We are so excited to announce a sizzling season of free shows, workshops, and activity over the summer. Following a year spent mostly indoors, we are inviting children and families to join us as we discover theatre and magic outdoors! From Hulme Park to Homeground, there is plenty for everyone to get involved with whilst enjoying lots of glorious sunshine as well (fingers crossed!).
Check out our free family-friendly activities below:
Hulme Park
Saturday 26th June
Hulme is Where the Art Is
Hulme is Where the Art Is returns this summer! The local community festival will launch our Summer of Play, with a new piece of dance created by Company Chameleon. There will also be lots of activity for and created by our wonderful Hulme community, including a music stage for young people to perform, a local band and family circus activities.
Tuesday 29th June to Friday 2nd July AND Tuesday 17th to Friday 20th August
Let’s Grow
Let’s Grow sees children become expert ‘carers’ for vegetables! Nurturing the babies through imaginative play, getting to know their likes and dislikes, supporting them to develop their skills and challenges and helping them to learn.
Saturday 3rd July
I Love My Bike
A fun-filled day based around cycling, including special guest Simon Mole, who will be running a poetry workshop based on his brand-new book, I Love My Bike. Manchester Bike Hub will also be offering simple repairs and diagnostics, or you can join cycling skill workshops around the park. Why not get creative in some bike themed arts and craft activities or take part in a special bike trail?! So bring along your skates, skateboards, scooters, and bikes and get involved!
Saturday 24th July
Playing Out
Playing Out takes the age-old concept of playing out on your street and in your park. Z-arts is bringing playing out back, with a free day of family friendly activities in the park. With outdoor performances, games and activities running in Hulme Park, it is time to take a trip back in time with the family!
Saturday 4th September
Disco Party
Hoops, juggling, dancing, street theatre… a closing party to celebrate Summer of Play!
Homeground
Saturday 12th June
The Hare and The Moon
The Fabularium are back, with a story all the way from Far East Asia! Join The Fabularium Astronomers as they tell the tale of how Leapa the Arctic Hare, saved the realm from a villainous beast; a tale of a furry fearless female, who brought the light back to the day and also made the night sky glow! Expect to see new animal headpieces, new puppets, new original music, and for the first time ever – illuminations!
Saturday 19th June
Rockin’ Rhinos
6 animals, 1 mission: to rescue the under 7’s from bland music and offer families with young children gigs they can enjoy – together! Join the Rockin’ Rhinos for a fun outdoor gig.
Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 June
Z-arts Bruntwood Stage Takeover
Free admission but you must book a table. Acts include:
Yemi Bolatiwa, a versatile and powerful contemporary soul singer. Featured on BBC Radio Manchester, BBC Introducing, Kiss FM and more in her work as a recording vocalist, she has shown she has a voice for radio and for the stage! She brings big smiles and big energy to her live sets accompanied by her band The Jam Jivers. Prepare to be uplifted up by jazz, blues and Motown sounds. Representing Z-arts, this show is for little kids and big kids and everyone in between, so join in have fun together sing along and enjoy a family jam!
Magic Adam, an international cabaret oddity. Join Magic Adam for a fabulous, spellbinding show filled with magic and music; suitable for kids and big kids alike.
Dommy B, performing his most popular poems in a rollercoaster of a show! If you want to take part, you can see how fun and easy it is to play with words, rhythms and rhymes as Dommy B creates brand new verses with your suggestions right in front of your eyes! If your little ones love words, poetry and storytelling, this show is for you!
Minifest, a fun musical experience for children that adults will love too! With original songs written especially to stimulate young imaginations and encourage physical activity, and some familiar favourites too, played by the brilliant Artful Playground Band, you are treated to a wide variety of musical styles ranging from Rock and Roll, to Gypsy Jazz, to Rap! Even though it’s all aimed at children, packed with educational themes and ideas, there really is something for everyone. Minifest will have family members of all ages up on their feet having a lovely, jolly, musical party together! So bring your Mini ones and get some festival vibes – no wellies required! – and we’ll do the steam train conga ‘till we drop!
Kabantu, a collective from Manchester who unravel new marriages of music from around the globe to celebrate the space where different cultures collaborate.
Voices Beyond, a Manchester-based gospel collective made up of talented singers and musicians who write original gospel songs and perform across the UK. They bring a fresh and modern approach to gospel music by offering an appealing and authentic sound whilst remaining original and unique.
Saturday 26th June, 12pm.
The Lost Colour
Join Malcolm on his quest to find the pinky-est pink paint on the planet! Through cracking rocks, mashing every conceivable vegetable, and even bottling and fermenting his own cow’s wee, he has created every colour imaginable…except for that rascally illusive pink, but he won’t give up! Expect puppetry, music and comedy!
Saturday 3rd July
How I Hacked My Way Into Space
How I Hacked My Way Into Space tells the frankly, bizarre inspirational story of a 43-year-old man’s midlife crisis creative adventure to hack his way into space from his garden shed in England, via the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, to Johnson Space Centre in Houston and a rocket launch at Cape Canaveral in Florida.
Saturday 10th July
Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids
World record-breaking beatboxer SK Shlomo makes mad music with his mouth. Become one of this sonic superhero’s sidekicks in a world of funny sounds, brilliant noises and cool music, whether you’re aged 1 or 101!