One of Manchester’s most iconic heritage sites is bringing back a hugely-popular family event this summer.
The stunning Grade II-listed Victoria Baths, just outside of the city centre, is known for hosting all sorts of seasonal events throughout the year – with the most-recent being a wholesome SpringFest full of art, street food, live music, and all sorts of family-friendly activities, as well as its continually-running tours and ‘Welcome Wednesdays’ series.
But in a couple of months time, one of the legendary venue’s best-loved events is set to return by popular demand, and it’ll be just like the retro summers of years gone by.
Described as being an “annual highlight” in the Victoria Baths’ calendar and set to take over the empty Gala Pool at the heart of the historic building, families are invited bring their “tastiest treats, cosiest blankets, and snuggly cushions” and pop along for afternoon of fun.
The popular ‘Picnic in the Pool’ returns to Victoria Baths in a couple of months time / Credit: Victoria Baths
Picnic in the Pool will transform the hollowed-out swimming baths into a “weatherproof picnic paradise” when schools are out for summer on Wednesday 14 August.
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Kicking off from midday, the venue is promising a day full of “good food and great company”.
Come rain or shine – and we all know that here in Manchester, there’s a good chance it could be the former on the day – there’ll be plenty chance to “create cherished memories” as you picnic under the iconic building’s glorious glass roof, and tuck into your own picnic food or enjoy snacks and drinks bought from the on-site Tea Room.
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There’ll also be retro lawn games, a craft area, and a dedicated ‘Little Zone’ for kids full of toys and books / Credit: Victoria Baths
As well as the picnic itself, there’ll also be lots of retro lawn games on the day, as well as a craft area, a building trail, and even a dedicated ‘Little Zone’ area for smaller adventurers to play with toys, books, and more.
Tickets to this year’s Picnic in the Pool on Wednesday 14 August from 12-3pm are now on sale, and will set you back just £1 each.
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’.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Emily Sergeant -
12th June 2024 
