Whether you can believe it or not, we’ll be getting ready to say welcome in December by this time next week.
And that also means in won’t be long before 2024 arrives either.
2023 has been quite the year, and with the working world getting ready to wind down for the festive season, many are no doubt already looking ahead to the new year, and planning all the holidays and time off work they want to book.
Fancy making the most of it though? For those looking to play their cards right and hack the system a little bit, travel insurance price comparison platform PayingTooMuch has worked out a way to secure yourself a whopping 55 days off work using just 25 days of your annual leave allowance – and it’s pretty impressive.
With most full-time employees who work a five-day week having a minimum of 28 days (5.6 weeks) of paid annual leave each year, travel experts at the company have figured out how these people can effectively double their time off in 2024.
Here’s how it works.
There’s a way to get 55 days off in 2024 using only 25 days of annual leave / Credit: Behnam Norouzi | Marissa Grootes (via Unsplash)
January
Saturday 30 December 2023 to Sunday 7 January 2024 – To extend your new year celebrations, you’ll want to book four days off at the start of the year for a total of nine days off.
Easter
Saturday 23 March to Sunday 7 April – With Good Friday falling on 29 March next year, you can enjoy a long Easter break of 16 days by only booking eight days off.
May
Saturday 4 May to Monday 12 May or Saturday 25 May to Sunday 2 June – Thanks to the two bank holidays in May, there’s two ways for you to enjoy nine days off in a row by only using four days of annual leave.
August
Saturday 24 August to Sunday 1 September – Here you can book just four days off in August to gain nine days off for a summer holiday.
December
Saturday 21 December 2024 to Tuesday 1 January 2025 – To end the year on a high and give yourself the chance to properly enjoy the festive period with family and friends, you can book five days of annual leave to gain 12 days off in total.
There’s also loads of health-boosting benefits about taking time off from work / Credit: Towfiqu Barbhuiya (via Unsplash)
PayingTooMuch also spoke to Wellbeing Coach Lorna Wilkins to explore the health-boosting benefits of going on holiday and taking time off from work.
“One of the key health benefits of going on holiday is that it reduces stress,” Lorna explains.
“Having a break from your daily routine can make you feel more relaxed and therefore improve your mental wellbeing.
“A change of environment and getting away from the pressures of day-to-day life not only helps you to clear your mind but can also help to improve your sleep quality as you’ll be feeling more relaxed.”
The Warehouse Project 2025 – full calendar, lineups, tickets, stage times and more
Thomas Melia
The summer and festival season may be almost over, but the Manchester music calendar is still going strong with The Warehouse Project announcing its full 2025 lineup.
If there’s one thing Manchester has got you covered for, it’s live music, and this EDM favourite returns year in and year out to power you through the winter – trading your dark nights for DJ sets with vibrant strobes and lasers.
The Warehouse Project know how to deliver a series of absolutely incredible b2b sets, exclusive shows and more, with the 2025 calendar looking just as impressive as previous years.
This latest full calendar lineup covers you with some of the best music events from 12 September right through til 31 December – grab your mates and your diaries, it’s time to get your next rave booked in.
Everything you need to know about The Warehouse Project 2025
The Warehouse Project tickets
As mentioned, with events running until 31 December, there are plenty of tickets available; however, with growing popularity annually and some of the biggest acts performing, these will be in high demand.
You can find the full calendar online, highlighting what events are still on sale – yes, the majority sell out fast every year – and takes you directly to their website HERE.
WHP stages
There are three separate rooms, which range in capacity, sound and facilities:
Depot is the largest room, boasting a capacity of 10,000.
Concourse can accommodate a significant 2,500 concertgoers.
Archive still holds an impressive 1,900.
It’s also worth noting that the Concourse room will now operate a strict no phones rule this year. The venue has been flagging a number of ‘Concourse only’ shows over the last few weeks in an effort to soft-launch the new policy.
Limited to the mid-sized room only for now, they’re taking cues from the likes of popular Manc nightclub Amber’s, insisting that they “feel that club culture is best enjoyed in the moment with your friends, and your phone in your pocket.”
Amber’s is also relaunching their newly formatted ‘Room Two’.
For anyone at all frustrated about this news, at least take the news of new ‘proper flushable toilets’ being installed through 80% of the venue this year as a pretty decent silver lining.
Transport and how to get to The Warehouse Project
This iconic EDM music series moved from its Victoria Warehouse to another music hotspot, Depot Mayfield, back in 2019 and has seen some of the greatest artists and DJs grace these very four walls.
Just an eight-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly or a 20-minute walk from Manchester Victoria Station, it’s super easy to get to on foot or via public transport.
You can catch a train or multiple tram lines from Victoria and various other points around the city centre, which will drop you off at Manchester Piccadilly; better still, a tram journey will only set you back £1.90 and not much more for the train.
Friday, 12 September – DJ HEARTSTRING
Electronic duo DJ HEARTSTRING are swapping the cold city centre feels of Berlin for the equally chilly Manchester to kick off the WHP25 series.
Playing in the Concourse, they will also be joined by a handful of acts, including Peach, Niamh and Ireland-born but now Berlin-based act, Spray.
Saturday, 13 September – D.O.D
Dan O’ Donnell, more widely recognised by his stage name and acronym D.O.D, is playing a huge hometown show in the Concourse with more DJs and mixers yet to be announced.
The Bury-born talent has a roster of hits and remixes under his belt, including ‘So Much In Love’, ‘Azizam (D.O.D Remix)’ and ‘Somedays’, the latter a collaboration with previous Warehouse Project alumni Jazzy.
Friday, 19 September – ANOTR
You might get ‘Vertigo’ from this next duo, who are currently soaking up the Ibiza club scene before making their way to the prestigious Manchester event later this year.
Amsterdam-based duo ANOTR are gearing up to play in the Concourse with a selection of yet-to-be-announced acts, and we’re sure you’ll want to ‘Turn It Up’ when they visit.
It’s time to get ‘Jamming’ with gold-coast music producer Fisher and we’re sure you’ll be ‘Losing It’ as soon as you feel the ‘Atmosphere’ at Depot Mayfield on this night.
Ranked as one of the top 10 DJs in DJ Mag’s top 100 DJs of 2024 and surpassing over 18 million monthly listeners on Spotify, expect this to be a busy one.
Friday, 26 September – Worried About Henry
All three rooms are in use for this event, and if you were at Parklife this year, you know this drum and bass event organiser knows how to start a party.
There are over 30 acts playing out across the night, and although we can’t list them all, expect Andy C, Wilkinson, Sub Focus in Depot, Camo and Krooked b2b K Motionz in Concourse and Simula in Archive.
Saturday, 27 September – YOU&ME 10th Birthday
Can you feel the buzz? We certainly can as legendary DJs Josh Baker and Max Dean are in residency for a landmark Warehouse Project birthday celebration.
This London name has been behind some of house and UK garage’s recent anthems like ‘If U Need It’ and ‘Cops & Robbers’ with his 2020 album ‘Spice Up My Life’ reaching No.7 on the Official Dance Charts.
Now, the record producer is teaming up with a specially selected DJ crew at Depot Mayfield including Armand Van Helden, Bakey, Joy Orbison and local lad Ghoulish.
Saturday, 4 October – &ME
Techno giant has worked on numerous collaborations and solidifed his place in the house music scene with remixes and originals like ‘Say What’, ‘Thandaza’ and ‘More Love – Rampa &ME Remix’.
Coming to the Concourse, he’ll be joined by two other notable music creators like ‘P*ssy Power’ hitmaker Desiree and ‘Intuition’ credited act Megatronic.
Friday, 10 October – Dom Dolla
We’ve been ‘Dreamin’ about this one for a while and after his latest tune gaining a spot on the F1 The Movie soundtrack, ‘No Room For A Saint’, this dance act has definitely earned his stripes.
The Australian producer is set to play Depot Mayfield which will mark his only UK headline show outside London in 2025 and he’s bringing a couple of house music acts along for the ride too.
Saturday 11 October – Defected & Glitterbox
Depot Mayfield and Concourse are getting new names for one night only with the larger becoming ‘Defected’ and the latter taking on its new title of ‘Glitterbox’ while Archive keeps its moniker.
The legend himself MK will be in attendance, and after the success of his recent hit ‘Dior’ with Bolton act Chrystal, the Manchester crowd will be lapping him up.
Friday, 17 October – Jamie Jones presents Paradise
Well-established Welsh DJ Jamie Jones is fronting the bill on this event with the rest of the lineup awaiting announcement.
One thing is for sure, if the talent on the night take any homage or inspiration from Jones’ records like ‘Lose My Mind’ and ‘We Groovin’, this will be a night of dancefloor fillers across Depot Mayfield.
17.10 /// JAMIE JONES PRESENTS PARADISE – LINE UP REVEALED
Jamie Jones brings Paradise back to WHP this October. Jamie plays a special b2b with Joseph Capriati plus across the evening he will be joined by East End Dubs, Alisha, Ahmed Spins, Obskür and more.
‘Is U’ looking to get ‘Lippy’? Well Overmono have just the set for you when they present their new show to you alongside a curated lineup of special guests at Depot Mayfield.
Fellow collaborator Joy Orbison will be popping up with chart-topping act Interplanetary Criminal in Concourse and a selection of artists in Archive as hosted by Virus.
Friday, 24 October – Confidence Man
Janet Planet and Sugar Bones are ready to take you on a ‘Holiday’ when they return to Manchester with their celebrated records and unmissable dance moves.
Also bringing the heat to Manchester on this night is Antony Szmierek who’s trading ‘The Great Pyramid of Stockport’ for Depot Mayfield with Archive hosted by city centre nightlife venue and bar, Yes.
Saturday, 25 October – Black Coffee
After working with notable artists like Drake, David Guetta and Alicia Keys, this caffeinated music creator is ready to power you through the night with a selection of hits from his stacked roster.
Although the support is to-be-announced, this lineup will be one you definitely don’t want to miss out on.
Wednesday, 29 October – Aitch
Moston rapper Aitch is touching down on home turf to play his huge hits out to Depot Mayfield with the release of his latest album 4 earlier this summer.
Collaborating with drum and bass heavyweight Bou on ‘Raving in the Studio’ has been great exposure too, with the Manc star receiving a warm welcome from dance music lovers.
Friday, 31 October – WHP25 Halloween – Warehouse Banger
Another one of The Warehouse Project’s biggest nights of the year, there will be lots of dance, house, drum and bass artists decorating the bill.
With no official lineup yet, expect this night to be spook-tacular.
Saturday, 1 November – Marlon Hoffstadt presents Party of the Year
‘It’s That Time’ and by that time we mean Marlon Hoffstadt’s self-proclaimed ‘Party of the Year’, which is bringing good vibes only to Depot Mayfield.
Artists include Biianco, Surf 2 Glory and Horsegiirl, who sat hoof-to-hoof with TV Royalty Danny Dyer at this year’s Brit Awards.
Friday, 7 November – Rossi.
‘Don’t Touch That Dial’ because the ‘Freak in the Sheets’ is heading to Manchester for a night dedicated to all things Rossi.
He has been on a roll this year appearing at various music festivals from Parklife to Glastonbury and has even headlined this dance music event before in 2023, it’s safe to say much like his track – ‘Little Man’ we’re ‘(Proud of You)’.
Friday, 21 November – Barry Can’t Swim – Earth’s Only Paradise
Probably one of our favourite electronic acts around right now, full stop.
All three rooms are open for Barry Can’t Swim, who ( in our not-so-biased opinion) might have one of the best DJ names of all time.
He’ll be bringing along a whole gathering of notable DJ figures like Jayda G, Chloé Caillet, Prospa as he hosts his ‘Earth’s Only Paradise’ event.
Saturday 22 November – The Hacienda
Manchester has always been a city of clubgoers and it’s lovely to see the musical history of the music capital of the North celebrated via a dedicated night to its most legendary club, The Hacienda.
Expect Depot Mayfield to be filled with all the greats from DJ Paulette, Groove Armada, Primal Scream and more.
Aussies are well and truly feeling the love from the Manc crowd this year, with a variety of acts making the over 20-hour flight to play their club classics, and now Sonny Fodera joins this list.
Fodera has worked with Calvin Harris, Jazzy, Becky Hill, Glass Animals, and Sinéad Harnett, just to name a few – so expect to hear a lot of recognisable tunes throughout the night.
Wednesday 31 December – New Year’s Eve
The lineup for this one is always a secretive one, but as you’re welcoming in the New Year, what better way to do it than attending a night soundtracked by dance and house anthems.
The Warehouse Project New Year’s Eve event is usually a big one, so expect tickets to this exclusive party to sell out pretty quickly.
Greater Manchester has been named only the THIRD funniest region in the UK
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester has been named one of the UK’s funniest regions.
You’re probably thinking that all sounds well and good, but then you find out that not only are we not the funniest region, we have only claimed third place in the top 10, meaning there are two other regions who are funnier that us Mancs… apparently.
It’s all according to a new nationwide study by digital marketing agency Dark Horse, which set out to identify the UK’s funniest regions by compiling a dataset of 541 comedians born in the UK after 1900, using publicly-available lists from IMDb and Wikipedia.
The analysis mapped comedians by birthplace and adjusted for regional population to reveal what the company called a ‘clear front-runner’ in the national battle of banter.
According to the analysis, Manchester has 12.6 comedians per million people.
Manchester has only been named the third funniest region in the UK / Credit: Manchester City Council | Nick Harrison (via Wikimedia Commons)
Manchester has a long-standing reputation for its distinctive style of honest, deadpan, and self-aware humour, and the city supports a strong comedy scene, with numerous clubs and regular national tours that continue to contribute significantly to the UK’s comedic landscape.
Not to mention the region has produced some serious comedy giants like Peter Kay, Steve Coogan, and Jason Manford over the years.
So why have we only claimed third place? Who the heck has is meant to be funnier than us? Well, apparently, it’s the scousers.
The UK’s top 10 funniest areas
Merseyside
London
Greater Manchester
West of England
East Yorkshire & Northern Lincolnshire
Gloucestershire & Wiltshire
Surrey, East & West Sussex
West Midlands
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire
North Yorkshire
Merseyside has been officially crowned the UK’s funniest place, according to the new nationwide study, as the area boasts an impressive 19.6 comedians per million people, which is the highest per capita concentration in the country, and in second place is London with 19.2 comedians per million people and leading the UK by producing 172 comedians across its 33 boroughs.
On the other end of the spectrum, it was North Yorkshire that rounded out the top 10 securing tenth place, and other regions like Cumbria and Cornwall didn’t even make the cut at all.
“Comedy is more than just entertainment – it’s culture, identity, and one of Britain’s best coping mechanisms,” commented Libby Mayfield, who is the Head of Marketing at Dark Horse.
Emily Sergeant -
24th November 2023 
