Z-escape, The Library of Enchantment

Upcoming events at Z-escape, The Library of Enchantment

Community

Magic Gareth: BALLOONATIC - Z-arts

BALLOONATIC - a family magic show BALLOONATIC is full of MINDBLOWING magic, balloons and fun for all the family! Performances - Saturday 6 June, 2pm Running time - 55 minutes Age recommendation - Age 5+ About the show Ever wanted to see a BALLOON fly on its own? Witness the BIGGEST Balloon in the WORLD? (and a whole load of other things that you really shouldn’t try at home?) Magic Gareth is a total BALLOONATIC & brings this rip-roaring family magic show LIVE to Z-arts. With over 10 million online views, MG is a pro and has a show that will have you believing magic really DOES exist! Reviews ‘Takes you back to believing magic exists’ – BBC Radio WM ‘… magic doesn’t get much better than this!’ - World Magic Review ‘My daughter actually smiled for two hours straight after that show!’ - Russell Kane

Sat 6 JunZ-escape, The Library of Enchantment

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Community

Mission: Mad Hatter - VIP - Z-arts

We’d love you to join us for our VIP event for our brand-new experience. This is an exclusive event for our sector friends and networks where you can: Take on the Mission: Mad Hatter challenge with your colleagues Meet the Z-arts and Supermassive teams Hear about the development of the project and our journey into digital immersive work Explore opportunities to collaborate with us in the future Mission: Mad Hatter Friday 12 June, 2pm – 5pm Z-arts, 335 Stretford Road, Manchester, M15 5ZA Book now About the Quest Developed in collaboration with creative technology studio Supermassive, Mission: Mad Hatter is our first step into digital immersive experiences - blending escape room, scavenger hunt and digital gameplay into a fast-paced quest through Wonderland... and we want you to come and explore! You can join us in two ways: 1. Book a time slot and take part You can book onto the experience in a way that suits you (various time slots available): Book one place and join a mixed group of VIP guests Book up to 6 places and take on the challenge as a team with colleagues The experience takes up to 75 minutes to complete… depending on how quick you are! OR 2. Drop in and explore If you'd prefer a more relaxed visit, you’re very welcome to drop in anytime between 2–5pm to chat, network and learn more about the experience! Please RSVP by emailing

Fri 12 JunZ-escape, The Library of Enchantment

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Arts & Culture

Hulme Is Where The Art Is - Z-arts

Get ready for a FREE, fun-filled family day in Hulme Park! Hulme Is Where The Art Is is bringing the community together for a vibrant celebration packed with creativity, music, movement, and hands-on fun for all ages. Whether you’re crafting colourful masterpieces, learning circus skills, dancing to live music, or simply relaxing in the park atmosphere, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. This year we are linking our activities to help protect our environment, and there will a nature vibe in all the activities. This exciting community event is all about connection, expression, and discovering the incredible creativity that makes Hulme so special. Expect interactive workshops, family-friendly activities, live performances, arts and crafts and games! From energetic performances to chilled-out creative spaces, Hulme Park will be transformed into a lively hub of imagination and joy. Best of all, it’s completely FREE to attend, making it the perfect day out for families and the local community. Come celebrate art, culture, and togetherness with us because Hulme is where the art is!

Sat 13 JunZ-escape, The Library of Enchantment

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Community

Friends of Z-arts - Z-arts

Love Z-arts? Come and tell us about it. We're putting together a little group - Friends of Z-arts, for parents and families who want to have a say in what we do. We might not be able to do everything, but we'll always listen and take your ideas on board to try and make things happen. Every term we get together in the café for a proper catch-up. What you love, what could be better, how the Bright Sparks booking is working for you... that kind of thing. No agenda, no formality. Just a good chat and cake, obviously! No commitment beyond showing up. Just come and talk to us. Fancy coming along? Get in touch with Gilly or book your spot on our website: / We'd love to see you there!

Wed 17 JunZ-escape, The Library of Enchantment

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Community

Shockout Academy Summer Showcase - Z-arts

Shockout Academy Summer Showcase

Sat 20 JunZ-escape, The Library of Enchantment

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Community

Haphazard 2026 - Z-arts

Presented by Word of Warning + Z-arts Playful, quirky, engaging, and sometimes plain daft: Haphazard is for kids and their adults, adults and their adults — anyone looking for a different day out. We’ve previously seen ping pong balls & squeaky toys; singing fish & a sax-playing bear; a giant periscope, a golden toilet, and a tiny bee-shaped world…… join us to see what 2025 might bring. A free Live Art takeover of Z-arts. Turn up at any time, come and go as you please… and expect the unexpected! No need to book…just turn up! Image credit: Amy Hegarty

Sat 11 JulZ-escape, The Library of Enchantment

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Community

Around £2.00

Edy Hurst’s Dream Park - Z-arts

'DREAM PARK' - A Build in Progress Sharing By Edy Hust Come and join award winning comedian and theatre maker Edy Hurst, as he, with your help of course, maps out, plans and builds the theme park of YOUR dreams live on stage. With Edy's support you'll navigate the complexities of planning permission, meet a whole host of cool (and some suspicious) complainants and ultimately, see if your dream park can become a dream-reality. This performance of 'Dream Park' will be the first ever showing, allowing Edy to perform to a live audience for the first time! So sit down, lock in place your safety straps, keep your arms inside the carriage at all times, and let build the greatest theme park ever! About Edy Edy Hurst is a critically-acclaimed Neurodivergent comedian, nominated for BBC New comedy Award, best Alternative at NW Comedy awards and best Comedy show at Buxton Fringe. - "Effortlessly Funny" ND review - The Skinny - "Absolutely Non-stop Bonkers" British Comedy Guide - "Explosive in comedy energy" One4Review - "An awful lot of fun" OntheMic Show Information: Date: Thursday 23 July Time: 1:00pm & 3:00pm Run time: 50 - 60 minutes Ages: Recommended 8+ & families Price: £2.00 Edy's development of Dream Park has bee proudly supported by Big Imaginations, Z-arts, Wonder Arts, Blackpool Old Electric and Arts Council England.

Thu 23 JulZ-escape, The Library of Enchantment

via Z-escape, The Library of Enchantment

Dance

Dance in the Dark - Z-arts

Dance in the Dark - a playful night-time adventure Come in your PJs for a playful night-time adventure with dance, music, and fun interaction for ages 3+ and their families. Performances - Saturday 26 September, 12pm & 2pm Running time - 50 minutes Age recommendation - Ages 3+ About the show A captivating dance and music show with fun interaction for aged 3+ and their families. Come in your favourite PJs for a slumber party in a giant sleepover den and a playful night-time adventure. As darkness descends, giggle as we get ready for bed, explore spooky shadows, listen to night-time sounds, and feel the wind and rain on our faces. We’ll meet friendly nocturnal creatures, some slithering slugs, magical moths, and fantastical fireflies. Discover the magic of the dark, whirl and twirl, catch a shooting star and learn to be with children, this multi-sensory inclusive show features contemporary dance, live music, immersive sound, and scents. Reviews "Packed with sensory delights” - What's On Birmingham "Hits all the right notes with enraptured kids and their adult companions alike" - Culture Bab

Sat 26 SeptZ-escape, The Library of Enchantment

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Community

The Magic Stick - Z-arts

The Magic Stick - a magical dance show A family show full of Indian dance, storytelling and stage magic… Performances - Saturday 17 October, 2pm Running time - 45 minutes Age recommendation - Ages 6 - 12 About the show When eight‑year‑old Diya receives a mysterious Magic Stick, she discovers she can see kindness come alive! Guided by the glowing energy of her Talking Karam (good deeds) Tree, she journeys through the Utsav (Kindness) Festival, meeting colourful characters and learning how every choice creates a ripple of light. Blending Indian dance, music, storytelling, and stage magic, The Magic Stick is a heart‑warming family show celebrating compassion, selflessness, and generosity - and inviting everyone to reflect on one simple thought: how kind have you been today?

Sat 17 OctZ-escape, The Library of Enchantment

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Dance

Monster Disco - Z-arts

Monster Disco - an interactive puppet performance Join in, dance and boogie, or just chill and enjoy the vibes, the Monster Disco is for everyone! Performances - Saturday 31 October, 12pm & 2:30pm Running time - 45 minutes Age recommendation - Ages 4 - 8 and especially good for the whole family! About the show Come and embrace your inner monster here at the MONSTER DISCO! Don’t be afraid, these monsters aren’t scary, they’re just misunderstood and want to party! Join in, have a dance and a boogie, or just chill and enjoy the vibes, the Monster Disco is for everyone. The Monster Disco is a 45 minute interactive puppet performance by Headstrung Puppets. Music, dance and puppetry are brought together with accessibility and inclusivity to create a joyous and uplifting family experience.

Sat 31 OctZ-escape, The Library of Enchantment

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Live Music

A Very Merry Minifest - Z-arts

A Very Merry Minifest - a Christmas musical experience A fun, live Christmas musical experience for children that adults will love too! Performances - Saturday 5 December, 11am & 2pm Running time - 1 hour Age recommendation - Ages 2 - 8 About the show The gig is jam packed with songs written especially to stimulate young imaginations and encourage physical activity, and some familiar festive favourites too! Played by the brilliant Artful Playground Band, you are treated to a wide variety of musical styles ranging from Rock and Roll, to Gypsy Jazz, to Rap! Even though it’s all aimed at children, packed with educational themes and ideas, there really is something for everyone. A Very Merry Minifest will have family members of all ages up on their feet having a lovely, jolly, Christmas musical party together. So bring your Mini ones and get some festive vibes and we’ll do the steam train conga ‘till we drop!

Sat 5 DecZ-escape, The Library of Enchantment

via Z-escape, The Library of Enchantment

Event details on Near Here are aggregated from third-party sources and may change. Always verify times, location, availability, and any price directly with the organiser before travelling. See Terms.