A pumpkin patch that’s perfect for all weather will be popping up in Greater Manchester this Halloween.
Now that autumn is officially here, the nights are drawing in, and the temperatures are dropping by the day, this means the spookiest time of year is officially around the corner, and the region’s biggest shopping centre has a whole host of events and activities for all the family to get involved with this Halloween and October half term.
The Trafford Centre has been embracing the spooky season more and more as the years have gone on, and this year is set to absolutely no different.
The shopping centre has now unveiled its lineup of “thrills, chills, and plenty of Halloween fun” for 2024.
One of the stand-out events on the family-friendly lineup this year is the indoor ‘Pop-Up Pumpkin Patch’, which is perfect for pumpkin pickers of all ages who fancy getting into the spooky spirit, all while staying dry and warm at the same time despite whatever the Greater Manchester weather has in store for us.
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For just £2 per child, you’ll be able to make your way to the indoor pumpkin patch on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 October to pick out your pumpkin to take home for carving or decorating.
Every single penny from the ticket sales of this event will go to the Trafford Centre’s chosen charity for 2024, FareShare Greater Manchester – the region’s largest food redistribution charity, which is fighting food poverty while saving nutritious food from going to waste.
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No booking is required for the pumpkin patch, and while dressing up in spooky costumes for the occasion is optional, it is highly recommended.
The Trafford Centre has unveiled its lineup of “thrills, chills, and plenty of Halloween fun” for 2024 / Credit: Supplied
Some of the other events on the Trafford Centre’s Halloween lineup next month is the ‘Halloween Trail’, which is kicking off on 17 October and features captivating interactive installations made up of more than 100,000 lights, and the return of the ever-popular ‘Spookfest’ on 19 October, complete with a ghastly ghost train, haunted house, five-metre-tall pumpkin tower, and lots of tasty treats.
Gandeys Circus is also back at the centre once again this autumn from 11 October, with a brand-new ‘Halloween Spooktacular Big Top Show’ for all the family.
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Other activities include pumpkin carving, marshmallow roasting, and a skeleton petting zoo and skeleton disco.
Halloween events begin at the Trafford Centre from 11 October, and you can find out more on the centre’s website here.
Featured Image – Concetta Huffa (via Unsplash)
What's On
Oasis announce extra 2027 tour dates – including TWO MORE Knebworth shows
Emily Sergeant
Oasis have announced a run of additional tour dates for 2027, including two more Knebworth shows.
In case you need bringing up to speed a little, it was announced last week, following the unprecedented success of the reunion tour, Oasis Live ’25, last year – including five nostalgia-drenched gigs at Manchester’s Heaton Park – Oasis would be hitting the road once again in 2027, and this time around, they’re going BIG.
We’re talking 11 nights at the Etihad Stadium and a return to the iconic grounds of Knebworth for four special shows there too, kind of ‘big’.
The iconic Manchester band will also be taking to a range of other world-famous stages across the globe, including five nights at Glasgow’s Celtic Park, and major cities like Barcelona, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, and Las Vegas.
And now they’ve added some extra dates into the mix due to popular demand.
While there’s no additional Manchester dates on the lineup this time (11 is quite a lot to begin with, after all), they have doubled up on Knebworth instead.
That’s right – the Gallagher brothers and co have now announced two further Knebworth shows on 25 and 26 September, on top of the already-announced dates of 11, 12, 18 and 19 September.
Tickets are being sold through a strict fan registration process this year, with no general onsale and only successful registrants even invited to try and buy them.
Prices will be fixed, however, meaning fans will be able to snap up a ticket for as little as £74.60 for seated tickets, with seats then costing up to £266.60, including fees.
Standing tickets will be priced at either £173.60 or £206.60, and there are also hotel packages, coach packages, and VIP packages available.
Everything you need to know about buying tickets for Oasis Live ’27 is here.
Featured Image – Joshua Halling (Press Image – Supplied)
What's On
Strictly Come Dancing Live to return to Manchester as part of 2027 UK tour
Emily Sergeant
Strictly Come Dancing Live is set to return in 2027 for a spectacular new UK arena tour.
Hot on the heels of last weekend’s dazzling launch show for the 2026 BBC series, audiences are invited to get their dancing shoes on and their ’10’ paddles at the ready, as a new lineup of celebrities and professionals will be taking to the dancefloor for 29 shows across the country – including three shows in Manchester.
Head judge Shirley Ballas will be hitting the road, alongside fellow judges Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood, with Janette Manrara also presenting.
Directed by Craig Revel Horwood himself, Strictly Come Dancing Live takes the magic of the BBC TV show and turns it up to another level.
Expect jaw-dropping group dances, breathtaking routines, stunning costumes, and live music from the legendary Strictly band and singers, all brought together in a first-class arena production.
As always with the Strictly Live Tour, there is one very important decision to be made at every show – which couple will lift the Glitterball Trophy?
And that decision is not in the hands of the judges. The judges are there to critique and provide their invaluable opinions on each dance routine, but they do not hold the power, as this lies with the audience instead, who can vote using their mobile phones to decide who is the winner.
Strictly Come Dancing Live is returning to Manchester as part of its 2027 UK tour / Credit: Supplied
The tour kicks off at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on 22 January for the first of five shows, and will then cha-cha-cha its way across the UK, visiting other major northern cities like Sheffield, Newcastle, Liverpool, and Leeds, before arriving in Manchester at the start of February.
Strictly Come Dancing Live will take to the AO Arena stage on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 February 2027, with two shows happening on the Saturday.
Tickets officially go on sale this week, with venue pre-sales beginning at 10am on Thursday 24 September, before general sale starts on Friday (25 September), also at 10am.
Emily Sergeant -
24th September 2024 
