Things To Do

Inside the mind-bending Museum of Illusions opening in Manchester

This place is SO fun.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 24th September 2024

The world-famous Museum of Illusions is ready to open its doors in Manchester city centre, filled with optical illusions and interactive exhibits.

Inside the new attraction, which opens this week on Market Street, visitors will be able to dangle upside down on a Metrolink tram, have their minds blown in the Vortex Tunnel, and probably learn a thing or two while they’re at it.

This is the Museum of Illusions location in the entire UK, promising mind-bending illusions and curious games around every corner.

Taking over what was formerly the Sports Direct unit on Market Street, and set to open its doors this week, there are dozens of installations to explore.

There’ll be signature Museum of Illusions exhibits like the Walk-in Kaleidoscope, the Vortex Tunnel (where it feels like you’re spinning upside-down) and the Infinity Room (where clever mirrors make it look like there are hundreds of you).

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But also some brand-new, Manchester-exclusive installations, like The Reversed Room, which makes visitors look like they’re hanging upside-down from a Metrolink carriage; and The Building Illusion, where you can dangle, Spider-man-style, from a classic city brick terraced building.

Guests are even welcomed by an Alan Turing illusion, whose eyes follow you around the room as you pass by.

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Museum of Illusions Manchester has loads of different mind-bending installations. Credit: The Manc Group
Museum of Illusions Manchester has loads of different mind-bending installations. Credit: The Manc Group

And every illusion is explained as you make your way around the fully-accessible museum, explaining the intriguing science behind things that play tricks on our brains.

The Museum of Illusions has locations across 25 countries and draws in more than 15 million visitors every year across the globe, but this is its first UK location.

Steven Buchan, general ,anager at Museum of Illusions, commented: “We are delighted to have Manchester chosen as the first UK location for the Museum of Illusions, as it’s known for its vibrant cultural scene, rich history, and reputation as a hub for innovation and creativity. 

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“Market Street, with its bustling atmosphere and central location, perfectly complements our mission to make interactive, educational experiences accessible to everyone.

“The Manchester location will offer a unique experience that blends our globally recognised exhibits with specially curated installations inspired by the city’s iconic landmarks and cultural heritage, making it distinct from our other locations around the world.”

The Museum of Illusions opens on Market Street in Manchester city centre on Friday 27 September – you can book your tickets here.

In pictures: Museum of Illusions Manchester

You can put your head into a kaleidoscope. Credit: The Manc Group
You can put your head into a kaleidoscope. Credit: The Manc Group
You can put your head into a kaleidoscope. Credit: The Manc Group
You can put your head into a kaleidoscope. Credit: The Manc Group
The Vortex Tunnel. Credit: The Manc Group
The Vortex Tunnel. Credit: The Manc Group
Merging faces at Museum of Illusions Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Merging faces at Museum of Illusions Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
You can make yourself look giant or tiny in one room. Credit: The Manc Group
You can make yourself look giant or tiny in one room. Credit: The Manc Group
There are loads of interactive exhibitions. Credit: The Manc Group
There are loads of interactive exhibitions. Credit: The Manc Group
The Infinity Room. Credit: The Manc Group
The Infinity Room. Credit: The Manc Group

How much are tickets for Museum of Illusions Manchester?

Online / walk-in

  • Adult (15+) – £21.00 / £23.00
  • Child (5-14) – £17.50 / £19.50
  • 4 and under – Free
  • Senior (+65) – £17.50 / £19.50
  • Student – £17.50 / £19.50
  • Blue light card holders – £17.50 / £19.50 (Police, Hospital, Firefighters – all service providers with blue lights)

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Things To Do

Manchester’s new real-life Pac-Man experience is coming soon and you can grab early bird tickets

Danny Jones Danny Jones Real-life Pac-Man experience Manchester

Manchester already boasts a whole host of interactive games bars and activity destinations to boast, but we feel pretty confident in saying that there are very places on the planet where you can find a place to play a real-life version of Pac-Man.

First announced back in October and now scheduled to debut in March 2025, the Pac-Man Live Experience is the newest addition to Manchester’s growing entertainment scene and it’s promising to be a popular one too.

This brand-new life-sized immersive experience plunges players into the nostalgic world of the iconic video game we all know and love, only instead of using joysticks on an old-school arcade machine, they’ll physically sprint, dodge, and chomp their way through a maze.

Although the launch itself is still a few months away, the team behind this ingenious idea are getting ready for the frenzy and putting early bird tickets on sale ahead of opening day.

Credit: Concept Image (supplied)

So how does it work?

Good question: participants can gear up in a PAC vest and step into the role of the instantly recognisable yellow chomper, collecting power pellets, dodging the classic ghost characters – BLINKY, PINKY, INKY, and CLYDE – and racking up points on their way to victory.

Guided through an epic 12-level adventure, players will be led by the ‘PAC-MASTER’: a lively gameshow host who serves as commentator and referee; players will also be accompanied by immersive in-game effects like sound bites, lighting, and haptic (vibration) feedback to elevate the experience. Cool, right?

The striking Arcade Arena will feature two massive PAC-MAN courts projected onto the floor, while dynamic visuals transform the walls, fully immersing participants in the retro arcade universe. There’s no need for headsets either, so players can embark on a multi-sensory adventure, seamlessly blending the real world with augmented reality.

Created by Tom Lionetti-Maguire, the CEO and Founder of Little Lion Entertainment – the same team behind The Crystal Maze Live Experience, Tomb Raider, and Chaos Karts to the likes of London and more recently Manchester –

The whole thing has been brought to life in partnership with Bandai Namco Entertainment, lending the proper licensing to make the experience feel both fun and authentic. It’s the real deal.

Credit: Supplied

Early bird tickets for Pac-Man Live Manchester

If you’re not sold on playing a human-sized, real-life game of Pac-Man in a huge augmented-reality arena right here in Manchester then we don’t know what to tell you, to be honest – all we know is that we’ll be first in line when it arrives.

The Pac-Man Live Experience comes to the Arcade Arena on 22 March next year in line with the game’s 40th anniversary, and they’re inviting players of all ages and providing engaging gameplay for younger participants while delivering a nostalgic throwback that parents and grandparents will cherish.

Better yet, if you book during the early bird window, you can access discount ticket prices from just £25 per person too.

Early bird tickets go on sale at 12 noon today (Thursday, 21 November) – you can grab yours HERE.

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Featured Images — Supplied

Things To Do

Greater Manchester cinemas are screening loads of classic Christmas films throughout December

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Cinemas across the UK will be screening loads of classic festive films in the run-up to Christmas, and you can already book tickets.

With the nights drawing in, the temperatures dropping by the day, and the most wonderful time of the year now firmly in our sights, film fans looking for some wholesome festive fun in the run-up to the big day itself will soon be able to head on down to their nearest Greater Manchester cinema to catch a classic on the big screen.

Vue, Odeon, and The Light are among the cinema chains set to screen a handful of beloved Christmas films throughout December.

Although there may already be a TV channel showing Christmas films 24/7 now on air in the UK, if you fancy seeing the festivities in full screen instead, then you can watch showings of fan-favourites like Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually, and more over the next few weeks.

Greater Manchester cinemas are screening loads of classic Christmas films throughout December / Credit: 20th Century Studios | Universal Pictures

You can also see seasonal screenings of live ballet, theatre, and concert performances too.

Undoubtably one of the highlights on the lineup this year, however, has to be The Polar Express, with several cinema chains scheduled to screen the 2004 animated Christmas gem to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its release.

Starring Tom Hanks alongside a talented supporting cast of voice actors, The Polar Express is based on the beloved children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg and tells the story of a young boy who boards a powerful magical train to visit Santa Claus’ home on Christmas Eve, learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas along the way.

Elf, Home Alone, and Love Actually are among the films on the lineup / Credit: Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)

Looking for a more intimate festive film experience this Christmas?

Well you can also get yourself down to one of Manchester’s most popular hotels, King Street Townhouse, where a jam-packed lineup of classics will be screened in its very-own exclusive cinema over the next two months.

Here you can also complete your seasonal experience with festive-themed cocktails, popcorn, pick n mix, and a whole host of other treats too.

Read more:

Head to your local cinema’s website to check when your favourite festive flicks are being screened.

Featured Image – Warner Bros.

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