With only a few weeks to go now until schools in Greater Manchester and the North West are out for October half term, the massively popular museum in the heart of Manchester city centre has unveiled a jam-packed lineup of free events, and is inviting families down to “transform into architects, engineers, and inventors” for a day.
That’s because it’s handing over its galleries and spaces to community groups and neighbours from right across the region.
The groups’ll be using their “unique outlooks” to help people explore all the ways the city is evolving.
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The Science and Industry Museum has unveiled its lineup of events for October half term / Credit: Science Museum Group
Running from 21 October right through to 5 November, the museum’s half term events lineup has been created in partnership with friends and partners across the city-region as part of the Science and Industry Museum’s new City Sparks community programme.
Those heading down to the museum this half term can become architects for the day and reimagine the city’s high streets and iconic skyline, discover how to get their voices heard using arts and crafts, and explore Manchester’s industrial history through live performances.
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Highlights from the programme include a giant interactive model of Openshaw high street designed by architect, Laura Sanderson – with hands-on activities encouraging “placemakers of tomorrow” to create their vision of future communities by designing their own town centres through giant drawing challenges and model making.
The museum is handing over its galleries and spaces to the region’s community groups and neighbours / Credit: Science Museum Group
Local children from Armitage C of E and All Saints Primary Schools have also created a series of special workshops where visitors can “transform into engineers” and “rebuild Manchester” from viewpoints around the museum’s site.
Inspiring stories from the city’s community will also be shared during popup events – including Dukinfield Craft Café, who are using craft to explore the impact of the closure of their community swimming pool.
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Ruth Murray, who is the Community Partnerships Manager of the City Sparks programme, said they’re “so excited” to be bringing local people together for the events lineup.
“The Science and Industry Museum is home to ideas that change the world, from Manchester and beyond,” she commented, “and it’s our mission to inspire the next generation of creators, engineers and inventors, so we can’t wait to see our visitors’ ideas about the future of our amazing city.”
The museum’s other much-loved exhibitions will also be running throughout half term / Credit: Science Museum Group
As well as each of the activities and workshops guest-hosted by the community, all of the museum’s much-loved exhibitions that are currently running will also be open throughout half term, so if you haven’t had the chance to “travel like a poo” at Operation Ouch!, or take a trip down memory lane and play a whole host of retro games at Power UP, then now’s your chance.
General admission is free, but tickets to the museum’s exhibitions will set you back a couple of pounds and need to be booked in advance, either online or by calling 033 0058 0058.
Find out more about the October half term events lineup here.
Featured Image – Science Museum Group
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Chester Zoo’s spectacular light trail returns this winter with a new route and new animals for 2026
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo’s popular winter light trail is set to return with a redesigned route and some magical new animals for 2026.
Produced by Chester Zoo in partnership with Sony Music and Culture Creative, Lanterns & Light has become a popular fixture in the region’s festive calendar over the years, and it’s back this winter – transforming the zoo after dark with thousands of festive lights, colour, and wildlife-themed displays.
The 2026 trail has been redesigned with some exciting new installations, including the dazzling Suspended Jellyfish underwater display, a mirrored disco tunnel, a glittering pea-lit canopy, and Floating Feathers.
New for this year too, visitors will also get to encounter parrots, dolphins, and a giant polar bear among an expanded cast of life-sized animal puppets, all brought to life by specialist performers.
More than 140,000 people visited the trail last year, but for the first time ever in 2026, the event will also host two adults-only evenings, one on 19 November and another 8 December – giving grown-ups the chance to enjoy the trail without children.
Alongside the new additions, plenty of much-loved features will return too, including the walk-through Cathedral of Light and atmospheric Fire Garden, as well as the chance to meet Father Christmas in a snowy setting.
Visitors can also enjoy marshmallow fire pits, festive food, and warming drinks, alongside a funfair at the entrance.
But Lanterns & Light isn’t just about Christmas, as every ticket purchased helps fund Chester Zoo’s vital conservation work, supporting projects protecting threatened wildlife and restoring habitats in more than 20 countries around the world.
“Lanterns & Light is a chance to have a brilliant night out, but it also helps us do something much bigger,” explained Gemma Wright, who is the Head of Guest Experience at Chester Zoo.
“Every ticket helps support Chester Zoo’s work to prevent extinction, from protecting threatened wildlife in the places where it lives to caring for and breeding endangered species here at the zoo.
“So, while our visitors are enjoying the lights, puppets and festive atmosphere, they’re helping to give wildlife a brighter future too.”
Lanterns & Light returns to Chester Zoo from 13 November 2026 through to 3 January 2027.
Tickets are on sale and available now from £19.50 for children and £27.50 for adults, while babies under 12 months go free. You can book yours here.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
What's On
Manchester Art Fair returns this autumn with more than 180 exhibitors under one roof
Emily Sergeant
One of the UK’s largest art fairs is back in Manchester this autumn, bringing more than 180 exhibitors together all under one roof.
Not only is it one of the UK’s largest and one of the most significant art fairs, but it’s by far one of the most celebrated cultural events in Greater Manchester‘s social calendar too.
Designed for the collector, the curator, and those who are just simply curious, the event draws in tens of thousands of visitors, and will feature lots of new and returning galleries and artists this year – all of whom will be showing new works.
2026’s edition will be its biggest yet too, as the event is returning to Manchester Central for four days this year instead of the usual three.
Returning from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 November, the fair will have more than 600 artists there for an exceptional showcase of modern and contemporary art, with thousands of works available to discover and buy from both world-renowned names and some of the most exciting emerging creative talent.
In a significant move, the fair’s highly anticipated Preview Night will move to Thursday evening, opening an expanded programme of art, talks, workshops, and new experiences across the four days that follow.
Leading the lineup of new features are Manchester Art Fair’s Art Masterclasses, which have been created for developing artists looking to advance their creative practice.
These new experiences will sit alongside a rich programme of artist talks, panel discussions, Q&As, live demonstrations, and other hands-on creative workshops.
More than 180 exhibitors will all gather together under one roof / Credit: Supplied
Manchester Art Fair 2026 will first open at Manchester Central with an exclusive preview night on Thursday 19 November, before it then continues on Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November – with tockets now on sale.
Tickets are priced at £15 for a day ticket or £25 for a preview night ticket, including access throughout the weekend, all with booking fees applying.
Emily Sergeant -
11th October 2023 
