What's On

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 3 – 9 October 2022

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 30th September 2022

Everything is starting to look that little bit more autumnal across Greater Manchester.

Now that October is here, and the spooky season is creeping up on us, with another new month comes an events calendar that’s filled with lots of different things to be getting up to, 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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Scare City Experience

Camelot

Monday 3 October – onwards

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Scare City Experience / Credit: Park N Party

Scare City Experience is back for 2022.

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

Events company Park N Party has announced that its sell-out success Scare City is coming to Camelot with a new walkthrough scare attraction, and it’s already being 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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Mayfield Park

Castlefield

Monday 3 October – onwards

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Manchester‘s first new park in the heart of the city centre for more than 100 years has officially opened to the public.

It’s been a long journey to get here, but Mayfield Park has become a reality.

Over the last 18 months, the vast and mostly-derelict former industrial site next to Piccadilly Station has been transformed into what project developers are calling a “stunning, accessible, and varied” green space for everyone who visits the city centre to enjoy.

Find out more here.

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Luna’s Lost Spell Halloween Trail 

Chester Zoo

Monday 3 October – onwards

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 next month.

With the spooky season right around the corner, Luna’s Lost Spell Halloween Trail is set to take over the UK’s biggest charity zoo for the whole of next month from Saturday 1 – 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.

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Find out more here.

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Coronation Street Stars Tour

MediaCityUK

Monday 3 October – onwards

Coronation Street Stars Tour / Credit: Coronation Street: The Tour

Coronation Street’s famous ‘Stars Tours’ have returned, and it means you can meet “mystery” cast members on the legendary cobbles.

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Just as the name suggests, the Stars Tours not only include the standard 90-minute guided tour of the external Coronation Street set in MediaCityUK, but they also give you the opportunity to meet the a surprise cast member from the show.

While bosses of the official guided tours are keeping names of the mystery cast members who are set to make appearances close to their chest, they have assured fans that they’ll pop out to say hello, and pose for pictures, as well as letting you in on a few filming secrets or a story during the special events too.

Find out more and book tickets here.

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Student Free Fried Chicken

Yard & Coop

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Wednesday 5 October

Yard & Coop Student Free Fried Chicken / Credit: The Manc Group

Yard & Coop is giving away free fried chicken to help students this week.

From 12pm until close on Wednesday 5 October, students of Manchester and Salford can get their hands on some of the Northern Quarter restaurant’s famous buttermilk fried chicken thighs and fries at no cost at all.

You’ve got the option to pay a fiver to upgrade to a full portion if the hangovers are really getting the better of you.

Find out more here.

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GRIMMFEST 2022

Great Northern

Thursday 6 – Sunday 9 October

GRIMMFEST 2022 / Credit: GRIMMFEST

GRIMMFEST is back for its 10th anniversary special in our city this weekend.

A truly-independent genre film festival, GRIMMFEST is committed and dedicated to sharing great movies from both new and established filmmakers in the world of cinema in the horror, cult, extreme fantasy, and sci-fi genres.

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Some of the northern premieres film fans can expect this year include Better Watch Out, Replace, Game of Death, Killing Ground, Still/Born, 68 Kill, Ruin Me, Double Date, Freehold (2 Pigeons), Leatherface, and Attack of the Adult Babies.

Find out more about GRIMMFEST 2022 here.

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The Night Market

Victoria Baths

Friday 7 October

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The Night Market UK / Credit: The Night Market

The Night Market is coming to Manchester.

For one night only on 7 October, the iconic Victoria Baths will be transformed into what is being described as the ultimate shopping experience.

From artisans, artists, and jewellers, to designers, bakers, and candlestick makers, The Night Market showcases the finest local small business talent with over 100 independent stalls, plus there’ll be street food to feast on, multiple bars to whet your whistle, alongside a Vintage Pool Party filled with the finest vintage treasures.

There’ll also be a DJ, some live music performances from Manchester based singer/songwriters, and so much more.

Find out more here.

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PowerUP

Science and Industry Museum

Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 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.

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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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Self Space x Feel Good Club Free Therapy Sessions

Northern Quarter

Monday 10 October

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Self Space x Feel Good Club Free Therapy Sessions / Credit: Self Space

To help mark this year’s World Mental Health Awareness Day, mental health services provider Self Space is teaming up with Manchester’s very-own Feel Good Club to offer 30-minute therapy session slots at its cafe hub in the heart of the Northern Quarter for completely free of charge.

Free sessions will take place on Monday 10 October.

All you have to do is register, walk in, and have a good conversation with a qualified person.

Find out more here.

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The Wizarding Adventure

East Lancashire Railway

Sunday 9 October

Credit: East Lancashire Railway

One of the standout experiences on the 2022 East Lancashire Railway (ELR) events lineup has to be the chance to go on a ‘wizarding adventure’ and ride a Harry Potter-themed train through Greater Manchester.

Aspiring witches and wizards can gather at the ELR for a day of sharing spells and magic-themed fun.

This interactive adventure will see visitors, both young and old, enjoy a range of performances from colourful characters and magical creatures – provided by performance company Funcast – all before boarding the ‘Wizard Express’ for a two-hour round trip journey through the Irwell Valley of wonders.

You can find out more and grab tickets here.

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Featured Image – Science Museum Group | ELR

What's On

A new open mic night series has started at a massively underrated Manc bar and music venue

Danny Jones Danny Jones free open mic nights in manchester city centre

Are you an inspiring musician or just like hearing the next best thing before they blow up? Well, one of the newest open mic nights in the area has just got underway in Manchester.

It also happens to be taking place at what we think is one of the most underrated small-capacity music venues in the city centre. If you’re interested, keep reading…

Up on Deansgate Mews is full of what social media brands like us to love to call ‘hidden gems’, but in the case of Lions Den, we couldn’t be more sincere about it.

The first event has already been and gone – safe to say it went down a treat:

If you’ve never been to this unassuming but undeniably brilliant little bar and gig space, it’s known not only for a great drinks lineup at affordable prices and a lovely sun-soaked terrace, but regular live music nights as well.

We’ve had the pleasure of seeing local bands such as Hi Sienna and Balancing Act play there outdoors, whereas inside the venue, you’ll also find a 200-cap room for when those rare rays subside and to cater to the frequent gig-goers year-round.

Manc lads Malcolm got the proceedings underway this month, and the second open mic night is coming up on Tuesday, 8 April.

Kicking off at 7pm, the new weekly open mic night is an opportunity for talented Manchester musicians and those looking to make it some day to take to the stage and share their work with the world.

Well, with us for now, but who knows which future supergroup or solo star might be next?

Strawberry Lemonade have gone from playing here to selling out The Deaf Insitute.
Balancing Act playing The Rodeo night at Lions Den before booking all those massive festival slots.
(Credit: The Manc Group)

More importantly, there’s absolutely no need to book: anyone looking to take part can just turn up and play, so whether you’re hoping to be spotted or just practice playing live, this is a great chance to do so.

Even better still, each act will receive a drink on the house AND professional performance photos to help populate that press shot portfolio and share on your socials.

There’s no entry fee either, whether you’re performing or just a punt, and with great student deals like £3.50 pints and two for £6 spirits, we can see this series taking off.

Catch you in the Den sometime soon.

We’ve had plenty of good times here. (Credit: The Manc)

Read more:

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

Featured Images — Audio North

What's On

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 7 – 13 April 2025

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The sun has been shining high in the sky, and schools are out for the spring holidays.

Last week was a busy way to end a busy month packed full of all sorts of events and activities, but now that April is here in full bloom, there’s absolutely no shortage of things for the whole family to be getting up to in Greater Manchester – especially as schools across the region are now out for two whole weeks over Easter.

Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though?

We’ve chosen a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide, both free things, and those that’ll set you back a few pennies too, so here’s some of our recommendations.

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Easter Holiday Pass

Oxygen at MediaCity

Monday 7 April – onwards

Oxygen Activeplay is opening at MediaCity this year. Credit: Supplied
Oxygen MediaCity is recruiting a Chief Excitement Officer - and they must be an actual child. Credit: Supplied, Jamie McPhilimey
Easter Holiday Pass / Credit: Jamie McPhilimey

Now that schools are out, families can get themselves one of Oxygen at MediaCity’s Easter Holiday Pass, which gives pass holders the chance to visit the newly-opened £2.5m indoor activity park on any five days of the two-week break for 60 minutes of ‘Open Play’.

Weekends and bank holidays are also included in the pass, so there’s plenty of time to go.

For a limited time only, you can save some pennies and take advantage of a half price offer and get your hands on an Easter Holiday Pass for only £30.

Find out more and book your ‘big time fun’ here.

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Gandeys Carnival Spectacular

Trafford Centre

Monday 7 – Monday 21 April

This isn’t just a circus, this is carnival magic at its finest.

Step right up and join the heart of the carnival spirit as Gandeys Circus proudly presents the 2025 Carnival Spectacular.

This is a show like no other… drom uproarious comedy, to breathtaking acrobatics, every act is a feast for the eyes with vibrant costumes, dazzling choreography, and show-stopping performances, making it a full-scale carnival extravaganza that rivals the excitement of any festive celebration.

Book your tickets here.

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British Heart Foundation Vintage Pop-up

Stretford

Monday 7 – Saturday 19 April

British Heart Foundation is currently hosting a brand-new pop-up shop and vintage kilo sale, where you can buy clothing and other goods at a fixed price per kilogram, in Stretford town centre.

The charity has taken over the vacant unit next to JD Sports to provide the Stretford community with a charity shop filled with all sorts of vintage goods and thrifty finds.

Visitors will be able to sift through shelves stacked with major brands at bargain prices, making it the perfect way to sustainably stock up on wardrobe staples and revamp ready for spring. 

Find out more here.

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Vue £2.50 Cinema Tickets

Greater Manchester

Monday 7 – Sunday 20 April

People in the cinema
Vue £2.50 Cinema Tickets / Credit: Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)

Vue cinemas across Greater Manchester will be screening family-favourite films, and some new releases as well, all throughout this spring holidays… and the best bit? Prices start from a massively-affordable £2.50 a ticket.

Arriving in time for the school holidays, A Minecraft Movie welcomes fans to their favourite cubic wonderland, or the whole family can instead transport themselves into Disney’s reimagining of the 1937 classic Snow White if they’d prefer.

Also returning to the big screen are some childhood classics like Wallace & Gromit: Curse of The Were-Rabbit.

Find out more and get tickets here.

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The Giant Egg Hunt

RHS Garden Bridgewater

Monday 7 – Sunday 27 April

The Giant Easter Egg Hunt / Credit: RHS

The Giant Egg Hunt is back at RHS Garden Bridgewater this spring school holidays.

Running from 10am to 4pm daily, and suitable for children aged three and up, visitors are invited to follow the hunt around the Salford-based garden to find the hidden giant eggs, and once you’ve spotted them all, you’ll be rewarded with a free chocolatey treat to take home with you.

This year the trail is more exciting than ever too, because children have a special quest and ‘egg-nigma code’ to crack.

Find out more here.

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Did you see that one of Greater Manchester’s popular museums has been named the best free museum in the UK?

Now that schools are out for spring, plenty of parents, carers, and guardians across Greater Manchester will likely be looking for a ways to keep the kids entertained and educated while schools are out, and without having to break the bank too.

Luckily enough, Bolton Museum has taken the top spot in a list of the best free museums and galleries to visit in the whole of the UK.

Inside Bolton Museum
Inside Bolton Museum
Bolton Museum has been crowned the best free museum to visit in the UK / Credit: Bolton Council

The museum – which is on the Grade II-listed Le Mans Crescent in the town centre, and dates back to 1852 – has been a part of the leisure and education of Boltonians for over 120 years, and is home to one of the largest regional Egyptology collections in the UK, made up of over 10,000 archaeological objects.

There’s also an extensive local history section, with 38,000 objects from the 17th to 20th century relating to Bolton.

Find out more here.

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How about that Chester Zoo is giving away more than 30,000 free tickets to kids this year?

The UK’s largest charity zoo is on a mission to help nature to “survive and thrive”.

And so, in a bid to do just that, has announced that it will once again be handing out tens of thousands of tickets to schoolchildren for completely free of charge, so that they can explore the zoo up close and learn all about the inspiring work the conservation charity does.

Kids at Chester Zoo
Penguins at Chester Zoo

With the hopes of empowering as many youngsters as possible, and sparking their passion for saving species once again, the zoo has now opened the scheme back up for the 2025/26 season – with a whopping 33,000 tickets available for schools, nurseries, and colleges to claim.

Those who secure tickets will have the opportunity to visit the zoo between this November and February 2026.

Find out more here.

Even better yet, did you see that Chester Zoo has also recently opened a magnificent new African savannah habitat?

One of the largest habitats of its kind in the UK – spanning an area the size of 17 football pitches (22.5 acres) – Heart of Africa is home to dozens of African species, including giraffes, rhino, zebra, vultures, and meerkats.

There’s also new indoor habitats where you can see smaller species like never before, and even some habitats you can clamber inside too.

Read more about the Heart of Africa here.

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Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You

Science and Industry Museum

Monday 7 April – onwards

Operation Ouch!
Operation Ouch!
Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You / Credit: Science Museum Group

You can plunge headfirst into the incredible world of our senses at a new immersive museum exhibition that’s now arrived at the Science and Industry Museum.

Back by popular demand after a successful run over these past two years, but with a fresh new adventure lined up for 2025, Operation Ouch! is giving you the chance to journey through an ear canal covered in gooey wax, squeeze past sticky snot, and delve deeper into how our brains interpret the world.

Tickets to Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You are now on sale, and visitors are being told to prepare themselves for an “epic exploration of the senses”.

Find out more here.

Looking for more activities to do with your little Mancs at the Science and Industry Museum during the spring season?

Science shows, sensory activities, and a chance to discover what life is like for animals, are just some of the things you can do at one of the region’s best loved museums, as well as dive into five decades of retro gaming.

Check out the full spring events programme here.

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NEW OPENING – The Pac-Man Live Experience

Manchester

The Pac-Man Live Experience / Credit: The Manc Group

Prepare to wakka wakka and chomp your way around a maze, because a brand-new interactive experience has now landed in Manchester, and it’s brought the world of the iconic retro game Pac-Man to life.

This augmented reality game will have you sprinting your way around an ever-changing digital maze, dodging ghosts and collecting fruit as you go.

Costing £26 per person, you’ll be challenged to race your mates around the course in a bid to grab special items and tackle everything in your path, and if you rack up the the most points, then you’ll be declared champ.

Find out more and get tickets here.

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An Edible Family in a Mobile Home

Whitworth Art Gallery

Monday 7 – Sunday 20 April

An Edible Family in a Mobile Home at Whitworth Manchester
An Edible Family in a Mobile Home
An Edible Family in a Mobile Home / Credit: The Manc Group

An exciting new exhibition where all the sculptures inside are made of cakes, biscuits, and icing has now opened in Manchester – and yes, you are encouraged to tuck in. ⁠

You’ll be whizzed back in time to the 1970s at An Edible Family in a Mobile Home, down to the retro comedy playing on the telly, and over the coming weeks, members of the public will gradually eat the sculptures until there’s nothing left.

Even the walls at this new genius collaborative creation of artist Bobby Baker and Manchester’s-own Long Boi Bakes are decorated in icing, and it’s open down at Whitworth Art Gallery until 20 April.

Find out more here.

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Spaces Up-Above

Printworks

Monday 7 April – onwards

Spaces Up-Above / Credit: Printworks

A brand-new experience has been unveiled at Manchester’s Printworks, as world-renowned light artist Rupert Newman opens a spectacular new exhibition.

The landmark entertainment complex’ll be illuminated by Newman’s first-ever Manchester exhibition, hosted on the digital ceiling.

Running all month, this large-scale artwork will be free to visit, and will feature displays of waves, tropical fish, and coral-inspired patterns.

Find out more here.

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Looking to get creative this spring, but without the kids this time though?

Not everyone has little Mancs in their lives, and even if they do, it doesn’t mean you can’t take some time for yourself, so here are two spring activity suggestions to flex those creative muscles across Greater Manchester.

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Bento Cake Workshop

Vanilla Ice Cakes

One of our creations at the bento cake workshop in Chorlton, Manchester
Bento Cake Workshop / Credit: The Manc Group

How cute is this? We’ve discovered a little workshop over in Chorlton where you can ice, pipe, garnish, and decorate a miniature bento cake just the way you want it, with the help of the experts at Vanilla Ice Cakes.

You can whip up your dream colour buttercream, personalise your fillings, and learn brand-new skills before heading home with this adorable little celebration cake of your own.

At Vanilla Ice Cakes in Chorlton, you’ll sit under the expert eye of owner Fiza, a master baker who’s been in the game for more than a decade, and she’ll guide you (and sometimes step in to help you) as you fumble your way through decorating your own cake.

Find out more here.

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DIY Signet Ring Workshops

Sken Studios

Sken Studios might just be the most wholesome way to spend an afternoon in Greater Manchester.

Ran by the legend that is Sabira, she’ll guide you through the workshop, teaching you the proper techniques necessary to carve your ring out of wax.

The rings are completely customisable and can feature whatever kind of shape and design you feel most inspired by, then once the workshop is over, your ring is sent off to be cast in either silver or gold and a few weeks later is delivered straight to your doorstep.

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Fancy a pretty spring walk? Who doesn’t.

Some of the green spaces that wrap around Greater Manchester are in their prime right now, and that’s saying something considering they’re pretty spectacular all year round, so it couldn’t be a more perfect time for a spring walk.

We’re talking fields full of daffodils and bluebells and trees dripping with blossom.

Credit: Tess Boland (via Pexels)

Check out some of Greater Manchester’s best spring walks here, and see our round-up of five of the best places to see blossom blooming in our region this year here.

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Featured Image – Jamie McPhilimey | RHS | Chester Zoo

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