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.
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.
You’ve only go two more days left to make the most of Oktoberfest 2023 in Manchester.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
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.
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
You’ll be tasked with helping Luna the witch discover a legendary creature living deep inside the zoo’s Monsoon Forest habitat.
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
Autumn at the National Trust / Credit: National Trust
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.
___
Richard Kelly: A Time and Place
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Monday 2 October – late October
ADVERTISEMENT
Richard Kelly: A Time and Place / Credit: Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
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.
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.
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
You’ll also find new restaurants to check out right across Greater Manchester too.
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.
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.
Featured Image – Science Museum Group | IMBC | Chester Zoo
What's On
Everything you need to know about Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 – dates, locations, and more
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Christmas Markets will be taking over the city centre this festive season, with hundreds of little wooden huts lining the streets.
Now in their 27th year, Manchester Christmas Markets are known and loved for bringing thousands of people into the city centre each year to fill up on fantastic festive treats and soak up all the Christmas atmosphere.
This year will see a bigger return of Albert Square, after the headline-grabbing partial return at last year’s event – with the big wheel also set to make a comeback.
There’s also set to be some new locations too for 2026, with Lincoln Square joining in on the action, as well as big changes to St Ann’s Square with what is being described as a ‘brand new layout’ bringing in a bigger number of market stalls.
There will be a total of 210 stalls spread out across the city centre.
When are the Manchester Christmas Markets 2026?
This year’s Manchester Christmas Markets will take place between Friday 6 November and Monday 22 December, across 10 different city centre locations.
Some sites will remain open even longer though – there’ll be festivities continuing at both Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens (which is home to the Skate Manchester ice rink) until Sunday 3 January 2027.
Another date for your diary is the Manchester Christmas Parade, which will see floats and performers filling the city on Sunday 6 December.
Manchester Christmas Markets locations
Manchester Christmas Markets
There are some brand-new spots to check out this year as the markets officially leave Piccadilly Gardens and return to their spiritual home around Albert Square.
Notably, Lincoln Square will be hosting a food and drink-focused market for the first time.
St Ann’s Square will also have a brand-new look, and Albert Square will again be home to a helter-skelter and a big wheel, along with loads of food, drink, and festive retail.
The locations are:
Albert Square
Lincoln Square
King Street
St Ann’s Square
Corn Exchange
Exchange Street
New Cathedral Street
Market Street
Exchange Square
Cathedral Gardens
You can see more about what each location will offer HERE.
Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 opening and closing times
The vast majority of the Manchester Christmas Markets locations will be open from 10am to 9pm daily, through to 22 December.
The only exceptions are as follows:
Albert Square
6 November – 23 December: 10am to 9pm
24 December (Christmas Eve): 10am to 5pm
25 December (Christmas Day): Closed
26 December – 30 January: 10am to 6pm
31 January (New Year’s Eve): 10am to 12.30am
1–3 January: 10am to 6pm
Cathedral Gardens
6 November – 23 December: 10am to 9pm
24 December (Christmas Eve): 10am to 5pm
25 December (Christmas Day): Closed
26 December – 30 January: 10am to 6pm
31 January (New Year’s Eve): 10am to 12.30am
1–3 January: 10am to 6pm
Food and drink highlights at the Manchester Christmas Markets
Great North Pie Co. at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc GroupHong Kong French Toast at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc Group
Until the markets are officially open, we’re not sure exactly what this year’s top stalls and must-eats will be – but looking at the trader list, we can give you a good idea.
The always-popular Yorkshire Pudding Wraps from Porky Pig will be back in Exchange Square, along with the iconic Witch House German bratwursts a short distance away on New Cathedral Street.
Other traders we loved in 2025 who’ll be returning this year include Great North Pie, Flat Baker, Hong Kong French Toast, and Oi Dumplings.
Travel advice and how to get to the Manchester Christmas Markets
As usual, passengers are advised to travel with public transport wherever possible, as the city centre will be very busy with both Christmas Markets visitors and shoppers.
There are eight tram stops in the city centre that will put you within walking distance of the festivities, with St Peter’s Square the closest to the main site at Albert Square.
Trains and buses also serve the city centre well, but if you really need to drive, TfGM is advising to make use of the park and ride system rather than risking traffic delays in town.
ENB’s Romeo & Juliet at Palace Theatre Manchester – the world’s most famous story expertly reimagined | Review
Emily Sergeant
Every now and then you experience a bit of a full circle moment… and for me, this was one of them.
Back in 2011, when I was a dance-obsessed 14-year-old, taking and assisting classes countless times a week, I became enamoured by a BBC documentary series called Agony & Ecstasy: A Year with English National Ballet. As one of the country’s premier ballet companies – celebrating its 60th anniversary at the time of the documentary – ENB allowed cameras behind the scenes, from the rehearsal room to backstage, giving audiences a previously unseen inside look on what it takes to stage some of the most spectacular productions your eyes will ever meet.
One of the ballets being staged in the year the BBC followed the company was Romeo & Juliet.
Based on a story known around the world and with an unmistakable score by Prokofiev, it’s a ballet I was already fond of prior to the documentary, but seeing the work that went into making the show a reality, up close like never before, it turned into one of my favourites.
Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to see several different dance stagings of Romeo & Juliet – but last night, at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, was the first time I got to sit in the audience and see English National Ballet’s production live with my own eyes.
And it was just as magical as I was hoping it would be.
ENB’s Romeo & Juliet is now on stage at Manchester Palace Theatre / Credit: Laurent Liotardo
Right off the bat, I’m just going to presume you already have somewhat of a grasp on the story of Romeo & Juliet, right? Given the fact it’s arguably Shakespeare’s most famous work and one of the most iconic plays of all time.
And you’ll be pleased to know, even if you’re not seasoned in watching ballet, that the story we all know and love remains largely intact for this production, therefore making it easy for audiences of all ages and interests to follow along and admire.
The two title characters, the star-crossed lovers themselves, were embodied expertly by Rentaro Nakaaki and Julia Conway as Romeo and Juliet, who had the audience captivated from the second they entered the stage – with undeniable chemistry and enviable technique.
Fabian Reimair took on the role of Tybalt with ease, Noam Durand was Mercutio, and Rodrigo Pinto was Benvolio, all while Elvis Nudo and Minju Kang stepped into the shoes of Paris and Rosaline.
But the lead roles are nothing without the wider cast of supporting dancers and character actors, who really help transport you to 14th century Verona and help bring the authenticity a production as epic as this requires.
The world’s most famous story has been expertly reimagined / Credit: Bill Cooper | Laurent Liotardo
Aside from the dancing, it would be remiss not to praise the expert sets and costuming here from Ezio Frigero and Franca Squarciapino.
And I suppose I should also give a shoutout to little-known name, Rudolf Nureyev, who choreographed this version of Romeo & Juliet all the way back in 1977. Something tells me he would’ve had a great career… I could be wrong, though.
Romeo & Juliet really is one of the most tragic love stories of all time, and the power of that is not lost through dance. It’s still as raw and heartbreaking in this production as it always is.
And that is truly a credit to every single person forming part of it – both on the stage and off.
Emily Sergeant -
29th September 2023 
