Super Duper Family Festival Manchester 2026: Your complete half-term guide

If you’re looking for free, fuss-free fun this February half term, the Super Duper Family Festival in Manchester is back from 18–21 February 2026 between 10am–5pm each day. The city centre turns into one big playground with eight Play Zones, packed with activities for toddlers, young kids and teen, and you can do almost everything without spending a penny. 

Below is your simple guide to what’s on, how it works, and what parents really need to know before heading out. 

The Play Zones – what's where  

The festival is spread across eight Play Zones across the city. Most activities are drop-in and all are advertised as free. Here's what you can find across the different Play Zones:  

• The Carnival – St Ann’s Square (outdoor) - expect nostalgic fun and playful challenges like spin the wheel and hook a duck; there will also be a traditional Victorian Carousel and a colourful hall of mirrors among other activities.  

• The Playground – Exchange Square (outdoor) - an old school playground inspired by BBC’s Waterloo Road with activities like the school disco, to the PE class where you can take part in egg and spoon races among others.  

• The Arcade – Printworks (indoor) - try out classic retro games like air hockey and digital whack a mole, and compete against friends and family on a giant gaming screen.  

• The Nursery Rhyme Trail – Manchester Arndale (indoor) - nursery-rhyme inspired games and music, including a lively sing along and activities like putting Humpty back together again.  

• The Story Den – Manchester Central Library / Manchester Central (indoor) - expect craft sessions, dance workshops, film screenings and Lego building activities.  

• The Sports Hall – Great Northern (indoor) - for those looking for more active sessions, come here for table tennis, football tables, and 8-lane scalextric racing, plus skateboarding lessons.  

• The Soapbox – People’s History Museum (indoor) - from bade making to family reading and banner bingo, there’s plenty to do here.  

• The Studio – St John’s at Aviva Studios / Science and Industry Museum (indoor) - check out the immersive digital playground, or head to the creative zone for craft activities, there’s also game stations, a silent disco, a mini roller rink, and even a quiet zone for unplugged arts and crafts activities.  

There’s also an event map available on the festival website to help you plan which zones are nearest to each other. 

What are the opening times and scheduled activities?

All Play Zones run 10am–5pm each day, but a few activities take place at set times, so if you want to attend those, it’s worth planning your day around them.  

Some timed sessions to know about:  

• CBeebies Bedtime Stories LIVE (Manchester Central) 
  Only on Wed 18th & Thu 19th at 10.30, 11.30, 13.30 and 14.30. 

• The Soapbox (People’s History Museum) 
  Two music workshops on Wed 18th & Thu 19th at 11.00 and then at 14.45.  

• The Skate Park (The Sports Hall, Great Northern) - An introduction to skateboarding; one-hour slots suitable for ages 7+, sessions start at 10am and operate on a first-come, first-served basis.  

Do you need tickets? 

The festival is free and mostly unticketed, but a handful of popular workshops ask you to book a (still free) ticket, including: 

• My First Protest Song – People’s History Museum (Wed 18th & Thu 19th) 

• Crochet Club – Manchester Central Library (Wed 18th) 

• CBeebies Bedtime Stories LIVE – Manchester Central (Wed 18th & Thu 19th) 

• Blue Peter: Behind the Scenes – The Studios, Campfield (Sat 21st) 

You can book tickets via the visitmanchester website. Everything else you can simply turn up to. 

Which ages does the festival suit?  

The festival is designed for toddlers to young teens, with something for every stage.  

Toddlers & pre‑walkers 

• Comfort Area & Pre‑Walkers Zone – The Sports Hall 

• CBeebies Bedtime Stories Live – Manchester Central 

• Selected sessions in The Story Den & The Soapbox 

Young children 

• The Playground – Exchange Square 

• The Carnival – St Ann’s Square 

• Nursery Rhyme Trail – Arndale 

• The Story Den – Manchester Central Library 

• The Soapbox – People’s History Museum 

• The Sports Hall – Great Northern 

• The Studios – Aviva Studios / Science & Industry 

Older kids and young teens 

• The Arcade – Printworks 

• The Studios – St John’s 

• The Skate Park – Great Northern (7+) 

What food and drink options are available?

Families are welcome to bring their own food and drinks, with outdoor picnic areas available for eating. If you want to bring a picnic, designated areas include:

• The Sports Hall at Great Northern

• The Soapbox at People’s History Museum

• The Carnival in St Ann’s Square

• The Studio at Aviva Studios

There’s also going to be a street-food mini market (run by Grub) at The Studios which could be a nice way to try new cuisines with the kids. Plus, as you’ll be smack in the middle of Manchester city centre, there’s plenty of restaurants around where you can stop for a meal.

How do you get around the festival?

The festival takes place right in Manchester’s shopping district, and a lot of the areas are walkable. Alternatively, Manchester’s city-centre buses are free, pram-friendly and loop around main festival areas.

How do you get to the festival?  

If you’re travelling by car, the closest parking is Manchester Arndale and there’s also city centre car parks nearby. As it’ll be half-term, expect it to be very busy.  

If you’re travelling by train, keep in mind that Manchester Piccadilly will be closed during the festival. This affects services from Stockport, Crewe, Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool, Preston and Manchester Airport.  

Rail replacement buses will run, and journeys may involve changes at Stockport, Guide Bridge, Manchester Oxford Road, or Manchester Victoria. Check nationalrail.co.uk before travelling.  

The Super Duper Family Festival in Manchester - is it worth it?

Free entertainment for the kids at half term? We reckon it's worth it. There are so many different activities to choose from to suit all ages, and you don't have to spend a penny. Your kids can choose from craft sessions to skateboard lessons, and you can explore everything in between.

Plus, you don't have to spend on food and drinks either with lots of designated picnic areas. This is probably one of the most budget-friendly, family-friendly activities going on in Manchester this half-term.