WEEKLY UPDATE: 8–14 December | Festive Theatre Trips & Family Fun

Jan 18
5 min read

Updated: Jan 25

December is always one of my favourite months of the year, and this week really captured everything I love about it — festive theatre trips, magical family moments, and lots of time spent making memories with Alice and Leo. From pantomime and musicals to cosy children’s theatre and special family days, it was a week packed full of joy.

A Cosy Start & A Very Special School Play

The week started off fairly quietly on Monday with a day at home catching up on housework and trying to get through some editing — one of those necessary but not very exciting days!

Tuesday, however, was a really special one as it was Leo’s Christmas play at school. Lawrence came along with me, and it was so lovely to be able to watch him together. Leo doesn’t usually like being in big crowds and often doesn’t attend school assemblies, so his teachers weren’t sure if he’d want to take part. But when they told him that I was coming to watch, he was happy to do it.

He had a small role as a cameraman and sat right at the front on a bench with the teachers. Then, at the end of the show, he had the important job of handing out sweets to the audience. He came straight over to me, handed me a pack of Haribo and said, “These are your favourite, Mama.” Honestly, my heart 🥹 such a lovely little moment I’ll remember forever.

Young child in a Santa hat holds a turquoise bucket indoors. Another person hands them a small item. The room has a blue wall and chair.

🏹 Panto Season Begins – Robin Hood at Manchester Opera House

The week then properly kicked into festive mode with a trip to Manchester Opera House for the matinee performance of this year’s pantomime, Robin Hood: The Magical Panto Adventure. There’s nothing quite like a festive panto to get you in the Christmas spirit, and this one absolutely delivered.

With colourful sets, energetic performances, plenty of laughs, and all the classic panto ingredients, it was a brilliant way to start the theatre part of the week. Panto season always feels like the official start of Christmas for me, and this was such a fun, feel-good afternoon.

👉 You can read my full review HERE

Robin Hood Panto Manchester Opera House - Performers in red, colourful costumes on a vibrant stage with ornate banners, cheering audience in foreground. Joyful atmosphere.

🎤 A Spontaneous Evening with Tina Turner

While I was already in town for the panto, I spotted an opportunity I couldn’t pass up — an evening performance of TINA: The Tina Turner Musical at the Palace Theatre Manchester, using a theatre voucher I had.

Before the show, I grabbed some lunch and had a little wander around the shops, before heading back down to St Peter’s Square and walking over to the theatre. I also made sure I got there nice and early, as I knew they had a little exhibition of some of the costumes from the show on display outside the stalls, and I really wanted to have a proper look before it got busy.

It turned into one of those spontaneous theatre days that end up being extra special.

The show was absolutely fantastic — powerful vocals, electric energy, and an audience that was fully up on their feet by the end. A brilliant way to turn a panto day into a full-on two-show day

👉 You can read my full review HERE

Tina The Musical At The Palace Theatre Manchester - Mannequins display colorful dresses, a leather outfit, and red dress in a theater lobby. Signs read "PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH THE DISPLAY."

Tina The Musical At The Palace Theatre Manchester -
Performer in a shimmering gold dress sings passionately on stage with vibrant lights and musicians in the background. Energetic atmosphere.

🐙 A Wickedly Fun Night – Unfortunate at The Lowry

On Thursday evening, Lawrence and I headed to The Lowry to see Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch (gifted tickets). This was such a fun, clever retelling, flipping The Little Mermaid story on its head and giving Ursula her moment in the spotlight.

The show was bold, camp, hilarious, and packed with brilliant performances. It felt like a real treat to enjoy a night out together and see something a bit different during such a busy festive period.

👉 You can read my full review HERE

Unfortunate the musical t the Lowry - A smiling couple sits in a theater with red seats. One holds a colorful "Unfortunate" musical program. The lighting is purple and warm.

Unfortunate The Musical - Performers in colorful costumes take a bow on stage. Vibrant purple and turquoise decor, audience silhouettes clapping in the foreground.

❄️ Family Theatre Magic – The Snowy Day at Z-arts

Saturday was all about the kids as we headed to Z-arts to see The Snowy Day (gifted tickets). We arrived a little early so Alice and Leo could spend some time playing beforehand, and they had the best time exploring the big bus and the little play area that Z-arts has — it’s such a brilliant space to let them burn off some energy before the show.

Z-arts is always such a wonderful venue for children’s theatre, and this visit reminded me why we love it so much.

Z-arts Manchester - Child smiling inside a red, play bus with cartoon rabbits, set against a colorful room. "Bus Stop" sign nearby. Playful mood.

The show itself was only about 30 minutes long, which was the perfect length for them, and it was followed by a lovely stay and play session where the children got to come onto the space and play with soft fabric snowballs. Alice and Leo had so much fun, and it was such a nice way to extend the experience and let them interact with the world of the show.

Alice and Leo absolutely loved it — from the gentle storytelling to the interactive elements and the cosy winter atmosphere. They were both completely engaged from start to finish, and it felt like such a calm, comforting experience for them. Z-arts always manages to create productions that feel welcoming, inclusive, and magical for young audiences, and this was a really special family morning.

👉 Read my full review HERE

After the show, we headed into town for some lunch and had a relaxed wander around the shops, soaking up all the festive atmosphere.

The Snowy day at Z-arts Manchester - Audience seated on mats in a dim theater, watching a colorful stage set with a bed and patterned walls, creating an expectant mood.

The snowy day at Z-arts Manchester - Young boy in plaid shirt smiles, holding white fluffy fabric over head. Blue background with snowflakes evokes a playful winter scene.

🐊 A Roald Dahl Treat – The Enormous Crocodile at The Lowry

We rounded off the week on Sunday with another family theatre trip, this time back to The Lowry to see Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile. When we arrived, we headed to the press desk to collect our tickets, and as Lawrence had to work that day, my mum came along with us, which was really lovely.

The Enormous Crocodile at the Lowry - Two children pose inside a festive frame promoting "The Enormous Crocodile" musical at Lowry. Bright backdrop with repeating "LOWRY" text.

We attended the press performance, and before the show the children were treated to a Christmas tree cookie and some juice, while the adults enjoyed a mince pie and a hot drink — such a lovely festive touch.

There was also an Enormous Crocodile activity book on all the tables with a pack of pencil crayons, which Alice and Leo were very excited about. They also had an activity table where the children could sit and make their own little crocodile out of a green lolly stick and pipe cleaners, which they absolutely loved.

The Enormous Crocodile at the Lowry - Child crafting with green pipe cleaners on a pink table, following instructions. Bright setting with a Christmas tree in the background.

Alice and Leo had the best time during the show itself — it was fast-paced, funny, and full of energy.

Seeing their reactions, hearing their laughter, and watching them completely engage with the story is always one of my favourite things about family theatre days. It was such a fun way to end a very theatre-filled week.

👉 Read my full review HERE

The Enormous Crocodile at the Lowry - Performers in colorful animal costumes—bird, hippo, angel, elephant—stand on stage with a jungle-themed backdrop under a red-lit sky.

❤️ A Week Full of Magic

This week was the perfect blend of festive theatre, quality family time, and those little moments that remind me just how lucky we are to be able to share these experiences together. From Leo’s school play to pantos, musicals, and cosy children’s theatre, it was one of those weeks that really felt full of heart.

December may be busy, but it’s also full of so much joy — and this week truly captured that.