What’s On This Summer – Family Fun Activities
Make the most of the summer holidays with our exciting family fun events! From creative activities and storytelling to entertainment for all ages, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check out what we’ve got lined-up below, or download our flyer here.
The World of Martin Brown: Horrible Histories and Other Dazzling Drawings
Saturday, 23 May 2026 – Monday, 31 August 2026 | Gallery One
A dazzling display of cartoons and art by best-selling children’s book illustrator Martin Brown. Visitors journey through Brown’s artistic world, tracing his career from his early humorous cartoons to global publishing successes. Original art from Horrible Histories, illustrations from Lesser Spotted Animals, and exclusive content from his latest books, including Nell and the Cave Bear, bring Brown’s imagination vividly to life.
Drop-in, no booking required.
The World of Martin Brown: Nell and the Cave Bear Storytelling Event
Monday, 20 July | 2pm – 3.30pm | Gallery One
Step back in time with acclaimed illustrator Martin Brown for a live storytelling of his debut children’s book, Nell and the Cave Bear, and its sequel, The Journey Home.
Booking required, Free.
The World of Martin Brown: Family Fun Event
Tuesday, 21 July | 11am – 12.30pm | The Studio
Encounter the art behind the Horrible Histories books this summer by stepping into ‘The World of Martin Brown’. Learn how Martin Brown brings stories to life through his dazzling drawings in this family-friendly event.
Booking required, £3
Baby Bounce and Rhyme
Every Wednesday | 10.30am & 2.30pm | Family Library
Sharing songs and rhymes is a fun way for babies and toddlers to develop their language skills! This week’s book will be ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ by Michael Rosen.
Drop-in, no booking required.
Lancashire Mobile Music Vehicle
Thursday, 23 July | 10.30am – 4pm | The Flag Market
Hop aboard and discover different musical instruments with the Lancashire Mobile Music Vehicle on The Flag Market. Engaging sessions including Instrument Discovery, Sound Yard, Brass, Woodwind and String explorer sessions.
Drop-in, no booking required.
Dare! (Early Years Show)
Friday, 24 July | 10.30am – 11.30am & 1.15pm – 2.15pm | The Studio
Sing, play and dance along on this beautiful voyage of discovery! Swim with silver fish, peer through a telescope, ride the tide and take a leap. A show for under 5’s and their adults by the team at More Music.
Booking required, £6
Little Zoo to You
Tuesday, 28 July | 11am – 11.45am & 1.30pm – 2.15pm | The Studio
Discover the wonderful world of wildlife with Little Zoo to You – a mini, mobile zoo.
Join Gemma as she introduces you to her friends – insects, reptiles birds and mammals could all visit The Harris for the day.
Booking required, £3
Wonky Olympics
Wednesday, 29 July | 10am – 10.45am, 11.30am – 12.15pm and 1.30pm – 2.15pm | The Studio
Not sure about Ancient Greek athletics? Don’t worry – our alternative version will have you laughing, competing and celebrating like a true Olympian!
Booking required, £2
Storytelling with Rogan Mills
Thursday, 30 July | 11am & 1pm | The Studio
With over 20 years of experience, Rogan is skilled in delivering sessions that are fully interactive and fast paced, designed to draw children into a world of fantasy so that they become part of the story.
Booking required, Free
LEGO Club
Every Saturday | The Studio | 9.30am – 11am
Calling all master builders! Bring the world of Horrible Histories to life – create your own castle, palace, dungeon, Rotten Roman Empire or Awesome Egyptian pyramid. Join the fun in The Studio and let your imagination run wild brick by brick.
Drop-in, Free – no booking required.
Storytime
Every Sunday | 2.30pm | Family Library
Does your little one love hearing stories? Join us at The Harris every Sunday afternoon for a delightful reading of a new book! This week we will be reading ‘The Tiger who came to Tea’ by Judith Kerr.
Drop-in, Free, no booking required.
YOU ARE HISTORY with Greg Jenner and Jenny Taylor
Monday, 3 August | 2pm – 3pm | Reading Room
Discover some delightful, daft and downright deadly facts with historian and podcaster Greg Jenner as he shares the fascinating history behind ordinary objects you see every day.
Booking required, £7 Children & £10 Adults
Footy Fairy Tales
Tuesday, 4 August | 11am and 2pm | The Studio
With live music, super songs and fabulous characters, this engaging storytelling show combines the excitement of the football stadium with the magic of a good story, to prove once and for all that the beautiful game has something for everyone.
Booking required, £3.
Mrs Brown and Friends: Storytelling & Creative Adventure Workshop
Friday, 7 August | 10am – 11am | The Studio
An interactive storytelling workshop inspired by the story ‘Mrs Brown and Friends: The Morning Rush’.
Including Storytime, creative activities, character discussion, and imaginative writing/drawing activities inspired by nature and wildlife.
Booking required, £2
Mini Scarf Weaving and Colouring
Tuesday, 11 August | 11am – 2pm | The Studio
Join Preston North End Community and Education Trust and try your hand at weaving your own football scarf.
Drop-in, no booking required.
Baxter’s View – Story and Creative Craft with Murphy’s Sketches
Saturday, 15 August | 1pm – 2.30pm| The Studio
Gather the family and step into the pages of Baxter’s View for a heartwarming story time with beloved artist and author Kerri Cunningham (the creator of Murphy’s Sketches).
Booking required, £3
1938 FA Cup Final Crafts
Tuesday, 18 August | 11am – 2pm | The Studio
Join Preston North End Community and Education Trust and relive PNE’s 1938 FA Cup Final win.
Drop-in, no booking required.
Way Back When
Thursday, 20 August | 11am & 2pm | The Studio
Join us for vibrant storytelling, traditional games, and lots of audience interaction in this journey through time. It’s been a very long time since Grandma came to the Motherland from Jamaica but some memories never fade. Today she is sharing them.
Booking required, £2
Junior Craft Club
Every Thursday | 5pm – 6.30pm | Discover Preston Gallery
Join us in the Discover Preston Gallery for an exciting new craft activity each week.
Drop-in, no booking required.
Reading Heroes Summer Challenge
Throughout the Summer (until Monday, 1 September) | The Family Library
This summer, we challenge you to be a Reading Hero! To become a Reading Hero, read five books and collect exciting prizes along the way, including an inflatable parrot, your very own treasure dig kit, stickers and more!
Drop-in, no booking required.
Screening of Horrible Histories: The Movie (Rotten Romans, 2019) – PG
Wednesday, 26 August | 2pm | The Studio
Join us at The Harris for a screening of Horrible Histories: The Movie. Set in Roman Britain in AD 41, Atti, a sharp-witted Roman teenager, is reluctantly shipped off to the grimy British outpost to help his father oversee the Roman occupation.
Booking required, Free
The World of Martin Brown Trail
Every Day | Gallery One
Experience The World of Martin Brown: Horrible Histories and Other Dazzling Drawings exhibition in an interactive way! Follow the trail map, discover fun facts, and share your own ideas along the way.
Drop-in, no booking required.
Make the most of summer in Preston! From arts and crafts and performances to fantastic films and exciting activities, there’s plenty happening across the city to keep little ones (and grown-ups too) smiling all summer long. Whether you’re planning a big family day out or looking for easy ways to keep the kids entertained, Preston’s packed with fun.
