Hulme Is Where The Art Is
Hulme Park will be filled with live music, delicious food, craft activities and plenty of Moss Cider for the grown-ups as the annual family festival returns.
Organised by Z-Arts, Venture Arts and Hulme Community Garden Centre, the event promises to be a lively celebration of the area's creativity and culture.
Hulme Park, Stretford Road, Hulme / Saturday May 2 / Free
Sister Act at The Lowry
A divine musical comedy following the story of extrovert night club singer Deloris Van Cartier as she witnesses a murder and then flees the clutches of her gangster boyfriend Curtis. Placed into witness protection in a convent with the Holy Order of the Little Sisters, will Deloris survive?
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays / Until Saturday, May 2, performances at 7.15pm plus a 2.30pm Saturday matinee / Tickets £17-19
A Day Out With Thomas on the East Lancashire Railway
Choo choo! Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends are coming to the East Lancashire Railway. The fun-filled weekend includes rides with Thomas, face-painting, balloon modelling, storytelling, Punch and Judy shows and, of course, meeting the Fat Controller. A great day out for youngsters - and those just young at heart.
East Lancashire Railway / Saturday May 2 to Monday May 4 / Tickets £10/18/46
Tudors on Tour at Tatton Park
King Henry VIII and his courtiers will be taking up residence at the Knutsford estate as it hosts the Tudors on Tour festival.
Staged for the very first time outside of London by Historic Royal Palaces, Tudors on Tour will transport visitors back to the year 1526 and get them swept away in the excitement of the Tudor Court on Royal Progress, when the King would travel around the country staying in the castles and manor houses of nobility.
Activities include a spectacular royal jousting tournament, pageantry displays with music, a bustling market place with traditional crafts such as carving, stone masonry and blacksmithing, costumed characters, stories, food, a Tudor farm, Tudor theatre and a digital pop-up palace.
Tatton Park, Knutsford / Saturday May 2 to Monday May 4 / Advance tickets £12.50 for adults, children £6, families £30 (more on the door)
Lowry Outlet Food Festival
Great British Bake-Off star Paul Hollywood will be joined by TV fashion guru Gok Wan as the Lowry Outlet Food Festival returns to Salford Quays and MediaCityUK.
The free three-day event has all the ingredients for a great weekend, with a bustling artisan market full of food and drink stalls, live entertainment and demonstrations.
Lowry Outlet, The Quays / Saturday May 2 to Monday May 4, 10.30am to 4.30pm / Free
Family fun day at Reddish Vale Farm
Kids can enjoy pony rides alongside face-painting, arts and crafts and a special guest appearance from Mr Jeepers Creepers at the farm’s May Day family fun day. It’s also the perfect chance to visit some of the farm’s adorable new spring arrivals.
Reddish Vale Farm, Reddish Vale Road, Stockport/ Monday, May 4, 11am-4pm / Admission £4 adults, £3 children, small charge for some activities
Ellenroad Engine House May Open Day
See the world’s largest working cotton mill steam engines - Victoria and Alexandra - in action as the Milnrow industrial museum opens its doors for its monthly ‘steaming day’. There will also be a display of vintage vehicles to admire.
The historic former mill dates from 1892 and also houses a coal-fired Lancashire boiler, the Whitelees beam engine and other steam-powered artefacts. A fun and fascinating insight into the area’s industrial heritage for all the family.
Ellenroad Engine House, Elizabethan Way, Milnrow / Sunday May 3, 11am to 4pm / £5 adults, accompanied children free
My First Ballet Swan Lake at Palace Theatre
English National Ballet and English National Ballet School present an enchanting introduction to ballet for over-threes in this special recreation of Swan Lake.
The evil magician Rothbart has turned the beautiful princess Odette into a swan: only at night can she return to human form. Will Prince Siegfried be able to save her, or will he fall for Rothbart’s sorcery?
Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester/ Saturday May 2, 11am, 2pm and 5pm, and Sunday, 11am and 3pm / Tickets £12.90 to £28.90
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Bank Holiday funfair at Buile Hill Park
The Salford park will be full of rides and stalls over the bank holiday weekend, with fun for all the family.
Buile Hill Park, Eccles Old Road, Salford / Saturday May 2 to Monday May 4, noon to 9pm / Free entry, charges vary per ride
Crafternoon at Hall i’th’ Wood
The 16th century manor house in Bolton is celebrating the bank holiday with an afternoon of Tudor-themed crafty fun. Activities are suitable for all ages and there’s no need to book.
Hall i’th’ Wood, Green Way, Bolton / Saturday May 2, 1-3pm / Free
Lancaster Park and Animal Farm
Children can meet, stroke and feed animals ranging from horses, donkeys, goats, pigs and sheep to rabbits, chipmunks, chickens and even a tortoise at this friendly petting farm. Little ones can also have a go on the caterpillar ride and the whole family can enjoy lunch together in the picnic wagon.
Lancaster Park and Animal Farm, Chadderton, Oldham / Open daily 10am-4pm including weekends and bank holidays / All ages / Adults £3.50, children £3
Tales of the Unexpected: Bury town centre tour
Visit some scenes of ghostly activity and hear some strange local stories on a guided stroll around the town centre.
Meet at Bury Tourist Information Centre, Moss Street / Saturday May 2, 2-4pm / £3.50
Horrible Histories: Rotten Rationing Big Picture Show at Imperial War Museum North
Based on the hit book by Terry Deary, this interactive, immersive tour explores how people coped with meagre rations during World War Two, resorting to foul food, digging for victory and making do and mending. The seven-minute show plunges visitors into a wartime food market, with images projected all around and cobbles streets appearing underfoot.
Imperial War Museum North, Quay West, Trafford Wharf Road / Daily at 11am until May 17 with extra shows at 2pm at weekends and school holidays / All ages / Free
Skiing at Chill Factore
Take a trip to the 180 metre real snow slope to touch up on your ski or snowboard skills, or find your snow legs with a Fun Taster Session.
If you're after thrills and you don't have any skills, the Snow Park is perfect for kids aged between four and 10. With Downhill Donuts, Luge Slip 'N' Slide and Sledge 'O' Mania, there's plenty of fun for the whole family.
Chill Factore, Trafford Quays Leisure Village / Snow Park family pass £60 (two adults, two children)
Aerial Extreme Manchester
For a terrific treetop adventure in the city look no further than this urban high ropes adventure course at the intu Trafford Centre. Unleash your wild side up to 27ft above the ground as you swing, climb and jump across loads of exciting obstacles and speed down two white-knuckle zip wires.
Aerial Extreme, Trafford Centre (Regent Crescent Car Park) / Adults £26, children £21, family tickets also available. Pre-booking strongly advised
Legoland Discovery Centre
See all of Manchester’s top attractions in miniature, learn building tips from the pros and and explore the Lego City Forest Pursuit Driving School at this fun family attraction. There’s also a 4D cinema, Kingdom Quest laser ride, Ninjago laser maze and much, much more to be enjoyed.
Legoland Discovery Centre, Barton Square, Trafford Centre / Tickets £9.95 online, £18.95 on the day
Jump Nation
Are your kids always bouncing off the walls? Well here’s a place where that’s positively encouraged, with wall to wall trampolines as far as the eye can see, all connected together to form the largest indoor trampoline park in Europe.
It’s not just for youngsters though, the young at heart can join in too with just about anyone of any age, shape and physical ability catered for. There’s a special under-fives area for tots to play safely and a huge foam pit joined to the trampoline park the older and bolder ones can practice their tricks.
If you’re not feeling adventurous you can enjoy the fun from afar from the relaxing cafe.
Jump Nation, Trafford Park, Textilose Road, Stretford / Entry £8.95 for over-sixes and £6.95 for under-sixes for the first hour, extra houses £3/5. Spectator entry free. Pre-booking strongly advised
co*ckfields Farm
Meet Obama the llama and his pals, feed the pigs, goats, sheep and donkeys, handle guinea pigs and rabbits and make friends with bearded dragons and tortoises at this friendly open farm in Ashton-under-Lyne. There’s also a fabulous farm shop and butchery where you can buy fresh, quality produce for your Easter Sunday roast - or enjoy a bite to eat in the cafe instead.
co*ckfields Farm, Lees Road, Ashton-under-Lyne / Open 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 4.30pm Sundays and Bank Holidays / Playbarn entry £4.95, under-ones free
Regimental Colours at the Museum of the Manchester Regiment
Why were soldiers’ uniforms once bright red and why did the army later switch to khaki? Discover the fascinating story of colour in the army through artefacts including the scarlet tunic worn by Sgt John Frankland, Col Francis Dorling’s blue frock coat and examples of the uniform worn on active service in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Museum of the Manchester Regiment, Ashton-under-Lyne Town Hall / Open Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 4pm and Saturdays, 10am to 1pm / Free
Over the Rainbow at Portland Basin Museum
The museum celebrates the most colourful curiosities in its collection in this vibrant new exhibition. Featuring everything from a blue Wedgwood vase and black Victorian mourning lace to a green Thermos flask from the 1920s and a 1960s pink hairdryer, it explores the importance of colour to an object’s design and how it is perceived.
Portland Basin Museum, Portland Place, Ashton-under-Lyne / Open Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holidays from 10am to 4pm / Free
Explore Healey Dell
Rich in both wildlife and industrial archaeology, this beauty spot on the outskirts of Rochdale town centre is a great family day out.
Follow the nature trail along the disused 1800s railway line and admire the magnificent views from the viaduct and don’t forget to pop in to the heritage centre to find out more about the area and its history. There is also a tea room where you can refuel with a cuppa and cakes.
Healey Dell, Dell Road, Rochdale / Heritage centre open 10am to 4.30pm daily including Bank Holidays
Roller disco at Castle Leisure Centre
Get your skates on and join in the fun at Castle Leisure Centre’s roller disco. The weekly sessions are open to skaters of all abilities, whether you’re wobbly on your wheels or whizzing around like a pro.
Castle Leisure Centre, Bolton Street, Bury / Every Saturday, 12.30-2pm and 2.30-4pm / Adults £4.65, children £4, skate hire 60p or bring your own
