Manchester Literature Festival – Events and Activities for Children & Families
Events and Activities for Children & Families
EVENTS FOR SCHOOLS
Manchester Literature Festival presents
Frank Cottrell-Boyce – The Blockbusters!
Tuesday 13 October at 11am – 12pm | FREE
Manchester Central Library
https://manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk/events/frank-cottrell-boyce-the-blockbusters
Frank Cottrell-Boyce takes us on a hilarious Hollywood adventure with his latest brilliant book, The Blockbusters!, about a boy named Rafa, who accidentally strays onto a major movie set and swaps places with a famous actor. Frank is the recent Waterstones Children’s Laureate, and author of several bestselling children’s books including Millions and Cosmic.
Suitable for ages 9 – 11.
Book FREE school places at manchesterliteraturefestival.com
(Places are limited, and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.)
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Joseph Coelho – Poems to Grow With
Friday 16 October 2026 10 – 11am & 11.30am – 12.30pm | Free
Manchester Central Library
Joseph Coelho: Poems to Grow With | Manchester Literature Festival
Come on a camping trip with an outdoor feast or have an adventure – just you and your dog. Be a GIANT of learning, find a message in a bottle, sail the storyteller seas, or travel to the end of the earth. Join former Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho for an inspiring and interactive celebration of poetry. Suitable for ages 6+.
Book FREE school places at manchesterliteraturefestival.com
(Limited places are limited allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.)
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Manchester Literature Festival presents
Creative Connection – Go All In
Friday 23 October, 1 – 2pm | FREE
Manchester Central Library
Creative Connection – Go All In | Manchester Literature Festival
Join us for a celebration of creativity, collaboration and community, as young people from across Manchester and Salford take to the stage with original songs inspired by this year’s National Year of Reading theme, Go All In.
Led by Create Arts, this award-winning project brings disabled and non-disabled students together to write, compose and perform new music alongside professional musicians. Through shared creativity, participants build confidence, challenge barriers and celebrate connection. Come and support these talented young performers in an uplifting showcase of voices, stories and song.
Book FREE places by emailing
miriam@manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk
EVENTS FOR FAMILIES
Manchester Literature Festival presents Ben Nuttall’s Footy Factory
Saturday 10 October, 11am | Tickets £5
Stockroom, Stockport SK1 1PW
Ben Nuttall’s Footy Factory | Manchester Literature Festival
The undisputed World Number One football freestyler (he even performs for Manchester United) and social media superstar brings us his book, Ben Nuttall’s Footy Factory! But will Ben Nuttall just be talking about his tricks? Oh no, he’ll be showing you step-by-step how to do them – and you’ll also hear the incredible stories of the famous players who performed them for real on matchday! Your mind will be BLOWN.
Suitable for ages 7+
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Manchester Literature Festival presents Gruffalo Granny Celebration
Sunday 11 October
12pm – Film Screening / 1.15pm – Gruffalo Granny Storytime with Liz Fost
Film tickets £4.70 (inc. £1.20 booking fee)
The workshop is FREE, but booking recommended due to limited places
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Gruffalo Granny Celebration | Manchester Literature Festival
Enjoy a magical big-screen adventure as we celebrate the first new Gruffalo story in over 20 years and the return of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved characters. Screenings of The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child will be followed by a special Gruffalo Granny Storytime and creative craft activities.
Suitable for children aged 3+. Both films are rated U.
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Manchester Literature Festival presents Hugh Bonneville
Rory Sparkes and the Spy Who Loved Tea
Saturday 17 October 2026, 2pm – 3pm | Tickets £10 (including spy-themed activities to take home)
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Hugh Bonneville: Rory Sparkes and the Spy Who Loved Tea | Manchester Literature Festival
Join actor, author and star of Downton Abbey and Paddington, Hugh Bonneville, for a family event celebrating his latest Rory Sparkes spy adventure – full of humour, intrigue and brilliant illustrations by Loretta Schauer.
Rory Sparkes thought the new family across the road were perfectly ordinary – until he started to suspect they were hiding a secret. As Rory follows a trail of clues, he finds himself caught up in a world of spies, mysteries and unexpected adventures that could have consequences far beyond his neighbourhood.
Hear Hugh share the inspiration behind the book, introduce Rory’s latest escapade and celebrate the joy of storytelling, in conversation with radio presenter Jojo Silva.
Suitable for ages 7+
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Manchester Literature Festival presents
Little Reads Family Day (Manchester)
Saturday 24 October, 10.30am – 2.15pm
Manchester Central Library
https://manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk/families
Take part in a joyful day of stories, theatre, music, dancing, crafts and family fun. Book tickets for the individual events listed below and drop in for some free crafts.
The Elves and the Shoemaker
10.30am – 11.15am | Tickets £6
The Elves and the Shoemaker | Manchester Literature Festival
Peoplescape Theatre brings the classic Brothers Grimm tale to life in this enchanting, highly interactive adventure for our little audience members. Packed with music, puppetry, clowning and storytelling, children are invited to join the fun as they help the elves create their magical shoes. This sensory-rich production is specially designed for early years audiences. A joyful, welcoming theatre experience. Suitable for ages 3 – 6.
Dance with Magdalen Bartlett
12pm – 12.40pm | Free but booking recommended
Dance with Magdalen Bartlett | Manchester Literature Festival
Get ready to move, dance and have fun at this lively family session with Manchester-based dance artist Magdalen Bartlett. Blending cultural storytelling with movement and dancing, this interactive workshop invites everyone to join the party. Suitable for ages 3+.
Dylan, Daisy and the Disco Ball with Robert Tregoning
1.30pm – 2.15pm | Tickets £6
Dylan, Daisy and the Disco Ball with Robert Tregoning | Manchester Literature Festival
Strut your stuff with author Robert Tregoning in this joyful, confidence-boosting event inspired by Dylan, Daisy and the Disco Ball. When Dylan’s first school disco leaves him feeling self-conscious, a sparkling disco ball and his best friend Daisy help him find the courage to dance again. Through plenty of laughs and feel-good energy, discover a heartwarming tale about friendship, self-expression and being proud of who you are.
Robert Tregoning studied at the Glasgow School of Art before leaping into a career on the West End stage. He has appeared in shows including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda the Musical. As an LGBTQ+ writer, he hopes to help children and adults alike to accept and celebrate all that makes us uniquely ourselves. Suitable for ages 4 – 7.
Manchester Literature Festival presents
Little Reads Family Day (Oldham)
Saturday 24 October, 10.30am – 3pm
Oldham Library
https://manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk/families
Take part in a joyful day of stories, theatre, music, dancing, crafts and family fun. Book for the individual events listed below and enjoy free crafts and a Family Activity Trail 10am -2pm.
Dylan, Daisy and the Disco Ball with Robert Tregoning
10.30am – 11.15am | Free but booking recommended
Dylan, Daisy and the Disco Ball with Robert Tregoning (Oldham) | Manchester Literature Festival
Strut your stuff with author Robert Tregoning in this joyful, confidence-boosting event inspired by Dylan, Daisy and the Disco Ball. When Dylan’s first school disco leaves him feeling self-conscious, a sparkling disco ball and his best friend Daisy help him find the courage to dance again. Through plenty of laughs and feel-good energy, discover a heartwarming tale about friendship, self-expression and being proud of who you are.
Robert Tregoning studied at the Glasgow School of Art before leaping into a career on the West End stage. He has appeared in shows including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda the Musical. As an LGBTQ+ writer, he hopes to help children and adults alike to accept and celebrate all that makes us uniquely ourselves. Suitable for ages 4 – 7.
Little Reads Storytime with Adam Perrot
12.30pm – 1.30pm | Free but booking recommended
Little Reads Storytime with Adam Perrot (Oldham) | Manchester Literature Festival
Everyone loves Adam! Join our fantastic Little Reads storyteller Adam Perrott for a special Little Reads story time full of songs, storytelling and smiles, followed by free craft activities. Suitable for ages 3+.
The Elves and the Shoemaker
2.15pm– 3pm | Free but booking recommended
The Elves and the Shoemaker (Oldham) | Manchester Literature Festival
Peoplescape Theatre brings the classic Brothers Grimm tale to life in this enchanting, highly interactive adventure for our little audience members. Packed with music, puppetry, clowning and storytelling, children are invited to join the fun as they help the elves create their magical shoes. This sensory-rich production is specially designed for early years audiences. A joyful, welcoming theatre experience. Suitable for ages 3 – 6.
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The Enormous Turnip
Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October at 11am & 2pm | Tickets £10.50 (inc. commission fee)
Z-arts
Living in their tiny shed squeezed in amongst the garden tools, Mr and Mrs Chickweed’s amazing prize-winning vegetables have taken over everything. Help save the day as we pull The Enormous Turnip out of the ground before it takes over the planet! Presented by Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company in partnership with Z-arts. Suitable for all the family (recommended for ages 3 – 10).
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Beano Presents Dennis the Menace’s Year of Mischief!
Wednesday 28 October
11am – 12pm (followed by book-signing) | Tickets £10
Z-arts
Beano Presents Dennis the Menace’s Year of Mischief! | Manchester Literature Festival
Beano’s Directors of Mischief and Mayhem, Mike Stirling and Craig Graham, share top-secret tips for creating laugh-out-loud comic strips and reveal their smash-hit latest Beano Boomic Dennis the Menace: Mischief at the Museum! Celebrate Dennis the Menace’s 75th birthday and help co-create the funniest comic strip of ALL TIME! Presented in partnership with Z-arts. Suitable for ages 6+
