What's On

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 2 – 8 October

Emily Sergeant - 29th September 2023

We’ve finally waved goodbye to September and welcomed October with open arms.

Not only is it the first week of a new month, but we’ve now also officially ushered in a new season, but while summer may have passed us by in the blink of an eye, that doesn’t mean the fun’s stopped now autumn is here, as there’s still loads of events happening in Greater Manchester to make the most of.

If you’re finding it a bit tricky to choose, we’ve cherry-picked a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide this week.

Here’s our top picks.

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Halloween Lakeside Light Trail

Partridge Lakeside Fishery

Monday 2 – Tuesday 31 October

A magical new Halloween lakeside light trail is opening this week, and it’s set to transform the popular Partridge Lakes Fishery in Warrington into what’s being described as “an enchanting Halloween attraction”.

Organisers say the hour-long immersive experience is like “stepping into a living Halloween storybook”.

You’ll be able to see the “mesmerising world of Halloween wonder” come to life as you stroll along a winding path around the lake’s edge that leads that takes you on a magical journey through woodland decorated by eerie and captivating lights.

Find out more and grab tickets here.

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Oktoberfest 2023

Albert’s Schloss

Monday 2 & Tuesday 3 October

You’ve only go two more days left to make the most of Oktoberfest 2023 in Manchester.

Albert’s Schloss in the heart of the city centre has been at the helm of the iconic celebration of German heritage in Manchester for the seventh year running, with all the fun of the festival having well and truly kicked off in style with the tapping of the first keg, and now only a couple of days left to get stuck into all the action.

There’s biers, bratwurts, the sound of Albert’s Oompah band, and plenty of the usual Albert’s Schloss debauchery. 

Find out more here.

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TONY! The Tony Blair Rock Opera

The Lowry

Monday 2 – Saturday 7 October

There’s a ‘rock opera’ musical stage show about the life and times of former Prime Minister Tony Blair coming to The Lowry this week.

TONY! The Tony Blair Rock Opera is a show for “Tony lovers, haters, and everyone in between”, and tells the story of how one man went from “a peace-loving, long-haired hippy, and would-be pop star” to a “warmongering multimillionaire” in just a couple of decades – with a stellar cast of larger-than-life characters setting the scene.

Co-written by comedians Harry Hill and Steve Brown, the musical is taking to The Lowry stage from Monday 2 – Saturday 7 October.

Find out more and grab last minute tickets here.

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Luna’s Legendary Creature Halloween Trail

Chester Zoo

Monday 2 – Tuesday 31 October

Luna’s Legendary Creature Halloween Trail gives visitors the chance to get up close to five of Chester Zoo’s most magical species.

Kicking off this Sunday 1 October, and running right up until Halloween itself, the rhinoceros hornbill, Sulawesi-crested macaque, and huge Sunda gharial crocodile are just some of the species you’ll get to learn all about as you make your way around the 90-minute interactive trail.

You’ll be tasked with helping Luna the witch discover a legendary creature living deep inside the zoo’s Monsoon Forest habitat.

Find out more here.

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Did you know you can get a pass to visit loads of National Trust sites across the UK for FREE this autumn?

Autumn in Greater Manchester is a wonderful thing, and and our region is filled with places to appreciate the beauty of this much-loved season – but if you were looking for a reason to travel a little further afield to experience everything nature has to offer and see the leaves change colour, then it doesn’t get much better than this.

This is why the National Trust wants to give people the chance to “experience the awe of the season” at no extra cost.

The pass allows free entry for two adults and up to three children, one adult and up to four children, or just two adults on their own.

Find out more about how to claim the limited-time offer here.

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Richard Kelly: A Time and Place

Kimpton Clocktower Hotel

Monday 2 October – late October

Some rarely-seen photos of Amy Winehouse have just gone on display in Manchester to mark the late singer’s 40th birthday.

The exclusive images of the legendary vocalist are forming part of an exhibition showcasing work by critically-acclaimed music photographer Richard Kelly that’s currently happening down at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in the city centre.

Following its unprecedented popularity, the exhibition‘s stay in our city has been extended, and will now be running until the end of October.

Find out more here.

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Student Night

Trafford Centre

Tuesday 3 October

Greater Manchester’s new and returning students can get themselves fixed-up with some amazing deals and discounts at the Trafford Centre this week.

All Saints, schuh, and Michael Kors are just some of the brands inside the shopping centre offering big discounts for one night only on Tuesday 3rd October from 6pm-10pm – with live entertainment, experimental brand activation, and so much more also on the lineup.

It’s all promising to be an “unmissable event”.

Find out more here.

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Fancy trying out some new bars, and restaurants that have opened in Greater Manchester this month?

October is set to be a big month for new restaurant openings in Manchester.

Some of the most high-anticipated launches of the year are taking place this month, with everything from Sexy Fish, that hugely glitzy London establishment that’s moving into Spinningfields at long last, to Louisiana fried chicken legends Popeyes.

Leeds’ favourite ramen house House of Fu is also opening, and there’s a Broadway Diner, where wait staff sing musical numbers at you while you eat.

You’ll also find new restaurants to check out right across Greater Manchester too.

Find out where to stick on your list here.

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Museum After Hours

Science and Industry Museum

Thursday 5 October

Museum After Hours is a unique opportunity to unleash your inner child and explore everything on offer inside the Science and Industry Museum… without all the actual kids running around.

Kicking off from 6pm this Thursday, tickets to the one-off event include evening passes to the museum’s showstopping special exhibitions ‘Power Up’ and ‘Operation Ouch! Food, Poo and You’, as well as access to the popular Revolution Manchester, Textiles Gallery, Experiment areas, and so much more.

There’ll also be a bar on site serving up a wide range of both alcoholic and soft drinks, so you can wet your whistle while you’re wandering around.

Find out more and grab tickets here.

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Indy Man Beer Con 2023

Victoria Baths

Thursday 5 – Sunday 8 October

The north’s biggest beer festival is back in Manchester this weekend.

The beloved Indy Man Beer Con (IMBC) is returning to its home at Victoria Baths from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 October, welcoming some of the finest brewers from the UK and across the globe for four days of tastings, talks, and special beer collaborations.

Find out more and grab last minute tickets here.

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Featured Image – Science Museum Group | IMBC | Chester Zoo