Tameside Council has published a borough-wide summer programme of events aimed at providing free and low-cost activities for children and families during the school holidays. The guide brings together a mixture of arts, heritage and outdoor play — including the return of the much‑liked pop-up beach in Stalybridge and a series of Theatre in the Park performances.
What’s on and where
Theatre in the Park will tour parks across Tameside, offering family-friendly adaptations of familiar stories alongside new pieces such as The Circus Runaways. Performances are scheduled with two showings each day at 11am and 2pm to suit varying family timetables. Outdoor Arts sessions will take place across green spaces in the borough, providing hands-on crafts and workshops for children.
- Theatre in the Park — classic and new family theatre, two showings: 11:00 and 14:00
- Outdoor Arts — arts and crafts sessions in parks and green spaces
- Make, Do, Play — ongoing family sessions during the holidays
- Family Arts Jam — full day arts event in Hyde Park with mixed workshops
- Portland Basin Museum Our Museum Day — family heritage day
- Pop‑up Beach — returning to Stalybridge (date to be confirmed)
Key dates confirmed so far
| Event | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Our Museum Day (Portland Basin) | Thursday 30 July | 11:00–15:00 |
| Family Arts Jam (Hyde Park) | Wednesday 12 August | 11:00–16:00 |
The programme is designed to be accessible: many activities are free or low cost, and the council says the schedule contains options for different ages and interests so families across Tameside can take part. In addition to the events above, the borough’s usual summer calendar — including Stalybridge Street Fests, Super Saturdays, Mossley Farmers Markets and various artisan markets — will continue.
“It’s great to see such an exciting programm
The council has indicated further additions will be announced in due course. For residents planning visits, the guide sets out performance times and locations for the theatre events and details of workshops and museum activities; further practical information and updates are available from the council’s events pages.
Why this matters locally
During school holidays, access to affordable activities is a priority for many local families. Community events such as these deliver cultural engagement and open-air recreation across the borough without putting pressure on household budgets. They also sustain local markets and small traders who benefit from increased footfall at street fests and park events.
Residents should check the council’s official listings for any last-minute changes, weather-related adjustments to outdoor programming and details of accessibility provisions at specific venues.
