Manchester is one of a handful on UK cities chosen to host an official Olympics fanzone with a big screen this summer.
And the best bit? It’s going to be FREE to enter.
That’s right – with a little over nine weeks to go before millions of people across the globe gather to cheer on their country’s finest sportspeople as they compete against their toughest competitors in a wide range of sporting events at this year’s Olympics in Paris this summer, fans in Manchester won’t even have to pay a penny to get in amongst all the action.
That’s because our city has been chosen by Team GB itself to be one of the 10 places that plays host to an official free-to-enter fanzone.
More than 300 Team GB athletes are embarking on their final preparations as we speak, and over half a million British fans are planning to travel to France to cheer them on in person… but for those who aren’t wanting to make the trip, this is definitely the next best thing.
ADVERTISEMENT
Manchester to host FREE official Olympics fanzone with big screens this summer / Credit: Team GB (via Twitter)
A big screen playing all the major sporting action and coverage highlights from across the two-week event will be set up in Spinningfields in the heart of Manchester city centre.
The Lawn Club has been picked to host this year’s official Olympics fanzone in Manchester – conveniently after it also hosts its own EURO 2024 big screen a few weeks earlier – and sports lovers will be able to tuck into an all-day food and drinks lineup while they watch the Games surrounded by other equally-enthusiastic fans.
ADVERTISEMENT
There’ll be everything from sharing boards and burgers, to craft beers, cocktails, and more to order while you’re there.
Watch all the action from @Paris2024 this summer at our free-to-enter official Fanzones across the UK!
London, Birmingham, Bristol, Southampton, the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, and fellow North West city Liverpool are the other places hosting fanzones.
Not only that, but Team GB has also promised that each official fanzone will host appearances from Team GB stars past and present throughout the Games too, so keep your eyes peeled for announcements on that.
ADVERTISEMENT
All fanzones will be fully wheelchair accessible, Team GB has confirmed.
Each official Team GB fanzone – including Manchester’s – will open on Friday 26 July, just in time for the Opening Ceremony of the Games, and will be running until the day of the Closing Ceremony on Sunday 11 August.
If you haven’t heard (or your friends haven’t tormented you enough about going) by now, you should know Scare City is back!
Taking place at the abandoned Camelot theme park site in Chorley, there are 10 zones of live actors, set design and SFX like nowhere else.
Voted the ‘Best Scare Attraction Halloween 2023’ by ScareTrack, this immersive horror experience is set to shiver your timbers, literally.
Get your hands on tickets via the Scare City websitehere.
Halloween In The City
Last year’s inflatable monsters in the Halloween in the City trail in Manchester.Halloween in the City celebrations. Credit: Supplied
Manchester city centre will be hosting a two-day family festival across popular shopping destinations this October.
There will be dozens of inflatable monsters popping up around the Manchester skyline and even an art trail running from Friday 25 October to Thursday 31 October, meaning there’s a wide range of activities for families to get involved with.
‘Halloween in the City’ officially returns to Manchester on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October 2024 with several Manchester landmarks turning ‘ghoulish green’ on Thursday 31 October.
Time to Die at Diecast
Only an eight minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly Station, this next spine-chilling destination is easily accessible no matter where you are in the city.
The Wilderspool Woods will be decorated with lasers, a light trail and Skeleton Village display illuminated by 100,000 lights as part of ‘Spookfest 2024’.
ADVERTISEMENT
After a walk in the 4.5 acre woods, visitors can get their hands on some well-deserved grub from a food line-up curated by Freight Island.
This includes 22” New York-style Pizzas and the sweetest hot chocolates with marshmallows, caramel and sweets from Cabin Chocolat.
Tickets are on sale now and you can grab yours here.
Halloween Ghost Train at East Lancashire Railway
Departing from the station in Bury from 24 October to 31 October, the Halloween Ghost Train has several time slots to step onboard the steam railway and join the Monster Squad.
All events are allocated time slots from between 5.30pm and 8.30pm, and guests are invited to help Zombie Bob, Veronica the Witch and Count Brian the Vampire to take down the Pumpkin King and his pesky crows.
ADVERTISEMENT
There will be singing and dancing from the infamous King and company who will be waiting on the platform to greet every guest.
This Ancoats bar is providing guests the chance to decorate their own foam pumpkin that can become the pride and joy of your mantlepiece or shelf for Halloweens to come.
The beerhouse is providing all the equipment necessary to make your newest piece of autumn decor.
Dressing up is not mandatory but the best-dressed will win a free ticket to a future painting class.
ADVERTISEMENT
Taking place on 27 October, there’s limited spaces due to the classes being small (No Under 18’s) – Tickets are available here.
Silence of the Baths at Victoria Baths
People on the dance floor inside Victoria Baths People on the dance floor inside Victoria Baths Inside Victoria Baths, decorated for Halloween Silence of the Baths is taking over Victoria Baths in Manchester for Halloween 2024. Credit: Supplied
The legendary Grade II listed building will be ‘possessed’ by DJ’s of the past as Victoria Baths is hosting a special Halloween club night ‘The Silence of the Baths: Back from the Dead’.
In tribute to the clubs that once dominated Manchester’s bustling nightlife scene, South, Jilly’s Rockworld, and The Tiger Lounge are joining forces to put on a night of dancefloor fillers and dead-good bangers.
This event takes place on Saturday 26 October and tickets are on sale here.
Halloween SFX Makeup Masterclass at GRUB
Manchester’s biggest street food venue is hosting a terrific and terrifying makeup masterclass for over 18’s.
ADVERTISEMENT
You’ll be able to learn how to create realistic scars, ghostly face painting, injuries and wounds, taught by UCEN Manchester.
There will be experts on hand to help you perfect your techniques and answer any of your makeup queries.
The street food vendors will be open still but attendees are asked to arrive earlier if they’d like to order any of the tasty treats.
Taking place on 30 October, guests have a great opportunity to practice before the big day, tickets can be found here.
‘So Fetch’ 2000s Halloween Party at Deaf Institute
Everyone’s favourite intimate concert venue is hosting a y2k inspired Halloween party playing nothing but 2000’s anthems.
ADVERTISEMENT
The night will feature music from Rihanna, Avril Lavigne, Justin Timberlake and all your favourite 2000’s musical icons.
Fancy dress is encouraged and if your birthday falls between 20 October to 5 November, you can get in for free!
Deaf Institute aren’t trying to make fetch happen, they ARE making fetch happen on Friday 1 November (No Under 18’s) – Tickets are on sale here.
Manchester is bursting with many different and interesting events to get involved with and we couldn’t list every single place in this Halloween guide.
These fantastic highlights should help you find some new activities and there will definitely be a selection of local things-to-do on offer wherever you choose to make the most of your Autumn holiday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Happy Halloween!
Featured Image: The Manc Group
What's On
Massive fireworks display confirmed for Manchester city centre’s newest park
Daisy Jackson
The skies above Manchester city centre will be sparkling this autumn, when a huge Bonfire Night event takes over the city’s newest park.
The Fireworks Extravaganza will see a dazzling display light up the skies, while awestruck onlookers can sip on mulled wines and hot chocolates.
The huge fireworks display comes from Freight Island and the acclaimed Walk the Plank, and is set to take place over several evenings of Bonfire Night weekend.
There’ll even be free sparklers for kids when the festive event takes place between 1 and 3 November.
It’s all happening at Mayfield Park, the beautiful new green space (and Manchester’s first new more than a century), with cheaper early bird tickets now on sale.
Walk the Plank are the creators of innovative outdoor displays, and will be behind the 10-minute fireworks display.
The park’s traders will be serving mulled wine, hot chocolate, and candy floss too.
Doors will open at 5.30pm until 7pm, with the displays themselves at 6.30pm.
On Saturday night there’ll be an extra late slot from 7.30pm until 9pm, with a display at 8.30pm.
John Wassell, co-founder of Walk the Plank, said: “It’s great to be working with Freight Island again and designing a show for this year’s Fireworks Extravaganza.
“Their focus on music really allows us to create an experience where sound and fireworks work together seamlessly.
“This event will be an exciting blend of music and fireworks against the backdrop of the stunning Park, offering something memorable for everyone.”
A Fireworks Extravaganza is taking place at Mayfield Park in Manchester between Friday 1 and Sunday 3 November.
Early bird tickets are £10 for adults and £6 for children, with £28 family tickets also on sale.