New year’s eve family events Manchester 2025
Find all the New year’s eve family events Manchester 2025 below. There are lots of options for families this new year’s eve. There are shows and pantomimes, families parties both during the day and in the evening too as well as ice rinks and more. Find all the New Years Eve events for families North West here.
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I’ve done my best to add the details of all these events accurately and keep them up to date but I strongly advise you to click through and check on the organiser’s website to ensure the dates and times have not changed. Many of these events require pre-booking so I’d recommend you do that as soon as you decide you want to in order to avoid disappointment.
If you know of an event that I need to add to the list please drop me an email info@northwestforkids.co.uk
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Family new years eve party, Mercure Bolton Georgian house – book here for 2025
Where: Mercure Bolton, Georgian House Hotel, Manchester Road Blackrod BL6 5RU
When: from 6pm – 1am
Cost: Adults £33.15 and children £22.33
Summary: Come and be part of the fun as we celebrate the New Year together! Enjoy a fantastic family-friendly party filled with delicious street food, exciting entertainment, and great company. Childrens party games from 6.30pm till 7.30pm
Book here – Family New Years Eve Party
OKS New year’s eve party, Kargo, Media city, Salford – book now for 2025
Where: Kargo MKT, Unit 32, Quays, Quayside Media City, Kargo MKT, Central Bay, Salford M50 3AG
When: 10 am – 12 noon
Cost: £10 per child OR Adult (pre walkers are free)
Silent disco, Hula Hula fun will keep the kids busy with their circus tricks and activities plus all the NYE arts and crafts you come to expect from these fab family parties. Glitter bar.
Book here – NYE with OKS at KARGO, Media City, Salford. | Our Kids Social
OKS New year’s eve party, Stretford public Hall – book now for 2025
Where: Stretford public hall, Chester Road, Manchester, M32 0LG
Time: 2:00pm‐4:00pm
Cost – £11 per child or adult (pre walkers are free)
Silent disco in the basement with all the bonkers interactive fun. Hula Hula fun will keep the kids busy with their circus tricks and drop in activities plus all the NYE arts and crafts you come to expect from our fab family parties. The fabulous Bricklands lego crew will also be joining us for our NYE party for the little ones.
Book here – OKS New Years Eve at Stretford Public Hall
Raver tots Manchester – book now for 2025
Where: Freight Island, Manchester
Time: 12:30 pm – 4:30pm.
Featuring a huge effects show throughout the event with dancers, performers, cold pyro, bubbles, festival sized confetti blasts, multi coloured lasers and lighting, parachute games, giant balloons, licensed bar and face painting!
£17 per adult, £15 per child
Book here – Raver Tots New Years Eve – Manchester – Raver Tots
New years eve party at Legoland Discovery Centre, Manchester – Book now for 2025
DJ, balloon modelling, face painting, magic show, character mascots, mocktails, magic and more! Dance your way out of 2025 with our mascots and celebrate the New Year with a balloon drop!
Time – 10 am – 1 pm & 2 – 5 pm
Cost – £25 per ticket
Book here – * New Year’s Eve Party
Christmas at Dunham Massey – book now for 2025
Masses of twinkling lights and giant glowing deer welcome you to the beautiful and iconic atmosphere of Dunham Massey after dark. Discover new light and sound installations for 2025 as colour-changing batons of light stretch out into the far distance and winding paths pass tunnels of stars. Watch lights dance along the lawn and discover larger-than-life flowers that tower overhead. There’s usually a chance to get a magical glimpse of Father Christmas too.
The trail is approximately one mile long and we’d recommend allowing 1 to 2 hours for your visit. Food, drink and fairground rides are available onsite.
Book your tickets here – Christmas at Dunham Massey tickets
Tickets from Adult Off Peak – £19.00, Child (3-16 Years) Off Peak – £12.50. Prices vary between dates and times though.
Find our review from 2024 here – Christmas at Dunham Massey
Northern lights at Heaton Park – book now for 2025
Cost: Adult tickets from £15-£23.95, Children from £5-£16.50
New for 2025! This might be a new light trail to Heaton Park but the team behind it have been successfully running trails in Newcastle and Leeds.
Expect a 1 mile long trail with around 14 illumination zones. There will of course be plenty of food and drink stalls.
Book here – * Northern Lights Manchester
The lion, the witch and the wardrobe, The Lowry – book now for 2025
When: 2pm
Watch the nation’s favourite novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe come to life on stage in this spectacular production which is guaranteed to delight all ages.
Book here – * The Lion, The witch and the wardobe
Little bear and the Christmas lights, The Lowry – book now for 2025
When: 10am, 12 noon and 2pm shows
Colour The Clouds Theatre Company are delighted to present ‘Little Bear and the Christmas Lights’. Filled with interaction, puppetry and music this is the perfect first theatrical experience. Get ready to take your little ones on a gentle sensory adventure where they will have the chance to meet Little Bear and her friends and maybe even throw a snowball or two!
Book here – * Little bear and the Christmas lights
A Christmas Carol, Octagon Bolton – book now for 2025
Where: Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft South, BL1 1SB
When: 1pm
This joyful stage adaptation features toe-tapping music, festive fun and a good splash of magic. This heart-warming and uplifting tale of redemption is the perfect festive treat for the whole family.
Book here – A Christmas Carol | Octagon Bolton
Aladdin, Stockport Plaza – book now for 2025
Where: Stockport Plaza, Mersey Square, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 1SP
When: 2:30pm
Take a magical carpet ride for this glittering production of Aladdin.
Book here – Aladdin
Robin Hood, Opera House Manchester – book now for 2025
Where: Opera House Manchester, 3 Quay St, Manchester M3 3HP
When: 1pm and 5pm
Join the most heroic outlaw of them all as the arrow-shooting hero Robin Hood and his trusty band of Merry Men strive to outwit the evil Sheriff. Manchester’s panto will be packed full of action, adventure, and plenty of glitz and glamour. The dynamic duo will be joined by musical theatre performers Landi Oshinowo as The Spirit of Sherwood, Adam Strong as the Sheriff of Nottingham, and returning star Sarah Vaughan as Maid Marion.
Book here – Robin Hood
Hansel and Gretel, Millgate Arts Centre, Saddleworth – book now for 2025
When: 12 noon
Where: Millgate Arts Centre, Saddleworth, OL3 5DY
Expect stupendous production values and a side-splitting, original script – reasons why Saddleworth’s Panto has become known as… “the best little Panto in the country”.
Book here – Hansel and Gretel – MILLGATE ARTS CENTRE
Dick Whittington, Salford Arts theatre – book now for 2025
When: 31st December 2025
Where: Salford Arts theatre, salford, M5 4BS
Dick Whittington seeks his fame and fortune ….along the way he fights the evil King Rat with the help of his friends.
Book here – Dick Whittington
Gandey’s Snowstorm wish, Trafford centre – Book now for 2025
Where: Trafford Centre, Grand Hall Entrance, M17 8AA
When: 12 noon, 3pm and 6pm
Step into the frost-kissed realm of Snowstorm, Wish, where world-class figure skaters, jaw-dropping circus artists, and breathtaking visuals come together in a magical blend of storytelling, artistry, and adrenaline. Set against a dazzling winter backdrop, this show is a celebration of light, unity, courage, and joy — a timeless tale told through ice, movement, and pure imagination.
Witness gravity-defying aerialists spinning high above the rink.
Be captivated by flawless skaters carving emotion into ice with every turn.
Feel your heart race as fire meets frost in a sensational display of elemental performance.
All of it set to a soaring score that will echo long after the final bow.
From £11.99 per ticket
Book here – Snowstorm Wish
Skate Manchester – book now for 2025
Where: The Cathedral Gardens, Manchester, M4 3BG
When: throughout the day
Glide through our ice path and admire the glorious Christmas tree right on the rink, surely it can’t get any more festive than that!
Rain or shine we’re open! Our covered ice rink allows you to enjoy your skating experience whatever the weather, so you can skate without the (distinct) possibility of getting soaked in a sudden, very British downpour!
Book here – Skate Manchester
Ice skating at the Trafford Centre – temporary Christmas Ice Rink – book now for 2025
Embark on a 45 minute ice-skating adventure and glide into the festive spirit on the shimmering ice rink, surrounded by festive cheer and sparkling lights. Skate under the stars with friends and family, before warming up with a cup of hot chocolate.
Tickets for ice skating and the Christmas fairground must be purchased separately. Ice skating tickets are £18.70 for everyone 13+ and £15.40 for children for a 45-minute ice skating session.
Book here – Christmassive – The Trafford Centre
Christmas fair at the Trafford Centre – book now for 2025
Step into the magic of Christmas at this festive fun fair. Includes rides and Christmas market food and drink huts.
£2.75 per person
Book here – Trafford Centre Christmas fair
Winter family trail with Speechly the Pineapple, Dunham Massey – Details for 2025
When: day time
Embark on a magical winter journey with Speechly the Pineapple as he explores the estate while the house is closed! Follow the frosty trail through ancient woodland and sleeping garden, uncovering clues of the season with surprises along the way. Perfect for young explorers.
Full details – Winter Family Trail with Speechly the Pineapple
New Year party at Cockfields farm park – book now for 2025
Time – 3pm to approximately 6pm
Cost – £13.95 Adults and children over 1 year. Under 1s £2.95
Book here – New Years Eve Tickets
Free New Year’s Eve Fireworks, Manchester city centre – details for 2025
When – from 10pm
There are two different free New Year’s Eve events in Manchester this year!
St Peter’s Square will be the place to be for firework fans with a DJ-led family friendly event hosted by BBC Radio Manchester presenter Joe McGrath, with DJ Jimmy the Gent spinning the tunes.
Expect high spirits and party tunes in the run-up to the traditional midnight countdown, which will be followed on the stroke of twelve by a not-to-be-missed firework and light display off the roof of Manchester’s iconic Central Library building.
The alcohol-free event kicks off at 10 pm with entry into the square through security-controlled entry points around the square with bag searches in operation. Hot drinks and food snacks will be available.
Anyone planning to attend should be aware that it is a standing-room only event and will not be seated.
Make sure you read the full details as there are restrictions on bags, capacity etc.
Over on Albert Square meanwhile New Year revellers will be able to experience all the fun of the fair including Manchester’s giant festive Ferris Wheel – the biggest mobile wheel in the country – alongside an absolute foodie fest, plus seasonal tipples from stalls that have had the crowds packing out the square every day since Manchester’s legendary Christmas markets opened back in November.
With a host of independent craft stalls on the square, as well as selfie spots galore throughout to backdrop the all-important countdown to 2026 for socials, those with a head for heights can swap a view of midnight fireworks for a view instead from the top of the big wheel, of the rooftops of Manchester and beyond as the city and its neighbours bring in the new year.
Open throughout the day as usual on New Year’s Eve, entry into Albert Square will continue to be allowed throughout the evening on a controlled basis using the existing entry points until it reaches capacity. The event will end at 12:30 am.
Full details here – Manchester to see in the New Year with free firework spectacular
Big family countdown at Ash Tree Farm, Ashton-Under-Lyme – book now for 2025
Where: Pamir Drive, Ashton-Under-Lyne, OL7 0LY
When: Countdown is at 6pm
Cost: Book a table and eat from the festive menu
Summary: At 6pm, we’ll be counting down to the New Year with a free glass of fizz for you and a glass of orange juice for your little bell-ringers.
Book here – New Year’s Eve 2025 | Ash Tree Farm, Ashton-Under-Lyne
New Year’s Eve Tots Party with Louby Lou at RHS Bridgewater – book now for 2025
Time: 11am – 1pm
Where: RHS Bridgewater,
Cost: £10 per child, £5 per adult
Dance the morning away with Louby Lou’s unforgettable entertainment and celebrate New Year’s Eve at 12 noon. Recommended for children 2- 8 years.
Book here – New Year’s Eve Tots Party with Louby Lou
More things to do this Christmas in Manchester
Find the best places to enjoy Christmas shows Manchester here.
Find out Where to see Father Christmas Manchester here.
Find all the Christmas events Manchester here.
Find the best Christmas shows Manchester here.
