Just in time for the October half term, the jaw-dropping multi-sensory experience has already captivated eight million people in a whopping 75 cities right across the world, and has proven to be just as exciting for children as it is for adults – perhaps even more so.
With 3,000 images from the seminal Dutch artist’s renowned body of work digitally emblazoned onto supersized backdrops, and paintings that are ready for little ones to literally climb right into, Van Gogh Alive is so much more than a visit to a gallery, or a ‘don’t touch’ museum trip.
Organisers assure that it’s “immersive, interactive, and inspiring” for people of all ages.
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Thinking of checking it out? Here’s five reasons why babies, toddlers, kids, and teens should be first in line for half term week when the purpose-built venue lands at MediaCityUK on 22 October.
Van Gogh Alive has been called a “glorious, stunning, but also very moving” exhibition / Credit: Van Gogh Alive
1. It’s the world’s most visited multi-sensory experience
We weren’t kidding – eight million people have already flocked to Van Gogh Alive when it’s visited other cities across the world.
It’s a feast of sight, sound, and scent set to an evocative score that will help younger visitors to understand the emotion and tone of each artwork as they explore the space, while also enjoying the authentic fragrance of Provence wafting through the air.
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Even the most hard-to-please teenagers are bound to be entertained by the larger-than-life imagery and a mirrored room filled to the brim with sunflowers – which makes for a cracking photo opportunity.
2. It’s fun, educational, and interactive
No one will be shushed, no one will be told not to touch, and no one will be bored – this is the kind of awe-inspiring and unforgettable experience that parents desperately search for.
Van Gogh is one of the world’s most important artists of all time, and throughout this experience, young visitors will discover his work, his life, his descent into madness, and his legacy, meaning it’s pretty much the best art, history, and geography lesson they could ever hope for.
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Whether the idea of learning excites your kids or not, they will learn – and they will love it.
Not only will you be able to step straight into Van Gogh’s world, both kids and adults alike can try their hands at using his techniques and learning his craft, with three graded tutorials on offer at the dedicated Art Activity Area, and even the opportunity to recreate some of the artist’s most famous works.
So you can leave the grey Manchester skies outside, and step into a world of kaleidoscopic colour and 360-degree delight.
The jaw-dropping multi-sensory experience has already captivated eight million people / Credit: Van Gogh AliveIt’s a feast of sight, sound, and scent set to an evocative score that will help younger visitors to understand the emotion / Credit: Van Gogh Alive
3. Climb into an actual painting
This is your chance to, quite literally, climb inside of an actual painting.
There’ll be a life-sized recreation of ‘Van Gogh’s Bedroom’ – one of his most famous pieces – truly bringing art to life at the installation, and families can sit on Van Gogh’s bed, his chair, use his mirror, and pose for a photo in one of the most recognisable bedrooms in history.
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Where else does a painting spring out into life sized, touchable, three-dimensional reality?
It’s another layer of magic that the whole family will love.
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Van Gogh Alive opens its doors from 22 October 2021 – 23 January 2022 at MediaCityUK, and tickets are on sale now.
It’s £22 for adults and £15 for children, with concessions and school group discounts available.
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Event organisers are hoping to raise vital funds for The Christie charity to help it continue its incredible work leading the way for cancer care, research, and education – and visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to make a donation either when purchasing tickets, or while at the exhibition.
Controlled visitor capacities and managed visitor flow mean visitors can easily respect any COVID-19 guidelines and enjoy the experience safely.
Clubbing brand Don’t Let Daddy Know to make massive comeback in Manchester this weekend
Daisy Jackson
World-renowned clubbing brand Don’t Let Daddy Know is set to make a massive return this weekend, with a huge line-up at O2 Victoria Warehouse.
The international line-up will include Timmy Trumpet, Blasterjaxx, Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman, Third Party, and Ummet Ozcan.
Don’t Let Daddy Know is famed for its huge production, with walls of LEDs, pyrotechnics and lasers creating an almighty clubbing experience – not to mention plenty of surprises along the way.
It has grown into a global phenomenon, hosting tens of thousands of clubbers in venues around the world.
The 18+ dance event will be back after a two-year hiatus and returning to the O2 Victoria Warehouse, the site of previous sell-out shows.
The line-up is packed with EDM and HardStyle artists, including Australian DJ/producer Timmy Trumpet, who has 1.2 billion streams and first broke through with Freaks, which dominated the charts in more than 10 countries.
He said: “Manchester knows how to party!! I can’t wait to rage with you guys, this is gonna be absolutely MENTAL!!
“Don’t Let Daddy Know always brings the best production. This is gonna be one for the history books!”
Blasterjaxx is a fixture in the EDM scene, along with Swedish DJ and producer duo Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman.
Don’t Let Daddy Know will be at the O2 Victoria Warehouse on Saturday 1 October, with last entry at 11pm.
There are VIP tickets available, with the best views in the house from the venue’s mezzanine level, as well as fast-track entry and a private bar and toilets.
General admission tickets are priced at £25 plus fees, while VIP tickets start from £37.50 – you can get yours here.
Featured image: Don’t Let Daddy Know
What's On
You can meet tarantulas, komodo dragons, and more on Chester Zoo’s new interactive Halloween trail
Emily Sergeant
Tarantulas, komodo dragons, and poisonous dart frogs are just some of the creatures you can meet on Chester Zoo‘s newest trail next month.
With the spooky season right around the corner, Luna’s Lost Spell Halloween Trail is set to take over the UK’s biggest charity zoo for the whole of next month from Saturday 1 – Monday 31 October, and it looks set to be an ideal day out for families during the half term.
You’ll get to see komodo dragons, a Gaboon Viper, some poison dart frogs, a blue komodo viper, a tarantula, and even the upside-down Jellyfish as you make your way along the indoor trail.
If meeting the animals wasn’t exciting enough as it is, this is also an interactive trail too.
So for those feeling brave enough, visitors are encouraged to visit the six different animal stations to learn some spellbinding facts about each hair-raising species, all while collecting letters to form a magic word using augmented reality.
You can meet tarantulas, komodo dragons, and more on Chester Zoo’s new interactive Halloween trail / Credit: Chester Zoo
All you’ll need to do is scan a QR code with your phone to reveal each letter of the word with a fun interactive experience, and then stamp the letters onto a postcard.
You’ll be rewarded with a sweet treat at the end of the trail if you manage to work out the word.
Of course, as Chester Zoo as place that’s as much about educating people on conservation as it is somewhere to head to for a fun day out, the theme of Luna’s Lost Spell Halloween Trail is linked to the zoo’s BIAZA Vital Venom and Practical Poisons campaign.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of all the “creepy but crucial creatures” at the zoo that are venomous and poisonous.
Luna’s Lost Spell Halloween Trail is set to take over the UK’s biggest charity zoo for the whole of next month / Credit: Chester Zoo
“We’re so excited to launch our very own Halloween themed trail around the zoo this October,” said Gemma Bamford – Admissions & Membership Manager at Chester Zoo.
“Halloween is the perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on some of the unknown species Chester Zoo is home too, inspiring visitors to care for our cause of preventing extinction of not only the renowned species like elephants, giraffes and rhinos, but the more unusual and extraordinary animals that may just shock, surprise or spook you.”
Emily Sergeant -
8th October 2021 
