The kids might be back to school now but February half term is not far away, meaning you might need some ways to keep them entertained. Luckily, Manchester has just the thing as the city is set to launch The Super Duper Family Festival – a brand-new four-day celebration filled with imagination, creation and free family-friendly activities that will transform the city into a giant, interactive playground.
Taking place from Saturday 15th February to Tuesday 18th February, families can explore unique play zones scattered across Manchester’s most iconic spaces, each bursting with everything from giant mazes and steam-powered carousels to retro video games and family raves. With all zones completely free to experience, families will be able to escape the winter blues at a magical wonderland of play with no hassle, and pure playtime.
The Super Duper Family Festival play zones
The family festival is set to feature six key zones across the city ranging in activities from garden games to a family rave.
The Garden – Exchange Square, outside Selfridges
Exchange Square will feature an 18m x 18m real hedge maze reaching a towering two metres to become the perfect place to get lost in play! Inspired by nature, this play zone will offer everything from street art by the mastermind behind the iconic MCR Monsters at Manchester’s Halloween in the City, Filthy Luker, to roaming performers like The Hedgemen, who will spring to life for the perfect photo snap. With garden games like “Find the Gnome”, exciting workshops by Clocktower Florist and stunning flower stalls, this garden is an urban oasis where nature and fun come together.
The Carnival – St Ann’s Square
Step right up! The carnival is in town as St Ann’s Square transforms into a steampunk spectacle of old-school carnival games and modern-day madness. Complete with a traditional Victorian Carousel, side-show stalls with a mind-bending Hall of Mirrors, Test of Strength stand and maddening brain games by the Museum of Illusions, this play zone is filled with whimsical fun and industrial inventions. Don’t miss the Big Mob – a trio of giant, slinky tubes that you’ll have to see to believe (Saturday and Sunday only), plus enjoy circus skill workshops and games by Urban Playground for free family fun.
The Playground with Waterloo Road – New Cathedral Street
Hop, skip and jump into the ultimate school playground experience with BBC’s Waterloo Road, where popular schoolyard games come to life, bigger and better than ever before! Relive the joy of classic schoolyard fun with games like hopscotch, tig, giant chess, and giant snakes and ladders, or take part in a mini Sports Day featuring egg-and-spoon races, mini school disco, schoolyard talent show and more.
Created and developed by play experts, Playful Anywhere, New Cathedral Street will be transformed with giant, colourful shipping containers, where families can experience the magic of Waterloo Road. Snap a photo in front of the iconic yellow lockers in the dressing-up area, where you can try on school blazers and ties from the show, or join the Waterloo Road Art Class for creative activities like designing your own locker or colouring your very own Waterloo Road stained glass.
The Arcade – Printworks, Withy Grove
During the Super Duper Family Festival you can get your game on under Europe’s largest digital ceiling at Manchester’s Printworks. Families can step into the future and relive the past at this electrifying digital playground, featuring everything from retro arcade machines like The World’s Largest Pac-Man and the fast-paced Batak, to modern gaming on the giant screen using your phone in the chill-out zone.
The Sports Hall – Great Northern Warehouse, Deansgate
At Great Northern Warehouse, you’ll find all your favourite sporting activities under one roof with four areas dedicated to racing, football, hockey, table tennis and more. The Sports Hall is where families can unleash their competitive, gaming spirit, and enjoy everything from funky football games in The Stadium to table tennis in The Ping Hub. But wait, there’s more! Head downstairs to the Alpine Lodge for some curling and air hockey fun or race your way to victory with Scalextric and a racing simulator in the Grand Prix zone.
The Party – Aviva Studios (home of Factory International)
You can dance the day away in Manchester’s coolest venue and get ready for pop-up family parties, every day in the Northern Warehouse of Aviva Studios. With world-class DJs, a pumping sound system, and dazzling lighting, it’s described as “the ultimate family rave”. Don’t feel like dancing? Chill out in the drop-in lounge with dance-themed films, craft workshops, mini storytelling sessions and performances. It’s the party that keeps on giving, day and night.
Top attractions across the city centre are stepping up to make The Super Duper Family Festival an even more unforgettable experience with iconic venues like the National Football Museum, Stoller Hall, People’s History Museum and the stunning Castlefield Viaduct set to host their own exciting activities, adding even more magic to the weekend. Families can also dive into the thrilling launch of CBBC’s Operation Ouch: Brains, Bogeys and You at the Science and Industry Museum, promising a mix of hands-on fun and fascinating discoveries.
Find out more about the Super Duper Family Festival here.