BBC Children’s Big Birthday Bash

This release was issued by CBBC.

CBeebies and CBBC are celebrating their tenth birthdays next month and we’d love you to join the party!

CBeebies and CBBC launched in February 2002 and, over the last ten years, have grown to become the most popular channels in the UK for the under twelves.

To celebrate their birthday, BBC Children’s will be holding a Big Birthday Bash in our new home in MediaCityUK, Salford, on 18^th February. As part of The Quay’s Open Day, we’ll be opening the doors of BBC Children’s HQ and putting on ten activities to mark our ten years on air.

Children will have the chance to meet their favourite CBeebies and CBBC stars including Cerrie Burnell, Mr Bloom, Helen Skelton, Barney Harwood, Chris Johnson and, not forgetting, Hacker and Dodge. There will be exclusive screenings of upcoming programmes including Tracy Beaker Returns, The 4 O’Clock Club and new animation Tree Fu Tom and plenty of hands-on fun with shows like Deadly Art.

CBeebies presenter Cerrie Burnell says: “I’m delighted to be part of BBC Children’s Big Birthday Bash. I’m looking forward to meeting all our young viewers, introducing them to some of our new shows and sharing our birthday celebrations with them.”

Free tickets are available from 9am today (27^th January) at bbc.co.uk/showsandtours (click on the ‘Join us at an Event’ section).

Even if you are not lucky enough to get tickets for one of the events there will be plenty to see and do on the day with photo opportunities; the chance to have a go at presenting and lots of hands-on activities.

The event runs from 10am-4pm on 18^th February at The Studios, MediaCityUK, Salford.

BBC Children’s Big Birthday Bash is part of The Quay’s Open Day. For one day only, all the organisations on The Quays open their doors for behind-the-scenes activities and special events for the whole family. Experience a new major exhibition about children’s wartime stories at IWM North, get up close to the Chinese State Circus at The Lowry, take a powerboat ride around The Quays courtesy of The Watersports Centre, have a guided tour of Unlocking Salford Quays heritage sculpture trail, meet the Tudors at Ordsall Hall, play interactive games at The University of Salford and Walk with a Dinosaur at The Lowry Outlet Mall. For more information and all listings see www.thequays.org.uk/events/qod/