Little HOME 2026

Free family festival at HOME - Sat 1 & Sun 2 Aug

Our FREE family festival returns in August 2026!

Little HOME invites families to join us for a weekend packed with fun, creativity, and entertainment for all ages.

Enjoy a vibrant programme full of FREE family-friendly activities, from stage and street performances to film screenings, craft and creative workshops, there is something for all the family to enjoy.

Little HOME events are all free to attend, but some require booking ahead.

Highlights include:

Batala Manchester bring a vibrant taste of carnival with their reggae samba beats.
Prepare yourself for a musical voyage full of stories, songs and the sea in our studio theatre space with Tales from the Lighthouse.
Join in with the spectacular Skylight Circus Arts and learn how to juggle, spin plates and more.
Film screenings for all the family, in our cinemas and on the outdoor screen.
Outside HOME will be a range of activities, entertainment and music.
Decorate cookies and cupcakes in HOME Bar & Kitchen.
Our Chill Zone returns for 2026! Head to our Cinema Bar area to find crafts, board games, drawing and fidget toys, facilitated by a guest artist.

Download Full Programme

See the full Little HOME 2026 programme

Saturday 1 August

10:00–16:00 – Skylight Circus – Family Circus Skills (Outside)
10:00–16:00 – Family Crafts and Storytelling with Phoebe Foxtrot (Foyer)
10:00–16:00 – Manchester Libraries: Read to the Beat (Foyer)
10:00–16:00 – Make Your Own Story Dice by People's History Museum (Foyer)
10:30 & 13:00 – Tales from the Lighthouse (Theatre 2)
11:00, 13:00 & 15:00 – All In A Mouse's Night (Theatre 1)
11:00–15:40 – Celebration Pin Dolls Make and Take (National Football Museum) (Café)
12:00 & 14:00 – Kiwi Kwala Promenade and Show (Outside)
12:00–15:00 – Cookie and Cupcake Decorating (Restaurant)
12:00 & 14:00 – Afrocats Family Dance Workshop (Event Space)
14:00 – Puffin Rock and the New Friends (Cinema 1)
16:00 – Amazing Animations (Outdoor Cinema)

Sunday 2 August

10:00–16:00 – Skylight Circus – Family Circus Skills (Outside)
10:00–16:00 – Outdoor Games with Tabs (Outside)
10:00–16:00 – Family Crafts and Storytelling with Phoebe Foxtrot (Foyer)
10:30 & 13:00 – Over to You: The Storytelling Gameshow (Theatre 1)
11:00 & 13:00 – Bhangra Dance and Dhol Drumming (Event Space)
11:00–15:40 – Celebration Pin Dolls Make and Take (National Football Museum) (Café)
11:30 & 14:00 – The Magic Bookmark (Theatre 2)
12:00–13:00 – Batala Manchester Samba Performance (Outside)
12:00–15:00 – Cookie and Cupcake Decorating (Restaurant)
14:00 – Puffin Rock and the New Friends (Cinema 1)
16:00 – Amazing Animations (Outdoor Cinema)

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