kidzdays

Things to do with under fives in Rochdale

Rhyme times, toddler sessions, stay and play and everything else that genuinely works with a pre-schooler in and around Rochdale.

10 events6 free

Under 5s in Rochdale

Bookstart Bear Club and Boogie Babies at Rochdale libraries

Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside (Bookstart Bear Club); Langley Library, Windermere Road, Middleton (Boogie Babies)
Fridays in term time, 9.45am to 10.30am

Bookstart Bear Club at Rochdale Central Library on Fridays in term time, 9.45am to 10.30am, for toddlers up to pre-school. Free, but book a ticket per child. Children collect stamps in a Bookstart passport.

Free, booking neededBook onlineIndoor option
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Spooktacular Half Term at Rochdale Town Hall

Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AZ
Daily, 26 October to 1 November, 10am to 4pm

Rochdale Town Hall runs free family Halloween activities every day of half term, 26 October to 1 November, 10am to 4pm. No booking. The exact activities are still to be announced on its social channels.

FreeJust turn upIndoor option
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Fun For Little Ones: live tribute to Ms Rachel

Middleton Arena, Middleton · Rochdale
Sunday 1 November, 1pm

A live Ms Rachel tribute show for toddlers at Middleton Arena on Sunday 1 November at 1pm, with sing-alongs and plenty of joining in. Under 12 months go free on a paying adult's lap. From £19.43.

From £19.43Book onlineIndoor option
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Middleton Bonfire and Fireworks

Bowlee Community Park, Heywood Old Road, Middleton · Rochdale
Monday 2 November: funfair from 6pm, bonfire 7pm, fireworks 7.30pm

The first of Rochdale Council's three free school-night bonfires, with a reduced-noise display set to music at 7.30pm and a funfair from 6pm. There are no toilets on site, which is the practical point that matters with small children.

FreeJust turn up
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Rochdale Libraries Story Time at Rochdale Town Hall

Reading corner, Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AZ
First Monday of the month, 11am to 12pm

A monthly story session for pre-school children in the reading corner at Rochdale Town Hall, first Monday of the month at 11am, so 2 November, 7 December and 4 January. £2.10 a child, adults free.

£2.10 a child, adults freeBook onlineIndoor option
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Heywood Bonfire and Fireworks

Queen's Park Road, opposite Queen's Park, Heywood · Rochdale
Tuesday 3 November: funfair from 6pm, bonfire 7pm, fireworks 7.30pm

Free council bonfire with a reduced-noise display set to music, so it is kinder on small ears and on the dog left at home. No parking and no toilets on site: walk there, and go before you leave the house.

FreeJust turn up
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Rochdale Bonfire and Fireworks

Cronkeyshaw Common, Syke, Rochdale
Wednesday 4 November: from 6pm, bonfire 7pm, fireworks 7.30pm

The last of Rochdale Council's three free nights, on Cronkeyshaw Common, with the bonfire at 7pm and a reduced-noise display set to music at 7.30pm. No onsite parking and no toilets, so treat it as a walk-in, walk-out evening.

FreeJust turn up
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Ignite Fire Festival and Rochdale Christmas Lights Switch-On

Rochdale Memorial Gardens, The Esplanade (opposite Rochdale Town Hall), OL16 1AZ
Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November, 5pm to 8pm

Rochdale's Ignite Fire Festival and Christmas lights switch-on fills the Memorial Gardens opposite the Town Hall, 20 to 22 November, 5pm to 8pm each evening. Free, for all ages, just turn up.

FreeJust turn up
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Cinderella: Middleton's Christmas Panto 2026

Middleton Arena, Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton · Rochdale
Selected dates, 26 November to 28 December

Middleton Arena's family panto is Cinderella, 26 November to 28 December, with Amy Dowden as the Fairy Godmother from 20 December. Suitable for all ages. Avoid the separate adults-only panto on 4 and 5 December.

From £17.33Book onlineIndoor option
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