Book tickets for the ELR Dino Adventure priced from £17.50 per person.
Dear Zoo at The Lowry – Tuesday 11th August to Sunday 16th August 2026
Dear Zoo the timeless children’s classic book returns to the stage!
See the characters write to the Zoo. Who will be delivered? A cheeky monkey, a jumpy frog and of course a perfect puppy.
Help your children learn as the book leaps onto the stage and share a magical experience as the story unfolds with child-engaging puppets, music and lots of audience interaction.
Running time is 55 minutes with no interval and all ages are welcome.
Villain Academy at East Lancs Railway – Thursday 13th August 2026
Join the East Lancs Railway for a Villainous adventure where you will unleash your inner baddie as you train with the most diabolical, devious and downright dastardly villains
This interactive experience includes a return trip from Bury to Rawtenstall and a roughly two-hour Villain experience with colourful characters, themed activities and plenty of photo opportunities.
This experience is aimed at children age 5 – 12 but everyone is welcome!
Book tickets for Villain Academy priced from £18 per person.
Raver Tots at Freight Island – Monday 31st August 2026
Raver Tots comes to Manchester for the ultimate indoor family dance party playing the best in house, garage and drum & bass.
The headline artists and performers have yet to be announced but you can expect a huge effects show throughout the event with dancers, performers, cold pyro, bubbles, festival sized confetti blasts, multi coloured lasers and lighting, parachute games, giant balloons, licensed bar and face painting!
Raver Tots events typically sell out so if you want in on this one, get it booked sooner rather than later.
Book tickets for Raver Tots priced from £16 per person.
Watch the cinema in the open air! – Various locations and dates through summer 2026
There are so many different outdoor cinema options in Manchester this summer showing a range of family friendly films (and some not so family friendly ones too!). From the end of May through to the middle of September, there’s plenty of chance to get out and watch a film under the stars.
You can find out more about what’s on in Manchester this summer here:
Outdoor cinema events in Manchester this summer
Treetop Trek at Zip World Manchester
While you’re at Heaton Park, why not book in a tree based adventure with a Treetop Trek experience. With a Full Trek through the trees featuring high rope adventures, aerial challenges and zip lines priced at £25 for children (age 7+) and £33 for adults (age 16+) or a Mini Trek with lower level treetop adventures, aerial challenges and zip lines priced at £18 for children and adults. If zip lines and high ropes aren’t your bag, why not looking at booking Treetop Nets with giant, bouncy nets, slides, treehouses, tunnels and ball zones priced at £13 for supervisors and under 5s or £20 for anyone over 5.
Tickets for Zip World Manchester are available here.
Read more about Zip World Manchester here:
Treetop Nets, Heaton Park – Review
Clip ‘n’ Climb Summer holiday fun at Summit Up, Oldham
With one of the biggest Clip ‘n’ Climb arenas in the UK, traditional bouldering and climbing walls and even a soft play, there’s plenty going on at Summit Up to keep your little ones busy!
You can find more info and book your climbing sessions here.
You can read more about Summit Up, Oldham here:
Summit Up Climbing Centre, Oldham – Review
or you can find alternative indoor climbing centres in Manchester here.
Spend a day in Heaton Park
About 5 miles north of Manchester, Heaton Park is the largest municipal park in Europe and one of our favourite places in Manchester. Despite having regularly visited the park for around ten years – there are still parts of the park we have never explored.
Featuring open grassy spaces perfect for picnics, wooded areas, a large lake and multiple play areas as well as a small farm and café there is plenty to keep you busy all day! You’ll usually find an ice cream van or two as well. Heaton Park is accessible by tram and also has a number of inexpensive car parks (around £3 for the whole day) which can be paid for by cash or card or over the phone. (They are super hot on fining people who haven’t paid so don’t risk it!)
Heaton Park can get super busy to we do recommend getting there first thing to park stress free and make the most of the play areas before they are heaving – why not have a breakfast picnic?
You can read more about visiting Heaton Park here:
10 reasons you’ll love Heaton Park
Heaton Park Boats
For something a bit different, why not take a little boat trip on the lake in Heaton Park – this is one of those things our kids are always asking to do but we tend to put them off on the basis that we haven’t pre-booked or that there is too many of us (we are a family of five and the boats hold a maximum of four people), however I think I’m going to book them a session on the lake with their Dad this summer (he will have a far better chance of rowing them around the lake than I will!)
There’s three types of Heaton Park Boats – a 4-seater swan, a 4 seater pedal boat or a 4-seater rowing boat. The boats are hired per 25 minutes and are slightly cheaper Monday to Thursday. Your Heaton Park Boat experience can be booked online ahead of time to ensure availability.
StreetHunt Games in Manchester City Centre
StreetHunt Games is a new and exciting outdoor alternative to an escape room. StreetHunt Games is an outdoor, self-guided mystery experience – part escape room, part detective mystery played out on the streets of Manchester, entirely via your phone!
Find out more about StreetHunt Games here:
Treasure Trail around the city centre
A Treasure Trail is a great way to explore Manchester and the surrounding area. There are 6 self-guided Treasure Trails to choose from in Greater Manchester, and hundreds more across the UK. There’s no need to pre-book – simply choose your trail (Treasure Trails cost £9.99), print it out and you’re ready to go explore! Use code RaF-5233635590189Ra to earn 10 footsteps on your Treasure Trail account if you’re a new customer.
Each Treasure Trail is a carefully planned adventure (usually covering a couple of miles) packed with clues, challenges and clever stories to keep you entertained. Our three love to get into character as sneaky spies to solve the mysteries – and you’d be surprised how much fun they are for adults too! (There’s even the chance to win a prize once you’ve completed your trail and solved the puzzle!)
Have a go at roller-skating
There are lots of different places to go roller skating in Manchester and it makes a great option for those summer holiday days where the weather isn’t perhaps being so kind!
Where to go roller skating in Manchester
Visit BEYOND near the Trafford Centre
There’s plenty to keep your occupied at Beyond near the Trafford Centre – you might know the building better as Chill Factore but actually that’s just a part of the whole complex. Within BEYOND there is Play Factore – possibly the biggest soft play centre we’ve ever visited (and definitely one of the most expensive) and then of course Chill Factore itself where you can have snow boarding or skiing lessons or just play in the snow! Next door you will also find iFLY which we plan to try out in the next couple of months!
Dinofalls Adventure Golf, Trafford City
Dinofalls Adventure Golf is situated just off the M60 and is part of the Trafford Golf Centre. Featuring 18 holes of dinosaur themed crazy golf, and costing £28 for a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) – Dinofalls Adventure Golf is good fun for all ages and my little gang were super excited when I finally took them to “the dinosaur place” they had seen from the motorway every time we went to the Trafford Centre!
Read more about Dinofalls Adventure Golf here or check out this list of places to play crazy golf with kids in Manchester
Smithills Farm, Bolton
Smithills Farm has been a long time favourite in our family – mainly because they are a dairy focussed farm and Amy can spend a full two hours watching the herd be milked! However, if you’re not quite as cow obsessed as our Amy, there is still plenty to do at Smithills Farm – from donkey rides to petting sessions where you can meet baby animals, hold chicks and rabbits or even feed the lambs if time your visit right in the year.
Ice skating at Planet Ice in Altrincham or Blackburn
Planet Ice have two venues that are reasonably accessible if you live in the Greater Manchester area – one in Altrincham and one in Blackburn. Planet Ice offer general admission, public skates most days. We actually booked a 3 day ice skating course for February half term a couple of years ago and it was so much fun – all five of us were so much more confident on the ice after our course and said we’d definitely book another one as we felt it was something the kids would continue to enjoy as they got older too!
Below you’ll find a list of events that took place in Manchester last summer but which have not yet been confirmed for summer 2026 – keep checking back for updates!
Have a day out with Thomas on The East Lancs Railway – Saturday 2nd / Sunday 3rd August 2025
Thomas himself is waiting for you on the East Lancashire Railway this August!
Your adventure starts at Bury Bolton Street Station, where you can arrive up to 45 minutes before your scheduled entry time. You’ll meet Sir Topham Hatt, greet Thomas, and then board a train pulled by Thomas to Ramsbottom station. After a short break, a diesel train will bring you and Thomas back to Bury Bolton Street.
At Bury Transport Museum, (accessible with your Day Out With Thomas ticket), you’ll find Thomas-themed activities, including stories, performances by Rusty and Dusty, fun fair rides, face painting, and balloon modelling.
Book tickets for your Day out with Thomas
The Wizarding Adventure on East Lancashire Railway – Thursday 14th August 2025
Are you ready to attend your first day at the Grand Old School of Wizardry? This summer, join the East Lancs Railway for a two-hour spellbinding adventure of wizard themed activities and photo opportunities!
This interactive experience will see you take lessons in the basics of broomsticks, practice your potions, receive instruction in incantation and learn to talk like a tawny owl.
Tickets for the Wizarding Adventure are available to book online now priced at £17.50 for children and £20 for adults.
Peppa Pig Family Fun Day at Bury Transport Museum – Thursday 21st / Friday 22nd August 2025
Head down to Bury Transport Museum to meet Peppa Pig this summer – pick a time to suit when you book your tickets!
There will also be three fun fair rides for toddlers, face painting and craft activities included in your ticket price.
Book tickets for Peppa Pig Family Fun Day priced from £20 for adults and £17.50 for children (your ticket includes a ride on any train service on the day of your visit).
Check out these posts next:
Free or cheap things to do in Manchester this summer holidays
Open air theatre performances in Manchester this summer
Outdoor and pop up cinemas for summer 2026
Family friendly dog walks in the Manchester area
The best places for brunch in Manchester
If you’re in the market for somewhere new to live in Manchester, then check out Rentola – they’ve got you covered.
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