There’s a family-friendly New Year’s Eve event making its way to Manchester this winter that’s sure to make everyone feel included – even your little ones.
The ultimate family-friendly dance party is travelling to Manchester and stopping off in one of the city’s biggest venues, Freight Island.
Ran by ‘Raver Tots’, this is set to be an experience filled with the best in British dance music from house to garage and drum and bass, with a huge laser show, confetti cannons, and performers.
Besides being the UK’s biggest family-friendly rave brand, they are also motto masters using a slogan we all could live by – ‘Throw shapes not toys’.
Helping you dance the night away will be DJ Millz and Charlotte Devaney, who are definitely no stranger to each other, remixing tracks together and performing live on stage at a variety of events.
Both are known for their drum and bass records, a genre which they both share a clear love of. Guests attending can expect similar ensembles including some of the best in British dance music like house and garage tunes.
This party is taking place during the day meaning your kids won’t miss their curfew and can get a full night’s sleep, as long as the fireworks over at Big Ben don’t disturb their sleeping schedule.
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Starting at 12pm on New Year’s Eve, Freight Island is about to transform into a family-friendly dance wonderland. This environment is suitable for all ages and all music is an appropriate noise level. Ace!
These independently run festivals are a quick-fire crowd pleaser which have attratced up to 15,000 people a time, you’re sure to be surrounded by some good company.
Saoirse Holland, director at Raver Tots, said: “There’s always a great atmosphere at the New Year’s Eve parties, we do a huge countdown and confetti blast so kids can experience ringing in the New Year without the late night.
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“The whole family can join in the celebrations, listen to some great music and make memories without the hassle of trying to find a babysitter!”
These family-friendly party events are usually in high demand and anyone wanting to attend ‘Raver Tots New Year’s Eve Manchester’ can find tickets available here.
Popular grassroots music festival to return to hidden Manchester street with new fringe events
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s much-loved grassroots music festival is back next month, and this year, there’s some new fringe events too.
Set across a handful of popular venues up on Deansgate Mews – including The Lion’s Den, Low Four Studios and The Mews Bar – Deansgate Mews Festival is returning for its sixth year this late May bank holiday weekend.
More than 40 music artists will be performing on a mix of outdoor and intimate indoor stages.
But that’s not all, as in what’s set to be an exciting new chapter for 2026, the festival is expanding beyond its core programme with the launch of the first-ever Mews Fest Fringe too.
Popular grassroots music festival Mews Fest returns this late May bank holiday / Credit: Supplied
The inaugural Mews Fest Fringe will be hosted in a large unit within Great Northern Warehouse, which will be transformed into a ‘vibrant’ hub celebrating music, art and independent culture.
Designed as a platform for Manchester’s creative community, the festival space will welcome artists, designers, collectors, and creative entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their work while connecting with festival-goers.
At the Fringe event, you can expect everything from record sellers and vinyl collectors, to vintage clothes, arts and crafts makers, independent creatives, and even bands selling merchandise.
This year there’s also the addition of the Mews Fest Fringe / Credit: Supplied
Already known for its strong grassroots ethos and growing reputation, Mews Fest continues to champion local talent and independent culture – but now with the addition of the Fringe event, the stage is set for its most ‘ambitious and inclusive’ edition to date.
Oh and the best bit? Both festivals will be free to attend, with no need to book tickets beforehand.
Mews Fest and Mews Fest Fringe will take over Deansgate Mews next month on late May bank holiday weekend from Friday 22 – Monday 26 May.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Peter Kay announces four intimate charity shows in Greater Manchester – but only for these postcodes
Emily Sergeant
Peter Kay has just announced four intimate shows to raise money for a very worthy cause… but you can only get tickets if you live in these particular postcodes.
Comedy legend Peter Kay is set to return home to the Bolton Albert Halls for four very special hometown shows in this summer, marking his first performances at the venue more than two decades.
Taking to the very stage where he recorded the UK’s biggest-selling stand-up DVD, it’s set to be a proper nostalgic homecoming for one of Britain’s most beloved comedians.
The summer shows – which are taking place from 9 – 11 July 2026, even including a matinee performance – this is a rare chance for local fans to be part of something incredibly special, with all funds raised going to Bolton Hospice.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… you’ll only be able to get tickets if you live in Bolton (and some parts of Bury), as it’s strictly limited to BL postcodes.
Peter Kay Live at the Bolton Albert Halls – 2026 Dates
Thursday 9 July (Evening)
Friday 10 July (Evening)
Saturday 11 July (Matinee)
Saturday 11 July (Evening)
Tickets officially go on sale Friday 24 April at 10am, and you can get your hands on them here.
Thomas Melia -
2nd December 2024 
