October half term is just around the corner, and there’s plenty of “science-filled fun and discovery” to get stuck into at one of Manchester’s most-popular attractions.
From a taking a journey around the human body, and discovering the birth of computing, to exploring thunderous cotton spinning machines, the origins of the Madchester music scene and more, there’s something for everyone at the Science and Industry Museum this month.
Created especially to mark the opening of the world-first exhibition, Cancer Revolution: Science, Innovation and Hope, every day between Saturday 23 October to Sunday 31 October, the museum’s team of Explainers will be presenting activities that will bring the body to life at ‘Science Stops’ across the venue – including performing a drinks bottle biopsy, giving fruit and veg an MRI, and getting a closer look at cells with visitors even getting the chance to make their very own model cell badge to take away.
A range of ‘Get Curious’ events across the half term week will also give families the chance to learn more about the body, and meet people working in STEM to ask questions, and have a go at lots of hands-on activities.
There’s something for everyone at the Science and Industry Museum this month / Credit: Science and Industry Museum
On Tuesday 26 October, visitors can take part in experiments with the museum’s STEM Ambassadors to help young people get excited about future studies or careers in the industry, and then on Wednesday 27 October, PHD students from Manchester Metropolitan University will lead a bunch of workshops all about how blood is pumped around our body and more.
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The museum’s historic textiles machinery demonstrations are also back at the weekend and on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, showing the machines that made Manchester and how cotton kickstarted the Industrial Revolution, alongside the welcome return of the ‘Revolution Manchester’ show, shining a spotlight on the Mancunian ideas that changed the world.
For older families, there are also two unmissable major exhibitions happening at the museum dedicated to medicine and music.
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There’s plenty of “science-filled fun and discovery” to get stuck into / Credit: Science and Industry Museum
As mentioned, the brand-new headline exhibition Cancer Revolution: Science, Innovation and Hope – which has been created with support from expert partner Cancer Research UK, and is suitable for children eight years and over – is the first major, object-rich exhibition to explore the revolution in science transforming cancer care.
And if you haven’t had the chance to already, you can use this upcoming half term week as a chance to immerse yourself in the history of the iconic Manchester music label, Factory Records, in the Use Hearing Protection: The early years of Factory Records exhibition – which unearths the story of the company’s formative years from 1978 to 1982, and how their innovative work in music, technology, and design gave Manchester an authentic voice and distinctive identity.
Free tickets for all half term events are now available to book / Credit: Science and Industry Museum
As the Science and Industry Museum is currently going through a multi-million pound restoration, this means that some areas of the venue – including the Power Hall – will remain closed to the public during half term.
Chester Zoo’s spectacular light trail returns this winter with a new route and new animals for 2026
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo’s popular winter light trail is set to return with a redesigned route and some magical new animals for 2026.
Produced by Chester Zoo in partnership with Sony Music and Culture Creative, Lanterns & Light has become a popular fixture in the region’s festive calendar over the years, and it’s back this winter – transforming the zoo after dark with thousands of festive lights, colour, and wildlife-themed displays.
The 2026 trail has been redesigned with some exciting new installations, including the dazzling Suspended Jellyfish underwater display, a mirrored disco tunnel, a glittering pea-lit canopy, and Floating Feathers.
New for this year too, visitors will also get to encounter parrots, dolphins, and a giant polar bear among an expanded cast of life-sized animal puppets, all brought to life by specialist performers.
More than 140,000 people visited the trail last year, but for the first time ever in 2026, the event will also host two adults-only evenings, one on 19 November and another 8 December – giving grown-ups the chance to enjoy the trail without children.
Alongside the new additions, plenty of much-loved features will return too, including the walk-through Cathedral of Light and atmospheric Fire Garden, as well as the chance to meet Father Christmas in a snowy setting.
Visitors can also enjoy marshmallow fire pits, festive food, and warming drinks, alongside a funfair at the entrance.
But Lanterns & Light isn’t just about Christmas, as every ticket purchased helps fund Chester Zoo’s vital conservation work, supporting projects protecting threatened wildlife and restoring habitats in more than 20 countries around the world.
“Lanterns & Light is a chance to have a brilliant night out, but it also helps us do something much bigger,” explained Gemma Wright, who is the Head of Guest Experience at Chester Zoo.
“Every ticket helps support Chester Zoo’s work to prevent extinction, from protecting threatened wildlife in the places where it lives to caring for and breeding endangered species here at the zoo.
“So, while our visitors are enjoying the lights, puppets and festive atmosphere, they’re helping to give wildlife a brighter future too.”
Lanterns & Light returns to Chester Zoo from 13 November 2026 through to 3 January 2027.
Tickets are on sale and available now from £19.50 for children and £27.50 for adults, while babies under 12 months go free. You can book yours here.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
What's On
Manchester Art Fair returns this autumn with more than 180 exhibitors under one roof
Emily Sergeant
One of the UK’s largest art fairs is back in Manchester this autumn, bringing more than 180 exhibitors together all under one roof.
Not only is it one of the UK’s largest and one of the most significant art fairs, but it’s by far one of the most celebrated cultural events in Greater Manchester‘s social calendar too.
Designed for the collector, the curator, and those who are just simply curious, the event draws in tens of thousands of visitors, and will feature lots of new and returning galleries and artists this year – all of whom will be showing new works.
2026’s edition will be its biggest yet too, as the event is returning to Manchester Central for four days this year instead of the usual three.
Returning from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 November, the fair will have more than 600 artists there for an exceptional showcase of modern and contemporary art, with thousands of works available to discover and buy from both world-renowned names and some of the most exciting emerging creative talent.
In a significant move, the fair’s highly anticipated Preview Night will move to Thursday evening, opening an expanded programme of art, talks, workshops, and new experiences across the four days that follow.
Leading the lineup of new features are Manchester Art Fair’s Art Masterclasses, which have been created for developing artists looking to advance their creative practice.
These new experiences will sit alongside a rich programme of artist talks, panel discussions, Q&As, live demonstrations, and other hands-on creative workshops.
More than 180 exhibitors will all gather together under one roof / Credit: Supplied
Manchester Art Fair 2026 will first open at Manchester Central with an exclusive preview night on Thursday 19 November, before it then continues on Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November – with tockets now on sale.
Tickets are priced at £15 for a day ticket or £25 for a preview night ticket, including access throughout the weekend, all with booking fees applying.
Emily Sergeant -
6th October 2021 
