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)
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Manchester’s firework displays are ‘back with a bang’ as they return from 2026
Emily Sergeant
Council-organised firework displays in Manchester’s parks are set to return from next year, it has been confirmed.
You may remember that these once-popular events have not been held since 2019, as the COVID-19 pandemic initially prevented them from taking place from 2020 onwards, and then following that, they remained paused on a trial basis while the Manchester City Council sought to ‘reprioritise funding’ to support a wider range of free community events across the city.
But now, as it seems, the door was never shut on their potential return.
An ‘improved financial position’ now means that the Council is in a position to bring firework events back, while also still continuing to support other community events.
Papers setting out the Council’s financial position show that fairer funding being introduced by the Government next year will leave the Council better off than previously anticipated, he the reason firework displays have been brought back into the mix.
The Council has admitted that ‘pressures remain’ after so many years of financial cuts, but this new funding creates the opportunity to invest in the things residents have said matter the most to them.
“Manchester prides itself on free community events and we know many people have missed Bonfire night firework spectaculars,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.
“That’s why we are pleased to confirm they’ll be back by popular demand in 2026.
“We know that generations of Mancunians have enjoyed Council-organised displays and that free family events are a great way to bring people together… [and] now that this Government is actually investing in Councils like ours rather than the cuts we had since 2010, we can bring back Bonfire events.”
Cllr Craig said that the return of Council-organised firework displays is ‘building up for a spectacular 2026.’
More information on their return is set to be announced in due course.
Featured Image – Chris Curry (via Unsplash)
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Peter Kay announces final Manchester show on historic run – with all profits going to cancer charities
Daisy Jackson
Peter Kay has announced some final arena shows, including one in Manchester, and he’s donating all profits to cancer charities.
The Bolton-born comedy legend will be playing one more night at the AO Arena as well as extra dates at The O2 in London, The First Direct Arena in Leeds, and plenty more.
What sets these arena shows apart from his record-breaking run, which has seen him sell out arenas for four years now, is that all the profits will be going straight to charity.
Peter Kay has pledged that ‘every single penny’ from his final dates will be going to 12 leading cancer charities.
These will include Children With Cancer UK, the Teenage Cancer Trust, plus charities dedicated to 10 different types of adult cancer.
Peter Kay holds the record as the only artist in the world to have performed a monthly residency at the O2, and has performed more than 100 shows on this tour in his hometown, at the AO Arena in Manchester.
The star made the announcement on BBC’s The One Show this evening.
Speaking of the announcement, he said: “It’s been the greatest privilege of my life to perform for audiences up and down the country.
“I’ve been completely overwhelmed by the support over the years, and it feels right to give something back. Every single penny of profit from these final shows will go to help fight cancer and support those affected.
Peter Kay announces final Manchester show on historic run – with all profits going to cancer charities
“Unfortunately, just about everyone knows someone who’s been affected by one of the cancers on that list.
“I really hope people can get behind this – come out, have a great night, share a few laughs, and do something good for charity at the same time. It’s a win–win.
“You don’t even have to like me – raising money for these twelve charities goes far beyond that. Together, we really can make a difference.”
Peter Kay will perform one more night at the AO Arena Manchester on Saturday 8 August 2026.
Tickets will go on sale from 10am on Sunday 30 November HERE.
The cancer charities Peter Kay will donate his final profits to are:
Emily Sergeant -
24th September 2024 
