Sponge
Creative Tourist
Roll, squeeze and pop yourself through a new malleable kind of family dance show, set to a 1970s-influenced score, perfect for babies, young children and families.
Where to go near Sponge
Belzan
Belzan is a modern bistro serving delicious food in a relaxed and friendly setting, in an unexpected location.
NORD
A Scandi-inspired restaurants that celebrates Northern hospitality, with a seasonal menu made from locally-sourced ingredients.
Liverpool
Mahoe Blue
Mahoe Blue is a bar and bistro that serves authentic Jamaican food in a cosy venue in South Liverpool.
City Centre
Rough Trade
The largest of Rough Trade stores, it’s record shop, event space and concert venue in the heart of Liverpool, complete with its own gift shop
Wirral
Hamilton Vault Studios
A disused bank vault now conceals a unique gallery space and filming location, championing local creatives and their vision.
Wirral
Lake Gallery
Lake Gallery is an artist-run space in West Kirby, showcasing fine art and contemporary craft in regularly changing exhibitions.
Birkenhead Central Library
Birkenhead Central Library provides books and resources, and welcomes everyone to their community hub in a stunning, historic location.
Baltic Triangle
Love Lane Brewery
Love Lane Brewery offers delicious food and a wide selection of beers as well as tours of the brewery and gin distillery.
The Reader, Calderstones Park
The Reader brings people together through a shared love of literature and their home is in the beautiful Calderstones Park in Liverpool.
City Centre
Ye Cracke
Hidden in the Georgian Quarter, Ye Cracke is a historic Liverpool pub, known for being John Lennon’s local in his student days
City Centre
81 Renshaw
81 Renshaw is a record store in Liverpool city centre, selling new and second-hand vinyl from a location with a long musical history
What's on: Families
Until
Factory International Gift Membership
If you’re hunting for the perfect present – a Factory International Gift Membership could be just the ticket.
from £45.00
Until
Factory International Membership
Get priority booking on the best seats, special discounts, invitations to exclusive events and much more. Are you in?
from £45.00
Until
Power Up at the Science and Industry Museum
From Mario to Sonic and Pong to Fortnite, play your way through five decades of the best video games. Fun and educational. Win-win.
from £8.00
Until
PHM’s Playful Protest Space
A fun, free and relaxed space for families to get creative, play games, and watch films.
free entry
Until
Discover and Explore at the Science and Industry Museum
Whether you’ve half an hour or a full day, you’ll always find something new to discover at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum.
Until
Manchester Christmas Markets
The Manchester Christmas Markets are back for 2024, with many dozens of stalls in front of the town hall, and hundreds of traders spread across city-centre squares.
free entry
Until
Winter Island
Freight Island has transformed into Winter Island for the Christmas season, focusing on all things fun and festive.
free entry
Until
The Twilight Trail
The Twilight Trail is an enchanting winter light show, launching at Freight Island over the festive season.
from £9.00Culture Guides
Music in the North
Warm, intimate storytelling is the thread connecting our new picks, which include a number of brilliant folk artists.
Exhibitions in the North
From genre-defying art film to vibrant embroidery and Surrealist sculpture, check out the best winter exhibitions to see right now.
Cinema in the North
Get ready for animated classics, Muppet mayhem and a whole host of New York movies -- it's Christmas time in the cinema.
Theatre in the North
From contemporary dance to ballet classics, and cult rock ‘n’ roll musicals to new writing, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.
Tours and Activities in the North
Get creative, allow yourself to be curious and learn something new with this month's tours and activities guide.
Food and Drink in the North
Looking for the best winter meals the North has to offer? This month's guide to food and drink has the lot.
Family things to do in the North
As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.
Literature Events in the North
It might be chilly out there, but we're shining our lantern light on some events that will warm the cockles.