It’s time to dig out your scare skates, as Manchester will soon be home to one of the UK’s largest outdoor ice rinks yet again this Halloween.
As the nights begin to draw in and the air gets colder by the day, we all know that means the spooky season is just around the corner, right? And, of course, that also means it really won’t be long before a whole host of ghoulish monsters begin to take their place on top of the city centre‘s tallest buildings just in time for Halloween.
While the iconic MCR Monsters will, once again, take centre stage as part of the annual Halloween in the City event, they’re not the only returnees to the scene.
That’s right, Scare Skate is back – and there’s some new additions this year.
Just like it has many years before, Cathedral Gardens will become become home to Manchester’s – and one of the UK’s – largest outdoor ice rink for October half term, as Scare Skate sees Halloween fans and fear-loving families take to the ice for some “frightfully good fun”.
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A massive spooky outdoor ice rink is coming back to Manchester this Halloween / Credit: Skate Manchester
Skaters can expect Halloween-themed music, lighting, and lots of themed props to help “ignite the fright factor”, and not only that, but new for this year, a frightfully-realistic giant spider wrapped in bright-white LED lights will stand front and centre.
Always a highlight in the city’s spooky social calendar, fancy dress is encouraged, and skaters are invited to capture those all-important photo worthy moments on the ice.
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“Halloween is an integral part of the Manchester calendar, and we’re thrilled to see Scare Skate play an important part in the city celebrations for another year,” Kelly Baker, who is the Director of event coordinators, Managed Ice Rinks, ahead of the event’s arrival.
“Scare Skate is the perfect activity to bring the family together this season, and we’re looking forward to celebrating Halloween in the Cathedral Gardens grounds”.
Scare Skate will arrive in Cathedral Gardens from 27 – 31 October 2022.
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Then, following the opening week of Scare Skate, the ghoulish spider will go into hibernation and a dazzling seven-metre Christmas tree will take its place and transform the area into the ultimate winter wonderland.
Tickets for Scare Skate are now on sale, and prices start at just £15.50 for adults and £12.50 for children – with discounted family, group bookings and season tickets also available.
You can line dance to Lily Allen’s West End Girl in full right here in Manchester
Thomas Melia
After a fun way to kickstart the New Year? Some people might suggest hobbies like ‘Tennis’, but how about a line dancing class playing Lily Allen’s new album in its entirety – we know which we’d rather do.
Grab your nearest ‘Nonmonogamummy’ or take ‘Madeline’, if you know one, because there’s a line dance class where you get to line dance to Lily Allen’s West End Girl in full right here in Manchester.
Hosted by Red Rodeo Club, a queer line dancing group based in Manchester, who have hosted monthly artist-inspired events city wide including Chappell Roan, Beyoncé, Charli XCX and more.
This troupe even managed to line dance all the way to one of Manchester’s most reputable LGBTQIA+ nights of the year, performing on the Archive stage at Homobloc just last month.
Now, Red Rodeo is returning with another special night that is sure to interest all the West Endand North West girls across Manchester, as it prepares a Lily Allen line dance spectacular later this month.
If you’re ‘Ruminating’ about attending this event, there’s absolutely no pressure or dance experience needed as the group prides itself on providing ‘classic boot-scootin tutorials with a party vibe’.
You’ll definitely be in good company regardless of your dance partners, as hosting the event is Violet Blonde, known for their extraordinary outfits and love of Country icon Dolly Parton.
We’re already onto a winner…
Your dance instructor for the night is the remarkable Shanika Sunrise, a rapper and producer, who boasts a seriously impressive roster of acts they’ve opened for, including Chappell Roan, Cupcakke and Moonchild Sanelly.
Opportunities like this aren’t always feasible for everyone, which is something this line dance group is aware of as they’re offering a ‘Red Rodeo Club Low Income Ticket’, suited for students, unwaged and disabled attendees.
Red Rodeo Club is bringing the ‘Lily Allen edition’ line dance class to Fairfield Social Club in Manchester on Thursday, 29 January 2026, from 7-10:30pm.
If you’re interested in grapevine stepping or electric shuffling your way to the Lily Allen West End Girl line dance event in Manchester, you can find tickets HERE.
A ‘Bubble Planet Experience’ with giant ball pits and an infinity room is coming to Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Manchester will soon welcome a ‘dreamlike world’ filled with giant, colourful bubbles, when Bubble Planet Experience makes its Manchester debut.
Expect giant ball pits, giant balloons, floating soap bubbles, and an infinity room in this brand-new-for-us immersive experience.
Bubble Planet Experience has already been visited by more than four million people in cities across the globe, including New York, Los Angeles, and London – now it’s time for its first trip to Manchester, where it’ll pop up inside Depot Mayfield.
Visitors will be able to explore 10 themed rooms, each one offering a different surreal landscape that will ‘blur the boundaries between dream and reality’.
Highlights include the Bubble Ocean, a vast expanse of bubbles designed to evoke calm and serenity, and the Infinity Room, where mirrors and shifting lights create the illusion of endless space.
Underwater Bubbles will transport visitors into a hypnotic aquatic world, recreating the magic and mystery of deep-sea exploration.
An infinity room at Bubble Planet Experience
There’s also a Bubble Dome, where younger visitors can unleash their creativity in a play area, plus the chance to go on a virtual reality adventure.
Expect dazzling light displays, interactive installations, and unexpected textures.
Bubble Planet Experience is co-produced by family entertainment producer Exhibition Hub and Fever.
Hamza El Azhar, CEO of Exhibition Hub, said: “We are delighted to be bringing Bubble Planet to Manchester for the very first time alongside the team at Fever, and to be part of a city with such a strong and celebrated cultural identity.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone to experience a joyful, immersive adventure that sparks curiosity and wonder for all ages.”
The waitlist for early access to tickets is available HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
4th October 2023 
