Those autumn walks are going to be better than ever, as a brightly-lit nature trail is hitting Hollingworth Lake this October.
Known for drawing visitors from all over Greater Manchester and the north west, this Rochdale country park is set to host an environmental art experience suitable for all ages.
Running from Thursday 24 October to Sunday 27 October 2024, walkers can expect the skies near Hollingworth Lake to be lit up by a magical variety of lanterns and light features inspired by animals, insects, and the surrounding wildlife.
Titled Wild Wanders, the event will be completely free, and is the creative genius of Rochdale Borough Council and international outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank – with funding from Arts Council England and the Garfield Weston Foundation.
300 local school children, community groups, and artists have helped make the trail come to life.
This is a full sound and visual experience, as alongside the bright lights and captivating displays will be a soundscape of school children‘s voices describing their ambitions for a more environmentally-friendly world.
The event aims to show people what it could be like to live in a world that is biodiverse, carbon neutral, beautiful, and sustainable.
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Advanced booking is advised, and visitors will have the option to select a 30-minute time slot between the events opening hours each night.
Parking and toilet facilites will be available on site, with accessible spaces for blue badge holders able to be requested when booking tickets online, and visitors can also purchase drinks and snacks from the nearby The Woodlands Cafe before or after the trail too.
“This will be something we’ve never seen before, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to another world,” teased Councillor Sue Smith, who is the cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council.
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“There will be something to captivate all ages, including hands-on elements and a kaleidoscope of colour featuring fire gardens, flowers, moths, stilt walkers, lanterns, woodland animals and much more.
“It will be bold and magical, so don’t miss your chance to get free tickets when they are released.”
Wild Wanders will run from 6:30pm to 9pm on 24 & 25 October, and 6pm to 9pm on 26 & 27 October – with free tickets available to book from 10am on Monday 23 September here.
Featured Image – Rochdale Borough Council
Things To Do
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 23 – 29 September 2024
Emily Sergeant
Can you believe we’re already in our last full week of September?
You know what they say, time really does fly when you’re having fun… and luckily, as we speed on into autumn over these next couple of weeks, there’s still absolutely no shortage of things for the whole family to be getting up to across Greater Manchester.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? We’ve chosen a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide this week.
Here’s some of our recommendations.
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Stockport Paint Jam 2024
Stockport
Monday 23 September – onwards
Stockport is currently hosting its inaugural Paint Jam, and this huge event covers a 1km walking tour from Merseyway to GRIT Studios on Canal Street, with four different locations showcasing their own taste of culture.
Breakdancers, food and drink options, and DJs will keep you company along the trail as you immerse yourself in everything the Greater Manchester borough has to offer.
Akse P19, Qubek, Hammo, Liam Bonini, Caroline Daly, and Kelzo are some of the artists involved.
Manchester’s two-week “Bavarian extravaganza” is now underway.
Albert’s Schloss has a jam-packed programme of Oktoberfest-themed events for this year, and there’s plenty of bier-fuelled fun, foodie classics, and round-the-clock revelry that awaits.
Throughout the 16-day event, revellers are invited to head on down to Schloss and enjoy an array of activities – with everything from ‘Keg Tapping’, and specially-selected beers, to must-see “eclectic” entertainment, a live Oompah brass band, and best dressed competitions on the lineup.
Chop chop, you won’t want to miss out on Manchester’s most exciting new opening.
We’ve been lusting after this one for years, and now Blacklock has finally come up north to join us in our city, so we can finally get stuffing ourselves silly with some top-quality British food in this traditional chophouse with a modern twist.
Think mighty meat platters, beef dripping chips, pig’s head on toast, steak sarnies, and lashings of excellent gravy to top it all off.
And if you’ve got yourself a sweet tooth, then there’s even a dreamy cheesecake dolloped straight from the dish onto your plate, as well as plenty of other hearty desserts to round things up on a high.
Find out more about Blacklock’s opening in Manchester here.
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War Horse
The Lowry Theatre
Monday 23 – Saturday 28 September
War Horse / Credit: The Lowry
The National Theatre’s acclaimed production of War Horse has returned to The Lowry as part of its all-new UK tour, and it’s described as being an “unforgettable theatrical experience” which takes audiences on an extraordinary journey from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of First World War France.
Based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, this powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of “phenomenal inventiveness”.
Known and loved for being one of the best musicals the 21st Century – and one of the funniest of all time – having scooped up dozens of coveted awards both in the US and here in the UK in its time, The Book of Mormon is currently out on tour, and the Elders have now arrived in our city for an extended stay.
The hilarious production has taken over the iconic Palace Theatre stage until early October, and there’s still chance to grab yourself some tickets too.
Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine / Credit: Science Museum Group
More than 100 objects and stories collected during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic are now on display as part of a new exhibition at the Science and Industry Museum.
The groundbreaking new exhibition, titled Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine, explores the worldwide effort to develop vaccines at pandemic speed, while uncovering the inspiring stories of scientists and innovators around the globe who collaborated to tackle the worldwide COVID-19 challenge along the way.
Cutting Room Square has now got its first Indian restaurant.
After opening its cherished Chorlton branch two years ago now, street food restaurant Indian Affair has now treated Manchester city centre to its very-own modern Indian kitchen too, and has taken over the former Rigatoni’s (RIP) site in the heart of Ancoats.
The menu on offer at this new Manchester site fuses roadside food stalls and home-style cooking, and it’s absolutely mouthwatering.
Food here ranges from biryanis to burgers, celebrating North Indian cuisine with a modern twist – with loads of options for meat-eaters, veggies, and vegans alike.
Did you see that a massive new vintage clothing store has now opened in Manchester city centre?
ReMarket has opened on London Road, wedged between Piccadilly Markets and Manchester Piccadilly train station, with 6,000 sq ft filled with rails ripe for the rummaging.
From Dickies and Levi’s, to Stone Island and Gucci, there are some serious brands and serious bargains to be found inside, as well as a number of different independent brands – including Bare Necessities, Archive X, 28 Vintage, Cherry Blossom Vintage and Blank Seams.
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ReMarket / Credit: The Manc Group
The best way to think of it is as a department store… but for very cool, independent vintage and second-hand brands.
Manc visitors will be able to walk through the iconic Jurassic World gates, explore some richly-themed environments, and encounter a life-sized Brachiosaurus, Velociraptors, and the most fearsome dinosaur of all, the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex.
A groundbreaking new immersive exhibition exploring our relationship with the natural world is now open at Manchester Museum.
‘Wild’ look at how people are creating, rebuilding, and repairing connections with nature, and how the natural world has traditionally been presented and idealised through Western art, as well as looking at some unique approaches to environmental recovery too.
The exhibition will also crucially look at how we can tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis by making the world more wild.
Did you hear that Bada Bing is back with a bada bang?
Yes that’s right, it’s finally happened – this cult sandwich shop has made a triumphant return to Manchester, and planted its carby-heavy goodness in a new site right in the middle of the Northern Quarter.
The Sopranos-inspired deli is slinging out those famous huge subs we all know and love once again, brightening up lunch times all over the city, and we really couldn’t be happier to have that hoagie-shaped hole in our hearts filled once again.
MCR Student Social / Credit: Jason Lock (via Manchester Arndale)
MCR Student Social is back at Manchester Arndale this Thursday from 12pm, and it’s set to be the one-stop-shop for all students’ essential needs, whether they’re grabbing a new outfit for a night out, a scented candle for their halls, or even their weekly food shop.
There’ll be more than 130 exclusive discounts on offer for students in stores across the city centre, as well as up to 50% off on food, drinks, and leisure too.
If all of that wasn’t exciting enough as it is, as well as the unmissable discounts on offer across retail, food, drink, and leisure, there’s also set to be loads of games, spin-to-win competitions, and giveaways on the day too.
Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is currently hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region.
Running on selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the summer, East Lancashire Railway’s ‘Red Rose Diners’ are described as being “the ultimate first class foodie experience”, as they start with a glass of fizz and stretch over an almost three-hour steam train journey through the Irwell Valley.
The experience includes a four-course dinner with complimentary sparkling wine, followed by tea or coffee and after-dinner chocolates.
The Alternative Indie Wedding Fair / Credit: ALT Events Co
The Alternative Indie Wedding Fair is back in Manchester once again this weekend.
Hosted by ALT Events Co, The Alternative Indie Wedding Fair will see more than 20 independent alternative vendors take over the stunning Whitworth Locke hotel in Manchester city centre for one day only, making it the perfect place to get a feel of how you want your special day to be, all while being budget-friendly.
Taking place from 12pm – 4pm on Sunday 29 September, tickets are already on sale and will set you back £6.13 each, with a complementary glass of prosecco included, while walk-ins may also be accommodated on the day.
Clothes Cycle Manchester / Credit: Clothes Cycle Markets
Clothes Cycle, the UK’s biggest curated second-hand clothing market, is back with a huge pop-up fashion fair full of vintage, pre-loved, and small business clothing in Manchester this weekend.
With a focus on championing sustainable clothing and helping fashion fans find a gem they’ll treasure forever, each pop-up market sees dozens of carefully-curated sellers offering a wide range of styles and items all come together under one roof.
Taking over the historic Victoria Baths this Sunday, there’ll be dozens of sellers offering something for everyone on all budgets.
Featured Image – Albert’s Schloss | The Manc Group | Clothes Cycle
Things To Do
The Bridgewater Hall is hosting a free dementia-friendly music festival this week
Thomas Melia
A festival which is all about being dementia-friendly is happening at a renowned Manchester music venue this week.
The So Many Beauties Festival – which is presented by and titled after charity organisation, So Many Beauties – has been curated for the Bridgewater Hall, and will see 30 organisations, all of which offer support to people living with dementia across Greater Manchester, descend on the international concert venue for the special music event.
So Many Beauties was founded in 2016 with the goal of championing creativity and helping to make people living with dementia’s voices be heard.
Throughout the duration of the festival, visitors can enjoy many interactive opportunities.
There’ll be live performances, workshops, arts activities, and more – with the event even having support and advice provided by professional organisations who work in dementia care.
The main aim of this musical experience is to use music to better connections, creativity, and wellbeing for people living with dementia.
Visitors can try their hand at screen printing festival tote bags and making themselves a lovely flower crown, while there are also workshops and performances giving people the chance to sing, dance, and make their own music, or just sit back and enjoy some great live shows from professional musicians.
There’ll even be a showcase of new music composed by people living with dementia on the day too.
Outside The Bridgewater Hall at night / Credit: The Bridgewater Hall
Speaking ahead of the event this week, Andrew Nesbitt, who is the Community Engagement Manager at The Bridgewater Hall, said: “Showcasing and celebrating the amazing creativity and music of dementia groups from across Greater Manchester is really special for us.
“We can’t wait to welcome So Many Beauties and the hundreds of participants, performers and festival-goers to The Bridgewater Hall”