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AJ Handley-Rowe -
10th November 2021
AJ Handley-Rowe -
10th November 2021 The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 5 – 11 October 2026
Emily Sergeant
It’s a new month and our first full week of October, so there’s loads happening across Greater Manchester.
If you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though, no worries, as 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, so take a look.
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Scare City
Camelot Theme Park
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Monday 5 October – onwards
Scare City will be back taking over the grounds of the abandoned Camelot Theme Park this spooky season.
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And this year, there’s eight new chilling horror zones to discover.
There is no single story to survive. Instead, guests will be thrown from one nightmare into another – from a Victorian barber with blood on his hands, to a demonic orphanage, a cannibal settlement, a cursed forest, and a military bunker where the deceased are no longer dead.
Find out more about this year’s Scare City experience and book tickets here.
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50% Off Kids Tickets at SEA LIFE
Trafford Palazzo
Monday 5 October – onwards
Families looking for an affordable day out over the next couple of weeks can make the most of a new offer from a popular attraction, with 50% off child one-day tickets when purchased alongside a full-price adult ticket.
The offer gives families the chance to enjoy an underwater adventure for less at either SEA LIFE Manchester inside Trafford Palazzo, or even a tad further afield at SEA LIFE Blackpool.
Find out more and book your tickets online here.
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Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 5 October – onwards
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos has made its world premiere at the Science and Industry Museum, and is inviting visitors to explore our wondrous Solar System.
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Fresh off-the-back of the new BBC Children’s and Education TV show, Horrible Science, the ‘thrilling’ new exhibition encouraging visitors to ‘do science the horrible way’, and join both scientists and supervillains to unveil the secrets of space.
The new exhibition propels families up into space where mystery, intrigue, and rocket-loads of silly and surprising science await. You’ll get to venture through a series of cosmic zones, walk in the shoes of astronauts, explore the life-giving energy of the sun, marvel at mysterious moons, and discover far-off weird worlds.
Find out more and book your tickets here.
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Grimmfest 2026
Odeon Great Northern
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Thursday 8 – Sunday 11 October
Grimmfest, also known as Manchester’s International Festival of Fantastic Film, is back this week with four fear-filled days showcasing the best in brand-new horror genre cinema.
You can expect some ferocious feature films, a savage selection of shorts, hair-raising horror classics back on the big screen, and more premieres than ever before.
Find out what’s on the lineup and get tickets here.
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NEW OPENING – Prologue
Stockport
Stockport, you lucky lot – Prologue has now opened right on your doorstep.
This beautiful new bookshop is stuffed with the latest releases, award-winners, cult classics, and plenty more. And while you can cosy up with a coffee and a book in the daytime, by night, it’s all about fantastic cocktails and great wines.
Take a look👇
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NEW OPENING – Buttercup
Deansgate
Home is where the pudding is, as one of the city’s most-talked about dessert brands, Buttercup, has now officially opened the doors to its new home on Deansgate.
What started as a home-based baking project has now transformed into a gorgeous new cafe, where you can tuck into a range of puddings and load them up with all your favourite toppings.
Find out more about this glorious new opening here👇
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NEW OPENING – Locker & In Hand
New Century
There’s a lot happening inside New Century this autumn.
First up, there’s the new 450-capacity Locker, which is bringing grassroots live music to the ground floor space, while In Hand by New Century Kitchen is taking care of the all-important gig food with Detroit-style pizzas, chicken tenders, and more.
The two spaces are opening alongside a packed season of live shows, making this a pretty big new chapter for one of Manchester’s best-known music venues.
Take a look inside👇
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Looking to go pumpkin picking this October?
Autumn has officially arrived, and the pumpkin patches are finally opening their doors… or, should we say, fields.
Right across the region, there’s fields of pumpkins for you to pick for yourself, and many even have more inside in case it’s raining or if you don’t fancy heading into the field.
So, without further ado, here’s some of the best pumpkin patches in and around Greater Manchester for you to choose from👇
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Stuck for somewhere to have a bite to eat?
Just like we do every month, we’ve rounded up some of the best things we got to eat in September so if you’re on the hunt for somewhere new to eat this week, then we’ve absolutely got you covered as there’s plenty of places across the city region.
It’s been another jam-packed month of insanely delicious eats, and we’ve been lucky to have a bunch of new openings too.
Take your pick here👇
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Did you hear that iconic Manchester music movie, 24 Hour Party People, is returning to UK cinemas this month?
If you’re a fan of Manchester’s music history, this one’s for you.
24 Hour Party People is returning to UK cinemas from this week – 24 years after it first hit the big screen, and this time, it’s been remastered in 4K.
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The cult classic tells the story of Manchester’s legendary music scene from 1976 to 1992, following Factory Records founder Tony Wilson, played by none other than Middleton-born Steve Coogan, alongside the likes of Joy Division, New Order and Happy Mondays.
Find out more and book tickets here.
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Featured Image – The Manc Group | Grimmfest
10 destinations from Manchester Airport where you can enjoy 30ºC temperatures from £46pp in October
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Need one last dose of sunshine, to top up the tan, before accepting that autumn is here? Look no further.
Now it’s getting darker in the evenings and there’s that familiar chill back in the air, it’s got us all feeling a bit nostalgic of the warmer days.
I remember a time this summer where we were practically begging for a slightly cooler climate, well now it’s here, this isn’t quite what we had in mind. Bring back the sweltering heat and suncream, I say.
With that said, it’s not too late to catch the last bits of sunshine.
Lucky for you we’ve got just the remedy – Manchester Airport has just released a list of destinations to make a last minute trip, with returns from £46 per person, this October.
With their route network of over 200 destinations and over 50 airlines to choose from, there’s plenty of options for a ‘shoulder season’ holiday.
Think about it – early to mid October would be perfect for those of you wanting the same famous cities, beaches and balmy temperatures but with fewer crowds – a quieter getaway for cheaper – it’s a no brainer really.
Then late October would be fabulous for families on half-term, needing a cheap little break, before the cold winter months set in.
If you’ve not had a chance to get away this year but find the process of planning a holiday a little daunting – fear not. We’ve carefully compiled this list of the best ten deals below for you to browse:
Malta
During the summer months Malta’s stunning beaches – including its famous Blue Lagoon – are swarmed with holiday-goers, but leaving it a little later could actually be the move.
With October retaining the same high temperatures of up to 25ºC, it’s perfect for beach days, but with less tourists.
Fly direct from Manchester to Malta with Ryanair from £46pp return.
Tenerife
Tenerife is always in Manchester’s top five destinations by passenger numbers, and we can see why. Especially since temperatures are reliably in the mid-twenties well into autumn.
From the peaceful mountain retreats in the island’s north to the family beach resorts in Costa Adeje and the nightlife scene around Playa de las Americas, there really is something for everyone.
Average daytime high temperatures remain at 25ºC in October.
Fly direct from Manchester to Tenerife with Ryanair from £58pp return.
Madeira
Another amazing option is Madeira, in the North Atlantic, unique with its volcanic landscapes and dramatic black sand beaches, offering a slightly different kind of beach holiday.
This stunning Portuguese island offers some incredible food and mild temperatures during the autumn – think t-shirts and shorts during the day and a light layer for the evenings.
Fly direct from Manchester to Madeira with Ryanair from £70pp return.
Larnaca, Cyprus
Cyprus is another fan favourite among us Mancs.
October is arguably the best time to visit, avoiding the blistering heat of midsummer, allowing you to explore cultural sites like the ancient ruins of Kition, whilst still being hot enough to enjoy its blue flag beaches.
Fly direct from Manchester to Larnaca with TUI from £134pp return.
Heraklion, Crete
Why not try out Heraklion in Crete, Greece’s largest island.
October is perfect for exploring the Old Town and storied Venetian fortress.
It is also conveniently peak grape harvesting season at many of the region’s wineries, which often host festivals, with tours and stays available – the perfect couples get away if you ask me.
Fly direct from Manchester to Heraklion with TUI from £113pp return.
Agadir, Morocco
Along the North African coast temperatures remain high well into autumn – which means weather reminiscent of Europe in summer, but without the flocks of tourists.
Away from the seafront, visitors to the Moroccan city of Agadir enjoy exploring its gardens, art museums, and shopping for handmade souvenirs at the Souk El Had market.
Fly direct from Manchester to Agadir with Ryanair from £61pp return.
Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura is the least-visited of the four major Canary Islands but by no means falling short in any way.
This island has endless white sand beaches, warm year-round sunshine and conditions perfect for water sports, like windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Not to mention, it will be even quieter during shoulder season.
Fly direct from Manchester to Fuerteventura with Ryanair from £58pp return.
Antalya, Turkey
Fancy a city break on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast? Well, now you can for £111.
Here, you will find more than 600 miles of coastline with sandy beaches, ancient historical sites like the ruins of Side, and rugged mountainous terrain.
Antalya’s natural beauty can be better enjoyed during the cooler climate of autumn, including more comfortable exploration along the Lycian Way hiking trail.
Fly direct from Manchester to Antalya with Sunexpress from £111pp return.
Palermo, Sicily
Palermo is one of Italy’s and Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.
Its history greets you at every winding turn, from its centuries-old Cathedral and Norman Palace to its harbour, museums and galleries.
A short drive down the coast in either direction, will reveal some of Sicily’s best beaches, with crystal clear water and breathtaking views.
Fly direct from Manchester to Palermo with Jet2.com from £110pp return.
Cape Verde
The West African island nation of Cape Verde is the place to be following its national team’s huge achievements at this summer’s World Cup.
Sal is one of its most popular tourist spots, with straw umbrellas, beach bars serving up local beer, caipirinhas and fresh grilled seafood.
It also has a lovely relaxed feel to its cobbled streets and markets, perfect for a peaceful getaway somewhere new.
Fly direct from Manchester to Sal with easyJet from £172pp return.
Featured image: Unsplash, @mtsap
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