A huge German beer festival is taking over Hatch this weekend
Hatch will be transformed into an Oktoberfest-inspired “bier hall'' for the weekend, with long tables, bunting, music, sausages, keg cracking and lots of German beer
As October ushers in the start of Autumn, it also brings with it the delights of Oktoberfest – a brilliant German beer festival with over 200 years of history behind it.
Plenty of places in the city are getting involved in the festival this year, including Manchester’s independent shipping container village Hatch – who are encouraging food and drink lovers to grab their lederhosen and get ready to celebrate Oompah-style with them under the fairy lights.
In what will be Hatch’s first urban Oktoberfest, the destination will be transformed into an Oktoberfest-inspired ‘bier hall’ this weekend – bringing long tables, bunting, music, sausages, keg cracking and lots of German beer (naturally).
Image: Grandad’s Sausages
Hatch favourites Grandad’s sausages will be on hand with German-inspired currywurst, or if that’s not your style, there’s a huge range of other traders to choose from including Abeja Tapas Bar, Fuku, T’arricrii, Hanoi 75 and Oh My Cheesecake.
Drinks-wise, the Hatch bars will be serving up a range of Bavarian beers especially for the weekend, including a host of brews from Bavarian craft specialists ABK. Stocking ABK’s full range, drinkers can try the brewer’s helle, edel, dunkel, festbier, radler beers across the weekend and more.
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The stage, meanwhile, will welcome live Bavarian music throughout the day courtesy of Oompah group Brasswurst. Mixing up traditional German drinking songs with iconic modern pop tunes, with hosting duties performed by Madame Von Spowitch, you already know it’s going to be a belting weekend.
Image: Hatch
Tucked under the Mancunian way, Hatch has also invited some special, lederhosen-wearing guests to roam about throughout the weekend and keep their Oktoberfest revellers entertained.
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If you’re staying into the evening, DJs will take over the entertainment side of things as the sun goes down – pulling out some big, anthemic selections perfect for toasting tankards and dancing the night away.
Taking place this weekend from 12 pm until late across Friday 8 and Saturday 9 October, Oktoberfest at Hatch is free entry but booking is advised. Book yours here.
Cheshire Oaks to debut first-ever ice rink with iconic Christmas tree in the middle to skate around
Emily Sergeant
Cheshire Oaks has unveiled its big plans for the upcoming festive season.
With less than 100 days until Christmas is here, and festive events being announced left, right, and centre, Cheshire Oaks has now joined in on the action, and for the first time ever this year will be adding a bespoke ice rink into the mix, which is set to become centrepiece of its festive celebrations this Christmas season.
The Designer Outlet shopping mall is already known and loved in the North West for its Christmas events each year, and 2025 is set to be no different.
The highly-anticipated ice rink attraction will launch in late October, and it’s already promising to be an ‘unforgettable experience’ that organisers say blends the timeless joy of ice skating with contemporary design and community spirit.
A brand-new ice rink is coming to Cheshire Oaks with a big Christmas tree in the middle to skate around / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of the new ice rink will be a custom-designed ice path that gracefully weaves around Cheshire Oaks’ iconic oak Christmas tree in the centre.
The rink itself will be nestled within a dedicated Christmas events space at the shopping village.
“We are incredibly excited to soon introduce this bespoke ice rink experience to our guests,” says Kenny Murray, who is the General Manager at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.
“It’s more than just a place to skate – it will be a destination where families and friends can create cherished festive moments.”
There’ll be lots of other fan-favourite festive activities returning too / Credit: Supplied
The new ice rink will officially open on Friday 24 October, and tickets will be available soon, with the option to book in advance online or on the day, so keep your eyes peeled.
Alongside the exciting new ice rink addition will, of course, be some of Cheshire Oaks’ fan-favourite Christmas attractions – including the ‘The Big Wheel’ and ‘Santa in the Sky’ experiences, as well as festive film screenings, and the massively popular Winter Village.
The Winter Village is the perfect place to head to if you’re in need of a break from gift shopping and somewhere to soak up the Christmas spirit, as here you can grab a cosy seat and tuck into some traditional German bratwurst from the swing grill, warm up with mulled wine at the bar, and marvel at the UK’s tallest Christmas tree.
You can also book a little wooden hut to relax in, with each hut accommodating up to six people.
The Big Wheel is also one of Cheshire Oaks’ best-loved experiences each year, as here you can simply sit back, relax, and enjoy watching the festivities unfold below you, with each flight taking 10 minutes, or you can upgrade to Santa in the Sky to meet the main man in the most unique way possible.
Find out everything happening at Cheshire Oaks this Christmas here.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Huge vintage home show to take over historic Manchester building next month
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most historic buildings is set to host a huge home show full of vintage finds next month.
The Vintage Home Show is taking over Victoria Baths for their second event of the year.
For anyone looking to add a retro touch to their homes, this is a chance to feast your eyes on a carefully-curated collection of furniture, homeware, ceramics, artworks, vinyl records, and more stocked by more than 60 knowledgeable sellers in a welcoming atmosphere amid the empty Grade II-listed swimming pool.
Planning to renovate in a vintage style? Or looking for one missing piece of the puzzle? This event can help you track down that something special for your home.
From one-off minimalist pieces, to mass-market retro and kitsch classics, with prices for items starting from as little as £1, you’ll have the chance to shop the collections of dozens of quality independent dealers from right around the UK, all under one historic roof.
Browse a selection of vibrant stalls featuring pieces spanning from the mid-century decades to the bold brightness of the 1990s, and everything in between.
No matter what your budget, you’ll find that gorgeous something to suit your impeccable taste.
Once you’ve finished shopping everything you need to transform your home, you can stop off at Victoria Baths’ on-site cafe to treat yourself to a selection of cakes, savouries, pastries, and soup, as well as both hot and cold drinks.
A huge vintage home show will be taking over the historic Victoria Baths in Manchester next month / Credit: Vintage Home Show
The Vintage Home Fair will take over Victoria Baths on Sunday 5 October, kicking off from 10:30am for keen shoppers after ‘Early Bird’ entry, while ‘Standard Entry’ starts at 11am and runs through the day until 3:30pm.
Due to popularity, the event will be operating a timed ticket entry process, that way organisers can manage the numbers of visitors in the building at any one time to allow everyone a chance to see everything.
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Tickets are now on sale, priced anywhere from £2 to £6 depending on the time you go, so you simply need to arrive anytime within your allocated hour and stay as long as you wish.
Georgina Pellant -
5th October 2021 
