One of the best-loved Halloween films is being screened with a live orchestra playing its iconic soundtrack later this month.
It may have only been a couple of weeks since we waved goodbye to summer, but with the nights drawing in, the air starting to feel more autumnal by the day, and the spooky season right around the corner, it won’t be long before Disney fans get all cosy and sit down to watch the 1993 classic that is Hocus Pocus.
Directed by Kenny Ortega, and starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, the film is a brilliant mix of fantasy, comedy, and horror all in one, and follows a villainous comedic trio of witches who are inadvertently resurrected by a virgin teenage boy in Salem, Massachusetts on Halloween night.
When the film was first released, it actually received mixed reviews from film critics and wasn’t really a success at the box office either, but thanks to people popping it on to watch every October, it’s been rediscovered by audiences.
Halloween has helped make the film a cult classic – and quite rightly so, if you ask us.
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Such a cult classic, in fact, that a sequel, aptly titled Hocus Pocus 2, was finally released on Disney+ last year nearly two decades later, and saw much of the original cast return for the ride, alongside some new faces for a continuation of the story that started in the first movie.
So, if watching Hocus Pocus is already one of your Halloween traditions, then how do you fancy watching it live in concert as well? Well, that’s exactly what’s happening at The Bridgewater Hall here in Manchester in just a couple of weeks time.
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As part of a two-stop UK, Hocus Pocus In Concert is coming back to our city by popular demand, and this year, it’s on actual Halloween night.
Hocus Pocus In Concert will be at The Bridgewater Hall on Tuesday 31 October / Credit: Bridgwater Hall
Sounding set to be “the perfect Halloween treat” for the whole family, the one-off event will feature a screening of the complete 1993 film, with Emmy-winning composer John Debney’s musical score performed live to accompany the spooky classic.
Hocus Pocus In Concert will be at The Bridgewater Hall on Tuesday 31 October at 7:30pm, with tickets now on sale and setting you back anywhere from £34-£69.
Given how much of a success the event was when it was here last, and the fact it’s on the actual night of Halloween itself this year, tickets are already being snapped up fast, so you’ll need to be quick if you want to get your hands of them.
Grab your tickets on the Bridgewater Hall website here.
Featured Image – Disney
What's On
A hilarious and award-winning Star Wars burlesque show is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
In a galaxy not so far away, a smash-hit Star Wars parody and burlesque show is coming to Manchester city centre in the New Year.
You may have heard of the funny Star Wars stripper show or even seen clips of it online, but rumour has it that nothing can quite prepare you for the cheekiness of seeing this romp in the flesh.
In case you’ve been completely immersed in the dark side until now, here’s what you can expect:
Now well over a decade into its success and more than 200 Las Vegas shows, ‘The Empire Strips Back’ made its long-awaited transatlantic debut earlier this year.
Getting away at London’s Riverside Studios from May and enjoying a run until this past August, the comedy-driven twist on the classic Star Wars stories and beloved sci-fi characters was an instant hit with us Brits.
It started in Australia way back in 2011 and has gone not only to tour across Europe, but land a coveted residency at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Nevada.
Fast, funny, feisty and by all accounts, fantastic.
Now set to seek out new padawans and storm-strippers all over the cosmos, and by that we mean the UK, ‘The Empire Strips Back: Burlesque Parody’ is coming to Manchester.
Set to land at Depot Mayfield in the New Year – next spring, specifically, we cannot wait to see how this goes down with Northern crowds.
The Manc leg is scheduled to kick off on 6 March and last until 8 May, 2026, with various dates and times of day available.
It’s also worth noting that this two-hour show, including intermission, is a strictly 18+ only event; if you’re interested, you can find out more info and grab your tickets right HERE.
Manchester Open exhibition to return in 2026 with ‘biggest celebration’ of local creative talent
Emily Sergeant
The biggest celebration of Greater Manchester’s creative talent is making a much-anticipated return next summer.
Taking place every two years and now in its fourth iteration, Manchester Open exhibition sees the HOME Gallery walls filled with hundreds of artworks selected by a panel consisting of art experts and community representatives.
The exhibition is open to all and welcomes entries from people of any level of experience, including established professionals, students, graduates, new and emerging talent, enthusiastic amateurs, and even first-time artists.
Artists are invited to submit work into eight different categories, with the aim of creating an exhibition ‘rich in variety’ for visitors to explore.
Manchester Open exhibition is set to return in 2026 / Credit: Jason Lock Photography
This means you’ll get to explore works of ceramics, digital/moving images, drawings, prints, paintings, photography, sculptures/installations, and textiles.
Several awards will also be up for grabs throughout the exhibition – which is set to run from Saturday 20 June and Sunday 6 September 2026 – including a prestigious new award in honour of philanthropist and business leader, Kate Voke.
Three artists will also be awarded with artist development packages, managed by HOME and Castlefield Gallery.
“Following our 10 year anniversary in 2025, we are looking forward to 2026 and welcoming applications to HOME’s biggest celebration of Greater Manchester’s artistic talent,” explained Karen O’Neill, who is the CEO of HOME.
“With a record number of applications to the last Manchester Open, we’re hoping for even more in 2026 and to demonstrate how the city continues to grow as a place where artists and creativity can thrive.”
Manchester Open exhibition is taking place in 2026 from Saturday 20 June and Sunday 6 September, and the application and submission process is now live – with all submissions being reviewed by the selection panel who make the final selection of work to be included in the exhibition.
Artists will only be able to submit one artwork, and the selection panel members will be announced in spring 2026.
Featured Image – Jason Lock Photography (Supplied)
Emily Sergeant -
3rd October 2023 
