RNCM (Royal Northern College of Music)
WHERE
Manchester
What it’s like
Live classical and contemporary concerts plus themed days like Saxophone Day and Day of Percussion for kids to get stuck into an instrument.
This is a proper concert hall, not a soft play with a band, so the pull here is watching live performance up close and letting older kids see what a saxophone or a full percussion section can actually do. The RNCM Day of Percussion and Saxophone Day are the ones aimed squarely at younger audiences, where kids get to spend a whole day around one instrument rather than just sitting and listening.
Age-wise, the site reckons under 8s might struggle with most performances, though they're officially an all-ages venue and want under 14s accompanied by an adult. Under 2s can sit on a paying adult's lap without their own ticket, but every child from age 2 up needs one, even if they're not taking up a seat. Some events carry their own age advisory too, so that's one to check per show rather than assuming.
There's no cloakroom, and large bags aren't allowed in the auditoria, which catches people out if they've come straight from a day of shopping or a school run with the big bag still on their shoulder. Food-wise there's a café on site. Getting there without a car is straightforward, Oxford Road station is about a 13 minute walk and a few buses run from Piccadilly Gardens, which is handy given parking is evenings and Sundays only, cashless, and does not exist during the day at all.
If you do drive in the evening, it is £5 in the underground car park, and blue badge spaces need pre-booking as they are limited. The building itself is fully accessible with lifts, and some relaxed performances run with heightened lighting in the seating area for anyone who needs that.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 8 and up; the themed instrument days suit curious school-age kids
- Parking
- No daytime parking at venue. £5 per car in underground car park (cashless only) weekday/Sat 5-11:30pm, Sun 6am-11:30pm
- Wheelchairs
- Fully accessible with lifts to all venues
- Getting there by bus or train
- Manchester Oxford Road station 0.5 miles (13 min walk) or buses 85, 86, 250 from Piccadilly Gardens
- Book tickets in advance online where you can, box office in person only opens an hour before the event on the day
- Phone bookings are limited to Mondays and Thursdays, 2pm to 5pm
- All sales are final unless a performance is cancelled
- Venue curfew is 11pm, and 'doors' time usually means seating starts 30 minutes before the show
Plan your visit
Is there an age limit for concerts?
No official age limit, but under 14s should be with an adult and under 8s might find most performances a bit much. Some shows list their own age advisory on the event page.
Do babies and toddlers need a ticket?
Under 2s sitting on a paying adult's lap don't need one. Every child aged 2 or over needs their own ticket even without a separate seat.
Can we park there during the day?
There's no daytime parking at the venue itself. The underground car park only opens evenings (and Sundays), cashless only, at £5 a car.
Is there a cloakroom for coats and bags?
Cloakroom, and large bags aren't allowed into the auditoria, so travel light.
How do we get there without driving?
Oxford Road station is about a 13 minute walk, or buses 85, 86 and 250 run from Piccadilly Gardens.
What if my child needs a calmer sensory environment?
Some performances are run as relaxed shows with heightened lighting in the seating area rather than a dark auditorium.
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