An immersive Halloween drive-in cinema is coming to Manchester
Park N Party - the team behind a series of sell-out drive-in cinema and theatre performances throughout summer - are hosting immersive Halloween events this October.
An immersive drive-in cinema – with live actors lurking in the shadows – is coming to Manchester this Halloween.
A supernatural force is set to to descend on EventCity – with passengers peeking out from behind their windscreens as performers hover around a huge screen showing the world’s scariest horror films.
Launched by Park N Party – the team behind the sell-out series of drive-in cinema and theatre performances throughout summer – ScareCity will feature a bumper programme of Halloween classics for both adults and children.
All vehicles are tasked with driving through a terrifying ‘scare tunnel’ packed with plenty of surprises, before parking up for the movie.
Older audiences can brave screenings of The Conjuring, It and The Ring, whilst kids can enjoy spooky classics from the comfort of the car like Coraline, Hocus Pocus and Coco.
ADVERTISEMENT
Movies will be beamed out across several large screens at the Trafford Park venue from October 12 right up until November 1.
The full event schedule is as follows:
ADVERTISEMENT
Date
How many shows
Film
12/10/2020
1
9pm
The Invisible Man
13/10/2020
1
9pm
The Ring
14/10/2020
1
9pm
Insidious
15/10/2020
1
9pm
Get Out
16/10/2020
1
9pm
Blair Witch Project
17/10/2020
3
12, 4pm, 8pm
Frankenweenie/Beetlejuice/US
18/10/2020
3
12, 4pm, 8pm
Goosebumps/28 Days Later/The Hills Have Eyes
19/10/2020
1
9pm
The Conjuring
20/10/2020
1
9pm
Annabelle
21/10/2020
1
9pm
The Conjuring 2
22/10/2020
1
9pm
Annabelle Creation
23/10/2020
2
6pm & 9pm
Hocus Pocus / The Nun
24/10/2020
3
12 , 4pm , 8pm
Coraline/The Curse of La Llorona/ Annabelle Comes Home
25/10/2020
3
12, 4pm, 8pm
Monster House/The Grudge/ The Exorsit
26/10/2020
2
4pm & 8pm
It/Crawl
27/10/2020
2
4pm & 8pm
It Chapter 2/The Lighthouse
28/10/2020
2
4pm & 8pm
Scary Movie/Paranormal Activity
29/10/2020
2
4pm & 8pm
The Witch/Cabin in the Woods
30/10/2020
2
6pm & 9pm
Childs Play/ The Decent
31/10/2020
3
12, 4pm, 8pm
Coco/The Invisible Man/ Halloween (2018)
01/11/2020
2
4pm & 8pm
The Haunted Mansion/ The Ring
Tickets are priced at £35 per vehicle.
You can reserve your spot at ScareCity online now via Eventbrite.
Food and drink is also available to purchase on site; with serving distributed via fully-compliant with COVID-19 safety precautions.
What's On
Tame Impala announces another HUGE Manchester gig after chart-topping success
Emily Sergeant
Tame Impala has announced another UK and EU tour in 2027 to celebrate recent chart-topping success.
Following sold-out runs across the globe in 2025 and 2026 – including here in Manchester – and currently in the midst of a North American arena tour, Tame Impala has announced a new run of dates for next year – with a mix of headline and festival appearances.
The announcement arrives as Kevin Parker – better known by his project name, Tame Impala – continues an extraordinary run with his latest studio album Deadbeat, released last year.
On Deadbeat, Parker aimed to sculpt a collection of ‘wickedly potent’ club-psych explorations as a vehicle for some of his most direct, ear-wormy songwriting to date.
Tame Impala has announced another huge Manchester gig after chart-topping success / Credit: Julian Klincewicz (Supplied)
After recently being featured in the new Marvel film, Spiderman: Brand New Day, the lead single from the album, ‘Loser’, has just hit number one on the Global Spotify chart.
Not only that, but the remix of the hit song ‘Dracula’, featuring JENNIE, also remains in the top 10 on various global charts, and the original version has also nominated for Best Alternative at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
Critics described this most recent run of gigs as ‘one of the best live shows of the year’, so it only makes sense that he’d be back for more.
Kicking off on 28 May 2027 in here in Manchester, Tame Impala will be taking to the Co-op Live stage once again, before heading down to the capital for two nights at The O2 on 1 and 2 June, and then popping over to Paris, Rotterdam, and Cologne to.
Wet Leg will open all headlining dates next year, including here in Manchester.
Tickets go on sale this week, with Co-op Member Presale kicking off at 9am on Wednesday (26 August), followed by General Sale also at 9am on Friday (28 August).
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 24 – 30 August 2026
Emily Sergeant
It’s our final full week of August, and we’ve got a bank holiday to make the most of too.
Summer is finally drawing to a close, and thankfully some of the heatwave conditions have subsided too, but despite the rain, that doesn’t mean there isn’t loads happening across Greater Manchester this week.
If you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though, no worries, as we’ve chosen a few of the highlights for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
Both free things and those that’ll set you back a few pennies are featured.
___
Pride Fringe
Manchester City Centre
Monday 24 August – 1 September
Pride Fringe / Credit: Supplied | Jason Lock Photography
Of course, we all know Manchester Village Pride will be returning for 2026 over the August bank holiday weekend, but aside from the official festivities around the Village, an extensive new Pride Fringe event is also taking place for the first time this year.
You can expect an exciting mix of LGBTQIA+ arts, culture, live entertainment, family events, food, drink and shopping experiences.
On top of that, the city’s hotels will also be joining in the celebrations – with dedicated Pride packages, parties, free gifts, and discounts this month.
You can find out everything happening these new few weeks here.
___
Manchester City Stadium Tours
Etihad Stadium
Monday 24 August – onwards
Manchester City Stadium Tours / Credit: The Manc Group
If you’re looking for something to do this summer, did you know you can currently get 15% off Manchester City’s tours of the Etihad Stadium?
You’ll get to walk in the players’ footsteps down the tunnel, sit in Enzo’s seat, get pitchside, see the Domestic Double Winners’ trophies, and loads more. Plus, from 17 August, you’ll be able to see City’s brand-new dressing room too.
Get ready to spend the summer in space, as the Science and Industry Museum has announced its summer events programme and it’s full of free interactive events and activities to get involved with these next six weeks.
From live space shows and giant rockets, to tinkering activities Martian discovery trails, and the chance to visit the blockbuster exhibition Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos if you haven’t already, budding astronauts are in for a summer to remember.
By far one of the stand-out free events this summer is the arrival of 30-foot-tall rocket ship, Skybolt 2 – hosted by Manchester-based aerospace company, Starchaser.
Find out more and book tickets for your visit here.
___
ADVERTISEMENT
Summer Scran Fest
Manchester Arndale
Monday 24 – 31 August
Summer Scran Fest / Credit: The Manc Group | Supplied
Looking for the best foodie deals in Manchester city centre this summer? We’ve got you covered. Summer Scran Fest is back at Manchester Arndale, bringing a month-long celebration of tasty food, refreshing drinks, and unbeatable offers.
Running right through until the end of the month, there’ll be discounts across 30+ restaurants, cafes, kiosks and leisure venues, all under one roof – from big-name chains, to local indies.
Manchester is bringing 14 weeks of free activities for children to parks across the city this summer.
Thanks to additional Council funding that was allocated earlier this year, Manchester’s biggest-ever Parktastic programme has now launched – expanding from the summer holidays alone to include after-school sessions before schools break up, activities throughout the holidays, and even sessions continuing into September.
ADVERTISEMENT
Back by popular demand and aimed at children ages six-12, Parktastic offers sports, games, arts and crafts, dance, drama, nature activities, storytelling and messy play.
Sessions are free, no booking is required, healthy snacks are provided, and children can simply turn up and join in.
Thrill seekers, this one’s for you – as Zip World Manchester has launched its new Forest Tubing experience, and it’s bringing the UK’s longest outdoor tubing slide is coming to Heaton Park.
The new family‑friendly outdoor adventure gives visitors the chance to soar along two slides, winding through woodland at one of the largest parks in the North West.
Suitable for children aged four and above, visitors can book an hour-long session – with unlimited rides during that time slot – and either ride solo, or share the experience with fellow adventurers.
The huge new MCR Made exhibition by incredible local artist Stanley Chow has now taken over Manchester Arndale.
Running through until the autumn, shoppers and locals will be able to admire 13 portraits of Manc icons, which measure up to six-metres in length – whether it’s Oasis legends or Suffragettes, football heroes or creative pioneers.
ADVERTISEMENT
The gigantic inflatable portraits are suspended right across the iconic shopping centre for an art trail that celebrates the figures who have shaped the city.
National Trust x Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails
North West
Monday 24 August – onwards
ADVERTISEMENT
National Trust x Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails / Credit: James Dobson | Annapurna Mellor
National Trust and Pokémon have teamed up for an exclusive trading card game and immersive trail.
The partnership is set to bring together the places the National Trust cares for and Pokémon’s spirit of play and discovery.
Exclusively designed for the National Trust, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails are going to be running throughout summer at 14 National Trust places nationwide, combining ‘imaginative play’ with ‘gentle physical activity’ inspired by Mega Evolution Pokémon.
Find out where to get involved and book tickets here.
___
ADVERTISEMENT
Manchester Village Pride
Manchester City Centre
Friday 28 – Monday 31 August
Manchester Village Pride / Credit: Supplied
One of the most important events in the city’s annual social calendar is returning as Manchester Village Pride this bank holiday weekend.
This year’s event includes a ‘diverse’ programme of events that build on some of the best-loved elements of previous years – a Pride Parade, candle-lit vigil, party with performance and music across various stages, as well as talks, exhibitions, and community activities.
All funds raised through the sale of wristbands and passes will support LGBTQ+ charities, grassroots organisations, and vital community services.
ADVERTISEMENT
Everything you need to know about Manchester Village Pride 2026 is here.
___
Bolton Food & Drink Festival
Bolton
Friday 28 – Monday 31 August
Bolton Food & Drink Festival 2026 / Credit: Paul Hayes (Supplied)
Bolton Food and Drink Festival is back this August bank holiday weekend.
The award-winning festival is the biggest of its kind in the North West, bringing together celebrity and regional chefs, cooking demos, live music, street entertainment, special events, and over 200 market traders.
Hosted right across the town centre, foodies can roam freely as they explore food stalls, bars, dedicated music stages, and plenty more at the free-to-attend festival.
___
Bundobust x Federal
Manchester
Saturday 29 August
Bundobust and Federal have teamed up for something pretty delicious, as this Saturday they will host a collaborative brunch at Bundobust Piccadilly – giving guests the chance to experience an exclusive menu created by both kitchens.
Following this, there will be a few collaborative specials on each menu for two weeks in all venues across Manchester, Leeds, and Liverpool, so keep your eyes peeled.
___
The Wagon Train at Irlam & Cadishead Festival
Prince’s Park
Sunday 30 & Monday 31 August
The Wagon Train is making an appearance at Irlam & Cadishead Festival this weekend, and visitors are invited to join for an afternoon of music and creativity, with something for everyone to get involved with – from performances and workshops taking place throughout the day.
Confirmed acts at the free festival include Cadishead Public Band, Morag Rose, Brazen Brass Band, Stepping Stones, Irlam Mixed Voice Choir, Treading the Boards, and Art with Heart, to name a few.
Good news ahead of the new season, one of Old Trafford’s finest pubs has reopened after a £400k refurb, and it’s more serious about sport than ever before.
Inside the new-look The Tollgate, you’ll find loads of new state-of-the-art HD screens, including a few outside and one particularly giant one inside, plus walls covered in United merch, two-pint cups of beer, and great pub bites.
There’s darts, there’s pool, there’s sport on the screens round-the-clock, and there’s nowhere better to grab a pint (or a double pint) before kick-off.
A Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant with a whole host of breakfast, brunch, and sweet treat dishes you need to try, and with a dinner menu coming soon too (plus, everything is halal), get yourself down Deansgate and try it out.
Proloco is gearing up to open its doors on Great Ancoats Street, and this is a neighbourhood restaurant we can all get behind – think £7 negronis, great wine, and ‘butter pie’ pizzas (where mozzarella is replaced with slivers of butter).
As well as pizza made with top local ingredients, there are little scoops of gelato that pack a big punch, plus fantastic small plates, so you can fill your table with the things that make you very happy indeed.
Everything you need to know about Proloco is here.
___
On a budget and need somewhere to take the kids to eat for £1 or even FREE over the summer holidays?
In case the ongoing heatwave didn’t remind you, summer is in full swing and so are the school summer holidays.
If you’re after ways to enjoy some quality family time without having to break the bank, we’ve found lots of places where kids can eat for £1 or free – 15 of them, to be exact.
So, whether you’re in the mood for a hearty Italian, a bit of brekkie, or even a big Greek feast, just because you’re on a budget shouldn’t mean you have to limit your and your family’s taste buds.
It’s strawberry season, and Kenyon Hall Farm has officially opened up its strawberry fields (plus plenty of other pick-your-own produce) for the season for you to frolic amongst, with loads of summer treats in its cafe and award-winning farm shop too.
Strawberries have been growing at Kenyon Hall Farm for nearly 50 years now, and it’s proven as popular ever since.
Did you know that Go Ape now runs adult-only sessions?
We nipped over to Go Ape at Rivington as we heard you can now act like a big silly kid there without having to share anything with actual children.
It’s one of the region’s top attractions for good reason, giving you a chance to clamber and fly through the treetops on a sky-high obstacle course, and now every Thursday and Friday evening, you can escape your work inbox and switch it out for a maze of ziplines, ladders, swings, and more.
Less than an hour from Manchester, you’ll find what is essentially a gigantic floating bouncy castle which makes for an incredibly silly afternoon out.
At Wild Shore Delamere you can take on slides, monkey bars, ninja jumps, tyre runs, and plenty of other opportunities to slip and spectacularly fall into the lake. And if you don’t fancy wiping out in front of a lake full of children, there’s also paddleboarding, wakeboarding, open-water swimming, and even a lakeside sauna.
If you’d like to say on land, how about a shopping trip?
You already know Cheshire Oaks is the ultimate shopping destination, but have you seen its summer transformation yet?
The huge designer outlet has areas like a summer chill-out zone, its rooftop bar Under The Oaks, fairground rides, and absolutely loads more, plus kids eat free deals at restaurants across the village. That’s in addition to the big-name stores packed with summer essentials, the huge kids’ play area, and photo opps like murals and a massive floral installation.
We’re deep in the school holidays now, and if you’re running out of things to do, don’t worry as we’ve got you covered. To make life even easier, all the activities are accessible by the Bee Network AND they’re tried and tested by us, so we can guarantee you’ll love them.
The Manc -
15th September 2020 
