What's On

All listings are correct at the time of publication. Please check with the venue before you visit in case anything has changed.

12-15 May

Segway Experience

Tatton Park

Try a Segway experience, environmentally friendly, fun-filled machines create a fantastic day out. 9am–6pm. £20-£30 pp Book your tickets. segwayevents.co.uk/locations/ manchester-tatton-park

Sat 13 May

Family Bushcraft Day

Valley Farm CIC, Ashton under Lyne

A fun packed day immersed in nature. Fire lighting, shelter building, campfire cooking and more. 9:30am-4pm. Valleyfarmowl.co.uk/events

Paddington Bear Family Fun Day

East Lancs Railway, Bury

Come and see Paddington and make sure you get a photo with him! There are more family activities including fun fair rides, face painting and craft activities. Complete your day out with a ride with one of the heritage steam or diesel trains. General Admission tickets must be purchased online. eastlancsrailway.org.uk/eventsactivities/paddington-bearfamily-fun-day

13 & 14 May

Bluey & Bingo Meet & Greet

Cockfields Farm, Ashton under Lyne Bluey and Bingo are back! Join them on the Farm for a special meet and greet session with your favourite characters. Its all included in your farm admission. Just choose the time slot to meet the characters and you can arrive from 10am to join in all the fun on the farm. cockfields.co.uk/events/blueybingo-meet-greet

21 May

The Wizarding Adventure

East Lancs Railway

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. A perfect adventure for ages 5–12. Find out more and book online. eastlancsrailway.org.uk/ events-activities/the-wizardingadventure

26-29 May

Flower Festival

Manchester City Centre

With fabulous floral installations, outdoor dining, live music and entertainment, you’re in for a bloomin’ amazing long weekend in Manchester city centre. mcrflowerfest.com

26 May-6 June

Whit Funfair

Heaton Park

There will be a fabulous selection of family rides and attractions to suit all the family. Open from 12pm to 8pm. For more information visit J W Shaws Facebook page. facebook.com/ jwshawamusements

Sat 27 May–Sun 4 June

May Half Term: Sow Awesome

RHS Garden Bridgewater

The garden is literally bursting with life so there’s no better time to learn how to grow your own! Discover how fun and easy it is to plant and harvest vegetables and learn more about where our food comes from, as a family. rhs.org.uk/gardens/bridgewater/ whats-on/half-term-atbridgewater

Early summer fun at RHS Garden Bridgewater

Explore 154 acres of glorious gardens set in Salford’s historic landscape at RHS Garden Bridgewater. Step inside the Paradise Garden and admire the awe-inspiring blend of Mediterranean and Asiatic planting. Marvel at the Weston Walled Garden, one of the largest Victorian walled gardens in the UK. Discover abundant crops growing in the Kitchen Garden, relax and indulge your senses in the Community Wellbeing Garden or follow the winding paths of the Chinese Streamside Garden. And for the youngsters, exploring the Woodland Play area is a must.

More info at www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/bridgewater

Sun 28 May

Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish

The Lowry, Salford Man’s dream to reach the stars leaves the world in ruins and disturbs the sleeping dinosaurs. Will they wake up and save planet Earth? thelowry.com/whats-on/ dinosaurs-and-all-that-rubbish

28-29 May

Steaming Days

Bolton Steam Museum

No admission fee, donation only. nmes.org

29 May-4 June

Camelot comes to Cockfields Cockfields Farm, Ashton under Lyne

Join this brand new event when Camelot come to the Farm. There are real dragons, a Knight School, Sword in the Stone, Whirlin the Wizards Workshop, Pester the Jester Workshops, Knights Duel, Hobby Horse Races and lots lots more! For a very special early bird offer check the website. cockfields.co.uk

1 June

The Wizarding Adventure

East Lancs Railway

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. A perfect adventure for ages 5–12. Find out more and book online. eastlancsrailway.org.uk/ events-activities/the-wizardingadventure

3-4 June

We Invented The Weekend Festival

MediaCity

We Invented the Weekend promises to be a colourful, exciting weekend of music, theatre, sport, workshops, dancing, laughs, and more to celebrate the joy of free time, with 150,000 people anticipated to attend over the two dates. mediacityuk.co.uk/events/weinvented-the-weekend-festival-2

3-5 June

The Snail and The Whale

The Lowry, Salford

Join an adventurous young girl and her seafaring father as they reimagine the story of a tiny snail’s incredible trip around the world, inspired by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved picture book. thelowry.com/whats-on/thesnail-and-the-whale

7-11 June

Festival of Libraries

Manchester

The festival, which is supported by Arts Council England, will feature a vibrant programme that highlights the library network’s full offer, across wellbeing, culture and creativity, digital and information, and of course, reading. manchestercityofliterature.com/ project/manchester-librariesfestival

18 June

Trafford Live!

Trafford Town Hall/Emirates Old Trafford Fan Village

Visitors will be able to experience a range of events, activities and displays which will all be designed to showcase the borough’s sports, history and culture offering, with a bit of everything for both the young and old to enjoy.

Sun 25 June

Saddleworth Summer Show

Well-i-hole Farm, Greenfield Stalls, a laser maze, dog show, rides and lots more! saddleworthshow.com

Sun 9 July

Horrible Histories

The Plaza, Stockport

We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead! So BARMY BRITAIN is back with the hit West End show, full of crazy new characters and rude new rulers from Britain’s barmy past! It’s history with the nasty bits left in! stockportplaza.co.uk/whats-on/ horrible-histories-barmy-britain

A cat-tastic interactive experience

Grab your Cat Passport and join Gabby on an a-meowzing adventure with GABBY ON THE GO, a new cat-tastic experience full of fun FREE activities inspired by the popular animated television series, now streaming on Netflix. Travelling to six different locations across the UK every Saturday and Sunday from 13 May until 18 June, GABBY ON THE GO brings DreamWorks Animation’s beloved series to life, inviting fans to jump inside Gabby’s fantastical, animated world filled with adorable cat characters. Take part in an array of creative and interactive activities.

More info at www.gabbysdollhouse.com/gabbyonthego