What's On

Spooky steam train rides through Greater Manchester return this Halloween

Got the guts to get onboard? Tickets are on sale now.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 15th September 2023

One of Greater Manchester’s most-popular Halloween events is back this spooky season, and tickets are now on sale.

What’s Halloween without East Lancashire Railway‘s (ELR) eerie ghost trains at this point?

Generally selling out each year, and 2023 expected to be no different, the heritage railway’s Halloween Ghost Trains always prove to be top of the Halloween bucket list for people looking for “loads of spooktacular fun” once the scariest time of year rolls around.

Those brave enough at lending the ‘Monster Squad’ a helping hand at banishing ghosts and ghouls will be whisked away on a haunted steam engine through the atmospheric Greater Manchester countryside.

Spooky steam train rides through Greater Manchester return this Halloween / Credit: ELR

You’ll get to meet lots of “oddballs and curios” along the way, including Count Brian the vampire, Veronica the witch, Zombie Bob, and the mad Dr Frankenburger as you board the rain ride of a lifetime.

If you’ve got the guts, then you’ll start the experience off with a haunted house walkthrough over the ghoulishly decorated footbridge at Bury Bolton Street Station, all before you hop on an 80-minute spooky steam train ride to Rawtenstall and back.

As you take in the autumn sights and delights of the local countryside out the historic train’s windows, there’ll be plenty of spooky entertainment and music along the way.

If you make it to the end, then a goody bag for every child “full of tricks and treats” awaits.

As it always is each year, screaming and singalongs are to be expected – and encouraged – as this is all part of the spooky experience.

Families are also encouraged to “show off your spookiest fancy dress”.

And if you’re still hungry for horror, then even more frightful fun is on offer across the road at the Bury Transport Museum, where the ‘Carn-Evil’ is back once again by popular demand with its haunted cottage and a whole host of rides suitable for all ages.

‘The Twist’, ‘The Dragon’, ‘The Haunted House’, and ‘The Balloons’ are just some of the rides that everyone can get involved with.

Are you brave enough to climb aboard one of the eerie Halloween Ghost Trains? / Credit: ELR

Not only that, but alongside the rides, there’ll also be a “spooktacular show” filled with even more colourful characters that takes place at regular intervals – with a disco, magic show, and fancy dress competition with prizes all on the lineup.

Open from 4-9pm, tickets get you access to all attractions at the museum, and you can go before or after your Halloween train experience, it’s entirely up to you and whatever fits in with your evening and train departure time.

Read more:

The Halloween Ghost Trains are happening on Thursday 26, Friday 27 & Saturday 28 October, and tickets are now on sale starting from £15 per person.

Find out more and grab your tickets here.

Featured Image – ELR

What's On

Rochdale will be hosting its FIRST EVER comedy festival later this year

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

There’s a comedy festival making its way to Rochdale for the first time ever, and it’s taking place over 10 days this autumn.

Rochdale is preparing for barrels of laughter, as the borough is about to host a comedy festival as part of its events programme for being crowned Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025-26.

The line-up features some well-renowned names in the comedy world, many of whom have received awards and recognition along the way.

You can expect appearances from Lou Conran, who features as a regular support act for Sarah Millican, Tez Ilyas, from ‘Man Like Mobeen’, and TV comedy legend Mick Miller. There’s even some Britain’s Got Talent alumni in the form of last year’s finalist Alex Mitchell and 2017 semi-finalist Jonny Awsum.

Tez Ilyaz and Lou Conran are just two of the acts listed for Rochdale Comedy Festival / Credit: Supplied
Tez Ilyaz and Lou Conran are just two of the acts listed for Rochdale Comedy Festival / Credit: Supplied
Tez Ilyaz, Lou Conran and Brennan Reece are just some of the acts listed for Rochdale Comedy Festival / Credit: Supplied

Edinburgh Festival favourite Patrick Monahan will be performing along with English comedian of the year Rob Mullholland, Aaron Wood – named by Rolling Stone UK as one of the 12 rising comedy stars to see at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer, and comedy musician Alex Camp. 

The lineup also includes Robin Ince, co-host and creator of Sony Gold Award winning BBC Radio 4 series The Infinite Monkey Cage, and a whole host of other stand-up acts who are all gearing up ready to make Rochdale giggle.

“Us northerners are famous for our sense of humour and there’s a big appetite for comedy,” commented Councillor Sue Smith, who is the cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council.

Rochdale Comedy Festival has an array of comedians taking part including Jonny Awsum and Mick Miller / Credit: Supplied
Rochdale Comedy Festival has an array of comedians taking part including Jonny Awsum and Daisy Earl / Credit: Supplied

“I’m happy to see Rochdale Comedy Festival launching during our year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.

“It will bring together communities and give new comedians a chance to shine.” 

So whether you’re in need of a cheer up, or you’re a comedy aficionado, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to crack a smile at Rochdale Comedy Festival, as it’s happening across 10 days from 26 September to 5 October in various venues across the Greater Manchester borough. 

Book tickets and view the full-line up HERE. 

Read more:

Featured Images – Supplied (via Publicity Pictures)

What's On

Salford Red Devils supporters group outline plans for the next major protest march

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Salford Red Devils supporters trust, The 1873, have outlined details of their next major march in protest over the club’s well-publicised ownership troubles and financial crisis.

The fan group, which has mobilised on multiple occasions already this year, is set to hit the streets once again this month and in larger numbers than ever, confirming another big demonstration before their next home game this weekend.

Sharing the update with fellow Red Devils on social media, 1837 leaders are demanding “truth and accountability from the top” ahead of the peaceful protest through Salford.

They have dubbed the event ‘The Last Rally’, but we can only assume there’ll be more fan action as the weeks and possibly months of uncertainty continue.

As you can see, The 1837 are calling for like-minded supporters to rally outside another nearby amateur rugby league football team, Salford City Roosters, before marching on to a second meeting point and, ultimately, the Salford Community Stadium.

Starting in Eccles, with a stop at Barley Farm, before arriving at their club’s home ground in Barton-upon-Irwell, the plan is to gather as much awareness, support and local attention as possible.

Writing in the caption of the above post, they added: “We’ve dominated headlines. We’ve exposed bad ownership. We’ve stood together.

“A history worth fighting for. A future worth protecting. Our last chance to be heard. Don’t stay silent. Make it count.”

Following a recent meeting of the RFL and the two Greater Manchester Mayors, Andy Burnham and Paul Dennett, Salford Red Devils were given somewhat of an even further stay of execution, as it was confirmed that their ‘winding up’/administration deadline has now been adjourned until October.

Nevertheless, the majority of fans are still being kept in the dark about the exact and up-to-date nature of their rugby league club’s situation at present.

Back in June, it looked like new investors could very well still be injecting vital funds to keep key players and staff on the books, but jump to now, and it looks like they don’t know if even things like the big screen even belong to them much longer.

Once again, the march and peaceful protest will take place this Friday, 19 September, prior to the next fixture against Wakefield Trinity.

Getting points on the board will no doubt be a big plus for all, but the game looks like it will very much serve as the backdrop to the wider ongoing saga.

Are you a Red Devils fan, and if so, will you be attending the demonstration? Better still, even if not, what do you make of the circumstances surrounding your side at the moment?

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Ben Whitehurst (supplied via X)

More What's On

Affiliate

Lewis Capaldi announces huge outdoor Manchester gig at Wythenshawe Park next summer

Boroughs

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 15 – 21 September 2025

Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse. Credit: Michael Wharley

Kids & Family

Strictly Come Dancing favourite Oti Mabuse is hosting a free dance class in Manchester

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches