A festival of authentic beers, German food markets, and tributes to some of Manchester‘s most iconic bands will be taking over the city later this year.
It’s everything we know and love about Oktoberfest – but with a Mancunian twist.
If you’re unfamiliar with the phenomenon that is Oktoberfest, it’s a traditional Bavarian folk festival full of beer and a travelling funfair that was first held all the way back in 1810, and has been held annually in Munich from mid / late September to around the first Sunday in October ever since.
Over six million visitors flock to the southern German region for the festival each year, but given its huge popularity, other cites across the world also hold their own Oktoberfests inspired by the Munich event – and Manchester is one of them.
Manctoberfest 2022 is taking over the BEC Arena in Trafford Park from Friday 30 September – Sunday 2 October, and tickets are set to go on sale this Friday.
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During the three-day Manchester take on the traditional festival, organisers are promising a huge weekend that’s jam-packed with music, food, and “more steins than you can shake a stick at”, with some of the best tribute bands set to perform and celebrate the city’s rich music heritage.
Manctoberfest is returning to the BEC Arena later this year / Credit: ManctoberfestThere’ll be authentic beers, German food markets, and tributes to some of Manchester’s most iconic bands / Credit: Manctoberfest
The Stretford-based arena will be kitted out with Oktoberfest decoration and traditional Bavarian seating for that authentic festival feel.
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The festival has teamed up with Manchester Adored’s resident DJ, Dave Sweetmore, who will be hosting across the weekend.
Just a few of the famous names on the stacked lineup of talented tribute bands at this year’s festival include The Ultimate Stone Roses, Appy Mondays, The Oasis Experience, Courtbetweeners, These Smiths, and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Carpets, who have all been busy performing across the UK.
Festivalgoers will also be able to grab some tasty grub at the German food market, and then, of course, wash it all down with the finest German beers and steins.
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The Manctoberfest 2022 lineup / Credit: JBM Music
And to top it all off, The JagerMaestros – a Manchester-based traditional German Oompah band made up of eight of the country’s top brass players, and a lead singer who’s also a stand-up comic – will also be performing live across the extended festival weekend, so you can expect to be properly entertained.
Tickets to Manctoberfest 2022 are set to go on sale on Friday 15 July at 9am, and you can sign-up for priority access here.
Featured Image – Manctoberfest
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Sensory-friendly Northern Lights to illuminate Printworks’ digital ceiling to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week
Emily Sergeant
This week marks the start of Neurodiversity Celebration Week.
Approximately 15-20% of the population has a neurological difference, according to the most recent statistics, and Neurodiversity Celebration Week (16-20 March 2026) highlighting the importance of championing, raising awareness of, and accommodating neurodiverse people.
And Printworks is marking the occasion in its own special way, with a series of new initiatives designed to create a more ‘inclusive’ and ‘sensory-friendly’ environment.
You may already know that the popular indoor entertainment complex in the heart of Manchester city centre is home to more than a dozen bars, restaurants, and leisure activities – including one of the largest IMAX screens on the continent – and Europe’s largest digital ceiling too, of course, but this week’s experience is unlike anything the venue has welcomed before.
Throughout the week, Printworks will be transforming its digital ceiling with calming Northern Lights and constellations which have been specifically designed to create a relaxed, sensory-friendly atmosphere for visitors with additional sensory needs.
Northern Lights to illuminate Printworks’ digital ceiling to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week / Credit: Supplied
As part of a long-term commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, Printworks is also introducing a weekly sensory-friendly hour every Sunday too, where lighting throughout the venue will be dimmed, and music and SFX volumes reduced for a reduced-stimulus environment.
200 free sensory packs – which can be collected at Vue cinema – with a pair of ear defenders and sensory-friendly toys, designed to support visitors who may benefit from sensory tools while enjoying the venue, are also on offer throughout the course of the week.
On top of this, there’s also a range of autism-friendly cinema screenings taking place on the last Sunday of every month at 10:30am.
An additional autism-friendly screening will be taking place with a showing of Hoppers this Sunday 22 March at 10:30am, with tickets now available from Vue’s website.
“Neurodiversity Celebration Week is an important time for brands and venues to recognise and support the diverse ways visitors and audiences experience the world,” commented Dan Davis, who is the General Manager at Printworks.
“We endeavour to ensure that all visitors feel comfortable and welcome when spending time at Printworks.”
Find out more about Neurodiversity Celebration Week on Printworks’ website here.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Lovely last-minute Mother’s Day ideas from Selfridges in Manchester
The Manc
Mother’s Day is this Sunday – and if those words have just sent you into a blind panic, just take a breath and head straight across to Selfridges.
The huge department store has come up with all sorts of things that make for perfect last-minute gifts and experiences.
That includes a carefully curated selection of gifts available in-store, plus a very special Morning With Mum beauty workshop so you can spend some quality time together on Mother’s Day.
Selfridges can be your one-stop shop for the big day.
In both Exchange Square and Trafford Centre stores, you can pick up lovely gifts like feast-filled hampers, fabulous accessories, luxury chocolates, candles, and even cards.
As always, there are gifts you can have personalised in-store for a sentimental present for the mother figure in your life.
If you’re really stuck, you can pop along to the Beauty Concierge and book her an experience.
And over in Selfridges Exchange Square, you can pick up a beautiful fresh bouquet from The Royal Exchange Florists.
Selfridges has loads of last-minute Mother’s Day ideas
There’s rarely a gift more precious than quality time together, which is why Selfridges will be hosting a special Mother’s Day floor-wide beauty event on Saturday 14 March.
Ticket-holders will receive expert beauty advice from your favourite brands, while enjoying complimentary drinks and sweet treats.
There’ll also be plus exclusive gifts with purchase available, and giveaways on the day, and you can redeem the £20 ticket price against products purchased on the day.
You can even grab an artist print for mum at the vending machine.
Tickets for the Morning With Mum beauty workshop are on sale HERE.
You could also share a moment over a glass of champagne at San Carlo in both locations, or grab a sweet treat from the bakery in the Trafford Centre store.
Emily Sergeant -
12th July 2022 
