City Centre

Printworks is hosting a FREE ‘fireworks’ display on its digital ceiling this Bonfire Night

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 13th October 2026

Printworks is hosting a free ‘fireworks’ display on its digital ceiling next month.

Aiming to ‘bring Bonfire Night to life’ next month, Printworks has announced it’ll be hosting a dazzling evening of lights, music, stories, and Manchester spirit, as the iconic venue transforms Europe’s largest digital ceiling into a spectacular celebration for all the family.

Kicking off from 4:30pm, the free event will begin with an incredible display of ‘Manchester Stars’, where hundreds of stars will appear across the ceiling, each carrying the name of a real Manchester hero, creating a unique celebration of the people who make the city shine.

Members of the public can nominate someone to become a star, whether it’s a child, parent, grandparent, friend, colleague, community champion, or simply someone who deserves a little extra recognition. Nominations can be made here.

Printworks is hosting a free ‘fireworks’ display on its digital ceiling this Bonfire Night / Credit: Jason Lock (via Supplied)

Two cosy story time sessions with BBC Radio One and former CBBC presenter, Katie Thistleton, and children’s favourite, Hacker T Dog, will follow the star display, and each child will receive light-up headphones to enjoy the sessions in a dedicated chill-out zone.

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Then comes the main event, Printworks’ digital ceiling will take centre stage for two firework displays between the story time sessions, including a dedicated SEN-friendly display at replacing the traditional loud noises with incredible visual effects, designed to offer a more accessible and welcoming way for families to enjoy the festivities.

The main fireworks and music experience will follow at 6:15pm, before the fun continues on into the evening with a live choir.

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If you get a little peckish throughout the evening, there will also be a pop-up dessert cart serving Bonfire Night-inspired sweet treats, while Barney’s Coffee offers up an autumn drinks menu featuring seasonal favourites, such as pumpkin spice lattes and chocolate orange hot chocolates.

“We’re really excited to welcome back Printworks’ Bonfire Night event for the third year running,” explained Sophie Rooney, who is the Marketing Manager at Printworks.

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“With fewer bonfire and firework displays taking place in the city, it’s the perfect opportunity for families to come together and enjoy an evening of celebrations right here at Printworks.”

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Printworks is promising an ‘immersive evening’ for all the family, free of charge. Find out more information and timings HERE.

Featured Image – Jason Lock (via Supplied)

City Centre

Pussycat Dolls at Co-op Live – tickets, times and more for UK tour

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia The Pussycat Dolls have announced a major global tour with a Manchester date

American girl group Pussycat Dolls have reunited for a UK tour, stopping off at Co-op Live in Manchester with their powerhouse pop anthems.

Releasing their first LP in 2005, this pop girl group have a variety of radio hits to their name like ‘Don’t Cha’, ‘When I Grow Up’ and ‘Buttons’.

Over the years, the Pussycat Dolls lineup has gone through significant changes with this latest reunion comprised of Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberley Wyatt and Ashley Roberts.

The trio even released some brand-new material to coincide with the announcement of their UK and EU tour titled ‘Club Song’.

Now the girls are about to put their Doll Domination to the test as they bring their PCD Forever Tour in arenas across the nation.

Gig guide – Pussycat Dolls at Co-op Live, Manchester

Pussycat Dolls UK tour dates

  • Tue 29 September – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
  • Wed 30 September – Nottingham, UK – Motorpoint Arena
  • Fri 2 October – Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena
  • Sat 3 October – Liverpool, UK – M&S Bank Arena
  • Wed 7 October – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
  • Fri 9 October – Newcastle, UK – Utilita Arena
  • Sat 10 October – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
  • Tue 13 October – London, UK – The O2

Are there any tickets left for Pussycat Dolls at Co-op Live in Manchester?

‘Don’t Cha’ wish you had tickets to see Pussycat Dolls when they strut their stuff at Co-op Live in Manchester?

You can grab tickets to their Saturday 10 October live show HERE.

Pussycat Dolls setlist for 2026 UK tour

  • When I Grow Up
  • Beep
  • Whatcha Think About That
  • Bottle Pop
  • I Don’t Need a Man
  • Wait a Minute
  • I Hate This Part
  • Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)
  • Glaciers
  • Walking on the Sun
  • Candy
  • Woman Up
  • As If We Never Said Goodbye
  • Whatever U Like
  • Right There
  • Don’t Hold Your Breath
  • Wet/ Poison
  • Buttons
  • Stickwitu
  • Hush Hush; Hush Hush
  • Club Song
  • React
  • Don’t Cha

What are the stage times for Pussycat Dolls in Manchester?

Doors for Pussycat Dolls at Co-op Live open from 6pm with a start time listed of 7pm with Lil’ Kim and rising girl group Deja Vu kicking things off.

Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm, meaning you can get home and loosen your ‘Buttons’, hopefully before the clock strikes twelve.

How to get to Co-op Live

Tram

For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.

Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.

Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Bus

You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live.

Getting there by car and parking

If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.

The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.

Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide on event day, though estimates will obviously vary:

  • Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
  • Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
  • Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.

There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:

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  • Ashton Moss (Ashton line) – 183 spaces and 12 disabled spaces
  • Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
  • Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces

Walk/cycle

Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.

Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.

For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE

Featured Images – Publicity picture, Rankin

City Centre

Science and Industry Museum’s adults-only ‘after hours’ event returns with a Halloween twist this month

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A popular adults-only ‘after hours’ event is returning to Manchester later this month… and there’s some spooky surprises in store.

If you need an excuse to leave the little Mancs at home, or you just fancy releasing your inner child, then one of Manchester’s most visited museums might have just what you’re looking for, as the Science and Industry Museum has announced that its popular After Hours event especially for adults is returning for one night only at the end of the month.

The museum will become your playground once it’s closed for the day as you settle in for a unique evening of live music, giant interactive games, and spooky surprises for Halloween. 

Science and Industry Museum’s adults-only ‘after hours’ event returns with a Halloween twist this month / Credit: Science Museum Group

The Museum’s permanent galleries and displays will be open after hours, so you can get hands-on with science in Experiment, meet mighty machines in the Textiles Gallery, and discover Manchester‘s rich legacy of industrial innovations, creativity, and world-changing ideas in Revolution Manchester.

You’ll also get free access to the popular Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos exhibition, which just opened earlier this year, and get to indulge your playful side in Power Up – with more than 150 consoles to choose from in the ultimate gaming extravaganza. 

Especially for spooky season, you can look forward to some very special one-off events too, like stellar performances from Manchester drag royalty, Anna Phylactic, a cosmic cabaret with live vocals, and a monster mash-up soundtrack guaranteed to get you into the Halloween spirit. 

There’ll also be a chance to meet Albert Slime-stein – a larger-than-life monster popping up the museum as part of Halloween in the City’s iconic Manchester Monsters trail.

And as this is an adults-only event, the museum’s events bar will be open on the night, serving up a wide range of wines, beers, and non-alcoholic drinks to wet your whistle while you’re looking around, with some delicious food to accompany too.

Museum After Hours is happening on Thursday 29 October from 7pm-10pm, with tickets setting you back £12 each or £6 for concessions.

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Book your place and grab your tickets here.

Featured Image – Science Museum Group

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