For when the forecast falls apart in and around Manchester. Everything here is under a roof, or has enough indoor space to be worth the drive anyway.
A free, low-key Halloween-season job for 5 to 12s: pick up a sheet at the welcome desk and make a skeleton mask inspired by a mysterious painting in Gallery One. Runs through half term and all of November.
Half term at Elizabeth Gaskell's House: a Cranford the Cat trail and a spooky sill haunter craft, free for under 16s with a paying adult. Open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday only, and you need to book.
Join us and Colibri Mexican Folkdance for a vibrant celebration of life, love, and remembrance!
Runs on 5 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 5 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 5 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 5 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 5 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Art Stars is a great activity for young people who enjoy making stuff!
Runs on 5 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 9 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 5 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 5 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 14 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 5 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 5 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 5 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 5 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 5 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 5 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 7 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 6 dates, with a relaxed or autism-friendly session. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Starts at 1pm. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 4 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 4 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 15 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 20 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 18 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 18 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Starts at 11.30am, with a relaxed or autism-friendly session. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Starts at 3pm. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 5 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Elizabeth Gaskell's House is dressed for a Victorian Christmas, with a festive family trail, dressing up and tiny book decorations to make. Children 12 and under go free with a paying adult. Pre-book.
Runs on 4 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
A 30-minute walk through themed rooms and elf missions, ending in Santa's cabin with a gift for every child. It has moved to the Corn Exchange this year, in the main atrium next to Mowgli, and the queue is indoors. Every child needs a ticket, babies included, and the professional photo with Santa is sold on the day.
Starts at 6.30pm. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Starts at 1.15pm. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Starts at 4.30pm. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 3 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Starts at 11am. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Starts at 11am. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Manchester's big city-centre panto, with Jason Manford and Ben Nickless back on the Opera House stage. Early December weekdays have 1pm shows as well as 7pm ones. Under 18 months can sit on your lap free with a babes-in-arms voucher.
The Hallé plays The Snowman score live to the film at the Bridgewater Hall on Sunday 6 December, at 1pm and 4pm, plus other festive film music. Child £18.75, adult £29, family of four £73.25.
Life-sized dinosaurs from the Prehistoric Planet series in an immersive LIGHTROOM show, narrated by Damian Lewis, that runs as a 50-minute loop you can walk into at any point. Children get up to 25% off and 2s and under go free. The evening slots from 6pm are not for younger children: the page calls them 12+ in one place and adults only in another, so book a daytime slot.
Runs on 14 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Chetham's Symphony Orchestra play a Christmas concert for families at the Stoller Hall, about an hour long and introducing the instruments. Best for children aged 7 and up.
Starts at 10am, with a relaxed or autism-friendly session. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
The Hallé's Christmas family concert at the Bridgewater Hall, a musical trip round the world in 80 minutes hosted by CBBC's Abby Cook. Get there early for the free activities in the foyer.
Starts at 9am. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Starts at 10am. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
RNCM Children's Packed Lunch Our children’s packed lunch is perfect for younger visitors and includes a sandwich, crisps, chocolate biscuit, and fruit.
Runs on 5 dates, with a relaxed or autism-friendly session. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 13 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 11 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 12 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 12 dates. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Runs on 2 dates, with a relaxed or autism-friendly session. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Starts at 4.45pm. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Starts at 1.30pm. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Starts at 1.15pm. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
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