Plans to deliver 50,000 council and ‘genuinely affordable’ homes in Greater Manchester have been unveiled.
By removing ‘blockers’ to development and transforming disused public land into new housing schemes, Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig has set out her plan to tackle the housing crisis and deliver ‘a new generation’ of homes – with 50,000 new ‘genuinely affordable’ homes to be available across the city region by 2039.
It’s expected that 10,000 of these homes will either be built, on site, or in the pipeline with planning permission ready to go by May 2028.
To meet the scale of this ambition and deliver the homes the region needs, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) says it will need to ‘pull every lever at [its] disposal’, from remediating brownfield land, to bringing forward dormant sites in public ownership.
That’s why the Mayor will be asking Greater Manchester‘s public bodies to carry out a public land review and identify sites that could be brought forward to deliver homes.
GMCA has already used its Brownfield Housing Fund to support several schemes that are delivering thousands of affordable homes – including social rent homes – as part of the £2 billion Good Growth Fund.
If you’re unfamiliar, the Good Growth Fund is investing in a pipeline of projects to deliver new homes, regenerate town centres, create jobs, and build infrastructure to connect people and places.
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“When I was Manchester City Council Leader, I built more council and social homes than Manchester had built in 25 years,” Bev Craig declared. “But we need to go further and faster in every bit of Greater Manchester.
“We will be leading by example when it comes to freeing up disused and dormant public land for development and I’m calling on other Government bodies to join us.
“I know first-hand the security that a Council house brings, and that’s why I am absolutely committed to delivering the Council and social homes that people here in Greater Manchester need, so everyone can have the foundation of a good life in our city region.”
Currently, land supply for 78,585 new homes of all tenures up to 2030 has been identified.
Greater Manchester is in line to receive an initial £1.8 billion from the Government’s Social and Affordable Homes Programme, and the Mayor will meet with Government in the coming weeks to set out joint plans to achieve these ambitions.
Featured Image – Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
Boroughs
TfGM apologises after two weeks of major tram disruption across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Trams have finally resumed running in Greater Manchester following two weeks of major disruption across the Metrolink network.
Tram services have resumed across the Altrincham, Eccles, and Trafford Park lines this morning (Monday 2 November) following the completion of major track replacement work between Trafford Bar and Deansgate-Castlefield, while maintenance and renewal work also took place on the Eccles line and in the city centre during the planned closure.
Engineers replaced around 4km of track on what is said to be one of the ‘busiest and most complex’ sections of the Metrolink network.
The new track will allow further speed restrictions to be lifted, as according to TfGM, around 100,000 journeys are already benefiting from journey time improvements delivered through previous phases of work every day.
It all forms part of the next phase of the ongoing £150m investment into Greater Manchester’s tram network in a bid to make it ‘safer’ and ‘more resilient and reliable’ for years to come.
✅ This morning, tram services have resumed on the Altrincham, East Didsbury, Eccles, Manchester Airport and Trafford Park lines.
We thank customers for their patience and understanding while these works took place.
↪️ A small service change remains in place through the city centre until the end of service on Wednesday 4 November.
Until then, trams on the Bury – Altrincham, and Victoria – Manchester Airport lines will divert via Exchange Square. Customers may need to change trams to reach Shudehill or Market Street.
👉 Find out more: https://t.co/Vm08ZEDUq4
With services now back up and running, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has issued a statement apologising for disruption.
Ian Davies, who is the Network Director for Metrolink at TfGM, commented: “This was an essential piece of engineering work on one of the busiest parts of our tram network and will help keep services safe, reliable and fit for the future.
“We’re sorry for the disruption and I’d like to thank passengers, residents, and businesses for their patience while we got on with the job.
“The upgrades mean customers will benefit from smoother journeys and allow us to lift further speed restrictions on this section of the network. It will help speed up our journeys and improve reliability for everyone who uses our network.
“Completing work of this scale on time is a significant achievement and I’d like to thank everyone involved for getting it done safely and efficiently.”
Featured Image – TfGM
Boroughs
12 of the best things happening in Greater Manchester this month | November 2026
Emily Sergeant
Remember remember the month of November.
That’s right – it’s time to wave goodbye to October, as November is here and things are definitely starting to get all festive this month. All across Greater Manchester over the next few weeks, you can expect to see fireworks displays, art fairs, festive celebrations, and (of course) the return of Manchester Christmas Markets for 2026.
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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Bonfire Night at Printworks
Printworks
Thursday 5 November
Printworks Bonfire Night / Credit: Jason Lock (via Supplied)
Printworks is hosting a free ‘fireworks’ display on its digital ceiling this month.
Aiming to ‘bring Bonfire Night to life’, Printworks will 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.
The free event will first begin with an incredible display of ‘Manchester Stars’, followed by CBBC-ran storytime sessions.
Then comes the main event, Printworks’ digital ceiling will take centre stage for two firework displays – including a dedicated SEN-friendly display at replacing the traditional loud noises with incredible visual effects.
The skies over Manchester will light up once again this month, as free firework displays organised by Manchester City Council will be returning to Heaton Park, Wythenshawe Park, and Platt Fields Park for the first time since 2019.
First up, there will be a reduced-noise, low-impact display at 5pm for families and SEND audiences, and a main fireworks display then to follow a little later at 8pm.
That’s not all either, as each of the three parks will host lantern making workshops in the weeks leading up to the events too, with family-friendly lantern parades taking place ahead of the 8pm firework shows.
You can find everything you need to know about the celebrations here.
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Manchester Christmas Markets 2026
Manchester City Centre
Friday 6 November – onwards
Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 / Credit: The Manc Group | Flickr
Manchester Christmas Markets will be taking over the city centre this month, with hundreds of little wooden huts lining the streets.
Now in their 27th year, Manchester Christmas Markets are known and loved for bringing thousands of people into the city centre each year to fill up on fantastic festive treats and soak up all the Christmas atmosphere.
This year will see a bigger return of Albert Square, after the headline-grabbing partial return at last year’s event – with the big wheel also set to make a comeback.
There’s also set to be some new locations too for 2026, with Lincoln Square joining in on the action, as well as big changes to St Ann’s Square with what is being described as a ‘brand new layout’ bringing in a bigger number of market stalls.
Everything you need to know about this year’s event can be found here.
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Skate Manchester
Cathedral Gardens
Friday 6 November – onwards
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Skate Manchester / Credit: Supplied
Manchester’s massive outdoor ice rink is returning to Cathedral Gardens once again this month.
Families, friends, and festive fun seekers will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas whatever the weather has in store at Skate Manchester, as although the rink will be outdoors in the heart of Cathedral Gardens, the ice is fully covered.
Off the back of a hugely successful 2025 season, there will be a specially curated programme of events this year too – including themed nights, competitions, and inclusive skate sessions designed for an accessible and enjoyable experience for as many people as possible.
And if you’re not too confident on the ice, the rink will also offer a variety of skate sessions that are tailored to meet the needs of all visitors too.
The Good Clothes Show is returning to Manchester this month.
Taking over Manchester Central, The Good Clothes Show is returning to our city for one of the most fashionable weekends of the year, bringing together dozens of brilliant independent brands, vintage and pre-loved treasures, hands-on workshops, catwalks, expert talks, and more all under one roof.
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Visitors can expect an extensive shopping lineup of independent fashion brands, local artisans, contemporary labels, vintage specialists and pre-loved sellers.
No matter whether you’re a complete beginner or already quite handy with a sewing needle, organisers say it’s all about learning new skills and leaving inspired.
Remembrance Day 2026 / Credit: Manchester City Council
Manchester is set to honour the ‘service and sacrifice’ of members of the armed forces community during this year’s annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations.
With Remembrance Day only a couple weeks away now, Manchester City Council has revealed how the city will mark this important occasion, and has confirmed all the details of the annual Remembrance Sunday Parade.
Proceedings will start on John Dalton Street at 10:30am, and run right through until midday – with the service itself being held at 11am.
Everything you need to know about this year’s Remembrance Sunday commemorations is here.
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CATS The Musical
Palace Theatre Manchester
Tuesday 10 – Saturday 21 November
CATS The Musical / Credit: Feast Creative
Legendary musical CATS will be taking to the stage here in Manchester this month.
Based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS is one of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history, and this new production is produced by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
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With a legendary score featuring well-known songs like Old Deuteronomy, Macavity: The Mystery Cat, TheJellicle Ball, and, of course, the chart-topping hit Memory, this brand-new production of CATS is gearing up to be one of the best theatrical events of 2026.
Find out more and get some last-minute tickets here.
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Lanterns & Light
Chester Zoo
Friday 13 November – onwards
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Lanterns & Light / Credit: Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo’s popular winter light trail is returning this month, with a redesigned route and some magical new animals.
Produced by Chester Zoo in partnership with Sony Music and Culture Creative, Lanterns & Light has become a popular fixture in the region’s festive calendar over the years, and it’s back this winter to transform the zoo after dark with thousands of festive lights, colour, and wildlife-themed displays.
Some exciting new installations make up the 2026 trail, including the dazzling Suspended Jellyfish underwater display, a mirrored disco tunnel, a glittering pea-lit canopy, and Floating Feathers.
New for this year too, visitors will also get to encounter parrots, dolphins, and a giant polar bear among an expanded cast of life-sized animal puppets, all brought to life by specialist performers.
One of the UK’s largest art fairs is returning to the city this month, bringing more than 180 exhibitors together all under one roof.
Designed for the collector, the curator, and those who are just simply curious, Manchester Art Fair draws in tens of thousands of visitors, and will feature lots of new and returning galleries and artists this year – all of whom will be showing new works.
The fair will welcome more than 600 artists for an exceptional showcase of modern and contemporary art, with thousands of works available to discover and buy from both world-renowned names and some of the most exciting emerging creative talent.
Northern Lights Manchester / Credit: Max Cooper Photography
Northern Lights is returning to Manchester this month with a dazzling mile-long light trail transforming Heaton Park into a wonderland with 14 different installations.
This year, Northern Lights – which attracted more than 100,000 visitors when it made its debut last winter, and received rave reviews across the board – is inviting visitors to step back into their favourite festive memories with a nostalgic collection in installations.
Original soundscapes, spectacular new illuminations, and even a marshmallow zone will bring the fully accessible trail to life.
Rochdale is set to be illuminated by fiery sculptures, as the showstopping Ignite Fire Festival returns later this month.
Organisers Rochdale Development Agency are promising the best year yet with a spectacular trail of fire, lights, and sound, along with some thrilling new attractions – including blazing fire sculptures, and illuminated installations.
The gardens and square surrounding the magnificent Rochdale Town Hall, as well as the parkland and walkways on Broadfield slopes, are all preparing to be transformed into a vision of festive light and colour.
This year’s festival will all centre around the mesmerising night time-trail, ‘BODY’ – a multi-sensory and immersive trail will transport visitors on an educational but exciting journey, through the six zones of the human body.
Back by popular demand for its fourth year to kick off Christmas in style, Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday will be returning this month for a one-day festival packed with magical street theatre, banging brass bands, carnival fun, and loads more.
Hundreds of captivating performers will take over the town centre for the day, and 2026’s lineup promising something for the whole family.
Think a giant snow lion, a circus adventure into space, the world’s smallest nightclub, and so much more – with more than 50 free shows and activities to enjoy all day long.
Emily Sergeant -
14th August 2026 
