A haunted maze, ghastly ghost train, spooky big top show, lots of tasty treats, and more are all arriving at the Trafford Centre next month just in time for Halloween.
Now that autumn’s officially arrived, and the spookiest time of the year is just around the corner with Halloween only a few weeks away, the Trafford Centre has announced that its next large-scale outdoor event – a “spooky spectacle of hair-raising horrors” known as SPOOKFEST – will be here in just a few weeks time.
SPOOKFEST follows the success of ‘Summer Social’ – which saw in excess of 200,000 visitors and local celebrities enjoy some fun in the sun this past August and September.
Not only will thrill seekers get the chance to try out a scary selection of rides, including a ghost train, escape rooms, hook a pumpkin, and a spooky hay bale maze that are ideal for all the family, but there’ll also be Independent food and drink traders serving up some “deliciously devilish dishes”.
Epic Pizza, Old School Dogs, and Cha Cha Chai will all be setting up shop over the festival’s three-week stay outside The Orient.
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The “spooky spectacle of hair-raising horrors” will be here in just a few weeks time / Credit: Trafford Centre
Also as part of SPOOKFEST, there will be a handful of other activities taking place across the shopping centre, including show dances over Halloween weekend, as well as creepy cocktails and exclusive treats to try at some of the centre’s restaurants.
Gandeys Circus – the creators of Cirque Surreal and the Chinese State Circus – will also be returning with an action-packed ‘Halloween Spooktacular Big Top show’ from 15 – 31 October.
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The Trafford Centre Trick or Treat Trail – which has been carefully risk assessed and designed in line with COVID-19 safety measures – returns on 28 October, and kids are invited to pick up a free Halloween bucket from the customer service desk and scour the shops and restaurants across the centre for lots of tasty treats.
“SPOOKFEST promises some frightful fun for both grown-up thrill seekers and little monsters, offering something for everyone this Halloween,” explains Centre Director Zoe Inman.
“SPOOKFEST promises some frightful fun for both grown-up thrill seekers and little monsters, offering something for everyone this Halloween” / Credit: Trafford Centre
SPOOKFEST will be open every day from 11 – 31 October.
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There’s a £3.50 entry fee – booking in advance recommended – and some rides are priced individually, with token packages available to buy here.
Featured Image – Trafford Centre
What's On
10 of the best North West light trails to visit this winter
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Christmas is fast approaching, meaning it’s time to wrap up warm and get booking your tickets for one of these fabulous, festive, family-friendly light trails, before the rush.
While many of us are still acclimatising to that familiar bite in the air and finally beginning to accept these darker mornings – it doesn’t have to all be doom and gloom.
There are plenty of activities across the North West currently gearing up to light the way through these dark months, as we head towards Christmas.
After all – nothing quite gets you in the mood like witnessing the first twinkly lights of the season, as our local areas are transformed into a vision of festive light and colour. Why not go the full mile and attend one of these amazing trails to maximise on that Christmas magic.
Here are our 10 suggestions…
Ignite Fire Festival – Rochdale
Rochdale set to be illuminated by fiery sculptures for this year’s Ignite Fire FestivalIgnite Fire Festival returns this winter
The Ignite Fire Festival is set to once again unite thousands of locals and visitors alike in Rochdale, with a spectacular trail of fire, lights and sound, along with some thrilling new attractions including hand-crafted blazing fire sculptures, pyrotechnics, and illuminated installations.
Visitors can expect a dramatic experience from start to finish, executed through cutting-edge technology as part of Ignite’s most ambitious light display yet.
This year’s festival will all centre around the mesmerising, multi-sensory and immersive night time-trail ‘BODY,’ which will transport visitors on a journey, through the six zones of the human anatomy.
Ignite is a free festival running across three magical evenings, between Friday 20 – Sunday 22 November, 5pm-8pm.
Read more about it HERE, and click HERE for more information about the Ignite Fire Festival.
Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience – Chester
The flying Ford Anglia will even be in attendance
This immersive, multi-sensory, night-time trail is a chance to channel your inner witch or wizard, as you step into an enchanted woodland, under the night sky and transport yourself into a wintery world.
Along down the illuminated winding path, fans will encounter some familiar faces like Hagrid or the weird and wonderful creatures from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchises, all brought to life through cutting-edge light shows and projections.
The installations will bring iconic scenes to life, as well as providing the perfect photo spots, opportunities for guests to practice their spell-casting skills, engage in a wand duel or summon a Patronus.
Northern Lights Manchester is taking over Heaton Park
Northern Lights has just announced a major return to Heaton Park, with a brand-new Christmas Time Machine theme.
The dazzling mile-long light trail will transform the park into a wonderland, with 14 different themed installations including Candy Cane Lane, a giant neon slinky, and shimmering nutcrackers, plus plenty of selfie spots along the route.
The Christmas Time Machine will take place from 19 November, all the way through to the end of the year, inviting visitors to step back into their favourite festive memories with a nostalgic collection in installations.
Expect original soundscapes, spectacular new illuminations, and even a marshmallow zone will bring the fully accessible trail to life.
There’ll also be vintage fairground rides, cosy festive pit stops and an expanded Christmas Village with artisan food and drink producers from across the region.
Northern Lights will also host dedicated inclusive evenings on Wednesday 2 and Wednesday 9 December, with reduced capacity and lower audio levels, to create a calmer environment that may be preferable for some neurodivergent visitors and those who benefit from a more relaxed experience.
Why not visit the glittering winter adventure at Tatton Park Gardens this winter?
This isn’t your average light trail – here, visitors have the chance to join in with festive mischief, toast marshmallows and discover magical surprises all along the route, it truly is an adventure for the whole family.
After dark, visitors are transported to an alternate reality with glowing installations and secret spaces throughout the gardens, encountering mythical creatures, inspired by ridiculous winter rituals.
The experience centres around a wonderful celebration of folklore, festive traditions and seasonal rituals, where guests should expect the unexpected with acrobats, puppets, curious characters, storytelling, live music and performances.
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This is such a special celebration of the season for all ages to get involved with, which practically guarantees getting you in the Christmassy mood.
After dark, the Lanterns & Light trail is set to completely transform Chester Zoo as we know it, into a brand new experience complete with festive lights, wildlife-themed displays, animal puppets and even adults-only evenings, for the very first time.
This year, the trail has been reimagined, with some mesmerising installations including the spectacular Suspended Jellyfish underwater display, a mirrored disco tunnel, a glittering pea-lit canopy, and Floating Feathers.
Throughout the trail, visitors can expect to see some new life-sized animal puppets including parrots, dolphins and a giant polar bear, brought to life by specialist performers.
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Alongside the new additions, the walk-through Cathedral of Light and atmospheric Fire Garden are set to return, where guests can toast marshmallows and warm up with festive food, or hot drinks by the fire pits.
Oh and if that wasn’t enough – there will also be a chance to meet Father Christmas and explore the funfair, all while helping fund Chester Zoo’s vital conservation work.
This exotic event will be running between Friday 13 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, with two adults-only evenings, on 19 November and 8 December.
Last year, more than 140,000 people visited the trail, so be sure to book ahead.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Christmas at Dunham Massey, meaning you can be well assured that they know how to put on a fabulous festive event.
Christmas at Dunham Massey is a staple winter tradition for many in the North West and we can see why – designed by award-winning light trail producers, the gardens are completely transformed into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights, colour, fire, and immersive sounds.
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For 2026, the accessible, mile-long trail, promises a brand-new array of bewitching light installations, photo opportunities and projections on the historic house, in addition to the return of Father Christmas and the festive fairground.
This trail is built for all ages whether you want to bring a date, friends or your family – you are bound to enjoy the wide range of seasonal delicacies available from mulled wine, hot chocolates and plenty of food stalls to choose from.
While this trail is dog-friendly, there are accessible sessions available where only assistance dogs are allowed to join along.
The RHS Bridgewater’s 2026 celebration of light, ‘Glow,’ follows a brand-new route through the woodland, with two new breathtaking light art commissions – an enchanted forest and an immersive sunrise to sunset display.
These are in addition to a magical moon feature, the stunning Yangzhou Scholars’ Garden and the dynamic light show ‘Halo.’
This winter walk begins with a lovely selection of cafés, serving up some seasonal treats and the opportunity to toast marshmallows on the fire.
Get your tickets HERE and allow yourself to start getting excited.
How will you possibly pick which experience to go to? Whichever you settle on – be sure to book early to avoid disappointment.
A festival dedicated to cheese is coming to Manchester next week
Daisy Jackson
A cheese festival will be launching in Manchester next week, where you can samples cheese, eat cheesy specials from food vendors, and drink some great beers too.
The newly-announced Cheese Fest, which plans to be an annual festival, will bring together eight different cheesemakers, top local food traders, and a beloved Manchester brewery.
And what would cheese be without pickles? Holly Pickles, who runs Pickle Fest and Track’s Pickle Club, will be on hand with the perfect accompaniments.
Cheese Fest has been set up by The Crafty Cheeseman, and all for a very good cause, raising money to support the vital work of The Christie.
Jonathan Pearcey, aka The Crafty Cheeseman himself, was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer back in 2024, and has been receiving treatment at The Christie.
It’s not the first time he’s set up a fundraiser for the charity, but he’s hoping that Cheese Fest will grow bigger and bigger every year, with vendors all donating a portion of their takings to The Christie Charity.
As well as having the chance to sample, buy, and learn about different cheeses from eight producers, you can feast on cheese toasties from Fred’s, and pizzas from Slice Culture.
The event will be taking place next weekend at Track Brewery’s home near Manchester Piccadilly – so you’ll also have some of the city’s best beers on hand to pair with your cheese.
Jonathan said: “Okay, so, huge news. We are launching, in collaboration with the beautiful Track Brewery, a cheese festival in Manchester.
Slice Culture will have pizza specials for the Cheese FestivalTrack Brewery will host Cheese Fest
“Now as far as I’m aware there’s not been one before, or not for a long time, it’s something that I’ve been desperate to do, Track Brewery are the most wonderful people to be doing it with.
“We are doing it on the 22nd November, it’ll be 12 til 5, there’ll be cheese producers there to talk to you about the cheese, you’ll be able to taste their cheese, and more importantly, buy their cheese.
“There’ll be food vendors there doing awesome cheese specials, we will also have obviously all the extra bits you need with cheese – there’ll be someone doing pickles, there’ll be bread. You know, this is about celebrating the wonderful thing that is cheese.”
He added: “The biggest part of this for me is that we are doing it in collaboration with The Christie Charity. As a lot of you know, the journey I’m going through it’s The Christie who treats me, I’ve done previous things to raise money for charity and Track have been amazing getting behind me with this.
“I think it’s super important to try and support places like The Christie as much as we can, which is why all the vendors will be donating a portion of what we take to The Christie.”
Announcing the event online, The Crafty Cheeseman posted: “Please come down and support this cheesy event as where else can you eat and buy cheese whilst donating to charity.”
Cheese Fest will take place at Track Brewery on Sunday 22 November, from 12pm until 5pm.
Emily Sergeant -
29th September 2021 
