Your worst nightmare. It’s here, it’s captivating, it’s one of the best Halloween events you can attend in Manchester – it’s ‘Time To Die’.
The brand-new immersive scare experience lands this Halloween right here in the city centre. Time To Die, presented by Manchester Scare Factory, is elevating horror to a whole new level.
Created by the group of innovative professionals behind Diecast, the award-winning Newsham Park in Liverpool and the infamous Area51group, this horrifying masterpiece is like no other and it’s coming to Mancs this autumn.
Delivering two unique scare experiences, ‘The Die Is Cast’ and ‘The Toymaker’, there’s something to rumble everyone at their core and have you crawling in your skin.
The Dice Master overseeing Time To Die sees all and will watch on as brave souls delve deeper people into his gargantuan labyrinth of fear. Put it this way, once the die is cast, you cannot turn back.
If you dare try, prepare for what they promise will be “20 minutes of adrenaline-fuelled panic”; only time will tell if you’ll make it out alive. And that’s only half of it…
Visitors will encounter the “face of pure Evil” and the “creator of monstrosities”, as The Toymaker lures you into the “Devil’s own dungeon.” Prepare to push yourself to very the peak of sanity.
All this is waiting for fight fans just a five-minute walk from Piccadilly Station. Manchester natives and visitors from elsewhere have easy accessibility. Halloween lovers cannot miss this.
A pulse-raising way to spend Halloween in Manchester this year. (Credit: Manchester Scare Factory)
As mentioned, Area51 have been scaring the public with their attractions for 20 years now. Area 51 have their frightening footprints all over the UK scare scene, even venturing as far as Dubai; they’re known for their creative creatures, immersive experiences and intense encounters.
The team hit on Diecast as the perfect location, located right in the city centre; it’s a dream come true for them and anyone who likes the idea of an interactive experience that’ll have your heart jumping out of your chest.
Area 51’s director and designer, Matt Page explained: “We took one look at Diecast and knew it would be perfect; hands-down the best location we have ever seen for an immersive horror experience and right in the city centre.
“It’s the stuff of nightmares even without the ghouls. We look forward to delivering something truly horrifying come this October; this will be brutal!”
Nope — absolutely not. You horror fans feel free but we’re not going anywhere near that. (Credit: Supplied)
Tickets go on sale Friday, 30 August at 10am, priced at just £32 per person. The haunting experience begins on 4 October and ends on 2nd November, opening at 7pm and closing at midnight each night.
Rochdale will be hosting its FIRST EVER comedy festival later this year
Thomas Melia
There’s a comedy festival making its way to Rochdale for the first time ever, and it’s taking place over 10 days this autumn.
Rochdale is preparing for barrels of laughter, as the borough is about to host a comedy festival as part of its events programme for being crowned Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025-26.
The line-up features some well-renowned names in thecomedy world, many of whom have received awards and recognition along the way.
You can expect appearances from Lou Conran, who features as a regular support act for Sarah Millican, Tez Ilyas, from ‘Man Like Mobeen’, and TV comedy legend Mick Miller. There’s even some Britain’s Got Talent alumni in the form of last year’s finalist Alex Mitchell and 2017 semi-finalist Jonny Awsum.
Tez Ilyaz, Lou Conran and Brennan Reece are just some of the acts listed for Rochdale Comedy Festival / Credit: Supplied
Edinburgh Festival favourite Patrick Monahan will be performing along with English comedian of the year Rob Mullholland, Aaron Wood – named by Rolling Stone UK as one of the 12 rising comedy stars to see at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer, and comedy musician Alex Camp.
The lineup also includes Robin Ince, co-host and creator of Sony Gold Award winning BBC Radio 4 series The Infinite Monkey Cage, and a whole host of other stand-up acts who are all gearing up ready to make Rochdale giggle.
“Us northerners are famous for our sense of humour and there’s a big appetite for comedy,” commented Councillor Sue Smith, who is the cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council.
Rochdale Comedy Festival has an array of comedians taking part including Jonny Awsum and Daisy Earl / Credit: Supplied
“I’m happy to see Rochdale Comedy Festival launching during our year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.
“It will bring together communities and give new comedians a chance to shine.”
So whether you’re in need of a cheer up, or you’re a comedy aficionado, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to crack a smile at Rochdale Comedy Festival, as it’s happening across 10 days from 26 September to 5 October in various venues across the Greater Manchester borough.
Featured Images – Supplied (via Publicity Pictures)
Things To Do
Lewis Capaldi announces huge outdoor Manchester gig at Wythenshawe Park next summer
Emily Sergeant
Lewis Capaldi has announced a run of huge outdoor shows next summer, and he’ll be stopping off here in Manchester.
After unprecedented demand saw one of the biggest-ever rushes for tickets across both pre-sale and general sale earlier this year, Lewis Capaldi is currently blazing through a triumphant 200,000-ticket sold out 17-date UK arena tour as we speak – and is set to take to the Co-op Live stage for two huge Manc gigs this weekend.
But he shows no signs of slowing down soon, as he has today announced his biggest ever UK and Ireland headline gigs for next summer.
Wythenshawe Park is fast becoming one of Manchester‘s go-to outdoor gig venues, and Lewis’s visit next summer is only helping the reputation, as the Scottish 28-year-old will be headlining the park for one night only next August.
The announcement of the run of summer outdoor shows comes amid Lewis’s first return to touring in two years following his triumphant Glastonbury 2025 return after an extended break to take care of his mental health break, and following the release of his comeback track ‘Survive’, which shot to the top of the UK charts and became the fastest-selling single of 2025.
The response to Lewis’s current tour has been ‘electric’, according to critics, who have been unanimous in their praise for him.
Prior to his comeback, Lewis played a run of Scottish warm up shows in May that saw him return to the stage as a guest of mental health charity CALM, in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Week.
Lewis Capaldi – Summer Outdoor Gigs 2026
Wednesday 24 June – Marlay Park, Dublin
Friday 26 June – Thomond Park, Limerick
Sunday 28 June – TX Maxx presents Live at Powderham, Exeter
Tuesday 30 June – Blackweir Fields, Cardiff
Saturday 4 July – American Express presents Roundhay Festival, Leeds
Saturday 11 July – American Express presents BST Hyde Park, London
Thursday 20 August – Vital, Belfast
Saturday 22 August – Wythenshawe Park, Manchester
With no pressure and no level of expectation, the shows allowed Lewis the space to gauge his comfort and emotional response before returning to the spotlight – a move which ended up proving nothing short of a triumph.
Lewis Capaldi will be coming to Wythenshawe Park in Manchester on Saturday 22 August 2026, and tickets go on pre-sale this Thursday 18 September at 9am, before general sale commences the following day (Friday 19 September), again at 9am.
Blake Keeble -
23rd August 2024 
