What's On

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 17 – 23 October 2022

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 14th October 2022

It’s well and truly autumn, schools are soon to be out for half term across Greater Manchester, and Halloween is right around the corner.

With the spooky season officially here, the events calendar is filled up with lots of different things to be getting up to this week, so we’ve cherry-picked a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.

As always, some of the events we’re going to mention are completely free, while others will set you back a few pounds, and many will need to be booked in advance.

Here’s our top picks.

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Pumpkin Lanterns

Manchester City Centre

Monday 17 October – 1 November

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Pumpkin Lanterns / Credit: CityCo / Manchester BID

There couldn’t be a more ideal time to catch a glimpse of the pumpkins.

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 and they’re here all month.

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.

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And it’s FREE too.

You can find more information here.

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Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience

Arley Hall & Gardens

Monday 17 October – onwards

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The hugely popular woodland trail inspired by the forbidden forest from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchise has officially returned.

After what was undoubtedly a massive success back in 2021, with people travelling from all across the UK to see what it was all about, organisers of the Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience have announced it’s back to the Grade II-listed Arley Hall & Gardens in Cheshire.

Having arrived just in time for Halloween, Potter-heads can “walk into the depths of a dark forest”, and “discover fantastic beasts and iconic Wizarding World moments illuminated like never before”.

Find out more here.

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Escape Into Autumn

National Trust

Monday 17 October – onwards

Escape Into Autumn / Credit: National Trust

The National Trust is celebrating the arrival of a new season by offering free visits to the sites it cares for this autumn.

Families will be able to visit the many stately homes, grand gardens, beaches and countryside locations that are looked after by the charity. 

The limited-time offer will allow people to book an autumn trip to a National Trust site of their choosing, and each free ticket will admit two adults and up to four children – with hundreds of sites taking part in the campaign.

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Find out more here.

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Spookfest 2022

Trafford Centre

Monday 17 – Sunday 30 October

Spookfest 2022 / Credit: Trafford Centre

After a successful run in 2021, Spookfest has returned to the Trafford Centre just in time for Halloween, and the outdoor space has come alive with activity.

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There’s a variety of exciting family-friendly things on offer for all ages to enjoy, from thrilling funfair rides, the action-packed Spooktacular Big Top circus, and the North West’s first and only pumpkin tower, to face painting, creepy costume characters, big-screen scary movies, and Halloween-themed food and drink.

Find out more and book tickets here.

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Pokémon: Art Through the Ages

Trafford Centre

Monday 17 October – 13 November

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Pokémon: Art Through the Ages / Credit: Pokémon

A Pokémon art trail and treasure hunt-style event is taking over the Trafford Centre this week, and the best part is, it’s absolutely free to get involved with.

‘Pokémon: Art Through the Ages’ will give fans the chance to discover hidden art of the 151 Pokémon that were originally discovered in the Kanto region through an interactive trail – which event organisers say showcases “a wide variety of artistic techniques and styles” from across the ages.

There’ll be cave paintings, stained glass, and more for families and Pokémon fans of all ages to enjoy free of charge.

Find out more here.

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Scare City Experience

Camelot

Monday 17 October – onwards

Have you seen that Scare City Experience is back for 2022?

The hugely-popular outdoor immersive horror experience has taken on a new life just in time for Halloween, and this time round, it’s taken over the derelict site of one of the North West’s most iconic theme parks.

Events company Park N Party’s sell-out success Scare City has arrived at Camelot with a new walkthrough scare attraction, and it’s described as a “blood-soaked ordeal”.

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For those who’ve got the guts to enter this year, a trek through “nightmarish zones” awaits.

Find out more and book tickets here.

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Luna’s Lost Spell Halloween Trail 

Chester Zoo

Monday 17 October – onwards

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Luna’s Lost Spell Halloween Trail / Credit: Chester Zoo

Tarantulas, komodo dragons, and poisonous dart frogs are just some of the creatures you can meet on Chester Zoo‘s newest interactive trail.

With the spooky season right around the corner, Luna’s Lost Spell Halloween Trail has taken over the UK’s biggest charity zoo for the whole of this month up until Monday 31 October, and it looks set to be an ideal day out for families during the half term.

The trail is free with the price of admission, and aims to raise awareness of all the “creepy but crucial creatures” at the zoo that are venomous and poisonous.

Find out more here.

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Looking for some new restaurants and bars to try out in Manchester city centre this month?

As ever, a host of exciting new restaurants and bars are opening in Manchester in October.

Whether you’re into glitzy late-night hang outs, casual dining turnarounds or award-winning burritos, let’s just say there’s something on the list for you – from the brand new Shogun Ramen and Bar, which sees beloved Chorlton restaurant Peck & Yard give it ‘one more shot’ with a ramen and sushi concept, to Mayfair celeb haunt Mnky Hse.

You can read our round-up to find out where to put on your list this month here.

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Manchester Science Festival 2022

Science and Industry Museum

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Friday 21 – Sunday 30 October

Manchester Science Festival / Credit: Science Museum Trust

Manchester Science Festival is making a glorious return this week, with events for all ages taking place at both the Science and Industry Museum and venues across the city.

This year’s event will celebrate science through immersive performances, interactive activities, and after-hours amusement, with highlights across the 10 days including a headline exhibition Turn It Up: The Power of Music, a nocturnal nature tour, and a chance to meet people who already work in STEM careers, including experts from festival sponsors Amazon.

You can find out about everything happening at this year’s festival here.

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The Art of Banksy

MediaCityUK

Friday 21 October – onwards

The Art of Banksy / Credit: Supplied

The Art of Banksy will finally arrive at MediaCityUK this week.

Landing in Manchester on 21 October, the exhibit will showcase 145 iconic Banksy pieces all amassed from private collections across the globe to create the world’s largest touring collection of Banksy artworks. 

Visitors will have the chance to experience the infamous artist’s most well-known works alongside those rarely seen by the public, all on loan from private collectors.

Find out more and grab tickets here.

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Scare Skate

Cathedral Gardens

Friday 21 – Monday 31 October

Scare Skate / Credit: Skate Manchester

The city’s largest outdoor ice rink returns this week just in time for Halloween.

Scare Skate will see Halloween fans and fear-loving families take to the ice for some “frightfully good fun” this October half term from Friday 21 – Monday 31 October.

Gearing up to be “a frightful experience to remember”, not only will the spooktacular rink see one of the iconic MCR Monsters take centre stage as part of the annual Halloween in the City event, but it will also be complete with Halloween-themed music and lighting.

Find out more here.

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Backyard Cinema

Depot Mayfield

Friday 21 October – onwards

Backyard Cinema / Credit: Grant Walker

Manchester’s newest cinema is set to open on the roof of Depot Mayfield this week.

Coming to Manchester for a limited 10-week run, Backyard Cinema brings its immersive movie going experience to the north for the ever first time, and it will feature way more than a cosy purpose-built cinema room, as it comes complete with an Enchanted Forest, two bars, street food trucks and a live music stage to boot.

The 330-capacity indoor cinema’s upcoming film schedule for the Autumn / Winter season has some absolute crackers in there too.

Find out more here.

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PowerUP

Science and Industry Museum

Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 October

PowerUP / Credit: Science Museum Group

A huge gaming event has returned to Manchester.

With more than 160 consoles and hundreds of games to play, Power UP is back at the Science and Industry Museum for the first time in three years, taking ticket-holders on a journey through five decades of gaming, with everything from retro arcade games, to state-of-the-art virtual reality, and so much more.

Power UP is taking place every weekend and school holiday all the way through to December 2023, and every ticket includes unlimited play all day.

You can find more information here.

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Featured Image – CityCo | The Manc Group | National Trust

What's On

There’s a full day of FREE outdoor yoga classes happening in Manchester city centre this month

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

There’s a full day of free yoga classes taking over an outdoor amphitheatre in heart of Manchester city centre in a couple of weeks time.

As a way of marking the summer solstice and welcoming in the new season, all while suitably-celebrating International Yoga Day at the same time, Manchester‘s famed ‘Yogathon’ is returning to Great Northern Warehouse later this month with a whole host of free outdoor yoga sessions, and it’s giving Mancs the chance to “get on the mat and work on the mind”.

Taking over the amphitheatre outside the historic city centre warehouse, you can join in with a full day of yoga classes led by award-winning instructors from The Life Centre from morning through to evening.

Early birds can kick-start the day with Sun Salutations from 7:30am, which is perfectly-timed as the sun rises over the city on the longest day of the year, while a lively functional flow class will follow as the ideal way to spend your lunch hour from 12:30-1:15pm.

You can then close out the day and unwind after work with a fun and friendly Vinyasa class from 5:15-6pm.

Yogathon 2023 is happening outside Great Northern Warehouse on Wednesday 21 June / Credit: Phil Tragen (via Great Northern)

Suitable for all ages and abilities to get involved with, each of the classes happening throughout the day are free of charge, and ultimately encourage Mancs to “treat your muscles and mind” and enjoy the physical and mental benefits of yoga in the great outdoors.

Yoga mats will be provided in the amphitheatre, but you should bring your own if you have one.

All proceeds from will go to Eat Well MCR to support people living in poverty across the city by delivering meals and providing much-needed respite during difficult times.

Yogathon 2023 is taking over the amphitheatre at Great Northern Warehouse, just off Deansgate in the heart of the city centre, on Wednesday 21 June from 7:30am right through to 6pm.

Read more:

Find out more and book your place on classes here.

Featured Image – Darren Robinson (via Great Northern)

What's On

Pink at University of Bolton Stadium — stage times, setlist and more

Danny Jones Danny Jones Pink Bolton gig tickets Manchester

Pop legend Pink is in Manchester as we speak ahead of her massive gigs at the University of Bolton Stadium this week, set to play not one but two shows at the Wanderers’ home ground.

Having been around since 1995 if you can believe that, the legendary Noughties singer recently released her ninth studio album, Trustfall, back in February and is now set to embark on a huge world tour entitled ‘Summer Carnival‘.

The UK leg, her first since 2019, consists of six big shows across Britain, but Manchester has the honour of not only hosting Pink for the first time in 10 years but being the one to kick off her world tour, which already consists of over 70 dates, nine different countries and runs all the way into 2024.

It might surprise a few to see that Pink’s playing at a football stadium in Bolton to get things started, but she’s played there multiple times before and while she might not have heard about the recent name change, it’s somewhere she’s more than familiar with. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

Tickets for Pink’s Manchester gig

It’ll be no surprise to hear that tickets to see one of the biggest pop artists of the past 20+ years aren’t exactly abundant but, fear not, if you’re a big Pink fan there are still some available for both nights.

The bad news is, given they’re in such high demand and the gigs are literally around the corner, they’ll cost you a fair few quid, to say the least.

The cheapest seats remaining on Wednesday, 7 June will set you back £135 per person; as for the following Thursday, 8 June, not only are there still some seats available at the same price but there are even a handful of Gold Standing Tickets in The Circle that will cost you £162.

Even the VIP packages for these gigs are all sold out as there are literally hundreds of people set to raise their glass to the pop sensation’s return.

Credit: Pink (via Instagram)

Pink support acts at Bolton Stadium

As if seeing Pink wasn’t enough, the Pennsylvania songstress will be accompanied by three different support across her double-header at the UniBol Stadium.

For those of you who do manage to get a ticket, she will be joined by fellow American singer-songwriter Gayle, rising DJ and producer KidCutUp who played her last tour, as well as fellow pop hit-makers, The Script.

Talk about a warm-up act — seeing The Script is a pricey ticket on its own, let alone a trio of exciting artists and then Pink!

Their appearances on Pink’s impending tour are also among the first the Irish group will play following the passing of their guitarist and co-founder Mark Sheehan back in April, having got back on stage in Blackpool earlier this week. It’ll no doubt be just as emotional an occasion for them on Wednesday.

Predicted setlist

Now, as for what Pink will be playing on her opening night in Bolton, we don’t really have any other gigs this year to go off, however, you can bet you’ll be hearing plenty of the new album as well as plenty of the classics from down the years.

We’re not going to lie, this setlist is adjusted from her last big show at Austin City Limits back in October 2022 and based on the stuff she’s played most this year according to Setlist.fm, so there’s a fair bit of guesswork here but here’s an idea of what you might get to hear:

  • TRUSTFALL
  • Get The Party Started
  • What About Us
  • When I Get There
  • F**kin’ Perfect
  • Just Give Me a Reason
  • Never Gonna Not Dance Again
  • Please Don’t Leave Me
  • Who Knew
  • Just Like a Pill
  • Me and Bobby McGee (Kris Kristofferson) 
  • Nothing Compares 2 U (Prince cover)
  • Try
  • Turbulence
  • Funhouse
  • Raise Your Glass
  • So What (encore)

So long as we hear ‘Get The Party Started’ we’ll be happy, to be honest — top-tier banger.

Stage times

As for set times, the University of Bolton Stadium’s doors are set to open at 4.30pm, with the first of the warm-ups, KidCutUp, beginning an hour later — one of three occasions he’ll be keeping the crowd entertained over the course of the evening.

Then at 6.45pm Gayle will play a roughly half-an-hour set before KidCutUp returns for the interval. As for the big support, The Script will be taking to the stage for an hour from 7:30-8:30pm.

Making a final appearance for 20 minutes as the main event, KidCutUp will once again get the crowd ready and raring to go before Pink arrives at around 8:50pm, will the show set to end no later than 11pm.

With such an early start time and so much music to enjoy on Wednesday and Thursday, it’s going to be a brilliant couple of nights in Bolton.

KidCutUp (via Instagram)
GAYLE (via Instagram)
Pink/BBC Radio 2 (via Instagram)

Travel and parking

As for how you’re going to get to Pink’s Bolton gigs, one of the best parts about Greater Manchester is our brilliant public transport networks mean you can always get around.

With a shuttle bus running from Bolton Interchange, Chorley Railway Station and Wigan Robin Park to the stadium on both nights between 2-8pm, Big Green Coaches available from various locations, as well as Horwich Parkway as your nearest train station, there are several options for travelling to the gig.

As for if you’re driving in, there are plenty of places to drop gig-goers around the stadium and if you’re looking for parking, there are around 1800 spaces available at the stadium per night.

Parking spots, including 120 blue badge disability spaces, will be first-come-first-serve and bookable via the Evology app for £25. You can find out more information about pricing and how to book, as well as plenty of other travel information down below.

Read more:

Pink was one of the first big musical artists to ever play at Bolton Wanderer’s home stadium and helped usher the likes of The Killers, Little Mix, Coldplay, Elton John and more to join her.

With that in mind, it’s only fitting that she’s returned to the venue that she’s remained so fond of, declaring, “Manchester, I am so in love with you” after arriving in Manchester at the start of this week.

Writing in a statement on the University Bolton Stadium Hotel website, Pink said: “It’s been a long three years and I’ve missed live music so so much… So it’s finally time! I am so excited to get back to the UK and Europe to sing, cry, sweat and make new memories with my friends. It’s going to be magical!” 

The mum of two even took her daughter Willow out in Trafford Park to celebrate her 12th birthday. Even hearing her name next to random Manc boroughs still sounds a bit surreal but we’re absolutely here for it — roll on Wednesday night!

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

Featured Image — P!NK (via Instagram)

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