Exhibitions that explore the power of music, and give you the chance to try out an interactive “hands on” gaming experience are just some of the activities on offer at the Science and Industry Museum this winter.
With the festive season right around the corner, and a chill settling in the Manchester air, the Science and Industry Museum is not just an ideal place to escape the cold in the heart of the city centre, but there’s also a whole host of immersive experiences and exciting activities you can get stuck into when schools are out for winter break in a couple of weeks.
The award-winning museum is inviting people to take a journey from the Sun back to the Earth in a brand-new science show led by the museum’s team of expert Explainers.
You can discover how light travels through our atmosphere, the science of solar flares, and the secrets behind the Northern Lights, while also getting the chance to get hands-on with a range of light-themed activities, tinker with shadows, and even experiment with reflections and colours to create their own miniature light show.
One of the most popular exhibitions currently on at the museum is Turn It Up: The power of music – a world-first event giving those curious the chance to explore the science of music’s mysterious hold over us through a series of “immersive musical experiences and interactive activities” at a specially-commissioned ‘musical playground’.
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There’s interactive gaming, and world-first music exhibitions to get stuck into at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester this winter / Credit: Science Museum Group
Of course, there’s also still time to head on down and check out the stand-out interactive gaming experience, Power UP – where players can enjoy the very-best video games from the past five decades, and try out over a hundred different consoles to rediscover childhood favourites and test out some of the latest developments in virtual reality.
Revel in nostalgia with retro arcade classics Pong and Pac-Man, rock out on Guitar Hero, and tackle a virtual reality mission with Astro Bot.
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Aside from those current exhibitions, the Museum is also hosting a series of special pop-up events on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 December with Winter Sprites from street theatre company Curious Cargo stopping by to share their enchanting knowledge of ice and snow.
Then, on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 January, Shadowgraph extraordinaire Drew Colby will be performing his renowned Hand Shadow show using the magic of light to share this ancient art.
Take your pick from a whole host of immersive experiences and exciting activities / Credit: Science Museum Group
And to round-out what is an impressive winter schedule, for those looking for something a little different this festive season, you can also watch the first of a series of ‘CHRISTMAS LECTURES’ from the Royal Institution on Tuesday 13 December, ahead of its broadcast on the BBC – where Professor Dame Sue Black gives what is being described as “an unprecedented insight” into her role as one of the world’s leading forensic investigators.
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Alongside the lecture screening, audiences can also enjoy a series of interactive activities to discover more about forensic science and how it is used.
Looking for something different this festive season?
Join us for a live screening of the first of the @Ri_Science's #XmasLectures! Discover the secrets of forensic science with Professor Dame Sue Black.
The Science and Industry will be closed from 24-25 December 2022, and on 1 January 2023, but will be open to the public aside from that throughout November and December until early January, and you can find out more and book tickets in advance now.
Book tickets either through the museum’s website here, or by calling 033 0058 0058.
Featured Image – Science Museum Group
Kids & Family
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 6 – 12 October 2025
Emily Sergeant
It’s our first full week of October.
The season’s have changed, the leaves are beginning to drop and change colour, and spooky season’s now right around the corner, so that means there’s plenty of exciting activities to be getting up to in Greater Manchester in the coming weeks and beyond, as autumn in our region is always a thing of beauty.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? No worries. 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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Pumpkin Festival 2025
Kenyon Hall Farm
Monday 6 – Friday 31 October
Pumpkin Festival 2025 / Credit: The Manc Group
What could be more cute and autumnal than rummaging around in a field in the October sunshine, hunting for your perfect pumpkin? Nothing, if you ask us.
If you’re liking the sound of that, then good news, as Kenyon Hall Farm’s annual Pumpkin Festival has officially kicked off and they’ve got THOUSANDS to choose from.
As well as the fields full of pumpkins, there’s loads of seasonal items in the award-winning farm shop too (alongside masses of fresh produce), like tattoo transfers for your pumpkins, gonks, keyrings, and more.
And don’t forget to stop off at the cafe for their seasonal pumpkin specials.
13 Going On 30 The Musical officially made its world premiere in Manchester last week, and there’s still one more week left to see it for yourself.
This totally grown-up new musical comedy is based of the hit 2004 film of the same name starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo, and is now playing at Manchester Opera House to enthusiastic crowds.
Don’t miss this hilarious and inspiring new production about the choices we make, the friends we choose and the beauty of never losing your sparkle.
Find out more, read our review, and get last-minute tickets here.
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Oktoberfest 2025
Albert’s Schloss
Monday 6 – Sunday 12 October
Oktoberfest 2025 / Credit: Supplied
Manchester’s ‘Bavarian extravaganza’ is back, and this year, there’s THREE whole weeks of it.
As always, Albert’s Schloss has a jam-packed programme of Oktoberfest-themed events for this year, and there’s plenty of bier-fuelled fun, foodie classics, and round-the-clock revelry that awaits.
Throughout the 21-day-long event, which culminates with one final Bavarian blowout on Sunday 12 October, revellers are invited to head on down to Schloss and enjoy an array of activities – with everything from ‘Keg Tapping’, and specially-selected beers, to must-see ‘eclectic’ entertainment, a live Oompah brass band, and best dressed competitions on the lineup.
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Not to mention there’s a full menu of Bavarian-inspired feasting to look forward to too, and it’s more than just pretzels.
Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You / Credit: Science Museum Group
You can plunge headfirst into the incredible world of our senses at a new immersive museum exhibition that’s down at the Science and Industry Museum.
Back by popular demand after a successful run over these past two years, but with a fresh new adventure lined up for 2025, Operation Ouch! is giving you the chance to journey through an ear canal covered in gooey wax, squeeze past sticky snot, and delve deeper into how our brains interpret the world.
Tickets to Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You are now on sale, and visitors are being told to prepare themselves for an “epic exploration of the senses”.
Feeling brave? Scare City has returned to the North West with yet another ‘immersive’ horror experience in the lead up to Halloween.
Taking over the grounds of the abandoned Camelot Theme Park for ‘another year of terror’, just as it has done for the past four years following the success of its initial 2020 launch as a drive-in cinema, this year’s event features a selection of terrifying zones to weave your way through – some familiar, some brand new.
Tickets are now available to book at £29.50 for standard entry, or £44.50 for the ‘Gold Entry’ (both plus a booking free).
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Find out more and grab tickets to this year’s event here.
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Pumpkin Lanterns
Manchester City Centre
Monday 6 – Friday 31 October
Pumpkin Lanterns / Credit: CityCo / Manchester BID
Have you noticed that Manchester’s adorable little pumpkin lanterns have already started popping up around the city?
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If you’re looking to get in the mood for Halloween, but want to keep things a little on the cheaper side this week, then you need look no further than up above in the city centre as the annual decorative pumpkin lanterns are back once again.
Going on a little tour to see the lanterns in the trees in St Ann’s Square, Market Street, and beyond is the perfect activity for all the family, easy to plan, and great for pictures – and it’s free too.
Did someone order a new restaurant with the best views of the city? Because you got one.
Chotto Matte officially opens this Friday, and we got a glimpse inside its staggering new venue with 360º views of Manchester and a gigantic rooftop terrace a little early.
There’s dazzling indoor restaurant spaces, private dining rooms, and some of town’s coolest loos inside this jaw-dropping new opening.
The 20,000 sq ft space splits into two concepts and cuisines – Nikkei cuisine (sushi, tempura, robata) and an exclusive new concept called Claude’s, a Mexican-inspired sky view bar with literally hundreds of mezcals and tequilas.
Summer may be over, but guess what? Now that autumn is well and truly here, that means we get to wear layers, cosy up in our favourite places, and eat heartwarming plates piled high with all the major food groups.
Whether you want the likes of Banyan’s bottomless Yorkshire puddings bigger than your head, or swapping your meat out for a pie (you heard us), we’ve got something to suit everyone.
Roast dinners / Credit: The Manc Group
You can even get dog roasts too, if you ask The Refuge nicely, so check out our top 25 best places to head to for a perfect roast in Greater Manchester here.
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Did you know you can rent your own private cinema in Manchester city centre?
You may be in deep (far too deep) to the latest teen drama like we were a couple of weeks back, biting your nails through a sporting event, or just wish you could see your favourite film on the big screen again – and that’s where King Street Townhouse comes in.
There’s a luxury cinema tucked away in this popular hotel and you can book it out for all sorts of private screenings, and it’s an ideal way to snuggle up once the winter days arrive.
There’s loads of packages too, so you can stick whatever you want on the cinema screen, relax in plush armchairs, and tuck into cocktails, popcorn, and snacks.
What about ‘street nipples’? Have you noticed any of those popping up around Manchester in recent days?
Yes that’s right, we did say ‘street nipples’, you heard us correctly.
In case you weren’t aware, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as a way of marking this hugely crucial event, pavement studs across major UK cities like Manchester have been transformed into nipples as part of a bold conversation-starting initiative from charity Breast Cancer UK.
Pavement studs often go unnoticed, just like the early signs of breast cancer – but this clever new campaign is already stopping people in their tracks.
Are you a fan of Pride and Prejudice? It’s time to step into the world of Jane Austen.
Lyme Park is celebrating 30 years since Pride and Prejudice was filmed there by reprising its role as ‘Pemberley’ three decades on from the BBC adaptation series.
The National Trust, which cares for Lyme Park, is inviting visitors to step into the pages of Jane Austen’s beloved novel with a series of events to commemorate the occasion throughout this month – including needlework classes, themed spaces, and regency fancy dress activities, both inside the house and outside in the grounds.
30 Years of Pride and Prejudice at Lyme / Credit: BBC | National Trust
Lyme will celebrate 30 years of BBC’s Pride and Prejudice until Wednesday 22 October, and entry to the park is free for National Trust members, while admission fees apply for non-members.
Some events, however, will be ticketed, and you can find out everything happening here.
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Featured Image – The Manc Group | CityCo / Manchester BID
Kids & Family
You can come face-to-face with one of the most famous dinosaurs of all time in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
You’ll soon be able to come face-to-face with one of the most famous dinosaurs of all time at as part of a new exhibition in Manchester.
Just in time for schools across Greater Manchester to break up for October half term, Manchester Museum’s newest exhibition, Triceratops: Eat, Roam, Repeat, will open to the public offering a close encounter with one of the most iconic dinosaurs in history.
Visitors will get the chance to come up close and personal with an incredible fossilised Triceratops skull as part of a family-friendly experience that will reveal how this three-horned giant lived, what it ate, and how it survived battles with predators like the mighty T. rex and more.
The exhibition – which opens later this month – is set to start with an ‘atmospheric glimpse’ into the Cretaceous world that Triceratops once inhabited.
Following this, visitors are invited to dive into the story of Triceratops in more detail, using its anatomy to reveal how it would have lived.
A range of comparisons with other animals like bighorn sheep, deer, peacocks, and parrots will help visitors understand how traits and behaviours can echo across millions of years.
And then, at the heart of it all is, of course, the 1.9-metre long skull, which serves as a ‘striking connection’ to a lost ecosystem.
“So many of us have a love of dinosaurs as kids and it’s not hard to see why,” commented Glenn Roadley, who is the Curator of Zoology at Manchester Museum. “But many people grow out of this curiosity as they get older, so we’re hoping this exhibition not only inspires the junior palaeontologists but also reignites that old flame among adults too.
Mancs can soon come face-to-face with one of the most famous dinosaurs of all time / Credit: Chris Bull | Manchester Museum
“Triceratops: Eat, Roam, Repeat is built around a rare Triceratops skull fossil, which is in Manchester for a limited time only, and we hope this incredible specimen will provide a portal into a fascinating lost world while also helping us to better understand the animals we share our planet with today.”
The exhibition will include interactive elements, such as a digital touch replica of the Triceratops skull that will allow visitors to feel its facial features in order to learn more about each element, and there’ll also he a hands-on fossil dig to learn how palaeontologists piece together the past.
Triceratops: Eat, Roam, Repeat officially opens at Manchester Museum on opens this month on 25 October and runs until 22 February 2026 – with the exhibition being free to enter, but tickets still needing to be booked in advance.
Emily Sergeant -
18th November 2022 
