Family events North West May 2026
There’s always plenty on for families across North West England for families so I’ve rounded them up into this guide. These are the best family events North West May. They include lots of farm visits, family theatre and so much more. Find more Family events North West here.
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What’s on for families in Manchester May 2026
Alice in Wonderland. Z-Arts. From 5th April 2025. Book here – Adventures in Wonderland – Z-arts
Bubble Planet. Depot Mayfield. Until 28th August 2026. Book here – Bubble Planet
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos. Science and Industry Museum. 13th February 2026 – 3rd January 2027. Book here – Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos
The Mystery of Banksy. Depot Mayfield. Until 28th June 2026. Book here – The Mystery of Banksy
Luminesce Manchester Cathedral. until 5th June 2026. Book here – Luminesce
Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City. Transmission House. When – Until 28th June 2026. Book here – Machu Picchu
Pirate treasure hunt, Manchester Sea Life. 21st March – 4th May 2026. Book here – Pirate treasure hunt
Self-led blossom walk. Lyme Park. 1st – 31st May 2026. Full details here – Self-led Blossom walk
Cirque Du Vale, Reddish Vale Farm. 2nd – 4th May 2026. Book here – Reddish Vale Farm
Return to the forest. Aviva Studios. 7th – 10th May 2026. Book here – Return to the first
Iolanthe, Z-Arts. 7th – 9th May 2026. Book here – Iolanthe
Free Vintage in the square. Sale with Our Kids Social. 9th May 2026. Full details here – Vintage in the square, Stanley Square, Sale
Puppet making. Aviva Studios. 9th May 2026. Book here – Puppet Making
Animal Crossing, Manchester Sea Life. 11th May – 14th June 2026. Book here – Animal Crossing
The Detective dog, Z-Arts. 16th May 2026. Book here – The Detective Dog
Free Block party ’26. Waterside Arts, Waterside Plaza and Sale Library. 16th May 2026. Full details here – Block party
Highland baby shower. Cockfields farm. 16th – 17th May 2026. Book here – Cockfields
Stockport Plaza open day. 16th May 2026. Full details here – Plaza open day
FREE Outdoor art club at the Whitworth, 16th May 2026. Find out more here – Outdoor Art Club
Bramhall and Woodford Rotary Club Duck Race and Family Fun Day. Bramhall Hall. 17th May 2026. Full details here – Bramhall and Woodford Rotary Club Duck Race and Family Fun Day
Toddler New Life. Cockfields farm. 18th – 22nd May 2026. Book here – Cockfields
Bluey’s big play, The Lowry. 22nd – 31st May 2026. Book here – Bluey’s big play
K-pop party, Altrincham Garrick Playhouse. 22nd May 2026. Book here – K-pop party
Broad Oaks hearts trail. Fletcher Moss. 22nd May – 7th June 2026. Full details here – Broad Oaks hearts trail
May half term. Lyme Park. 23rd – 31st May 2026. Full details here – May Half term
Take flight, Z-Arts. 23rd & 24th May 2026. Book here – Take flight
The Singing Mermaid, HOME. 23rd – 24th May 2026. Book here – The Singing Mermaid
May half term. Dunham Massey. 23rd – 31st May 2026. Full details here – May half term
Manchester flower festival. Manchester City Centre. 23rd – 25th May 2026. Find out more here – The Manchester Flower festival.
Dino farm, Reddish Vale Farm. 23rd – 25th May 2026. Book here – Reddish Vale Farm
May half term: the great garden game-a-thon at RHS Bridgewater. 23rd – 31st May 2026. Full details here – May half term 2024 | RHS Bridgewater / RHS Gardening
Circus at the farm. Cockfields farm. 23rd – 25th May 2026. Book here – Cockfields
May Half Term at Science and Industry Museum. 23rd May – 7th June 2026. Full details here – May half term at Science and industry museum
Free Manchester museum celebrate Africa day. 23rd May 2026. Full details here – Manchester Museum Celebrates Africa Day
Free Manchester museum RSPB pop-up stall. 23rd May 2026. Full details here – Manchester Museum
Free Everywhere’s a Beach. Haigh Woodland Park. 23rd May 2026. Full details here – Everywhere’s a Beach
K-Pop Demon Hunters silent disco. Kargo MRKT, Media City. 24th May 2026. Book here – K-Pop Demon Hunters silent disco
Movie soundtracks family silent disco. Kargo MRKT, Media City. 24th May 2026. Book here – Movie soundtracks family silent disco
The utterly revolting science show, Waterside. 24th May 2026. Book here – The utterly revolting science show
The Sooty Show, Stockport Plaza. 24th May 2026. Book here – The Sooty Show
Look for a book. People’s History Museum. 25th May – 1st June 2026. Full details here – Look for a book
May half term at Salford Museum. 26th May – 5th June 2026. Full details here – May half term
Free Reuse and recycle crafts. Manchester Museum. 26th – 29th May 2026. Book here – Reuse and recycle crafts
Free Right to a health environment activities. Manchester Museum. 26th – 28th May 2026. Book here – Right to a health environment
New life down on the farm. Cockfields farm. 26th – 31st May 2026. Book here – Cockfields
May half term at Ordsall Hall. 27th May – 4th June 2026. Full details here – May Half Term
Strike den. People’s History Museum. 29th – 31st May 2026. Full details here – Strike den
Free The joy of colour, The Whitworth. 28th & 29th May 2026. Full details here – The joy of colour
Olaf Falafel’s stupidest super stupid show. The Lowry. 28th May 2026. Book here – Olaf Falafel’s stupidest super stupid show
The Jungle Book, Stockport Plaza. 30th May 2026. Book here – The Jungle Book
Free RSPB pop-up Stall. Manchester Museum. 30th – 31st May 2026. Full details here – RSPB pop-up Stall
Free Manchester Museum Celebrates Vesak. 30th May 2026. Full details here – Manchester Museum Celebrates Vesak
Free Family-friendly Chinese Ink Painting. Manchester Museum. 31st May 2026. Full details here – Family-friendly Chinese Ink Painting
What’s on for families in Cheshire May 2026
Room on the Boom trail at Delamere Forest. 27th January 2026 – end of year. Full details here – Forestry England Room on the Broom Trails
Wandering Wolves. Little Moreton Hall. 11th February – 1st November 2026. Full details here – Wandering Wolves | National Trust
Blakemere’s Spring Trail. 3rd April – 31st May 2026. Full details here – Blakemere’s Spring Trail
The Giant Wheel. Tatton Park. 28th March – 4th May 2026. Book here – The Giant Wheel
May day funfair, Knutsford. 30th April – 4th May 2026. Full details here – Knutsford funfair
Community pricing at Catalyst. May, June and July 2026. Book here – Community pricing
BeWILDerwood, Buy 1 get 1 free. May weekends, Bank Holidays and half term. Book here – BeWILDerwood
Free Knutsford Royal May Day Parade. Knutsford. 2nd May 2026. Full details here – Knutsford Royal May Day Parade
Miniature Steam Weekend. National waterways museum, Ellesmere port. 2nd & 3rd May 2026. Full details here – Miniature Steam Weekend
Princess and pirate weekend. Gulliver’s world. 2nd – 4th May 2026. Book here – Princess Pirate Weekend
Bank holiday hoedown at Apple Jacks Farm. 2nd – 4th May 2026. Book here – Bank holiday hoedown
Discover tree climbing. Capesthorne Hall, 4th May 2026. Book here – Discover Tree Climbing
Fun Dog Show at the farm. Tatton park. 4th May 2026. Full details here – Fun Dog Show at the Farm
FREE Giant bubble display. Blakemere village. 4th May 2026. Full details here – What’s On – Blakemere Village
FREE Military Vehicle Show. Blakemere village. 9th – 10th May 2026. Full details here – What’s On – Blakemere Village
Steam the lift at Anderton boat lift. 9th & 10th May 2026. Full details here – Anderton Boat Lift & Visitor Centre
Hawk Walk. Tatton Park. 9th – 10th May 2026. Book here – Hawk walk
Astbury May day, Glebe farm. 16th May 2026. Full details here – Astbury May day
Pirate Weekender. National waterways museum, Ellesmere port. 16th May 2026. Full details here – Pirate Weekender
Junior Woodland Rangers. Tatton Park. 16th and 17th May 2026. Book here – Junior Woodland Rangers
Food bank weekend. Gulliver’s world. 16th – 17th May 2026. Book here – Food Bank weekend
Buzzy Bee Spotter Trail. Hare Hill NT. 23rd – 31st May 2026. Full details here – May half term | National Trust
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Quarry Bank. 23rd – 31st May 2026. Full details here – Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail
Buzzy Bee Spotter Trail. Little Moreton Hall NT. 23rd – 31st May 2026. Full details here – May half term | National Trust
Smallwood Vintage Rally. Sandbach. 23rd – 25th May 2026. Full details here – Smallwood Rally
Mystery Mission at Beeston Castle. 23rd – 31st May 2026. Full details here – May Half Term at Beeston Castle
May half term top floor play space at Quarry Bank Mill. 23rd – 31st May 2026. Find out more here – May Half-Term at Quarry Bank
Over the rainbow, May half term at Catalyst. 23rd – 31st May 2026. Full details here – Events – Catalyst Science Discovery Centre
Towering Tetrahedron, May half term at Catalyst. 23rd – 31st May 2026. Full details here – Events – Catalyst Science Discovery Centre
May half term at Lyme. 23rd May – 7th June 2026. Full details here – May half term
May half term at Jodrell Bank. 23rd – 31st May 2026. Find out more here – May Half Term at Jodrell Bank – Jodrell Bank
Steve Backshall Live. Chester Zoo. 23rd – 31st May 2026. Book here – Steve Backshall Live
Love your aquarium. Blue Planet. 23rd – 31st May 2026. book here – Events – Blue Planet Aquarium
Chester Heritage Festival. Chester, various locations. 23rd May – 7th June 2026. Full details here – Chester Heritage Festival
Olaf Falafel’s Stupidest super stupid show. Storyhouse. 24th May 2026. Book here – Olaf Falafel | Storyhouse
Crewe Krazy races. Crewe. 24th May 2026. Full details here – Krazy races
FREE Drop-in craft activities. Weaver hall museum. 25th & 26th May 2026. Find out more here – Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse
FREE Drop-in crafts. Grosvenor museum. 26th – 27th May 2026. Full details here – Grosvenor Museum | Events
Junior Longbow. Tatton Park. 26th May 2026. Book here – Junior Longbow
Museum Explorers: under the sea, Weaver Hall. 27th May 2026. Book here – Museum Explorers
FREE drop-in craft activities, Lion Salt Works. 27th & 28th May 2026. Full details here – Lion Salt Works
Secrets of the Old Hall Tour. Tatton Park. 27th May 2026. Book here – Secrets of the Old Hall Tour
Museum Explorers: Medieval Mayhem, Grosvenor Museum. 28th May 2026. Book here – Museum Explorers
Wildlife explorers. Tatton Park. 28th May 2026. Book here – Wildlife Explorers
Carnival creations: Venetian Mask Making. Tatton Park. 28th May 2026. Book here – Venetian Mask making
FREE Drop-in craft activities. Weaver hall museum. 28th & 29th May 2026. Find out more here – Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse
Family Smartphone Photography Workshop. Tatton Park. 29th May 2026. Book here – Family Smartphone Photography Workshop
Museum Explorers: Lights, Camera, Action! 29th May 2026. Book here – Museum Explorers
Hawk Walk. Tatton Park. 30th – 31st May 2026. Book here – Hawk walk
Roman Day. Chester Racecourses. 30th May 2026. Book here – Roman Day – Racing – Chester Racecourse
What’s on for families in Liverpool May 2026
Gandeys K-Pop Dragon Circus, Aintree Racecourse. 23rd April – 4th May 2026. Book here – Gandeys K-Pop Dragon Circus
Festival of Blossom – Poetry in Blossom. Speke Hall. 25th April – 31st May 2026. Full details here – Festival of Blossom – Poetry in Blossom
Shaun the sheep trail at Liverpool ONE. 1st -31st May 2026. Full details here – Shaun the Sheep Fun with the Flock AR Trail – Liverpool ONE
Zog. The Atkinson, Southport. 1st & 2nd May 2026. Book here – Zog
Family fun day. Bowring Park. 4th May 2026. Full details here – Family fun day
Free Big Top Festival. Southport town centre. 2nd – 4th May 2026. Full details here – Big Top Festival
Mahatma Magic Circle’s Great Family Magic Show!, Eureka! Science + Discovery. : 2nd – 4th May 2026. Full details here – Mahatma Magic Circle’s Great Family Magic Show!
Big Art special: Art Sparks. National Museums Liverpool. May: 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 2026. Book here – Big Art special: Art Sparks | National Museums Liverpool
Comic Con Liverpool. M&S Bank arena. 2nd – 3rd May 2026. Book here – M&S Bank Arena Liverpool – Comic Con Liverpool
Free Remembering the Liverpool carters. Museum of Liverpool. 2nd May 2026. Full details here – Remembering the Liverpool carters
The magic of Mirabel. Otterspool Adventures. 2nd, 3rd & 4th May 2026. Book here – The magic of Mirabel
May Day. Speke Hall. 2nd – 4th May 2026. Full details here – May Day
Free Family garden party. The Reader, Calderstone park. 3rd May 2026. Full details – family garden parties
KaleidoLab plus Repair Café Weekend! Eureka! Science + Discovery. 9th -10th May 2026. Full details here – KaleidoLab plus Repair Café Weekend!
Craft Club. Palm House Sefton Park. 10th May 2026. Full details here – Craft Club – Palm House Sefton Park
Colour Science Weekend!. Eureka! Science + Discovery. 16th -17th May 2026. Full details here – Colour Science Weekend!
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail. Speke Hall. 23rd – 31st May 2026. Full details here – Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Speke Hall
May Half Term. Otterspool Adventures. 23rd – 31st May 2026. Book here – May half term
Once upon a time. Knowsley Safari. 23rd – 31st May 2026. Book here – Once upon a time
May Half Term Heroes. Eureka! Science + Discovery. 23rd – 31st May 2026. Full details here – May Half Term 2026 – Eureka! Science + Discovery
Half Term Indoor Mouse Trail. Speke Hall. 27th – 31st May 2026. Full details here – Half Term Indoor Mouse Trail
Story time, Palm House Sefton Park. 26th May 2026. Book here – story time
For the love of art with splatter and stick. Lady Lever Art Gallery. 23rd May 2026. Book here – For the love of art with splatter and stick | National Museums Liverpool
The dinosaur that pooped. Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse Theatres. 26th – 30th May 2026. Book here – The dinosaur that Pooped
Free Writing on the Wall – children’s story telling, Palm House Sefton Park. 27th May 2026. Book here – Writing on the Wall
Flowers and Friendship Bracelets (pop concert). St Helens Theatre Royal. 27th May 2026. Book here – show – St Helens Theatre Royal
Dinosaur Adventures live!. St Helens Theatre Royal. 28th May 2026. Book here – show – St Helens Theatre Royal
Make It! Craft Workshop. The Atkinson. 28th May 2026. Full details here – Make It! Craft Workshop – The Atkinson
Free Return of the detector dogs! World Museum. 28th May 2026. Full details here – Return of the detector dogs!
Free Beside the Seaside: National Museums Liverpool at 40. 28th May 2026. Full details here – Beside the Seaside: National Museums Liverpool at 40
Ice Age Adventure. The Atkinson. 29th May 2026. Book here – Ice Age Adventure
The Utterly Revolting Science Show. The Atkinson. 30th May 2026. Book here – The Utterly Revolting Science Show
What’s on for families in Lancashire May 2026
Room on the Broom trail at Gisburn Forest. From 27th January 2026. Full details here – Forestry England Room on the Broom
Lambing live. at Mrs Dowsons. 8th March – 31st May 2026. Book here – Lambing Live | Mrs Dowsons
Gozzle. Martin Mere WWT. 20th March – 31st May 2026. Full details here – Gozzle
Blossom at Rufford Old Hall. 1st – 31st May 2026. Full details here – Blossom at Rufford Old Hall
Guided Bat Walk. Rufford Old Hall. 1st May 2026. Book here – Guided Bat Walk
Day out with Thomas at East Lancashire Railway. 2nd – 4th May 2026. Book here – Day out with Thomas
Duck race weekend. Martin Mere WWT. 2nd – 4th May 2026. Full details here – Duck race weekend
Medieval crime & punishment tour. Hoghton Tower. 2nd – 3rd May 2026. Find out more here – Medieval crime and punishment
Medieval revival weekend. Hoghton Tower. 2nd – 3rd May 2026. Find out more here – Medieval revival weekend
Dinosaur that pooped. The Grand Theatre Blackpool. 3rd May 2026. Book here – Dinosaur that pooped
Pirate adventure. Hoghton Tower. 4th May 2026. Find out more here – Pirate Adventure
Meet the Housekeeper in the Victorian kitchen. Gawthorpe Hall. 4th May 2026. Full details here – Meet the Housekeeper in the Victorian kitchen
Boy at the back of the class. The Grand Theatre Blackpool. 5th – 9th May 2026. Book here – Boy at the back of the class
Footy Fairytales. The Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery. 9th May 2026. Book here – Footy Fairytales
Inspiration at East Lancashire Railway. 11th – 13th May 2026. Find out more here – Inspiration
Free Painting Padiham. Gawthorpe Hall. 16th May 2026. Full details here – Painting Padiham
Blue Skies Dragon Boat Festival. Fairhaven Lake. 16th May 2026. Full details here – Blue Skies Dragon Boat Festival
May Explorer at Mere Sands Wood. 16th – 31st May 2026. Book here – May Explorer at Mere Sands Wood
May Explorer at Brockholes. 16th – 31st May 2026. Book here – May Explorer at Brockholes
Teddy Bears Day. West Lancashire railway. 17th May 2026. Full details here – Special events | West Lancs Railway
Vintage Vibes. The East Lancashire Railway. 23rd & 24th May 2026. Book here – Vintage vibes
Tedventures Assemble. Farmer Ted’s. 23rd – 31st May 2026. Book here – Tedventures Assemble
Magic shows at Brockholes. 23rd -24th & 30th – 31st May 2026. Book here – Magic shows
Make and Take Activities at Brockholes. 23rd & 24th May 2026. Book here – Make and take
Free Crafts and Clubs at Brockholes. 23rd – 31st May 2026. Full details here – Free Crafts and Clubs at Brockholes
Bagnall Bank Holiday. West Lancashire railway. 23rd – 25th May 2026. Full details here – Special events | West Lancs Railway
Fireman Sam. The Grand Theatre Blackpool. 24th May 2026. Book here – Fireman Sam
Hickory Hickory Dock. Horse + Bamboo. 24th May 2026. Full details here – Horse + Bamboo
Mere Tun (Viking village). Martin Mere WWT. 25th – 29th May 2026. Full details here – Mere Tun
Bouncefest, Morecambe. 25th May 2026. Book here – BounceFest
The Sooty Show. The Muni. 25th May 2026. Book here – The Sooty Show
The magic of science “high voltage”. Blackburn Empire. 25th May 2026. Book here – The magic of science “high voltage”
Bee awareness day. Lytham Hall. 27th May 2026. Full details here – Blackpool & Fylde Beekeepers
Pond dipping. Brockholes. 27th – 29th May 2026. Full details here – Pond dipping
Make a woven dream catcher. Gawthorpe Hall. 27th May 2026. Full details here – Make a woven dream catcher
Wonderland Adventure. The East Lancashire railway. 27th May 2026. Book here – Wonderland Adventure
Wild Wire Workshop at Heysham Nature Reserve. 28th May 2026. Book here – Wild Wire Workshop at Heysham Nature Reserve
The Ultimate Bubble Show. Darwen Library Theatre. 28th May 2026. Book here – The Ultimate Bubble Show
The Wizarding Adventure. The East Lancashire Railway. 28th May 2026. Book here – The Wizarding Adventure
The Dino Adventure. The East Lancashire railway. 29th May 2026. Book here – The Dino Adventure.
Free Minibeast and Nature Walk at Heysham Nature Reserve. 29th May 2026. Book here – Minibeast and Nature Walk at Heysham Nature Reserve
Fleetwood beach clean. Fleetwood beach front cafe. 30th May 2026. Full details – Fleetwood Beach Care | The Bay
Pinocchio, Outdoor theatre at Cuerden Valley. 30th May 2026. Book here – Pinocchio
Rossendale art trail. 30th – 31st May 2026. Full details of all events here – Rossendale art trail
What’s on for families in the Lake District May 2026
Room on the Broom trail at Whinlatter Forest. From 27th January 2026. Full details here – Forestry England Room on the Broom
Room on the Broom trail at Grizedale Forest. From 27th January 2026. Full details here – Forestry England Room on the Broom
Wonder World: Earth, Children’s Trail, Sizergh Castle. 14th February – November 2026. Full details here – Wonder World: Earth, Children’s Trail
Holker SpringFest 2026. Holker Hall. 2nd & 3rd May 2026. Full details here – Holker SpringFest 2026 – Holker Hall
May Day Madness. Walby Farm Park. 2nd, 3rd & 4th May 2026. Book here – May Day Madness
Sausage festival, Muncaster Castle. 2nd-4th May 2026. Book here – Sausage festival
Steam gala weekend. Ravenglass and Eskdale railway. 2nd – 4th May 2026. Book here – Steam Gala Weekend | Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway
Bouncefest, Barrow Island Community & sports hub. 4th May 2026. Book here – BounceFest
Windermere science festival. Windermere jetty museum, 9th -10th May 2026. Full details here – Windermere Science Festival
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Sizergh. 23rd May – 6th September 2026. Full details here – Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Sizergh
The Jungle Book. The Coro. 23rd May 2026. Book here – The Jungle Book
May Mayhem at Walby Farm Park. 23rd – 31st May 2026. Book here – Things to do during May Half Term in Cumbria | Walby Farm Park
Dinosaur days. Lakeland Maze Farm Park. 23rd – 29th May 2026. Book here – Dinosaur days
May half term at windermere Jetty Museum. Windermere jetty museum, 23rd – 31st May 2026. Full details here – Windermere jetty museum
May half term. Blackwell. 23rd – 30th May 2026. Full details here – Blackwell
May half term at Abbot Hall. 23rd – 30th May 2026. Full details here – Abbot hall
Medieval Muncaster festival. 23rd – 31st May 2026. Book here – Medieval Muncaster Festival
Toto Kerblammo! Theatre by the Lake. 27th May 2026. Book here – Toto Kerblammo! – Theatre by the Lake
Kites & Gliders craft. Keswick Museum. 27th Mat 2026. Book now – Kites & gliders
Once upon a fairytale. Theatre by the Lake. 28th – 29th May 2026. Book here – Once upon a fairytale – Theatre by the Lake
Bouncefest, Kirby Lonsdale. 28th – 30th May 2026. Book here – BounceFest
Ulverston International Music Festival. 29th May – 6th June 2026. Full details here – Ulverston International Music Festival
