Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
What's On in Lancashire
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The Magic Of Middle-earth
21st June-27th September 2025
Venue: The Atkinson
Address: Southport
Website: theatkinson.co.uk/exhibition/the-magic-of-middle-earth/
The Magic Of Middle-earth takes visitors on a journey beyond the books to explore Tolkien's expansive artistic legacy. Discover stunning paintings, incredible sculptures, even Middle-earth themed Lego...
Summer of Play at Rufford Old Hall
18th July-1st September 2025
Venue: Rufford Old Hall
Address: near Ormskirk, Lancashire
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/liverpool-lancashire/rufford-old-hall/events/
Every day during summer opening times (Fri-Tues) enjoy an abundance of garden games and self-led activities. Escape to the Orchard Paddock and take part in free sports activities including cricket, rounders,...
The Big Butterfly Count 2025
18th July-10th August 2025
Venue: Nationwide
Website: bigbutterflycount.org
By taking part in Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count - a UK wide survey, you can help assess the health of the environment simply by counting butterflies. Add your counts on the website or via...
Summer at East Lancashire Railway
20th July-22nd August 2025
Venue: East Lancashire Railway
Address: Bury, Lancashire
Website: www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/summer-at-the-east-lancashire-railway/
East Lancashire Railway welcomes its friends from the Funcast Character Company, the Wizards of the Wizard Academy, the dinky Dinos of Dino Adventure, the characters of Wonderland and a crew of vile villains....
Summer Toddler Party
21st-22nd July 2025
Venue: Thornton Hall Country Park
Address: Thornton in Craven, Near Skipton, Thornton in Craven, Lancashire, BD23 3TS
Website: thorntonhallfarm.co.uk/event/summer-toddler-party-2/2025-07-21/
Visit Thornton Hall Farm to kickstart the summer holidays! With soft play, summer crafts, animal petting, foam zone, bottle feeding, party games and more.
Festival of Fun
23rd July-31st August 2025
Venue: Thornton Hall Country Park
Address: Thornton in Craven, Near Skipton, Thornton in Craven, Lancashire, BD23 3TS
Website: thorntonhallfarm.co.uk/event/festival-of-fun-summer-holidays/2025-07-23/
Your ticket unlocks a world of fun for kids and grown-ups alike, from hands-on animal encounters at the farm to burning off energy in their five star soft play! The Festival of Fun is packed with non-stop...
Summer Holiday Fun at RHS Garden Bridgewater
23rd July-31st August 2025
Venue: RHS Garden Bridgewater
Website: www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/bridgewater/whats-on/summer-holidays
Go wild in the woods this summer! Head to their woodland basecamp for six weeks of hands-on fun and outdoor challenges, from epic den building and forest school workshops to woodland crafts, tree climbing,...
A Summer of Fun with Affinity Lancashire
26th July-30th August 2025
Venue: Affinity Lancashire in Fleetwood
Website: www.affinitylancashire.com
Explore their fantastic range of free family events including their Minecraft Day on Saturday 26th July when you can meet Steve and have some gaming fun, plus their Wicked Weekend over August Bank Holiday...
Farm and Soft Play
28th July-27th August 2025
Venue: Thornton Hall Country Park
Address: Thornton in Craven, Near Skipton, Thornton in Craven, Lancashire
Website: thorntonhallfarm.co.uk/event/farm-and-soft-play-summer-holidays/2025-07-28/
Visit for farm and soft play fun every Monday and Tuesday throughout the summer! Your visit includes full-day access to the farm (10am – 4:30pm) and soft play/diner access at your chosen time slot. The...
Seashore Detectives
29th July 2025
Venue: North Beach
Address: St Annes, Clifton Drive North, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire
Website: www.lancswt.org.uk/events/2025-07-29-seashore-detectives
Visit for an exciting adventure as you become seashore detectives, exploring the diverse ecosystems of the Fylde coast. Discover exciting marine species to see if you can identify and learn about them,...
Family Month August
1st-31st August 2025
Venue: Leighton Hall
Address: Carnforth, Lancashire
Website: www.leightonhall.co.uk/DB/events-diary/family-month-august
Extended opening times to welcome families to the Hall and extra activities for children to enjoy. There’s also time to take a woodland walk, follow the Tree Face Trail, climb on the play area, enjoy...
Garstang Show 2025
2nd August 2025
Venue: The Garstang Showfield
Address: Off Green Lane East, Garstang, Preston, Lancashire
Website: www.garstangshow.org
Garstang Show always has and always will be about community. Watch the action in the Main Ring, shop delicious local produce in the Food Hall and see beautiful floral displays and handmade crafts in the...
Mini Makers: Summer Seaside
2nd August 2025
Venue: The Whitaker
Address: Haslingden Road, Rossendale
Website: www.thewhitaker.org/whats-on-article/family-activities/mini-makers-summer-seaside/
Join them as they celebrate the summer with seaside themed crafts! Sessions at 11am and 1pm.
Summer Gala
2nd-3rd August 2025
Venue: The West Lancashire Light Railway
Address: Station Road, Hesketh Bank
Website: www.westlancsrailway.org/special-events
The big event of the year, the two-day summer steam gala! They bring all your favourite attractions into one event! Three engines in steam, model railway display, and traditional games. Plus free vintage...
Rockpool Ramble
4th August 2025
Venue: Blackpool Sea Wall
Address: Blackpool, Lancs
Website: www.lancswt.org.uk/events/2025-08-04-rockpool-ramble
Join in on the Rockpool Ramble to explore the weird and wonderful creatures inhabiting the rockpools along Blackpool's sea wall. Prepare to be mystified by the intriguing lives of the creatures you discover,...
Early Years in Summer
6th August 2025
Venue: The Whitaker
Address: Haslingden Road, Rossendale
Website: www.thewhitaker.org/whats-on-article/family-activities/early-years-in-summer/
These play based sessions are designed specifically for parents, grandparents and carers to enjoy time with their little ones. The Early Years team provide everything you need to allow your child to lead...
Pond Dipping and Explore the Walled Garden
6th August 2025
Venue: Gawthorpe Hall
Address: Near Burnley, Lancashire
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/liverpool-lancashire/gawthorpe-hall/events/
Explore nature in Gawthorpe Hall's grounds and see what you can discover. See what minibeasts you can find in the pond, have a go at snail racing, explore the Walled Garden and enjoy some nature inspired...
Create your own Wellington Aircraft Model
9th August 2025
Venue: Sir Ken Dodd Learning Space, Showtown Blackpool
Address: (Entrance) Corner of Adelaide Street West and Bank Hey Street, Blackpool
Website: www.showtownblackpool.co.uk/whats-on/family-activities/create-your-own-wellington-aircraft
Join them for this family fun craft session, as they celebrate the amazing aircraft that helped to win the Second World War. Design and build your own Vickers Wellington to take home with you and learn...
Family Fun Afternoon
13th August 2025
Venue: Gawthorpe Hall
Address: Near Burnley, Lancashire
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/liverpool-lancashire/gawthorpe-hall/events/
Enjoy some fun summer activities! Have a go with their croquet set, play with the garden games and make giant bubbles. Next, explore the mobile library and listen to a story, get creative making your own...
The Wizard and The Mechanic
14th August 2025
Venue: The Whitaker
Address: Rossendale
Website: www.thewhitaker.org/whats-on-article/family-activities/the-wizard-and-the-mechanic/
Using masks, puppets, and ridiculous physicality, the Wizard and the Mechanic will guide you on a magical and very silly quest to finish their story. No one knows how it will all go, but it's certain to...
Great Gawthorpe Gnome Hunt
20th August 2025
Venue: Gawthorpe Hall
Address: Near Burnley, Lancashire
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/liverpool-lancashire/gawthorpe-hall/events/
The Great Gawthorpe Gnomes have run off and hidden in the flowerbeds – how many can you spot? Collect your quiz sheet and clipboard at the front of the Hall and explore the lawns, flowerbeds and shrubbery...
Brockholes Village Fete
23rd-25th August 2025
Venue: Brockholes Nature Reserve
Address: Preston, Lancashire
Website: www.lancswt.org.uk/events/2025-08-23-brockholes-village-fete
Back by popular demand and bigger than ever! This August bank holiday weekend visit Brockholes for three whole days of village fete fun. This summer celebration will take place in stunning natural surroundings,...
Lowther’s Food & Drink Festival 2025
23rd-25th August 2025
Venue: Lowther Pavilion Theatre & Gardens
Address: Lancashire
Website: lowtherpavilion.co.uk/shows/lowthers-food-drink-festival-2025/
Visit over Bank Holiday Weekend as they transform the gardens with their very best food and drink stalls! You can also expect free family entertainment, the Creative Crafts Association Marquee and more....
Home Education Day at RHS Garden Bridgewater
4th September 2025
Venue: RHS Garden Bridgewater
Website: www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rhs-garden-bridgewater/
Hands-on sessions for home-educated children from 4 to 11 years. Through interactive learning, these workshops explore a range of topics from how plants grow, to where our food comes from, and how plants...
Pride in Nature
7th September 2025
Venue: RHS Garden Bridgewater
Website: www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rhs-garden-bridgewater/
Now in its 4th year, Pride In Nature 2025 looks to build on the success of previous events and celebrate all things LGBTQIA+ in the beautiful natural environment. During the day there will be a host...
Working Engines Gala
21st September 2025
Venue: The West Lancashire Light Railway
Address: Station Road, Hesketh Bank
Website: www.westlancsrailway.org/special-events
The big parade of the little engines! Full passenger steam train timetable, and the Hudswell mines diesel. Demonstration diesel freight trains, drive-a-diesel, live steam model railways, Meccano display,...
Love Lancaster Live
9th-12th October 2025
Venue: Market Square
Address: Lancaster
Website: lancasterbid.org/events/love-lancaster-live/
A weekend of live music taking place throughout Lancaster city centre. Over 50 venues will host performances alongside a packed schedule of live local acts performing a free show in Market Square to ensure...