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Annual Oktoberfest celebrations to return to Manchester with two-week ‘Bavarian extravaganza’

'Prost' to that.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 20th August 2024

Annual Oktoberfest celebrations are set to return to one of Manchester city centre’s most popular venues in a few weeks time.

Manchester is gearing up for a two-week “Bavarian extravaganza”, as Albert’s Schloss has unveiled its programme of Oktoberfest-themed events for this year, packed with plenty of bier-fuelled fun, foodie classics, and round-the-clock revelry.

Over the years, the much-loved Peter Street venue in the heart of the city centre has become “the ultimate purveyor of Bavarian bliss” in Manchester, and 2024 is expected to be absolutely no different, as Schloss is promising to bring a whirlwind of celebrations once Oktoberfest kicks off later next month.

Throughout the 16-day event, revellers are invited to head on down to Schloss and enjoy an array of activities.

Running from 21 September through to 6 October, Schloss’ annual Oktoberfest celebrations this year will include everything from ‘Keg Tapping’, and specially-selected beers, to must-see “eclectic” entertainment, a live Oompah brass band, best dressed competitions, and a whole host of other games and activities.

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Away from all the entertainment, it wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without the ‘bier’ to wash it down with, right?

Luckily, Albert’s Schloss is known for that, of course, and just as it does every year, will be serving Munich’s ‘Big Six’ – making it the only venue in Manchester to serve all six of the legitimate Oktoberfest beers synonymous with the festival.

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Annual Oktoberfest celebrations are returning to Manchester with a two-week ‘Bavarian extravaganza’ / Credit: Supplied

The classic lineup includes Höfbrauhaus, Löwenbräu, Augustinerbräu, Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr and Spaten-Franziskaner. 

As well as the ‘Big Six’ and a collection of other beers, Schloss’ beloved Cook Haus will also be offering Oktoberfest classics too, like crispy Bavarian Schweinshaxe pork knuckle, and a whole section dedicated to Schnitzels and the traditional Bratwurst.

Read more:

Oktoberfest 2024 is running at Albert’s Schloss Manchester from 21 September – 6 October, and you can find out more on the venue’s website here.

Featured Image – Supplied

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Manchester’s biggest outdoor ice rink will be returning to the city centre this winter

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester’s massive outdoor ice rink has been confirmed for a return to the city centre once again this winter.

We may still be awaiting news on the return of this year’s world-famous Manchester Christmas Markets, but what we do know is that the city’s biggest outdoor ice rink will be back in Cathedral Gardens for the festive season, and there’s also a flurry of other frozen events and activities planned for 2024 too.

Skate Manchester is a festive staple of our city centre, and skaters can expect to glide across a gleaming ice path and spin around a dazzling seven-metre Christmas tree taking centre stage in the middle of the rink for another year.

Families, friends, and festive fun seekers will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas whatever the weather has in store for our city this year too, as although the rink will be outdoors in the heart of Cathedral Gardens, the ice is fully covered.

If you’re not too confident on the ice, however, the rink will also offer a variety of skate sessions that are tailored to meet the needs of all visitors.

Dedicated quiet and sensory-friendly sessions designed for a more relaxed environment are among these special sessions, along with discounted tickets for wheelchair users too.

“Skate Manchester marks the beginning of Christmas in the city for many Mancunians,” commented Kelly Baker, who is the Director of Managed Ice Rinks, the company that coordinates the annual event.

Manchester’s biggest outdoor ice rink will be returning to the city centre this winter / Credit: Matt Eachus (via Supplied)

“Hosting Manchester’s biggest outdoor undercover ice rink amongst the world-famous Christmas markets and celebrations is such a joy, and we can’t wait to welcome thousands of skaters onto the ice this festive season.”

Skate Manchester will return to Cathedral Gardens in Manchester city centre from 8 November 2024 through to New Year’s Day (1 January 2025), and tickets are now officially on sale – with prices starting at £14 for adults, £10 for children, and discounts for families available.

From Monday 2 – Sunday 8 December, 10% of all ticket sales will be donated directly Cash for Kids’ annual ‘Mission Christmas’ campaign.

Read more:

Book your tickets here.

Featured Image – Matt Eachus (via Supplied)

What's On

Beloved Manchester club night Funkademia leaves Mint Lounge after 14 years

Danny Jones Danny Jones Funkademia leaves Mint Lounge and moves to The Deaf Institute

One of the best-loved and longest-standing clubbing institutions in Manchester, Funkademia, is relocating once more as it leaves Mint Lounge after 14 years.

Started all the way back in 1995, there isn’t an older weekly club night in the history of this city, but the local weekend event and raver’s rite of passage is about to leave the cult favourite Northern Quarter venue after nearly a decade and a half and set up shop in another new home.

From its infancy at the old Boardwalk on Little Peter Street and popping up in the Mint Lounge back circa 2014, to the continued residency at Exhibition on Fridays, there have been many iterations of Funkademia and now the next chapter beckons from student-central over on Oxford Road.

It’s the start of a new era and it gets started this weekend.

Credit: Mint Lounge (via Facebook)/Supplied (via Union MCR x Funkademia)

Following in the footsteps of many famous promotions before them, future Funkademia nights will now be hosted by the legendary Deaf Institute.

Celebrating with a launch party on Saturday, 21 September, the iconic event will take over all three floors of the venue; The Music Hall will spin classic funk, disco, and soul beneath the disco ball, while the main bar (a.k.a. The Boombox Room) pumps R’n’B and hip-hop throughout the night.

Then, heading downstairs to the intimate bar and private hire room – regularly used for special events and celebration space – you can expect ‘big boudoir vibes’ and pure grooves spun by an array of special guests every Saturday.

Mint Lounge home held its final blowout at the venue this past spring bank holiday and they bid a fond farewell to the venue in true Funkademia fashion, but we’re glad it’s found such a wonderful new home.

The Deaf Institute is still one of our favourite venues in Manchester and always will be; plus, with almost three decades of dancing history behind them and no sign of slowing down any time soon, the future of Funkademia is in good hands.

Read more:

Co-promoter Jamie Scahill said of the relocation: “We’re thrilled to be bringing Funkademia to The Deaf Institute, a venue we’ve all spent many late nights at and have long admired. After an incredible run at The Mint Lounge, it felt like the right time to move to a new home where we can continue to evolve and deliver the unforgettable nights that our crowd has come to love.

“There’s nowhere else quite like The Deaf Institute, and it’s the perfect place for us to start this new chapter. We can’t wait to see both familiar and new faces on all three dancefloors.”

As for the new home itself, General Manager Curtis Willson went on to add: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome Funkademia to The Deaf Institute. This is a legendary night that has been a cornerstone of Manchester’s nightlife for nearly 30 years, and we’re honoured to be a part of its next phase.

“Our venue is all about celebrating music and creating memorable experiences, and we know that Funkademia will bring exactly that every Saturday night. It’s going to be something special, and we can’t wait for the party to start this September.”

Tickets for Funkademia’s opening night at Deaf and all subsequent dates are available now at just £5 via Skiddle, with 100 early-bird tickets for all September dates still priced for only £3. You can grab yours HERE.

Doors open from 7pm every week, with DJs playing “all killer, no filler, to keep the dancefloor movin’ until 4am” – and believe us, they always stay true to their word.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press Images

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