What's On

A massive board game festival, with more than 700 games to choose from, is returning to Manchester

Up for a light bit of competition?

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 15th August 2026

It’s happening again – the Manchester Board Game Festival is back in town for the weekend, with more games than you could ever imagine.

Manchester-based table tops events company, Dungeons & Flagons, proudly own one of the UK’s largest board game libraries, boasting an incredible collection of more than 700 board games – and luckily for us, they’re running yet another festival this August. 

Across the three-day festival there will also be a selection of bookable sessions including RPGs, tournaments, seminars, playtests and interactive experiences, in addition to live entertainment, giant games and lots of other fun-filled activities. 

In the Demo Zone, publishers including Hachette Board Games UK and Mindclash Games will share new titles, while the Playtest Tables allow attendees to trial upcoming games and provide feedback.

There will be an interactive performance of “Into The Autumn Realm,” hosted by Edinburgh Fringe favourite Ed Jollyboat, alongside a range of charity fundraising activities such as a pub quiz, bingo and tombola, with some amazing prizes.

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While the Geek Fayre marketplace will be home to a whole host of independent stalls selling board games, dice, artwork, accessories and all kinds of gifts to treat yourself or that gamer in your life. 

A massive board game festival, with more than 700 games to choose from, is returning to Manchester
A massive board game festival, with more than 700 games to choose from, is returning to Manchester

The festival aims to unite hundreds of game-lovers, whether you make it a day trip with friends or you come solo, Dungeons & Flagons pride themselves on their inclusive and accessible atmosphere, designed to accommodate players of all abilities with approachable volunteers on site, Library Bees teaching games, demonstrations and plenty of beginner-friendly sessions helping newcomers feel right at home.

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What’s more, this August, Dungeons & Flagons are introducing Solo Gamers Meet Ups, which are sessions split into light, medium and heavy strategy groups, purposefully designed to connect solo attendees and allow players to get stuck straight into a game. So fear not – if your mates aren’t as into it as you, there will be plenty of other gamers to play with.

James Oxley, organiser of Manchester Board Game Festival, shared “The summer festival is always one of my favourites. We tend to welcome lots of people travelling from further afield during the holidays, so it’s always great to see plenty of new faces alongside our regular community. The Manchester Conference Centre is a brilliant venue for the summer too, with its aircon & outdoor courtyard giving us the chance to bring along our giant games and make the most of the sunshine. We want people to feel welcome and leave having discovered something new.”

No matter whether you’re brand new to board gaming or you’re a seasoned professional, head on down to Manchester Conference Centre at Pendulum Hotel and join in on this weekend of fun.

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Festival Dates and Times:

  • Friday 28 Aug: 3am – Midnight
  • Saturday 29 Aug: 10am – Midnight
  • Sunday 30 Aug: 10am – 8pm

Both weekend or day tickets are available to buy HERE.

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Featured image: Supplied

What's On

Greater Manchester’s spooky steam trains are returning this Halloween

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Spooky season is right around the corner, and one of Greater Manchester’s most-popular Halloween events is returning.

What’s Halloween without East Lancashire Railway‘s (ELR) eerie ghost trains at this point? Generally selling out each year, the heritage railway’s Halloween Ghost Trains always prove to be top of the Halloween bucket list for people looking for some ‘spooktacular fun’ once the scariest time of year rolls around.

And 2026 is expected to be no different… in fact, it’ll be even creepier than normal, because the scream train has had a spooky makeover.

You can expect flickering lights, eerie sounds, creepy surprises, and perhaps a very unwelcome visitor climbing aboard.

Those brave enough at lending the Monster Squad a helping hand at banishing ghosts and ghouls will be whisked away on a haunted steam engine through the atmospheric Greater Manchester countryside.

Before you join them though, you’ll need to prove you have what it takes by making it through the Halloween Walkthrough on the footbridge with a fair few jump scares.

Once you reach the platform, you’ll be greeted by Halloween favourites, Vampire Brian and Veronica the Witch, who’ll prepare you for your terrifying train trip with a song, a dance, and probably a scream or two.

Spooky steam train rides through Greater Manchester are returning this Halloween / Credit: ELR

As you take in the autumn sights and delights of the local countryside out the historic steam train’s windows on your journey, there’ll be lots of spooky entertainment and music along the way, and as always, screaming and singalongs are to be expected – and encouraged – as this is all part of the experience.

Families are also encouraged to ‘show off your spookiest fancy dress’ on the day too, and if you make it to the end, then a goody bag for every child ‘full of tricks and treats’ awaits.

Read more:

The Halloween Ghost Trains are happening over an extended weekend in late October, running from Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 October.

Tickets are now on sale, starting from just £15 per person, and you can book here.

Featured Image – ELR

What's On

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 7 – 13 September 2026

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

We all know that autumn in Greater Manchester is a thing of beauty, right?

With September well underway now and the trees starting to change colour and a chill reappearing in the air, that means the cosy seasons are on the horizon, and, of course, there’s loads happening across Greater Manchester this week.

If you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though, no worries, as we’ve chosen a few of the highlights for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.

Both free things and those that’ll set you back a few pennies are featured.

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Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos 

Science and Industry Museum

Monday 7 September – onwards

Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos / Credit: BBC | Science Museum Group (Drew Forsyth)

Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos has made its world premiere at the Science and Industry Museum, and is inviting visitors to explore our wondrous Solar System.

Fresh off-the-back of the new BBC Children’s and Education TV show, Horrible Science, the ‘thrilling’ new exhibition encouraging visitors to ‘do science the horrible way’, and join both scientists and supervillains to unveil the secrets of space.

The new exhibition propels families up into space where mystery, intrigue, and rocket-loads of silly and surprising science await. You’ll get to venture through a series of cosmic zones, walk in the shoes of astronauts, explore the life-giving energy of the sun, marvel at mysterious moons, and discover far-off weird worlds.

Find out more and book your tickets here.

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High School Musical

Lowry

Monday 7 – Saturday 19 September

High School Musical / Credit: Matt Crockett (Supplied)

If you want to relive your childhood, High School Musical is now on stage at the Lowry.

We all know how High School Musical goes, right? Set at East High, we follow Troy and Gabriella (the star basketball player, and the geeky new girl) who meet over New Year, and then become ‘star-crossed lovers’ when back at school as they’re part of two different ‘cliques’.

The duo mess with the ‘Status Quo’ when they audition for the school musical. But will they stick to what they know? Or become stars of the stage? I’m sure you know the ending. 

Read our review of the show and get last-minute tickets here.

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Manchester City Stadium Tours

Etihad Stadium

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Monday 7 September – onwards

man city museum
etihad stadium city tours
mcfc stadium tours
Manchester City Stadium Tours / Credit: The Manc Group

If you’re looking for something to do this summer, did you know you can currently get 15% off Manchester City’s tours of the Etihad Stadium?

You’ll get to walk in the players’ footsteps down the tunnel, sit in Enzo’s seat, get pitchside, see the Domestic Double Winners’ trophies, and loads more. Plus, from 17 August, you’ll be able to see City’s brand-new dressing room too.

Find out more and book your tour here.

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Heritage Open Days 2026

Greater Manchester

Friday 11 – Sunday 20 September

Heritage Open Days 2026 / Credit: Paul Harris

The UK’s largest festival of history and culture has returned, and there’s thousands of free events on the lineup this next week.

Always proving to be a smash-hit success, both here in Greater Manchester and nationwide, over the last 30 years, the National Trust’s Heritage Open Days are back by popular demand for the next couple of weeks, and this means loads of the UK’s top attractions will be open to visit for free.

You can explore historic houses, factories, museums, music halls, and countless of other places and spaces – some that are normally closed to the public.

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Have a see a what’s happening in our region here.

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Red Rose Diners

East Lancashire Railway

Friday 11 September – onwards

Red Rose Diners / Credit: ELR

Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is currently hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region this autumn.

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Running on selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through the year, East Lancashire Railway’s ‘Red Rose Diners’ are described as being ‘the ultimate first class foodie experience’, as they start with a glass of fizz and stretch over an almost three-hour steam train journey through the Irwell Valley.

The experience includes a four-course dinner with complimentary sparkling wine, followed by tea or coffee and after-dinner chocolates.

Find out more and book here.

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Stuck for somewhere to have a bite to eat?

Just like we do every month, we’ve rounded up some of the best things we got to eat in August, so if you’re on the hunt for somewhere new to eat in September, then we’ve absolutely got you covered as there’s plenty of places across the city region.

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It’s been another jam-packed month of insanely delicious eats, and we’ve been lucky to have a bunch of new openings too.

Take your pick here👇

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Did you know that Go Ape now runs adult-only sessions?

We nipped over to Go Ape at Rivington as we heard you can now act like a big silly kid there without having to share anything with actual children.

It’s one of the region’s top attractions for good reason, giving you a chance to clamber and fly through the treetops on a sky-high obstacle course, and now every Thursday and Friday evening, you can escape your work inbox and switch it out for a maze of ziplines, ladders, swings, and more.

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Watch this👇

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Or would you prefer a big water park instead?

Less than an hour from Manchester, you’ll find what is essentially a gigantic floating bouncy castle which makes for an incredibly silly afternoon out.

At Wild Shore Delamere you can take on slides, monkey bars, ninja jumps, tyre runs, and plenty of other opportunities to slip and spectacularly fall into the lake. And if you don’t fancy wiping out in front of a lake full of children, there’s also paddleboarding, wakeboarding, open-water swimming, and even a lakeside sauna.

Find out more and book your trip here👇

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How about that Manchester Museum is hosting its first-ever sleepover?

For the first time in Manchester Museum’s history, one lucky family will be given the chance to experience an incredible night at the museum.

This unique opportunity is being offered as part of a prize draw, allowing visitors to find out what happens once the sun goes down inside the Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery – in the company of Stan, the famous Tyrannosaurus rex, of course.

You can now have a private sleepover amongst all the history inside Manchester Museum

Not only will the lucky winning family enjoy an overnight stay in the gallery, but they’ll also be treated to a guided torchlight tour of the galleries after the Museum has closed, as well as other fun activities and a film screening too before bed.

Find out more and enter to win here.

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Anything we’ve missed? Check this out…

Schools may be back, but unfortunately the rain has arrived, so if you’re running out of things to do, don’t worry as we’ve got you covered. To make life even easier, all the activities are accessible by the Bee Network AND they’re tried and tested by us, so we can guarantee you’ll love them.

See the full list here 👇

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Featured Image – Matt Crockett | The Manc Group | Paul Harris

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