Southport Pleasureland has announced exciting plans to run its biggest and best Day of the Dead Spectacular yet this November, and launch its Winter Wonderland North in December too.
The South American-inspired Day of the Dead event is an increasingly popular high-octane after-dark annual “celebration of life” at the seaside resort – returning for its third year – and it will feature colourful samba drummers, fire spinners, fire-eaters, stilt-walkers, music with a live DJ, the park’s rides fully illuminated and running, and will close out with a dramatic fireworks finale.
The park will be transformed into a “theatre of light and music” against a fabulous fiesta atmosphere.
Music on the night will be provided by Liverpool’s-own The Katumba Drum Band – who have performed at some of the world’s biggest events including Africa Oyé, Brazilica, Amsterdam Carnival and Recife Carnival, Brazil – and will bring a fierce fusion of UK big beat, Caribbean calypso, and the carnivals of North East Brazil to create an explosion of rhythmic revelry that you can’t help but dance to.
The family-friendly ‘Day of the Dead’ celebration – which will see the park “festooned with bright and beautiful sugar skulls” – is set to take place on Saturday 14th November.
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It will include outdoor food concessions and entertainments – with proven COVID-19 safety measures in place – and to ensure effective social distancing measures are upheld, this year’s event will feature acts on a purpose-built stage with a one-way system for visitors to enter and leave the show area.
Gates to the park will open at 5pm.
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Tickets for non-riders are £9.99 – include all the entertainments and fireworks – and then the ‘rider’ ticket price of £24.50, which includes unlimited rides.
Southport PleasurelandSouthport Pleasureland
But, that’s not all Pleasureland has in store for 2020.
Norman Wallis – CEO at Southport Pleasureland – said: “Day of the Dead has become a real hit, but we didn’t want to leave it at that, so we are staging Winter Wonderland North.”
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He continued: “We have been considering and planning a Winter Wonderland North event for some time. We have been open with full coronavirus safety measures in place for many months [and] we know what we’re doing, what works, and how to make sure people understand the part they have to play in keeping everyone safe.
“Those who’ve visited the park will know that we take great care over the grounds and landscaping [and] we’ve planted many Christmas trees which, along with our exiting established trees, will be decorated with beautiful Christmas lights.”
Winter Wonderland North is due to start on Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th November.
“All of the rides and buildings will be shimmering as the park pulls on its ‘Winter Wow’ from the first weekend… and [will] then be open every weekend in December until it opens daily (with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) until 3rd January 2021.” said Norman.
He continued: “Father Christmas – and the park is hoping to coax his reindeer to join him – will be in his COVID-safe grotto residence, a new indoor ride around Santa’s workshop is under construction, and a German-style Christmas Market offers Christmas treats and festive food and drink
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“So there will be plenty to see and do.”
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All tickets to the celebrations must be booked online in advance of your visit.
You can book yours, find more information about the events, and familiarise yourself with all social distancing / COVID-safe precautions via the Southport Pleasureland website here.
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The best deals, offers and freebies you can get for Father’s Day 2026 in Manchester
Danny Jones
Father’s Day has come back around for 2026, and with dads set to be celebrated this Sunday, 21 June, we’re sure NO ONE in Greater Manchester has forgotten, right?…
In all seriousness, we all know these dates can creep up on you and slip your mind from time to time, so for anyone who may or may not yet have sorted something for their pops, we’ve got you.
Whether your dad likes the annual bit of fuss or is quite happy sitting with a pint and watching the footy, there’s something to suit all parents on the list.
Let’s not waste any more time: here’s a round-up of some of the best Father’s Day deals, offers and even flat-out freebies in and around Manchester city centre.
20 of the best Father’s Day deals and offers in central Manchester
1. Yard and Coop – Northern Quarter
What is it:NQ favourite chicken shop co-founded by Manc dad Carl Morris, doing great offers all-year-round, including free meals for kids, affordable lunch bites and more – always good portions, too.
The offer: They’re bringing back the ‘Father’s Day Feast’ for £25, as well as their cult-favourite take on a Sunday roast. You can book HERE.
What is it: Castlfield’s iconic canalside country-style and family-friendly pub, featuring a large outdoor terrace, multiple cosy rooms across two floors, and even an outdoor cocktail hut.
The offer: Complimentary pint of Budvar for dad with Father’s Day bookings. Simple as.
What is it: A beloved Manc boozer recently reborn under the Greene King umbrella a few years back, now complete with multiple floors, a rooftop terrace, live music, as well as great food and drink.
The offer: Book a table for at least two over Father’s Day weekend to enter into a prize draw worth £500 of Glenfiddich whisky.
Credit: The Manc Group
4. Founder’s Hall – Albert Square
What is it: The old Duttons site, now operating as an ancestral home and taphouse for J. W. Lees, serving real ale like the revived ‘Cream of Manchester’, Boddingtons, as well as a solid food menu.
The offer: Grab an entire beer flight for FREE, with up to 12 different kinds of ale for dads to choose from. To claim the mini beer tasting of three thirds, quote ‘BEER4DAD’ in the Special Requests box when booking HERE.
5. Dirty O’Sullivans – Albert Square
What is: One of the city centre’s latest Irish bars, specialising in great Guinness, traditional breakfasts, live music and more.
The offer: Dads eat completely free when booking a table of four or more, and they get a pint on the house, too. Reserve your table now.
What is it: A quaint tea room located on Sackville Street just on the edge of the Gay Village; a great option for a gift voucher/surprise for a special occasion, too.
The offer: Turn the usual Boston Tea Party afternoon/cream tea package into a day of dad bites, with sausage/bacon sarnies, brews, cheese scones with smoky jam and/or Marmite. You do have to book ahead, and a deposit may be required to secure your seat.
What is it: A beautiful city centre hotel with luxury hospitality and dining services, too, operated by Marriott International’s Autograph Collection.
The offer: Free glass of Macallan whisky and Sunday roasts reservations at their stylish and award-winning in-house restaurant, tender.
Credit: Stock Exchange Hotel (supplied)
8. Manchester Gin – Online
What is it: Homegrown distillery and spirit brand, famous not only for their gin but also for rum, with a stunning brick-and-mortar Spirit of Manchester space in town over on Watson Street.
What is it: Similar to the above, these local booze-makers founded over in Salford still have their on-site taproom and flagship Ancoats venue, but they still sell plenty online and on shelves across the country.
The offer: 10% discounts on 7 Bros brewery tours, as well as their usual Father’s Day bundle of 24 beers for half price; you can order one from £49.95, or just grab a gift card if he’d rather pick for himself.
10. Sexy Fish – Spinningfields
What is it: Dad’s eat free as part of their extensive sushi and more brunch offering, as well as the return of the ‘Roll The Dice’ game, where even more prizes can be won.
The offer: Dad’s eat totally free as part of their extensive sushi and more brunch offering, as well as the return of the ‘Roll The Dice’ game, where even more prizes can be won. You can book HERE.
What is it: One of Manchester city centre’s most historic buildings, which now serves as the stunning red-brick Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, Refuge, serving up banging breakfasts and stunning contemporary dishes and drinks from noon until night.
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The offer: Exclusive guided whiskey tasting sessions from the dining room, with premium gifts and Sunday roasts also on offer. Tickets are priced at £33.25 – secure his spot while you can.
What is it: One of the best pubs turned bistros you’ll find anywhere on the outskirts of town, certainly in Salford, known for the pies, top range of pints, Sunday roasts, and so much more.
The offer: Free refills of Boddingtons when your dad buys a pint of our famous ‘Boddies’ to go with his meal. Simple as that – reserve online whilst using code “FATHER’S DAY”
What is it: Manchester’s famous Bavarian beer hall and party venue that never disappoints – just remember to dance on the benches and NOT the tables…
The offer: A stein of Krombacher on the house for dad – you can even press the ‘push for papa’ button for table service, because he deserves the proper posh treatment at least once a year. You can even treat him to some stripy socks. Book HERE.
What is it: Another great Irish pub in the heart of the city centre, located on a main Manc thoroughfare and a handy distance from our main train station and Piccadilly Gardens.
The offer: Win a year’s worth of free Guinness by entering the competition on their social media; dads can also have their face printed on the pints with their special selfie machine.
What is it: Italian bar and restaurant operated by the Individual Restaurants group, known for its great al fresco terrace on the edge of Exchange Square.
The offer: ‘Festa Del Papa’ package, featuring two courses for £22.95 and Italian Sunday roasts on offer, not to mention a free shot of limoncello to all those dining on the day.
Credit: Riva Blu (supplied)
16. Black Cat Club – Central
What is it: Activity bar and hangout near the classy King Street area, offering high-tech shuffleboard, darts, DJ sets, plenty of live sport on the box, as well as great sharing food by the same team behind El Gato Negro tapas.
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The offer: Free pizza and a pint when you make a booking for a game of shuffleboard or darts; you do so right HERE.
Credit: The Manc
17. Electric Shuffle
What is it: A shuffleboard bar along the main Deansgate strip, also offering a great bottomless brunch package, as well as great pizzas, cocktails and more.
The offer: Free bottle of Madri beer for Dad this Sunday, 21 June only. Nice and easy.
18. Hello Oriental
What is it: An underground pan-Asian food paradise, serving everything from authentic Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese to Japanese and Malaysian, just to name a few.
The offer: The brand-new all-you-can-eat Sunday buffet, which is starting this Father’s Day. Priced at £26 per adult and £14 for U16S; kids under four eat free, and so does dad on Sunday, 21 June 2026
What is it:Malmaison‘s newest and most luxurious hotel branch, located not far from Albert and St. Peter’s Square, as well as Deansgate down the road. Also features two restaurants, including its stunning rooftop space, Sora.
The offer: Free pint of Cruzcampo when ordering their Father’s Day special called ‘The Stack’, which costs just £15. Burger and a beer, no fear.
Credit: The Manc
20. Gameface – Printworks
What is it: One of the newest interactive gaming and activity bars in Manchester city centre, bringing old-school house party vibes to life with both co-op and competitive games.
The offer: Dads go free with the code ‘FATHER26’, just make sure you don’t let them win – you don’t want this special day to go all the way to their heads, after all. You can book HERE.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Publicity pictures (supplied)
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Blossoms announce new album and HUGE Manchester arena gig on UK tour
Emily Sergeant
Blossoms are back with a new album and UK arena tour later this year.
Tom, Joe, Josh, Charlie, and Myles – also known as Stockport’s finest, Blossoms – have today announced their sixth studio album, Songs From The Wedding Cake, alongside an upcoming UK arena tour this autumn to celebrate.
The new album and tour comes fresh off-the-back of the success of their previous studio album, Gary, named after an eight-foot fiberglass gorilla.
Songs From The Wedding Cake takes its title from a Stockport nickname for the town’s iconic Victorian town hall, which is where Tom got married. It’s an apt frame for a record built around one guiding idea – taking the ordinary moments of life and putting them through an extraordinary lens.
The result is said to be Blossoms at their ‘most expansive’ and ‘most personal’, providing an irresistible cocktail of 80s-flecked funk, heart-on-your-sleeve anthems, and dance-floor indie bangers.
Blossoms have announced a new album and a huge Manchester arena gig on UK tour / Credit: Supplied
In their own words, as taken directly from their Instagram announcement this morning, Songs From The Wedding Cake is: “What an absolute joy this record was to make. Written and recorded over the last year, it’s a collection of songs about what might seem like ordinary moments, viewed through an extraordinary lens.
“Joking about divorce, hire cars, crying at the Kardashians, Wikipedia rabbit holes, trips to The Range, falling asleep in a taxi, your arm going numb because someone’s asleep on it, the 192, being an additional driver on your wife’s insurance and losing her 20 years’ no-claims bonus (ffs), dancing in the kitchen to Grease, crying at videos of dogs on Instagram, picking up parquet flooring, saying the wrong thing, growing older together… you get the idea.”
Alongside the album, the indie rockers have also announced an accompanying UK arena tour for the autumn, and of course they’ll be stopping off in Manchester.
The lads will be taking to the Co-op Live stage on Saturday 28 November.
They’ll also be playing in other major UK cities London, Cardiff, Glasgow, and Birmingham along the way, with tickets for the tour set to go on presale next Wednesday (24 June) at 9:30am, before general sale commences on Friday, also at 9:30am.
Emily Sergeant -
28th October 2020 
