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.

To 3 September

The Tiger Who Came To Tea Trail at Tatton Park

Little and not so little, explorers can engage with nature, the great outdoors and the story of the ‘big, furry, stripy tiger’. Pick up a trail pack with your tiger mask and get hands on playing in Sophie’s Kitchen, collect some teatime favourites along the way and snap a photo with the tiger! www.tattonpark.org.uk/events_ at_tatton_park/event-listings/ events-calendar.aspx

15-16 July

Tough Mudder at Heaton Park

Join team Earth, Wind, Maguire and help Mind make sure no one faces a mental health problem alone. www.toughmudder.co.uk/events/ manchester

19-23 July

RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park is set to be a day out to remember with beautiful gardens and gorgeous blooms. Book online. www.rhs. org.uk/shows-events/rhs-flowershow-tatton-park

20-23 July

Blue Dot Festival at Jodrell Bank

A weekend in outer space, with an award-winning line-u of music, science and cosmic culture, plus live podcasts, immersive experiences and groundbreaking arts guaranteed to blow the minds of adults and inquisitive children alike. Book online. www.discoverthebluedot.com

20 July-6 August

Dinosaurs In The Park at Heaton Park

Step into a world where prehistoric giants roam and ferocious predators lurk, and make the school holidays memorable for the whole family. Find out more and book online. www.dinosaursinthepark.co.uk/ manchester

From 21 July

Manchester, Operation Ouch! at Science & Industry Museum www.scienceandindustrymuseum. org.uk/whats-on/operation-ouch

Dive headfirst into the digestive system for an unforgettable journey of super-sized science with the Science and Industry Museum’s world premiere blockbuster exhibition, Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You, which will see the hit BBC Children’s TV series brought to life. Find out more and book tickets online.

22 July

Sonic The Hedgehog 2 at Oldham Library

See the film in the Small Cinema. www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/oldhamlibraries-3419033869

22 July–3 September

Aardman presents: Lloyd Of The Flies at RHS Garden Bridgewater

The Grand Bug & Pest Hotel Hunt. This summer, join Lloyd and friends at RHS Garden Bridgewater. Download Lloyd’s augmented reality Bug Hunt app and have fun on the Grand Bug & Pest Hotel Hunt trail. There’s so much to do in the garden this summer. You can meet all sorts of bugs on an animal encounter with Zoolab, enjoy Aardman model making and animation workshops, familyfriendly theatre shows and more! Advance booking required, normal garden admission applies. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/articles/ summer-holiday-fun

4 August-3 September

ZOG at Lowry Theatre, Salford

Large in size and keen in nature, Zog is eager to win a golden star at Madam Dragon’s school, where dragons learn all the things that dragons need to know. Zog tries so very hard, perhaps too hard, and he bumps, burns and roars his way through years one, two and three. Luckily, the plucky Princess Pearl patches him up ready to face his biggest challenge yet…a duel with knight, Sir Gadabout the Great! www.thelowry.com/whats-on/zog

26-27 August

Freight Island, Manchester Family Zone at Escape to Freight

Island. There will be a day full of arts, crafts, performers, games and more. Plus you can check out their lovely food vendors. Booking is required to reserve your place. www.escapetofreightisland.com/ entertainment/2023-05-06/ family-zone

26-28 August

Food & Drink Festival in Bolton

Town Centre www.boltonfoodanddrinkfestival. com

Soak up the fantastic festival atmosphere with four days packed to the brim with food and drink, cookery demos, markets and brilliant live music and entertainment.

Fun Fair at Trafford Centre

There will be fun fair rides for all ages, entertainment, a big screen showing films and some great food on offer.Pre-book tickets. www.familyonthego.co.uk/old/ whats-on-in-manchester/fun-fairtrafford-centre

27-28 August

Steam Days at Bolton Steam Museum www.nmes.org/events.php

Discover 30 old stationary steam engines, some of which once powered the cotton mills and woollen mills of the North of England and lots of which are unique being only one of its kind in the world! Watch as some of these amazing machines run on their steam. There will also be an activity sheet for the children, and hot & cold drinks and snacks on sale in the Engine View Cafe. Admission is FREE.

Early summer fun at RHS Garden Bridgewater

From 22 July to 28 August at RHS Garden Bridgewater, Aardman presents family fun with Lloyd of the Flies.

Just download Lloyd’s augmented reality Bug Hunt app and join him on the Grand Bug & Pest Hotel Hunt trail. Meet all sorts of bugs on an animal encounter with Zoolab, enjoy Aardman model making and animation workshops, make goodies in a Lloyd of the Flies themed cookery class and more! No booking required and normal garden admission applies.

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, explore the Woodland Play area.

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