July

July is here, and the school holidays are in full swing – lucky we have plenty of activities to keep children entertained! Festival season is here, so head to Altrincham for a celebration of all things French, or to Tatton Park for an explosion of American culture. For the creative among you, head to the Whitworth Art Gallery in search of treasure! And for a family fun day, why not see what the Cheadle Social Club has to offer.

3, 10, 17 July 2025, 10.30am for 0–1, 11.30am for 1–2
Babies Playtime
These classes are led by a professional early years practitioner and are an opportunity to have fun, sing, dance and make new friends. Classes last 45 minutes and are free for all. All attendees must book a ticket (including accompanying adult).
Suitable for ages 0 to 1 and 1 to 2.
Free, booking required
The Lowry Lookout
The Lowry, Salford Quays. Manchester
Tel: 0333 320 2838
www.thelowry.com

4, 11, 18 July, 10.30am – 11.15am, 11.30am – 12.15pm
Under 5s Little Creatives
A weekly creative session for toddlers and their adults! Includes music making, storytelling, dance and creative play. Sessions are 45 mins, are free for all and all attendees must book a ticket (including accompanying adult).
Suitable for ages 2-5.
Free, booking required
The Lowry, Salford Quays. Manchester
Tel: 0333 320 2838
www.thelowry.com

5 July, 10am-4pm with 10am-11am being quiet hour
Join Together Festival 2025
The festival will host activities, lots of different stalls and fun for the whole family!
Get ready for lots of food and drink stalls, ponies, animals, glitter, sensory experiences, fairground rides, yoga, story reading, games, live music and many more!
Together Trust campus,
Schools Hill, Cheadle SK8 1JE
Tel: 0161 283 4848
www.togethertrust.org.uk

5 July 2025
Feel Good Kids Art Club at Whitworth
Fun and expressive art and mindfulness session in the Whitworth’s peaceful Art Garden, Whitworth Park, and Clore Garden Studio. Aimed at ages 7-12, children will explore calming mindfulness techniques, all while connecting with nature and creating their own meaningful artwork.
Please bring weather-appropriate clothing and something to drink. All art materials are provided.
Free, booking required
Location: Clore Garden Studio & Whitworth Park
The Whitworth,
The University of Manchester,
Oxford Rd, Manchester M15 6ER
Tel: 0161 275 7450
www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/getinvolved/families/feelgoodkidsartclub/

5 – 6 July 10am – 4pm
Stars and Stripes, American Car Show
The Car Show is the biggest and best of its kind in the UK! From Mustangs and Corvettes, to Cadillacs, US motorcycles and American motorhomes – the show is packed full of American dream machines for you and your family to admire. The event is packed to the rafters with family entertainment including live music and a children’s funfair, as well as specialist traders, parts suppliers and jumble stands to help with your very own project.
Adult £11.50 (e-ticket), children under 16’s FREE, Tatton Park entry fees and car entry charges apply.
Tatton Park
Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN
Tel: 01507 529529 or 01625 374400
More info www.tattonstarsandstripes.com

6 July
Gatley Festival 2025
Gatley Carnival Parade and Family Fun Day, Bear and Music festivals, history walk, comedy evening, teddy bear picnic and varous children’s events, fairground rides and lots free entertainment and a record number of stalls. A lot of fun activities and things to do for kids and adults.
Parade starts at 12noon.
Gatley, Cheshire
www.facebook.com/gatleyfest

6 July, 2 – 4 pm
Summer Concert – Little Belters and Absolute Belters
Little Belters, the children’s choir for ages 4-11, has been working hard all year long, and they can’t wait to showcase their vocal talents. With choirs based in Altrincham, Chorlton, and Sale, these young performers will come together to share the songs they’ve been perfecting.
In addition Absolute Belters, the women’s choirs from Altrincham and Chorlton will delight the audience with a range of beloved classics that are sure to inspire. The end-of-year concert is always a heart-warming celebration of music, where both choirs come together to perform as one, creating a truly special community.
Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama,
The University of Manchester,
Oxford Rd,
Manchester M13 9PL
events.manchester.ac.uk/event/event:t38-madxz2iz-a06d3z/little-belters-and-absolute-belters-summer-concert-2025

7 July, 11am, 12noon for toddlers, 13.45pm, 14.45pm for babies
Music Makers
Monthly music and sensory play sessions for babies and toddlers.
For parents with both baby and toddler, babies may attend toddler sessions. The same does not apply in reverse, as toddlers tend to be more boisterous and we want to keep the baby sessions more relaxed.
Tickets: £5.00, 1 ticket admits 1 child plus accompanying adult
Barbirolli Room,
The Bridgewater Hall,
Lower Mosley Street,
Manchester M2 3WS
Tel: 0161 907 9000
www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk

11 July 2025, 10.30am – 2.30pm
PLAY days at Whitworth
A space for under 5s and their grown-ups to come together to play, be curious and be creative with simple, open-ended play resources. Whitworth’s School of Creativity space will be packed full of huge tubes and pipes, big boxes, crates, large reels, tyres, and lots more, creating a world of endless possibilities to explore and create.
The Whitworth,
The University of Manchester,
Oxford Rd, Manchester M15 6ER
Tel: 0161 275 7450
www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/getinvolved/families/playdays/

11 – 13 July, 12noon – 9pm (8pm on 13^th)
Foodies Festival
Throughout the 3-day weekend, visitors will enjoy a jam-packed schedule of TV cooking show champions and award-winning chefs in the interactive live theatres. Visitors can browse the latest food trends in the Shopping Village, meet local producers in the Artisan Market and taste exotic and unusual new dishes in the Feasting Tent. Other attractions include a fairground, children’s activities, and family-friendly areas.
Day tickets from £5 (child) and £23 (adult), 3-day weekend tickets from £46
Park entry fees applies.
Tatton Park
Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN
Tel: 0131 220 3276 or 01625 374400 (Tatton Park)
www.foodiesfestival.com

14 July 2025, 11 – 11.45am
Guided toddler walks
This is an opportunity for little ones to try walking on different surfaces for a sensory experience. These walks are led by the little adventurers, together with a guide they might spend time looking for leaves, playing pooh sticks or watching wildlife. These walks will go ahead in most weather conditions, as even the pouring rain can reveal wonders for the sights and senses. The walk will last for between 30-45 minutes, and toddlers will be able to walk and explore at their own pace. Where possible pushchairs are left in the pushchair storage which is in the Pre-loved Bookshop.
New for 2025 are optional nature themed activities:
14th July – Journey Sticks.
Free none-ticketed event, admission charges do not apply. Simply meet in the Mill Yard at 11am. Due to popularity, please, pre-book online, book a ticket per child. Adults do not require a ticket.
Quarry Bank
Styal, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 4LA
Tel: 01625 527468
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank

19 July – 31 August
Summer holiday at Jodrell Bank!
Enjoy a stellar summer at Jodrell Bank! Have a blast with stomp and air-powered rockets in the Rocket Lab, get hands-on with science, and enjoy weekly screenings of Ted’s Space Adventure in the Space Dome – perfect for little astronauts.
Jodrell Bank Discovery Centrer
The University of Manchester
Macclesfield Cheshire SK11 9D
Tel: 01477 571 766
Book online: www.jodrellbank.net
More details in our story

20 July 2025
The Dino Adventure
Have you ever wanted to pet a pachycephalosaurus, get together with a Triceratops or tickle a T-Rex under the chin?
Now’s your chance. Come on an adventure of Jurassic proportions to The East Lancashire Railway and get the opportunity to get up close and personal with their baby dinosaurs.
You’ll get to learn all about these adorable dinosaurs from our expert handlers in this fully interactive experience that is both educational and entertaining for all the family. Come along an earn your diploma in dino know how and begin your training as a palaeontologist of the future.
What’s included:
– One return trip from Bury to Rawtenstall hauled by a dino-proofed steam train.
– An approximately two hour dinosaur experience with expert rex wranglers and triceratops tamers.
– Dinosaur themed activities and plenty of photo opportunities.
Make your day complete with a trip to Bury Transport Museum, sited just across the road from Bury Bolton Street Station.
Age recommended: 5 – 12 and anyone is welcome to join the fun.
The East Lancashire Railway
Bury Bolton Street Station,
Bolton Street, Bury, Lancashire BL9 0EY
Tel: 0161 764 7790
www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

27 July 2025
The Wizarding Adventure
It’s time to sign up to our spellbinding school of sorcery as you take a wacky and wonderful whistle stop tour of the Wizard Academy and learn to become a master of mystery and magic.
During this magical interactive experience you’ll take lessons in the basics of broomsticks, practice your potion making, be instructed in incantations and learn to tattle and talk with a tawny owl.
For students age 5 – 12 recommended, but anyone is welcome to enrol.
What’s included:
– One return trip from Bury to Rawtenstall hauled by a genuine steam (and spell) powered train
– An approximately two-hour wizarding experience with the region’s most pre-eminent enchanters.
– Wizard themed activities and plenty of photo opportunities.
– Make your day complete with a trip to Bury Transport Museum, sited just across the road from Bury Bolton Street Station.
Food and drink will be available to purchase from our café on Platform 3/4 at Bury Bolton Street Station and from the Rawtenstall Buffet.
The East Lancashire Railway
Bury Bolton Street Station,
Bolton Street, Bury, Lancashire BL9 0EY
Tel: 0161 764 7790
www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

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(for Manchester & Cheshire area, please)