October has arrived and there’s plenty to be getting up to in Manchester.
If you’re stuck for something to do, then this is your go-to guide for what’s on and what’s happening in the city of Manchester and beyond this week.
Some of the events we’re going to mention here are completely free, others will set you back a few pounds and most will need to be booked in advance, but all are COVID-secure and socially-distanced in order to keep you as safe as possible during these trying times.
Whatever you fancy doing though, there’s certainly no shortage of choice in our region.
Here’s some of the things you could be getting up to this week:
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GRIMMFEST
Online
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Wednesday 7th – Sunday 11th October
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFwhJMiFyVb/
Manchester’s very own annual horror film festival – GRIMMFEST: Manchester’s International Festival of Fantastic Films – is becoming a virtual event for the very first time and will be taking place online from Wednesday to Sunday this week.
Horror films fans have can watch 20 feature films, two short film programmes, two special events – including world-first film premieres – and dozens of supporting events all from the comfort of their own home.
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You can find more information about GRIMMFEST here.
If you’re looking to get in the mood for Halloween early, but keep things a little on the cheaper side this week, then you need look no further than up above in the city centre as the annual decorative pumpkin lanterns are back once again and they’re here all month.
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Going on a little tour to see the lanterns in the trees in St Ann’s Square, Market Street and beyond is the perfect activity for all the family, easy to plan and great for pictures.
There’ll be some very special visitors at SEA LIFE Manchester this Friday.
You are invited to explore the full Barton Square attraction after hours in this limited, intimate evening session and you’ll also get a rare chance to marvel at the real life mermaids in their natural habitat as they join SEA LIFE Manchester’s resident Sea Turtles – Cammy & Ernie – in the ocean tank.
These evening sessions are running from 4pm – 8pm, with last admission at 7pm.
Tickets are priced at £21.95 for adults and £16.95 for children. You can books yours and find more information about social distancing / COVID-safe precautions here.
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Headstock Festival x Nodding Dog Comedy Night
Escape to Freight Island
Tuesday 6th October
Escape to Freight Island
Music and mental wellbeing festival, Headstock, has teamed up with Nodding Dog Comedy to bring a night of stand-up comedy to Piccadilly on Tuesday.
10 comedians – including Live at the Apollo and Britain’s Got Talent stars – will take the stage for the exclusive event at Escape To Freight Island and funds raised from ticket money will go towards Headstock’s partners, which include mental health support organisation Manchester Mind and music charity Help Musicians.
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Tickets must be booked in advance and will set you back £10 per person.
You can books yours and find more information about social distancing / COVID-safe precautions here.
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Park N Party presents Scare City
Event City, Trafford
Friday 9th, Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th October
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This immersive drive-in cinema event – organised by Park N Party – sees terrifying performers swarming on unsuspecting viewers’ during each evening of car park entertainment at Event City in Trafford.
Horror flicks for all film fans will be showing throughout the month of October.
From the comfort of your own car, you can watch Annabelle Comes Home on Friday 9th October, The Witches, Coco and Halloween (2018) on Saturday 10th October, and Hotel Transylvania and The Grudge on Sunday 11th October.
Tickets are priced at £35 per vehicle.
Food and drink is also available to purchase on site, and will be served and distributed in compliance with COVID-19 safety precautions.
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You can reserve your spot at Scare City online now via Eventbrite.
A brand new Roxy Ballroom has just opened up in Manchester city centre.
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Taking over the old 17,000sq ft Birdcage building on Withy Grove, Roxy Ball Room has half a dozen bowling lanes, beer pong tables, shuffleboard, and arcade machines have all been installed, as well as a 12-hole ‘crazy pool’ game on a mezzanine level, and has a wide range of booze, cocktails and American-style food available.
Bookings must be made in advance for households or support bubbles only, with Roxy operation 3pm-10pm during the week and 12pm-10pm at the weekend.
Players can order food and drink using a QR code on each gaming table.
You can book your slot and find more information about social distancing / COVID-safe precautions here.
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KBOM – Sem Fundo Sundays
Hatch
Sunday 11th October
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KBOM Bar & Kitchen – based at award-winning independent food, drink and retail destination HATCH on Oxford Road – merges the vibrant flavours of Brazil, with the traditional soul food of Portugal and hosts a very special ‘Sem Fundo’ – otherwise known as bottomless’ brunch – on Sundays.
It includes a starter, main and complimentary drinks during your 90 pre-booked slot, and all of this comes for only £22.95 per person too.
You can book your table for KBOM’s Sem Fundo ‘Bottomless’ Sundayshere.
More information about HATCH and the social distancing / COVID-safe precautions can be found here.
What's On
Manchester’s ‘super duper’ family festival full of FREE activities is back early next year
Emily Sergeant
A popular festival full of free activities for all the family to get involved with is coming back to Manchester early next year.
Fresh off-the-back of the success of Manchester’s massively popular annual Christmas Parade – which is coming up this weekend, and is set to see tens of thousands of people flock to the city centre’s main shopping streets especially for the occasion – the return of another exciting event has been announced for February half term next year.
Get ready, as Manchester city centre will transform into a giant playground next year as The Super Duper Family Festival brings four free days of fun.
The popular event will feature a series of pop-up play zones at a variety of outdoor spaces and popular venues across the city centre, all of which will be free to use and ready to explore.
Credit: SuppliedCredit: Supplied
Taking place from Wednesday 18 February through to Saturday 21 February, this year there will be more immersive play areas than ever before – with nine different zones providing unique experiences for all ages.
Families can dive into high-energy challenges in The Sports Hall at Great Northern, level up in The Arcade at Printworks, whirl and twirl through The Carnival on St Ann’s Square, and get playful in The Playground with Waterloo Road on Exchange Square.
The Super Duper Family Festival is returning from 18-21 February 2026, and you can find more information about everything happening here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Manchester Christmas Parade 2025 – all you need to know-ho-ho
Danny Jones
Now we’re into December, the Manchester Christmas Markets have returned both to the city and even to Albert Square for 2025, not to mention it’s bloody COLD, we think it’s fair to say the holiday season is well and truly underway – plus, the annual parade is now just around the corner.
Time to wrap up warm, pick your perfect spot, grab a hot drink and watch as a train of coloured ribbons and giant puppets flood the streets.
Yes, that’s right: not only can Mancs enjoy the return of the festive firework display this winter, but this year’s Christmas parade is taking place this weekend, and the fun-for-all-ages event is promising to be as magical as ever.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 2025 edition.
We managed to catch it right at the start last year. (Credit: The Manc)
MCR Christmas Parade 2025 – all the important info
When is the Manchester Xmas Parade this year?
For starters, if you’re wondering what time the Manchester Christmas Parade starts this weekend, the fun will be kicking off from 1pm on Sunday, 7 December and will last around an hour from start to finish.
MCR Xmas Parade route
As for where it will be heading and when, the procession will follow a circular route that starts and ends back at Manchester Cathedral, before heading through the city centre, running along some major roads and passing notable landmarks.
It is as follows: Manchester Cathedral – Victoria Street – Deansgate – John Dalton Street – Cross Street – Market Street – St Mary’s Gate – Deansgate – Victoria Street – Manchester Cathedral.
There will be two accessible viewing areas available on a first-come basis – one on Cross St (outside Boots) and one on Deansgate (outside House of Fraser).
You can see a full map of the Manchester Christmas Parade route for 2025 down below.
Credit: Manchester City Council (supplied)
People coming into the city centre for the parade should note that the busiest sections of the parade route are likely to be previously mentioned Cross St and St Mary’s Gate.
Manchester city centre road closures for Sunday (7 Dec)
8am-5pm
Victoria Street (Deansgate to Cathedral Approach)
Cateaton Street (Deansgate to Exchange Square)
11am-3pm
Victoria Bridge Street (Chapel St to Deansgate)
Deansgate (Victoria St to John Dalton St)
John Dalton Street (Southgate to Clarence St)
Cross Street (John Dalton St to Corporation St)
Market Street (Cross St to Exchange St)
St Mary’s Gate (Exchange St to Deansgate)
11am-6pm
St Ann’s Street (Deansgate to Cross St)
As well as the city now having entered what is expected to be one of its busiest periods, it’s also worth reminding that the Metrolink tram service is scheduled for more strikes this weekend, so plan accordingly when heading into town.
It’s also worth noting that these closures will obviously affect parking and bus lanes, as well as some trams and taxi ranks.
There are, of course, always new additions each year, and there’s more never-before-seen content coming for 2025, too.
With even more community groups now taking part than ever, the completely free, family-friendly parade will not only be led by the usual ‘Reindeer Ensemble’ – a talented troupe of eight synchronised dancing reindeer – but a new fantastic ‘Festive Fantasy Candyland Castle’.
Think Christmas meets Willy Wonka, meets Sugar Rush from Wreck-It Ralph and more.
Standing more than four metres tall and surrounded by a giant cavalcade of stilt walkers and dancers, the spectacularly decorated castle slowly rotates as it glides along and is sure to be a particularly must-see moment for the youngsters this year.
Credit: Supplied)
We’re not going to spoil too much else for you this year, as we always find it’s more fun to be surprised by what we see whilst stopping roadside.
Let’s just say there’ll be plenty more Christmassy characters and fantastical festivities in store.
Local councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for MCC, said of the 2025 parade: “Manchester is one hundred per cent the best city in the world when it comes to celebrating the festive season.
“There is nowhere that does Christmas quite like we do, and our iconic Christmas Parade has been a big part of our celebrations over the last three years, helping make magical memories for thousands upon thousands of Mancunians.
“It’s the heartwarming event of the season and our special Christmas gift to the city. Grab your Santa hat and some tinsel, and come down and join us. Don’t miss it!” There’s plenty more on this week, too…
Emily Sergeant -
2nd October 2020 
