Whether it’s time-travelling dinosaur adventures, mesmerising space exploration or the unsung magic of machinery, Manchester hosts a dazzling programme of engaging family fun to save parents from the frantic scramble for last-minute half-term plans as Easter arrives early this year, with a wide array of activities and events on offer from the city’s best museums, aquariums and theatres.
Running throughout the Easter holidays, Jodrell Bank invites cosmic kids and adult astronauts alike to embark on an interstellar odyssey across the universe with an array of events, activities and attractions included in the price of admission.
Unlock the secrets of the universe with Curious Kids sessions, get creative with springtime craft sessions, explore breathtaking astronomy photo exhibitions and enjoy the enchanting natural landscape at the North West’s world-famous space hub.
Check out our breakdown below.
Kicking off Manchester’s spring theatre season, a spellbinding take on the Jungle Book comes to Aviva Studios from visionary director Robert Wilson, with original live music from the inimitable CocoRosie.
Co-produced by Factory International, Jungle Book has already wowed audiences of all ages in Paris, Florence and Antwerp ahead of its much-anticipated arrival in Manchester.
On Easter Saturday, The Lowry hosts a free crafts session led by a resident artist for kids to try out a new creative activity.
Book your space below.
Stopping by Z-Arts as part of a wide-ranging UK Tour, Tom Fletcher’s beloved What’s In Your Book? series makes its magical stage debut with an afternoon of chaos and comedy for parents with children ages 3 and above.
Billed as ‘a high-energy 50-minute adventure’, the brand-new live musical production promises an enchanting introduction to theatre with a playful tale about the joy of books and friendship, let by Little Monster and his friends Dragon, Alien and Unicorn.
Throughout Easter and into April, SeaLife invites young marine biologists and intrepid deep sea divers to swim back in time to discover the wonder of Earth’s ocean-dwellers dating back millions of years, with the interactive Jurassic Trail.
Families with children of all ages can uncover fossils, test their knowledge and even meet a baby triceratops in Manchester’s favourite aquarium.
Returning to the UK for the first time in six years, the global phenomenon Cirque du Soleil takes over the AO Arena with their newly revisited high-octane spectactle OVO, with performances from Wed 27-Sun 31 Mar.
Hailed by The Times as ‘one of the best-designed extravaganzas in Cirque’s huge body of works’, OVO offers a vibrant, enchanting acrobatic odyssey into the world of insects, celebrating the colourful biodiversity of an exotic universe in a ‘non-stop riot of energy of energy and movement’.
Taking over Bolton’s Albert Halls on Easter Sunday morning, ‘the greatest prehistoric show on Earth’ takes audiences on a tour of the wild and wonderful Jurassic Era with an interactive adventure which brings to life the breathtaking species which roamed our planet 65 million years ago.
Meet dinosaurs face-to-face, hear the roar of the T-Rex and learn the fascinating history of dinosaurs in a captivating one-off stage show.
Hidden throughout a MINILAND scale model of Manchester, Legoland Discovery Centre’s micro-sized Easter egg hunt invites eagle-eyed visitors of all ages to search for thirty Lego eggs stashed cleverly amongst some of our most iconic landmarks, from Old Trafford stadium to city centre skyscrapers.
From Sat 23 Mar to Sun 6 May, guests can build beyond their imaginations with the Play Unstoppable Festival. Alongside dance parties and ‘spirit animal’ creation sessions, visitors will have the chance to meet a variety of Lego mascots and even catch the all-new Lego Friends 4D movie.
This Easter, Zouk has transformed into an enchanting Alice in Wonderland-themed realm of whimsical delight, with vibrant flourishes around every corner to provide the perfect backdrop for their opulent Roast Sharing Platter on Easter Sunday, available for two, four or six people and perfect to share with family or friends.
For afters, diners can indulge in everything from chocolate samosas to chocolate fondant, as well as an exclusive Easter Cup Dessert featuring chocolate cake, an easter egg, mini eggs, and dark chocolate sauce.
Following their special Kids Sunday Roast, which includes a drink and a dessert for just £10, little guests can take part in Zouk’s egg-decorating competition on the back of every menu for a chance to win a prize.
Book your Easter Sunday table below.
- Words:
- Wolf McFarlane
- Published on:
- Fri 15 Mar 2024
This Easter, the Science and Industry Museum celebrates the marvellous machines of the past, present and future with three weeks of curious contraptions, dynamic demonstrations and immersive experiences for the whole family to enjoy, as well as their regular displays and blockbuster exhibitions.
Running throughout a fun-filled half-term, the museum’s exclusive activities include a giant upcycled marble run, missions to mend the diverse mechanics around the museum and demonstrations of their original textiles machinery, reproducing the sight’s and sounds of Manchester’s mills at the peak of the Industrial Revolution.
Elsewhere, visitors can embark on a gleefully gross odyssey through the human digestive system with Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You, before discovering the magic of gaming with over fifty years of playable consoles and countless classic titles in Power Up.
Find out more below.