Manchester is all about festivals and now be prepared for a gravity defying one as a hot air balloon festival lands just in time for summer.
This lovely city is famed for its love of music, food, friends, good times and now… hot air balloons?
Visiting one of Manchester’s many popular parks, this festival is also stopping off at Nottingham and Wrexham before touching down here over summer.
‘The Balloons & Beats Festival’ is set to join ‘Bristol International Balloon Fiesta’ and ‘Midlands Air Festival’ as part of a series of popular hot air balloon festivals in 2025.
The event isn’t exclusive to Manchester either as it seems to be touring England and Wales with dates scheduled for Chepstow and ending its journey in Dorset.
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Of course, us Mancs like the rest of the country have to consider the weather, as these events are all dependent on whether there are suitable flying conditions on each day.
Taking place in Platt Fields Park in Fallowfield, as well as lots of flying balloons providing a gorgeous canvas for the sky, the park grounds will be packed with fun activities to do as the day goes on.
Alongside the skyline entertainment from the air balloons themselves, anyone planning on going can expect to see more above ground attractions with aerial artistry too.
Expect lots of family fun with fairground rides, children’s characters and craft stalls, you’ll have never-ending fun.
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Each of the Manchester dates have varying run times with the Friday 27 June taking place from 4pm to 11pm and Saturday 28 June starting from 12pm to 11pm.
With these dates continuing the party til late in the night, there will also be a chance to experience the hot air balloons in a whole new light with the evening glow shows.
Vigil to be held in Manchester for victims of Crumpsall synagogue attack
Danny Jones
A vigil is set to be held in solidarity with the local Jewish community and those affected by the horrific attack in Greater Manchester on Thursday.
Mancunians, Brits and people all over the world are continuing to pay tribute and offer words of kindness during another dark day for the city region, as the incident that took place at a synagogue in Crumpsall has now been confirmed as an act of terrorism.
Informing residents from around the ten boroughs of the vigil plans, those nearby, as well as those in and around central Manchester, are now being welcomed to pay their respects to the deceased and those who remain injured in hospital.
Greater Manchester stands together in solidarity with our Jewish community following the horrific incident at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.
A vigil will be held today at 3pm (Friday 3 October) at the junction of Middleton Road and Crumpsall Lane (M8 5DS).
Writing on social media yesterday, Mayor Andy Burnham simply described the ordeal as a “vile attack on our Jewish community on its holiest day.”
He went on to state, “We condemn whoever is responsible and will do everything within our power to keep people safe.”
As for the person responsible, the suspect behind the attack has now been identified as 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, who was a registered British citizen of Syrian descent.
Burnham signed off by adding: “We stand with GM’s Jewish community at this time and will work through the day to support them.”
Regarding the details of the vigil, the statement reads: “Greater Manchester stands together in solidarity with our Jewish community following the horrific incident at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue”. Flowers, wreaths, as well as messages of love and support are already being in the area.
It continues: “A vigil will be held today at 3pm (Friday, 3 October) at the junction of Middleton Road and Crumpsall Lane (M8 5DS).”
While the Greater Mancunian Jewish community is still hurting as more details emerge from the ongoing investigation, the city and beyond are already uniting as they always do in the face of adversity.
Members of the Manchester Jewish Museum, Crumpsall’s neighbouring MJCC, and the wider Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and the surrounding area are all expected to be in attendance, as well as notable political figures.
As reiterated by the Mayor’s office: “This is a space for reflection, support and unity. All are welcome to join as we honour those affected and show that hate has no place in our city region.”
For anyone considering going along to pay their respects and offer their support, please look out for each other, remain vigilant and stay safe.
Featured Images — Tim Umphreys (via Unsplash)/Facebook/Mayor for Greater Manchester (via X)
What's On
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 6 – 12 October 2025
Emily Sergeant
It’s our first full week of October.
The season’s have changed, the leaves are beginning to drop and change colour, and spooky season’s now right around the corner, so that means there’s plenty of exciting activities to be getting up to in Greater Manchester in the coming weeks and beyond, as autumn in our region is always a thing of beauty.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? No worries. We’ve chosen a few of the highlights for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
Both free things and those that’ll set you back a few pennies are featured.
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Pumpkin Festival 2025
Kenyon Hall Farm
Monday 6 – Friday 31 October
Pumpkin Festival 2025 / Credit: The Manc Group
What could be more cute and autumnal than rummaging around in a field in the October sunshine, hunting for your perfect pumpkin? Nothing, if you ask us.
If you’re liking the sound of that, then good news, as Kenyon Hall Farm’s annual Pumpkin Festival has officially kicked off and they’ve got THOUSANDS to choose from.
As well as the fields full of pumpkins, there’s loads of seasonal items in the award-winning farm shop too (alongside masses of fresh produce), like tattoo transfers for your pumpkins, gonks, keyrings, and more.
And don’t forget to stop off at the cafe for their seasonal pumpkin specials.
13 Going On 30 The Musical officially made its world premiere in Manchester last week, and there’s still one more week left to see it for yourself.
This totally grown-up new musical comedy is based of the hit 2004 film of the same name starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo, and is now playing at Manchester Opera House to enthusiastic crowds.
Don’t miss this hilarious and inspiring new production about the choices we make, the friends we choose and the beauty of never losing your sparkle.
Find out more, read our review, and get last-minute tickets here.
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Oktoberfest 2025
Albert’s Schloss
Monday 6 – Sunday 12 October
Oktoberfest 2025 / Credit: Supplied
Manchester’s ‘Bavarian extravaganza’ is back, and this year, there’s THREE whole weeks of it.
As always, Albert’s Schloss has a jam-packed programme of Oktoberfest-themed events for this year, and there’s plenty of bier-fuelled fun, foodie classics, and round-the-clock revelry that awaits.
Throughout the 21-day-long event, which culminates with one final Bavarian blowout on Sunday 12 October, revellers are invited to head on down to Schloss and enjoy an array of activities – with everything from ‘Keg Tapping’, and specially-selected beers, to must-see ‘eclectic’ entertainment, a live Oompah brass band, and best dressed competitions on the lineup.
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Not to mention there’s a full menu of Bavarian-inspired feasting to look forward to too, and it’s more than just pretzels.
Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You / Credit: Science Museum Group
You can plunge headfirst into the incredible world of our senses at a new immersive museum exhibition that’s down at the Science and Industry Museum.
Back by popular demand after a successful run over these past two years, but with a fresh new adventure lined up for 2025, Operation Ouch! is giving you the chance to journey through an ear canal covered in gooey wax, squeeze past sticky snot, and delve deeper into how our brains interpret the world.
Tickets to Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You are now on sale, and visitors are being told to prepare themselves for an “epic exploration of the senses”.
Feeling brave? Scare City has returned to the North West with yet another ‘immersive’ horror experience in the lead up to Halloween.
Taking over the grounds of the abandoned Camelot Theme Park for ‘another year of terror’, just as it has done for the past four years following the success of its initial 2020 launch as a drive-in cinema, this year’s event features a selection of terrifying zones to weave your way through – some familiar, some brand new.
Tickets are now available to book at £29.50 for standard entry, or £44.50 for the ‘Gold Entry’ (both plus a booking free).
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Find out more and grab tickets to this year’s event here.
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Pumpkin Lanterns
Manchester City Centre
Monday 6 – Friday 31 October
Pumpkin Lanterns / Credit: CityCo / Manchester BID
Have you noticed that Manchester’s adorable little pumpkin lanterns have already started popping up around the city?
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If you’re looking to get in the mood for Halloween, but want to keep things a little on the cheaper side this week, then you need look no further than up above in the city centre as the annual decorative pumpkin lanterns are back once again.
Going on a little tour to see the lanterns in the trees in St Ann’s Square, Market Street, and beyond is the perfect activity for all the family, easy to plan, and great for pictures – and it’s free too.
Did someone order a new restaurant with the best views of the city? Because you got one.
Chotto Matte officially opens this Friday, and we got a glimpse inside its staggering new venue with 360º views of Manchester and a gigantic rooftop terrace a little early.
There’s dazzling indoor restaurant spaces, private dining rooms, and some of town’s coolest loos inside this jaw-dropping new opening.
The 20,000 sq ft space splits into two concepts and cuisines – Nikkei cuisine (sushi, tempura, robata) and an exclusive new concept called Claude’s, a Mexican-inspired sky view bar with literally hundreds of mezcals and tequilas.
Summer may be over, but guess what? Now that autumn is well and truly here, that means we get to wear layers, cosy up in our favourite places, and eat heartwarming plates piled high with all the major food groups.
Whether you want the likes of Banyan’s bottomless Yorkshire puddings bigger than your head, or swapping your meat out for a pie (you heard us), we’ve got something to suit everyone.
Roast dinners / Credit: The Manc Group
You can even get dog roasts too, if you ask The Refuge nicely, so check out our top 25 best places to head to for a perfect roast in Greater Manchester here.
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Did you know you can rent your own private cinema in Manchester city centre?
You may be in deep (far too deep) to the latest teen drama like we were a couple of weeks back, biting your nails through a sporting event, or just wish you could see your favourite film on the big screen again – and that’s where King Street Townhouse comes in.
There’s a luxury cinema tucked away in this popular hotel and you can book it out for all sorts of private screenings, and it’s an ideal way to snuggle up once the winter days arrive.
There’s loads of packages too, so you can stick whatever you want on the cinema screen, relax in plush armchairs, and tuck into cocktails, popcorn, and snacks.
What about ‘street nipples’? Have you noticed any of those popping up around Manchester in recent days?
Yes that’s right, we did say ‘street nipples’, you heard us correctly.
In case you weren’t aware, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as a way of marking this hugely crucial event, pavement studs across major UK cities like Manchester have been transformed into nipples as part of a bold conversation-starting initiative from charity Breast Cancer UK.
Pavement studs often go unnoticed, just like the early signs of breast cancer – but this clever new campaign is already stopping people in their tracks.
Are you a fan of Pride and Prejudice? It’s time to step into the world of Jane Austen.
Lyme Park is celebrating 30 years since Pride and Prejudice was filmed there by reprising its role as ‘Pemberley’ three decades on from the BBC adaptation series.
The National Trust, which cares for Lyme Park, is inviting visitors to step into the pages of Jane Austen’s beloved novel with a series of events to commemorate the occasion throughout this month – including needlework classes, themed spaces, and regency fancy dress activities, both inside the house and outside in the grounds.
30 Years of Pride and Prejudice at Lyme / Credit: BBC | National Trust
Lyme will celebrate 30 years of BBC’s Pride and Prejudice until Wednesday 22 October, and entry to the park is free for National Trust members, while admission fees apply for non-members.
Some events, however, will be ticketed, and you can find out everything happening here.
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Featured Image – The Manc Group | CityCo / Manchester BID
Thomas Melia -
26th February 2025 
