Photo: Holger Uwe Schmitt, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Christmas holidays 2026 for SEND families

Relaxed and sensory sessions, SEN holiday activities, groups and workshops with a date in Christmas holidays 2026, as listed by the people who run them. Sat 19 Dec to Sun 3 Jan 2027: in Trafford first, then further afield, then online.

Updated Fri 30 Oct. 22 things listed. Details change, so check with the organiser before you go. Regular weekly sessions are in every week.

Saturday 19 December 5

I AM Celebrating Autism: holiday activity, Stretford, 19 Dec Stretford · I AM Celebrating Autism in Greater Manchester Sat 19 Dec, 13:15–17:30

Audio-described performance: The Sorcerer's Apprentice, HOME Manchester · HOME Date unconfirmed · Sat 19 Dec, 14:00

Audio-described performances: A Christmas Carol, Lowry Salford Quays · Lowry Sat 19 Dec, 14:00 (19 Dec); 19:30 (29 Dec)

Audio-described performances: The Jolly Christmas Postman, Lowry Salford Quays · Lowry Sat 19 Dec, 10:30 (19 Dec); 13:00 (29 Dec)

Relaxed screenings: Avengers: Doomsday, The Light Bolton Bolton · The Light Bolton Wed 16 Dec, 10:10

Sunday 20 December 4

BSL and audio-described showings: Prehistoric Planet, Aviva Studios Manchester City Centre · Factory International (Aviva Studios) Mon 14 Dec

BSL-interpreted performance: Sleeping Beauty, Contact Manchester · Contact Sun 20 Dec, 17:00

BSL-interpreted performances: A Christmas Carol, Lowry Salford Quays · Lowry Sun 20 Dec, 14:00 (20 Dec); 19:30 (8 Jan)

Relaxed screening: Avengers: Doomsday, The Light Stockport Stockport · The Light Stockport Sun 20 Dec, 10:00

Tuesday 22 December 3

BSL-interpreted performances: The Jolly Christmas Postman, Lowry Salford Quays · Lowry Tue 22 Dec, 13:00 (22 Dec); 10:30 (2 Jan)

SEND Family Santa Specials, East Lancashire Railway, Bury Bury · East Lancashire Railway Sat 28 Nov

SEN Breakfast with Santa, Charlie Park, Atherton Atherton · Charlie Park Atherton Tue 22 Dec, 09:15

Sunday 27 December 2

Relaxed showings: David Bowie: You're Not Alone, Aviva Studios Manchester · Factory International (Aviva Studios) Fri 18 Dec, 10:00 (18 Dec); 14:30 (27 Dec)

Relaxed performance: The Jolly Christmas Postman, Lowry Salford Quays · Lowry Sun 27 Dec, 10:30

Wednesday 30 December 3

Quieter sessions: Christmas at Dunham Massey light trail Dunham Massey · National Trust, Dunham Massey Fri 27 Nov, 16:00 or 16:15 entry

Relaxed performance: Dick Whittington, Opera House Manchester Manchester City Centre · Opera House Manchester (ATG) Wed 30 Dec, 13:30

Autism-friendly takeover day: Twixmas at Gulliver's World, Warrington Warrington · The A World UK CIC Wed 30 Dec, 10:30–16:00

Saturday 2 January 2027 1

Relaxed showings: Prehistoric Planet, Aviva Studios Manchester City Centre · Factory International (Aviva Studios) Fri 11 Dec, 10:00 (11 Dec), 14:30 (2 Jan)

Sunday 3 January 2027 1

Relaxed performance: Cinderella: A Fairytale, Octagon Bolton Bolton · Octagon Bolton Sun 3 Jan 2027, 13:00

On throughout 3

Running across several days or weeks; see each listing for the dates.

SEND Santa grotto sessions: HARIBO Holly Jolly Grotto, Trafford Centre Trafford Park · Trafford Centre Fri 20 Nov – Thu 24 Dec

SEN first hour: The Magic of Christmas, Freight Island Manchester City Centre · The Magic of Christmas at Freight Island Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec, 09:00–09:45 arrival slots

Santa's Grotto by Warrington Disability Partnership, Walton Hall Warrington · Warrington Disability Partnership Sat 28 Nov – Tue 22 Dec

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