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.
A big Taylor Swift listening party is coming to Manchester to celebrate her new album
Thomas Melia
An iconic Manchester music venue is hosting a Taylor Swift listening party to celebrate the release of her upcoming album this autumn.
The devil may work hard, but Ms. Swift sure works harder – as less than 500 days since the release of her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor has announced her twelfth LP titled The Life of a Showgirl, meaning the pop titan is back in full force with an era full of glitter, glitz, and showbiz glamour.
To celebrate, Manchester’s historic Deaf Institute is hosting a night dedicated to the newest era, and you’ll certainly be able to make ‘make the whole place shimmer’ as you walk into this Grade ll-listed building this October.
Get ready to hear everything from Taylor Swift’s stacked discography – including her humble beginnings like ‘Tim McGraw’, all the way through to her claiming the title as the ultimate ‘Anti-Hero’.
The DJs on the night will be spinning every single new track from Swift’s twelfth studio album too, all while mixing in some of her other standout songs.
Anyone keen to attend this Taylor Swift ‘Wonderland’ must be over 18 years old, and have their ID with them on the night, as unfortunately, there’s no ‘invisible string’ you can use to sneak yourself into this venue.
And if you’re turning 22 -or celebrating any other birthday – between 4 and 18 October, then you can score yourself free entry into this live music venue too, isn’t that ‘Gorgeous’?
Festa Italiana returns to Manchester city centre for three days of feasting this bank holiday weekend
Emily Sergeant
Festa Italiana is set to return to Manchester city centre this bank holiday weekend with its ‘biggest and best’ offering to date.
Are you ready for three days of Italian feasting?
Festa Italiana, which is now in its eighth year in Manchester, has gone of to become one of the biggest – and the most successful – Italian festivals in the UK, and features dozens food and drink stalls, live entertainment, and a whole host of celebrity chefs.
Founded by Maurizio Cecco – who is also behind Manchester’s legendary collection Italian restaurants, Salvi’s, the family-friendly festival will be free for all to attend.
Taking place this year, as it does every year, over the August bank holiday weekend and turning Cathedral Gardens into an Italian paradise while the sun beams down, anyone heading to Festa Italiana can expect a three-day foodie feast featuring freshly-made pizza, pasta, cannoli, and loads of other Italian delights.
Festa Italiana returns to Manchester city centre for three days of feasting this bank holiday weekend / Credit: Festa Italiana (via Facebook)
Festivalgoers can also expect to take part in pasta-making workshops, sip a tipple from an Aperitivo bar or the Limoncello Garden, and try endless free samples.
There’ll also be the Piccolo Mercato Italiano mini market, featuring a range of independent and artisanal producers showcasing the very best of Italy’s food, drink, and crafts.
To top it all off, plenty of well-known chefs will also be making special appearances during the festival, including Great British Bake Off star Giuseppe Dell’Anno, chef Francesco Mattana, Carmela’s Kitchen author and tutor Carmela Hayes, and of course, founder Maurizio Cecco himself.
“Festa Italiana is so much more than just a food festival,” Maurizio explained. “It’s a celebration of everything I love about my culture – the passion, the hospitality, the flavour, the music, the chaos.
“Every year it gets bigger, louder, and more exciting and 2025 is going to be the best one yet.
“We’ve got amazing chefs, incredible vendors, fantastic music and some brilliant new surprises. I can’t wait to welcome everyone back to our piazza in the heart of Manchester.”
Blake Keeble -
23rd August 2024 
