The summer holidays are right around the corner and luckily Manchester’s biggest shopping centre has just the thing to keep the kids entertained. The Trafford Centre is bringing back its giant beach and splash park this summer along with its popular fairground – plus, it won’t break the bank.
Following the success of last year’s Summer Daze event, the fun is making a comeback for the school holidays under the new name Bright Lights, Big Fun and promises “even more excitement”. Kicking off from July 26, Bright Lights, Big Fun will boast a fantastic, family-friendly 600 square metre beach outside The Great Hall, which is described as “perfect for building sandcastles and soaking up the Manchester sun”, so fingers crossed the weather delivers over the long break.
As well as providing Manchester with a beach, the Trafford Centre will also be home to a giant splash park where visitors can cool off and it’s even equipped with multiple water jets for endless family fun. There will also be more than 20 thrilling rides for kids of all ages, from Water Balls and Bumper Boats for little ones, to Star Flyer and Zero Gravity for thrill seekers, as well as a new Freak Out ride and pirate ship. Plus there will also be a large inflatable area to play on.
Fairground rides at the Trafford Centre
- Star Flyer
- Don Sapo (crazy frog)
- Dumbos
- Funhouse
- Caterpillar rollercoaster
- Large inflatable area
- Pony Express
- Race O Rama
- Balloon Ride
- Tea Cups
- Mini Chairs
- Waterballs
- Bumper Boats
- Bungee Trampolines
- Orbiter Cars
- Pirate Ship
- Sizzler
- Freak Out
- Zero Gravity
And playing in the sunshine can be hungry and thirsty work so the Trafford Centre will also have a host of food trucks with vendors selling the likes of ice cream, doughnuts, crêpes, burgers, and sweets.
Bright Lights, Big Fun at the Trafford Centre runs from July 26 to September 1, and will be open daily from 12pm to 8pm. Entry costs £2.50 plus booking fee per person, or £3.50 on the gate. Ride tokens are sold separately at £1 each. Pre-booking is recommended via the website here.