In case you hadn’t realised, this upcoming Friday falls on 13 May, and a little cinema in Manchester city centre is marking it in probably the most appropriate way possible.
We all know by now that as part of Western superstition going all the way back to the early 19th century, Friday 13th is considered to be the unluckiest days – with the unfortunate event happening at least once, but can unfortunately sometimes occur up to three times within the same calendar year.
The superstition of the day is so engrained in our culture, in fact, that it gave way to the classic Friday the 13th film franchise, which so far includes 12 horrifying flicks, as well as several TV series, novels, comic books, and video games.
Unfamiliar with Friday the 13th? The franchise mainly focuses on the fictional character Jason Voorhees, who was thought to have drowned as a boy at Camp Crystal Lake due to the negligence of the camp staff, and then decades later, the lake is rumoured to be “cursed” and is the setting for a series of mass murders.
Jason is featured in all of the films, as either the killer or the motivation for the killings.
ADVERTISEMENT
Friday the 13th film franchise is the highest-grossing horror / Credit: Paramount Pictures
The original Friday the 13th film completely shocked audiences to their core when it was first released back in 1980, before the series went on to be one of the highest-grossing horror franchises of all time and make over $468 million at the box-office worldwide – and it sounds it’s set to scare audiences all over again this week.
For those brave enough to head on down to Ducie Street Warehouse’s much-loved ‘Mini Cini’ in the heart of Manchester city centre, you can catch a Friday the 13th double billing this Friday 13 May.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hosted by Manchester’s dedicated horror film festival, GRIMMFEST, the Friday the 13th Double Bill will kick off with Friday the 13th Part II at around 6:30pm, before Friday 13th May Part 3 is screened in 3D at 8.30pm.
Special 3D glasses handed out to everyone before the showing starts.
A Friday the 13th double billing is happening this Friday 13 May / Credit: Paramount Pictures
The ‘Mini Cini’ is a retro cinema screen tucked away inside the popular Ducie Street Warehouse / Credit: Ducie Street Warehouse
Ducie Street Warehouse’s ‘Mini Cini’ is a retro cinema screen tucked away inside the popular city centre entertainment and social hub, with only a very limited number of seats.
ADVERTISEMENT
The little exclusive cinema benefits from having an eclectic food offering of small plates, light bites, pizzas, salads, and more, as well as a bar directly outside the screen that serves up a wide selection of beers, cocktails, spirits.
Each seat in the cinema even has a QR code for moviegoers to scan to order food and drinks directly to your seat before and during the films.
Fancy it then? You can find out more and grab tickets here.
Featured Image – Paramount Pictures
What's On
Sportsbet.io Tour Championship 2026: Manchester welcomes some of snooker’s best
Danny Jones
This Monday marks the start of the World Snooker Tour’s 2026 Sportsbet.io Tour Championship, which is back in Manchester once again– and there are some big names on show.
Returning to our city for a third consecutive time, this year’s Tour Championships began at 1pm, with the likes of world number one Judd Trump playing some of the opening frames against Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen, along with Barry Hawkins taking on 2026 World Open winner, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.
These are just the first two opening fixtures in what is set to be an eventful week-long tournament that will span a total of 19 matches, concluding in the final on Sunday, 5 April.
Hosted once again over at Manchester Central, this elite field of in-form players is basically only missing Ronnie O’Sullivan, who the aforementioned Thai tour start beat in last week’s final.
Only the top 12 players from this season’s highly competitive rankings earned a place in the draw, so all pretty much all the greats and the next generation are shooting for the title.
Defending champions John Higgins – a four-time world champion – will be breaking off against Mark Williams on Tuesday, 31 March.
Meanwhile, other names on the schedule of play include World Champion Zhao Xintong, Mark Selby (who Higgins beat in Manchester last year), Shaun Murphy, Neil Robertson and Mark Allen.
Put simply, this isn’t just another big sporting event landing in our city centre, but a showcase of some of the very best talent in the discipline.
With tickets starting from just £25, these games are also some of the most affordable premium sports you can enjoy in central Manchester.
Better still, it’s also worth noting that the official Fanzone over in the foyer of the venue is open to all, even without a ticket.
There’s completely free coaching for players of all ages, interactive games, and even the chance to try a proper full-sized professional table – a perfect day out for the Easter school holidays.
The event itself is being aired on Channel 5, but if you’re interested in going along to see the action up close and personal, you can grab your seats right HERE.
Featured Images — Press shot (supplied via Manchester Central)/The Manc Group
What's On
Salford’s popular women’s running race is returning for 2026
Danny Jones
The popular women’s only five-mile race in Salford is back for another year, and it’s set to be one of the biggest yet.
Returning for its 34th iteration this spring, the 2026 edition of the Swinton Ladies Race is a mix of trail, gravel and road running.
It’s also remained a great entry-level run since it began, perfect not only for all ages and experience levels, but for those looking for a step-up in ability level and challenge with the mixed terrain.
Last May saw one of the best turnouts in the event’s history, and the Swinton Running Club founders are hoping for another big showing.
Now boasting a total of 400 places, the Swinton Ladies Race has remained a long-established cult favourite among locals over the past couple of decades.
Founded back in 1991 (then under the Worsley Woods Trail Race banner), it’s only grown in reputation but has still stayed true to its community-driven roots.
A one-lap course of lasting five miles, the course itself takes you through the aforementioned woodlands, as well as sections of trail and more defined paths.
Other notable sites featured include the Old Warke Dam, parts of the Bridgewater Canal and said Woods, which help make up a good chunk of the largest conservation area in Salford.
As they put it: “Whether you’re training for a new challenge or looking for a sociable jog in the fresh countryside air, join us and enjoy a trail race through Worsley.”
In addition to promising chip times, bespoke medals for all finishers, free parking and plenty of other little perks, it’s also just super accessible and good value-for-money.
As for the race route itself, there are drinks stations at the halfway point and finish line, first aiders on hand should anyone need help, and, of course, toilet facilities; it’s just a very well-run event all-round.
The organisers – who are teaming up with run promoters SheRACES for 2026 – do advise trail shoes where possible, especially if it’s been raining in the days leading up to the starting gun, but road trainers will still do you just fine.
Road or trail shoes are suitable for the course; we would advise trail shoes if the days leading up to the race have been extremely wet.
The price for affiliated runners is just £15, while unaffiliated participants can sign up for £17 plus a booking fee of £2 entry on the day (subject to availability). It’s also worth noting, however, that this is very much first-come, first-served. You can grab your race ticket and bib for Sunday, 3 May, right HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
10th May 2022 
