If the Autumn weather turns grey and drizzly this month there’s plenty to keep minds and hands occupied during the rest of September and the half-term holiday!

From Saturday 19th September, families can enjoy a packed programme of hands-on workshops, shows and drop-in activities, many of them free, to keep everyone busy even on the wettest days.

Free all week: Horrockses Fashions exhibition
Gallery One | Saturday 19 September 2026 to Sunday 31 January 2027 | Free | Drop-in
Marking 80 years since the launch of Horrockses Fashions, Everyday Glamour & the Art of British Ready-to-Wear explores how the Lancashire-based company fused couture sensibilities with high-quality printed cottons to create dresses that were at once accessible, stylish and unmistakably modern. No booking needed: theharris.org.uk/product/horrockses-fashions

Every week (free)

Baby Bounce and Rhyme: every Wednesday at 10.30am and 2.30pm, Family Library. Free, drop-in. Sharing songs and rhymes is a fun way for babies and toddlers to develop their language skills.
Junior Craft Club: every Thursday, 5.30pm to 6.30pm, Discover Preston. Free, drop-in. Have a go at one of the craft activities, taking inspiration from the collection items around you, including Horace the Ice Age Elk.
LEGO Club: every Saturday, 9.30am to 11am, The Studio. Free, drop-in. Build scenes from your favourite books, movies or imaginations, then tell a story about your creation.
Storytime: every Sunday, 2.30pm to 3pm, Family Library. Free, drop-in. Each week brings a delightful reading of a new book for young readers.

Monday 26 October
Animals! (a family friendly performance)
10.30am to 11.30am and 2pm to 3pm | Reading Room | £2 tickets | Families with children aged 7+
Fun, interactive and featuring original songs, this empowering and uplifting performance is all about animals, humans and nature.

Tuesday 27 October
Fibre Discovery Studio (FREE)
11am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3pm | The Studio | Free, drop-in
Explore the journey from fleece to fibre. Handle raw fleece, wool and cotton, watch spinning demonstrations and create your own woven keepsake.

Wednesday 28 October
Let's Get Printing with Phoebe Foxtrot
10am to 11am, 1pm to 2pm and 3pm to 4pm | The Studio | £5 | Booking required
In this immersive workshop, Phoebe will guide you in creating your own repeating designs using textured collagraphy, inspired by the patterns of Horrockses dresses.

Wednesday 28 October
Foucault Pendulum Talks (FREE)
10am to 3pm | Ground Floor Rotunda | Free, drop-in
Learn about the history and science behind the UK's longest Foucault Pendulum from students at the University of Lancashire.

Thursday 29 October
Ink, Print, Repeat (FREE)
11am to 11.40am, 1pm to 1.40pm and 2pm to 2.40pm | The Studio | Free, bookable
Join Print, Paint and Pixel to have a go at making repeat patterns with lino and foam blocks.

Frieze Making Station (FREE)
1pm to 4pm | First Floor Balcony | Free, drop-in
Join the University of Lancashire's Maths Team to discover the beautiful repeating patterns and symmetries that are part of The Harris.

Thursday Lates: Halloween (ages 12+)
6pm to 8pm
Book onto a talk which reveals the region's rich folklore and heritage, hear tales from a ghost storyteller and enjoy a themed Vinyl Night soundtrack. With great music, intriguing stories and a lively atmosphere, it's the perfect way to spend an autumn evening at The Harris.

Friday 30 October
Coding My First Robot workshop
10am to 10.45am and 11am to 11.45am | The Studio | £8 group ticket (3 children per group) | Families with children aged 7 to 14
A fast-paced, hands-on coding lab activity. Can your team programme your robot to complete the track challenge?

The Anatomy of a Robot: interactive show
1.30pm to 2pm | Reading Room | £3 | Families with children aged 7 to 14
Explaining the science behind robotics. Meet different types of robots and find out how biomimicry and AI help them do some very clever things.

More details: theharris.org.uk/press-news/october-half-term-activities/

Autumn fun at The Harris: rain or shine, there's plenty to do!