Stockport-born actor and soap star Danny Miller is hosting a brand-new family-friendly festival in Bolton and it’s kicking off this weekend.
The long-serving Emmerdale face and winner of I’m A Celebrity 2021 is taking his Albert’s Bookshelf series, launched with Capital FM co-host Nigel Clucas back in July 2023, and turning into a daytime festival with fun for all ages.
Set to pop up at Open Air Bounce over in the Greater Manchester borough this Sunday, the first-ever Albert’s Bookshelf Summer Festival will see live readings from special guests, celebrity meet-and-greets and a whole host of activities.
A great one to keep the kids busy with something wholesome this weekend – especially if they’re fellow bookworms.
The podcast and online audiobook format was named after Miller’s son, still just a toddler, and created this time last year as a creative birthday present for the little lad who, like many other mini Mancs and children all over the country, simply loves to read.
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With stories and educational books brought to life with passionate narration from some of the best in the business, Albert’s Bookshelf has become a brilliant resource for kids to learn and immerse themselves in a world of fiction – the importance of which can never be understated at such a young age.
Now though, Miller and Clucas will be expanding their own imaginations and bringing the brand to life in person, with a total of 15 inflatables and bouncy castles, a foam party and much more.
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The hope is to make it not just a special day for Albert and all the other kids coming along but for local families in general. There will also be live appearances from child-friendly performer MC Grammar, as well as comedian and actor Steve Royle.
There’s even staycation raffle prizes for the parents.
Miller and his drive-time partner Clucas.Miller, wife Steph, son Albert and baby daughter Edith.Credit: Albert’s Bookshelf/Danny Miller(via Instagram)
With storytelling at the very heart and soul of this wholesome event, the all-dayer is a great opportunity to get kids engaged with literature and reading in all forms.
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Albert’s Bookshelf Festival takes place on Sunday, 7 July, groups can book in for a two-and-a-half-hour morning or afternoon session at the event.
Tickets are just £3.50 for adults, £10.95 for kids ages 1-3 and £13.95 for those aged four and over. You can grab yours HERE.
Tickets go on sale for massively popular pumpkin festival near Greater Manchester this autumn
Emily Sergeant
Tickets for one of the North West’s most popular pumpkin festivals with thousands of pumpkins to pick have now officially gone on sale.
We know it’s still technically summer and the sun is still shining, but in just over a month’s time, Kenyon Hall Farm’s popular Pumpkin Festival will be back up and running for 2026.
This is an ideal autumnal activity for when the leaves start turning golden, and is always popular with families every year.
Think fields full of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, where you can grab yourself a wheelbarrow and get searching for your perfect gourd – whether it’s a classic round orange one, or a weird and wonderful wonky one.
Kenyon Hall Farm’s popular Pumpkin Festival will be back from next month / Credit: The Manc Group | Concetta Huffa (via Unsplash)
As well as the pumpkin picking itself, Kenyon Hall Farm also has loads of photo opportunities dotted around, like a house built of pumpkins, a giant throne, a vintage tractor, a love heart frame, and even a Hollywood sign-style sign screaming ‘PUMPKINS’ as you enter.
This year, the owners are also teasing some brand-new displays for 2026, so stay tuned for what’s in store.
While you’re at the farm, you can also browse a pop-up market packed with autumnal treats, including more pumpkins, novelty homewares, and seasonal goodies, and then head on into the gorgeous on-site cafe for some pumpkin-inspired specials like spiced lattes, scones, and soup.
What could be more a perfect autumn activity than rummaging around in a field picking your perfect pumpkin with your pals?
Kenyon Hall Farm’s Pumpkin Festival officially returns from Saturday 26 September, and tickets are now on sale at £3.95 each, so make sure to book yours soon as they’re already selling fast.
Tame Impala announces another HUGE Manchester gig after chart-topping success
Emily Sergeant
Tame Impala has announced another UK and EU tour in 2027 to celebrate recent chart-topping success.
Following sold-out runs across the globe in 2025 and 2026 – including here in Manchester – and currently in the midst of a North American arena tour, Tame Impala has announced a new run of dates for next year – with a mix of headline and festival appearances.
The announcement arrives as Kevin Parker – better known by his project name, Tame Impala – continues an extraordinary run with his latest studio album Deadbeat, released last year.
On Deadbeat, Parker aimed to sculpt a collection of ‘wickedly potent’ club-psych explorations as a vehicle for some of his most direct, ear-wormy songwriting to date.
Tame Impala has announced another huge Manchester gig after chart-topping success / Credit: Julian Klincewicz (Supplied)
After recently being featured in the new Marvel film, Spiderman: Brand New Day, the lead single from the album, ‘Loser’, has just hit number one on the Global Spotify chart.
Not only that, but the remix of the hit song ‘Dracula’, featuring JENNIE, also remains in the top 10 on various global charts, and the original version has also nominated for Best Alternative at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
Critics described this most recent run of gigs as ‘one of the best live shows of the year’, so it only makes sense that he’d be back for more.
Kicking off on 28 May 2027 in here in Manchester, Tame Impala will be taking to the Co-op Live stage once again, before heading down to the capital for two nights at The O2 on 1 and 2 June, and then popping over to Paris, Rotterdam, and Cologne to.
Wet Leg will open all headlining dates next year, including here in Manchester.
Tickets go on sale this week, with Co-op Member Presale kicking off at 9am on Wednesday (26 August), followed by General Sale also at 9am on Friday (28 August).
Danny Jones -
2nd July 2024 
