May

Be prepared for the May Bank Holidays, half term and beyond – browse our events and find the one for your family. With a variety of festivals, shows, and activities for kids and parents, you won’t be bored. Come rain of shine, there is always something to do in Cheshire and Manchester. Whether you’ll be having fun in Tatton Park, joining playtime classes at The Lowry or visiting East Lancashire Railway in Bolton, we’re certain you’ll enjoy it!

 
1 – 21 May 10am – 4pm
Adventures at Dunham Massey
This spring, Dunham Massey’s Easter adventures celebrate historical connections with pets and animals. Follow the trail and find the Stables building where the much-loved Sir Oliver the horse. Find out about a very special pet parrot and feel the breeze as you run through the park like a bird in flight. Spot fallow deer with just one antler (as they ‘cast’ off their old ones) and look out for colourful butterflies when you follow the winding paths in the Winter Garden. For further adventure, head to the ‘Log Pile’ in the North Park where a natural play area can be found.
Each trail includes either a dairy or a vegan and Free From chocolate egg – both eggs are made using Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa.
Tickets: £3 per child
Dunham Massey
Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 4SJ
Tel: 0161 941 1025
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/dunham-massey/events/3571a057-b845-4ee0-a7fc-62b45e91a892

 
1 May 9am – 5pm
All Aboard For A Day Out With Thomas!
Meet Thomas the Tank Engine™ and his friends, who are waiting to greet you at the East Lancashire Railway! This fun filled day out for all the family includes:
– Rides on Thomas
– Meeting The Fat Controller and some of Thomas friends
– Performances by Rusty and Dusty, Sodor’s cheeky station sweepers
– Unlimited Travel on Steam and Diesel trains
– Thomas Themed Activities in the Imagination Station, including, Tabletop Games, Colouring, Thomas Films
– Re-enactments of classic Thomas stories, including the Troublesome Trucks up to no good
– Magic Shows, Circus Workshops, Face Painting
The East Lancashire Railway
Bury Bolton Street Station,
Bolton Street, Bury, Lancashire BL9 0EY
Tel: 0161 764 7790
www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

 
3, 10, 17, 24 May, 10am – 10.45am, 11am – 11.45am
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, 12, 19, 26 May 2023, 10am for 0–1, 11am 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, Salford Quays. Manchester
Tel: 0333 320 2838
www.thelowry.com

 
6, 13, 20, 27 May 2023, 11am, 11.30am, 12noon, 12.30pm
Crafty Families
An exciting and engaging 30min art class for families and under 11’s. With a different theme each week you’ll leave the session having created their own pieces of art. All attendees must book a ticket (including accompanying adult).
Suitable for ages 2-11.
Free, booking required
The Lowry, Salford Quays. Manchester
Tel: 0333 320 2838
www.thelowry.com

 
13 May, entry times: 9am, 10.30am, 12noon, 1.30pm, 3pm
Paddington Bear™ Family Fun Day
Come and see the polite bear at intervals throughout the day at Bury Transport Museum. Listen to tales of Paddington’s adventures led by a narrator, plus there’s the chance to take a photo with him! There will be family activities including 3 fair rides, face painting, petting farm and craft activities. Complete your day out with a ride with one of the heritage steam or diesel trains through the Irwell Valley.
Ticket Price includes a ride on any train services on the day of your visit.
General Admission tickets must be purchased online
The East Lancashire Railway
Bury Bolton Street Station,
Bolton Street, Bury, Lancashire BL9 0EY
Tel: 0161 764 7790
www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/events-activities/paddington-bear-family-fun-day/

 
13 – 14 May, 12pm – 4pm
Kites at the Cage at Lyme
Annual mass kite flying event at Lyme. Bring your own kite to show off your skills. Kites will also be available to buy.
Free
Normal admission applies.
Lyme Park
Disley, Stockport, Cheshire, SK12 2NR
Tel: 01663 762023
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/lyme/events/98517e6f-7667-488d-af68-03b3a5db754b

 
14 May, 11am
Kidical Mass Manchester The Big Family Bike Ride
Come and join worldwide movement of family-friendly bike rides that call on city leaders to make our streets safer for kids. Last year over 400 Kidical Mass rides took place around the world to demonstrate the need for safer streets for kids, with calls to councils such as better cycling infrastructure and more traffic-free zones. The carnival atmosphere of the rides help to demonstrate that streets that are safe for kids are better for everyone.
The ride starts at Central Library in St Peter’s Square at 11am for a stewarded, colourful and child-paced route to Whitworth Park where there’ll be a celebratory picnic.
    Meeting point: Outside Manchester Central Library
    Arrive: 11:00 am (setting off at 11:15am- 11:30am)
    Route: Manchester Central Library – Deansgate – Oxford Road – Whitworth Park
    Distance: Approx 1.2miles
    Pace: Slow, family friendly and fun.
    Optional Extra: Bring Your Own Picnic For After the Ride. Picnic starts at 1pm
Suitable for all ages
Free, booking NOT required, but do it, please, to give organizers the idea on how many is going to show up
Outside Manchester Central Library
St Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 5PD
@Kidicalmassmcr
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kidical-mass-manchester-the-big-family-bike-ride-tickets-601770460647

20 May, 10am, 11am, 12noon
Stoller Story Sounds – Little Green Dragon
Interactive musical adventure with story, illustration and fire music for little ones and their grown ups.
Can you help Little Dragon, scared to breathe fire, find her courage and her treasure – and dare to breathe fire again? What is the sound of fire, and of courage?
Suitable for ages 3-5.
£5 per child, free for acompaning adult, booking required
The Stoller Hall,
Hunts Bank, Manchester M3 1DA
Tel: 0333 130 0967
www.chethamsschoolofmusic.com

 
21 May
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

 
21 May 11am – 4pm
Bramhall Duck Race 2023
the Duck Race and Family Fun Day is held by Bramhall And Woodford Rotary Club at Bramhall Park. There will be a variety of duck races to enter and speciality races with local celebrities and businesses getting involved by decorating large rubber ducks, who will go beak to beak in the river. As well as Duck Racing with some fabulous prizes for the winners there will be many sideshows a bouncy castle, games, singers, dancing groups and craft stalls. Free DUCK BUS Park & Ride service will be running throughout the day between Woodford Garden Village (via Bramhall) and the Park, Hazel Grove High School and from Church Road, Cheadle Hulme with parking available at the two local schools. Look out for the yellow DUCK BUS.
Bramall Park
Hall Road
Bramhall, Stockport, SK7 3NX
tel: 0161 4398278
www.bwrotary.org

 
22 May, 11am, 12noon for toddlers, 13.45pm, 14.45pm for babies
Music Makers – Spring!
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. This month’s theme is Buzz Around the World.
Tickets: £4.00, 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

 
26 May
No School Days at Eureka!
Come to Eureka for one of the quieter days in the museum, perfect for little ones to takeover!
It’s not the same as Toddler Days, on these dates there will be no school bookings so you can plan ahead to visit the museum at quieter times.
Eureka! The National Children’s Museum
Discovery Road,
Halifax HX1 2NE
Tel: 01422 330069
play.eureka.org.uk

 
26 May, 5pm – 9pm (last entry 8pm)
After-hours with the Mermaids
Come and meet the magical SEA LIFE mermaids at SEA LIFE Manchester!
Tickets: £25 adult, £21.50 child, £5 passholders
Pre-booking is essential
SEA LIFE Manchester,
Trafford Palazzo, Trafford, Manchester M17 8AS
Tel: 0161 749 2875
www.visitsealife.com/manchester/explore/events/after-hours-with-the-mermaids

 
27 – 31 May, 1 – 4 June 11am – 4pm
May Half-Term at Quarry Bank
Escape into the wild outdoors and engage with stories about the nocturnal birds and animals that live at Quarry Bank.
National Trust admission charges apply.
Quarry Bank
Styal, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 4LA
Tel: 01625 527468
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/quarry-bank/events/45893f46-58e3-43dd-938a-954942c0c9d1

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(for Manchester & Cheshire area, please)