A spectacle of summer fun is about to unfold at Little HOME, a Family Friendly festival taking place at HOME in Manchester, Fri 2 to Sun 4 Aug and Sat 10 to Sun 11 Aug. Full of FREE activities, the programme features interactive theatre, circus skills, puppetry, music, dance, crafts, film and much more.

Theatre and performance

Opening the festival on Fri 2 Aug will be a theatre production of the much-loved illustrated book by Nick Sharratt, Shark in the Park. Can that really be a shark that Timothy Pope sees through his brand new telescope? Find out in this fin-tastic musical that also features Shark in the Dark and Shark in the Park on a Windy Day. The show also takes place on Sat 3 and Sun 4 August and is suitable for ages 3+. Tickets are from £15 and bookable here.

A variety of free pop up performances will be taking place in the spaces in and around HOME throughout Little HOME festival. On Sat 3 and Sun 4 Aug you can make friends with Toby and Eunicea pair of fantastical beasts: a young dragon and a baby unicorn. Creating the magic and firing the imagination is theatre company the Wonderous Funderstorm. Prepare to be charmed by Special Delivery a story told through puppetry of a postman whose parcels lose their labels in the rain. As he works out the intended recipients a series of beautiful stories are revealed. All wrapped up in brown paper, this is a show by A Bird in the Hand Theatre that is as much-loved by adults as children.

On Sun 4 Aug there are some one-to-one theatrical encounters to enjoy. These short snapshots, known as Theatre for One, bring you face to face with a performer who can be found inside and outside. Dr Frankenstein at his work table, Mystic Mog a fortune teller and a rocket blasting off into space are just some of the special moments of theatre to delight in.

The work of another experimental scientist is explored in The Alchemist. His crazy endeavours result in some catastrophic consequences, which aren’t helped by a pair of mischievous rats and an incredibly annoying bluebottle. Meet all these madcap characters in this light-hearted puppet show that will be performed in the outdoor performance space on Sat 10 Aug by Frolicked Outdoor Puppet Theatre.

On Sun 11 Aug look out for two very special (and unforgettable!) guests who are Never Too Old. Grandpa and Grandma might be octogenarians, but they are a very feisty pair whose antics and arguments you will be able to get involved in as part of a theatrical experience brought to life through the puppetry of Frolicked Outdoor Puppet Theatre. Meet the pair, who will be on walkabouts throughout the day, to say hello.

Creativity with crafts and more

For those that like doing as well as seeing there will be a brilliant choice of free creative crafts, workshops and games to take part in. Phoebe Foxtrot is as colourful as the illustrations that she creates and on Sat 3 and Sun 4 Aug she will be taking over Creativity Corner where Shark in the Park themed activities will be taking place.

On Sat 10 and 11 Aug, brimming with ingenuity, the Phantasmagoria Magical Emporium will be running creatively themed craft activities plus there will be a free treasure hunt game. Also filling the two days with Family Friendly fun will be Skylight Circus Arts. Their team of performers will not only draw gasps of amazement for their circus skills, they will also be helping participants to master juggling, plate-spinning, diabolo and more. There is also more craft in Creativity Corner with the gloriously named Pigs in Mud Art Studios running two zine-making workshops on Sat 10 Aug, and The Travelling Shadow Theatre will be teaching participants Shadow Puppet Making in workshops on Sun 11 Aug.

Dance and music

The festival programme for Sat 10 and Sun 11 Aug is filled with free dance and music. You can watch The Ballad of Selkie on Sat 10 Aug, in which Selkie joins audiences from her watery world to share her story through dance. And on Sun 11 Aug you can join in a Doodle Dance workshop with the Born and Bred Dance Theatre to have a go at doodling through dance: fun moves that are of your own creation!

Old Time Rags will get everyone’s toes tapping and faces smiling with their eclectic mix of skiffle, jazz and blue sounds. The act features a traditional one-man band plus a tap dancing, singing washboard player – it’s a sight and sound to behold! They will be performing outside HOME’s café bar on Sat 10 Aug. More high energy music with a carnival feel comes from Cacophony Arkestra; a six-piece band that will add their soca and calypso moves and tunes to the festival atmosphere. Catch their performances throughout the day in a walkabout performance outside.

Family Friendly flicks

Accompanying Little HOME is a big programme of Family Friendly films that includes Pete’s Dragon, Kung Fu Panda 4 and The Parent Trap. Tickets are £3.50 (including adults)and kids can swap a cinema ticket for a free meal in the restaurant when accompanied by an adult.