Family Events in Southampton
Looking for Family Events in Southampton? Whether you're planning a weekend outing, school holiday adventure or a spontaneous day trip with the kids, Southampton has a year-round programme of family-friendly events to suit all ages and interests. From interactive theatre shows and hands-on museum days to outdoor trails and seasonal festivities, there’s always something new to discover.
Outdoor activities and family trails
If your family enjoys getting outside, Southampton offers plenty of open-air adventures and trails perfect for little explorers. Popular spots like Southampton Common, Riverside Park, and Mayflower Park regularly host outdoor events, from nature-themed walks to pop-up summer festivals for all ages. These green spaces not only offer wide-open areas to run and play, but also become stages for storytelling, music sessions, and community-led fun.
During school holidays, the city often features free or low-cost walking trails designed to encourage families to explore outdoors together. Think themed treasure hunts, clue-led story walks, and creative trails where children follow a map to solve puzzles. These events typically take place across Southampton’s city centre or Old Town.
Museums and hands-on learning experiences
Southampton’s museums offer a brilliant mix of education and entertainment for families. The SeaCity Museum is a must-visit for children interested in history, especially those curious about the Titanic story. The museum runs interactive exhibits and family activity days throughout the year, including craft workshops, sensory storytelling, and object-handling sessions designed especially for younger visitors.
Just next door, Southampton City Art Gallery, and a bit further on, John Hansard Gallery, regularly offer creative drop-in workshops for kids during the holidays. These sessions encourage children to experiment with art materials, explore different techniques and gain confidence in their creative abilities. Staff are friendly, welcoming and used to working with families – making the gallery experience enjoyable for even the youngest artists.
Also worth visiting is Solent Sky Museum, where aviation history is brought to life through real aircraft, pilot gear, and immersive cockpit experiences.
Family theatre and live performances
For an experience that sparks imagination and storytelling, Southampton’s live performance scene has much to offer. The Mayflower Theatre and Mayflower Studios both present regular family-friendly productions – from big-name children’s book adaptations and colourful pantomimes to sensory-friendly shows suitable for younger audiences or those with additional needs.
Shows often run during school breaks and weekends, making it easy to plan a cultural outing. Whether it’s a musical, puppet show, or educational performance, many productions also offer pre-show workshops or meet-the-cast events. These interactive extras help children connect more deeply with the performance and turn a trip to the theatre into a full day out.
Seasonal and holiday events for families
Southampton shines during seasonal celebrations, offering an exciting programme of family events throughout the year. During Easter, Halloween and Christmas, you’ll find themed trails, pop-up performances, and immersive installations that transform the city centre into a hub of activity for children and parents alike.
At Christmas, families can enjoy the festive market, visit Santa’s grotto, or follow a festival trail inspired by a seasonal theme. In October, Halloween events range from pumpkin picking to spooky storytelling in the Old Town. At Easter, you’ll find craft events, egg hunts and garden activities that celebrate spring and new beginnings.
Keep up to date
Many of these events are free and designed to be inclusive, welcoming children of all abilities. Keep an eye on the Visit Southampton events calendar or sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know about special family events during the holidays.
