The Super Duper Family Festival, produced annually by CityCo on behalf of Manchester Accommodation BID, is a citywide, fun-filled event that gives families a major new reason to visit Manchester during February Half-Term.
The festival supports a diverse mix of businesses and is now a fixture in the New Year city events calendar.
During the event, the city centre is transformed into a giant playground, featuring free-to attend PLAY Zones. Each area is themed, and offers its own unique world for children.
Galleries, museums and public spaces all join-in as well as places to DISCOVER, offering a wide range of half-term activities as part of the programme.
Visitors can make the most of their Super Duper trip with STAY-over hotel offers, and there are plenty of ways to SAVE across shops and restaurants.
The festival is promoted through an integrated marketing campaign including branding, digital, social media, influencer marketing, print, outdoor, transport advertising and PR.
The festival and its promotional campaign are delivered in partnership with a wide range of organisations, including Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester, and Marketing Manchester.
2026 Event Highlights
- The Carnival (St Ann’s Square), The Playground (Exchange Square), The Arcade (Printworks), The Nursery Rhyme Trail (Manchester Arndale), The Story Den (Manchester Central & Central Library), The Sports Hall (Great Northern), The Soap Box (People’s History Museum), The Studios (Versa & Campfield – St John’s Manchester)
- Joined-up activity at other attractions including HOME, National Football Museum, Science & Industry Museum, Museum of Illusions, Mayfield Depot
- Brand partnerships with CBeebies Bedtime Stories, BBC Blue Peter, Waterloo Road, Super League Basketball, National Football Museum, Gladiators, Bluey, Comic Relief, Disney|Pixar
- Supplier partners Graystone Skateboarding, Bricklands Lego, Playful Anywhere, The Fun Experts
- Hotel partners City Suites, Roomzzz, Holiday Inn, The Lowry, Manchester Marriott, Ibis, Victoria & Albert – alongside promotion of wider Accommodation BID winter offers.
2026 Success Stats
- Average hotel occupancy across the 4 festival dates 7.3% increase, from 72.17% to 79.46%
- Average mid-week hotel occupancy (Mon-Fri) 3.9% increase from 89.5% to 93.4%
- Footfall up to +16% at host venues
- 23% increase in press coverage (106 v 131) – online, in print, broadcast
- National, regional, local articles via BBC, Closer UK Magazine, Bella Magazine, Independent School Parent Magazine, The Sun, The Independent, full Manchester Evening News Half-Term feature, plus many more
- 134,744 page views across campaign content at visitmanchester.com/super-duper-family-festival
- 64,074 page view to campaign homepage alone
- 894,000 paid social media impressions, 285,000 organic social media impressions
- 22% increase in Instagram following
- 81% increase in organic Meta impressions
- 2,500 downloads of festival brochure/map
2026 Survey Feedback
- 99% of those surveyed rated their experience as Excellent or Good
- 99% of those surveyed said they would likely return next year
- 38% of those surveyed were from outside of Greater Manchester
- 17% of those surveyed stayed in a hotel or paid accommodation.
Super Duper Comments
Emma Bearman, Chief Officer of Play (Playful Anywhere): “We felt so looked after by your team, I’ve never quite experienced anything like this anywhere else. You are beyond the norm. Thank you.”
Beckie Kaye, Producer (CBeebies Bedtime Stories): “Thank you to all for being such brilliant partners. The whole area had such a lovely buzz. I also wanted to share a really touching moment. A mum with an autistic toddler told us that her little boy interacted with Bluey, the very first time he’s ever interacted with anyone. She was almost in tears. It was really special to see.”
Elliot Smith, Participations Producer (National Football Museum): “Thank you all so much. Honestly, the festival was an absolute joy from start to finish. It was such a fun few days and I’ll be pushing to make sure the museum is involved again next year. You’ve set the bar very high! It’s been brilliant.”
Joanna Stranix, Founder (Bricklands Lego): “We had a great time. It was so lovely to be a part of it. Thanks so much for having us. We’d love to come back next year!”
Yatie Aziz, Public Realm Programme Manager (Factory International): “On behalf of Factory International, I’d like to highlight the slick planning and support from CityCo.”
Jenny Mabbott, Head of Collections and Engagement (People’s History Museum): “Thank you. It was a brilliant opportunity for the museum to showcase to families and successful in driving visitors to the museum. It was an uplifting and vibrant few days, we loved it!”
Graystone Skate Park: “The festival was brilliant. Thank you again for everything you’ve put into this. You’ve been a pleasure to work with, and we’d absolutely love to be involved again next year when it comes around.”
Positive Feedback from Social Media
- “We stayed in Manchester a few days it was so good.”
- “Wonderful. Makes me so proud to live in this city. Everybody on the ground was so helpful. Just fantastic.”
- “Amazing, I can’t believe its Free. Blue Peter was the icing on the cake.”
- “Wasn’t it brilliant! So lucky to live here.”
- “Fantastic experience for children and adults alike. Feel so lucky we have this in our city.”
- “We honestly had the best time and will definitely be back next year.”
- “Really good choice of activities for all ages.”
- “Honestly, so impressed.”
- “Made a tough half-term week so much easier. So impressed and grateful. A tired Dad.”
2026 Event Brochure
Download
Event Photography
instagram.com
C: Carl Sudonik / The Vain Photos
Tajda Ferko / Bloomlight Creative
Event Videography
instagram.com
C: Chloe Waterhouse / This is Apollo
2027 Super Duper Festival
Super Duper will be back. To enquire, email events@cityco.com
