Forget the arrival of the Manchester Christmas Markets – the true sign that winter has arrived for us is when The Oast House’s giant teepee pops up in the middle of town.
And this year, the beloved Spinningfields bar has pulled out all the stops with its biggest teepee yet.
It’s gearing up to host the first installment of the winter season of Manifest, The Oast House’s popular music festival, with live entertainment and totally free entry.
The teepee itself has been decorated with a beautiful autumn theme, with red and orange leaves wrapped around the huge wooden beams and flickering fire pits placed between the wooden tables.
As the colder months go on, The Oast House will redecorate the teepee in its beloved beer garden with new themes to continue the festivities.
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Inside, you can order from the venue’s menu of hanging kebabs, burgers, loaded fries, and loads more.
There are cocktails galore too, like spicy margaritas, pornstar martinis and a Berry Colada.
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You can sip cocktails in The Oast House winter teepee. Credit: The Manc GroupManifest – a free music festival – will be back in Manchester this winter. Credit: The Manc GroupHanging kebabs at The Oast House’s winter teepee. Credit: The Manc Group
As for Manifest, The Oast House’s popular summer festival is now running through winter, with a vibrant party atmosphere all day and night.
You’ll be treated to pop, R&B, rock and indie, soul, funk, disco and loads more over the course of many hours in the cosy surrounds of the teepee.
In between the live music curated by the venue, there’ll be live interval DJs keeping the party going.
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The event is completely free, with spaces dished out on a first-come, first-served basis (and it packs out quickly so we recommend getting there early and staying for the full show).
Manifest will be back at The Oast House in Manchester, this time in its teepee, on Saturday 26 October.
Remaining dates then are Saturday 30 November, Saturday 14 December, and Saturday 25 January from 1pm until late.
There’s a new summer terrace in town with a weekend spritz happy hour
Daisy Jackson
There’s a new summer terrace in Greater Manchester that’s the ideal spot to soak in some rays – and enjoy a few discounted spritzes while you’re there.
Over on Chapel Street – just across the river from Manchester Cathedral – you’ll find Embankment Kitchen, which has opened up its terrace for the season.
This stylish spot is part of the CitySuites aparthotel, and has a menu rooted in the warm spirit of Northern hospitality.
It’s worth a visit all year round for their seasonally-focused, local-as-possible menus, but the summer terrace at Embankment Kitchen is a real added bonus in spring and summer.
And following that spell of absolutely glorious weather, they’re opening up two hours earlier every day too for maximum sun-soaking from 2pm.
At Embankment Kitchen you can tuck into a drinks and nibbles menu from 2pm until 5pm, and Happy Hour drinks deals from 4pm until 7pm.
That means two-for-one cocktails, plus discounted wines, prosecco and beers – an ideal post-work haunt.
Cocktails at Embankment Kitchen in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupSmall plates on the Embankment Kitchen terrace. Credit: The Manc Group
It’s usually almost impossible to find a happy hour in Manchester at weekends, but these guys are doing two-for-£12 spritzes every Saturday and Sunday between 12pm and 4pm, with flavours including Aperol, Hugo, and limoncello.
Drinks on the menu include signature cocktails that are inspired by the city’s industrial roots, like The Emmeline, Manchester Exchange (a take on an old fashioned), and the Atomic Zombie, as well as classic cocktails such as an espresso martini, limoncello negroni, amaretto sour, and strawberry daiquiri.
As for nibbles, tuck into treats like garlic bread, edamame beans with smoked salt, garlic and parmesan fries, salt and pepper tater tots, and halloumi fries.
Surrounded by lush plants and gigantic parasols, it’s hard to believe you’re just across the river in Salford when you’re soaking up the sun at Embankment Kitchen. To find out more, head HERE.
A huge Irish festival with iconic music stars, markets, food and more is coming to Greater Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A massive Irish music festival with masses of food, drink, crafts, workshops and surprises is returning to Greater Manchester this summer.
Craic by the Creek 2025 will bring together all the best bits of the Emerald Isle for a weekend-long knees-up in a gorgeous countryside location on our doorstep in July.
There’s a huge music line-up (with plenty more still to be announced) featuring Boyzlife, made up of Keith Duffy from Boyzone and Brian McFadden from Westlife.
And this fun-filled Irish Music Festival is the only one of its kind offering full weekend camping, at the beautiful village of Compstall in Stockport.
The countdown is now officially on for this unmissable celebration of Irish music, culture, and community spirit, which will take place between 18 and 20 July.
Craic by the Creek has been hailed as the greatest Irish music festival in the UK and is back for 2025 bigger than ever.
Already announced to perform live along with Boyzlife are The Tumbling Paddies, Derek Ryan, All Folk’d Up, Johnny Brady, The Kilkennys and loads more.
There are still more acts to be revealed in this stacked line-up.
And it’s not just about the music at Craic by the Creek – there’s also a bustling Irish-themed craft market with handmade goods, Irish-inspired food and drink, social dance workshops, and plenty of surprises.
Expect a weekend of tunes, traditions, community vibes and campfire craic.
Craic by the Creek will take place between 18 and 20 July, 2025 – tickets are on sale now via Skiddle, and they’re already flying.
Daisy Jackson -
24th October 2024 
