The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 4 – 10 November 2024
We’re now into our first full week of a brand-new month.
Spooky season is over, the little Mancs have gone back to school for their final term of the year, and Christmas is fast approaching, so as you can imagine, there’s absolutely no shortage of things for the whole family to be getting up to across Greater Manchester throughout this week.
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, so here’s some of our recommendations.
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Jurassic World: The Exhibition
Trafford Centre
Monday 4 November 2024 – January 2025
A major Jurassic World exhibition that’s been mesmerising visitors all over the world has now arrived here in Greater Manchester, and it’s recently been announced that it’ll be sticking around until the new year.
Based on the beloved blockbuster film franchise, this official award-winning experience is one of the fastest-selling exhibitions in history.
Manc visitors will be able to walk through the iconic Jurassic World gates, explore some richly-themed environments, and encounter a life-sized Brachiosaurus, Velociraptors, and the most fearsome dinosaur of all, the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Find out more and grab some tickets here.
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Scare City 2024
Camelot Theme Park
Monday 4 – Sunday 9 November
This is your last chance to catch Scare City’s “most immersive” horror experience to date.
Leaving the grounds of the abandoned Camelot Theme Park after yet another successful “year of terror” this Saturday, this year’s event features a selection of terrifying zones to weave your way through – some familiar, some brand new.
Tickets are available to book at £26.95 for standard entry, or £36.95 for the ‘Gold Entry’ (both plus a £2.45 booking free).
Find out more and grab last-minute tickets here.
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Have you been to check out the new Museum of Illusions that’s opened up on Market Street yet?
The world-famous Museum of Illusions is filled with optical illusions and interactive exhibits, and opened doors on one of Manchester city centre’s busiest streets a couple of weeks back now.
Inside the new attraction on Market Street – which is the only location in the UK – visitors are able to dangle upside down on a Metrolink tram, have their minds blown in the Vortex Tunnel, and probably learn a thing or two while they’re at it.
Visitors are promised mind-bending illusions and curious games around every corner.
There’s even somee brand-new, Manchester-exclusive installations too, like The Reversed Room, and The Building Illusion, where you can dangle, Spider-man-style, from a classic city brick terraced building.
Find out more here.
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NEW OPENING – The Teepee
The Oast House
Monday 4 November – onwards
The Oast House’s legendary Christmas has returned to Spinningfields again for the festive season.
Bound to be popular spot for locals and those who’ve finished a hard day at work during the colder months, The Teepee officially reopened last week and is made up of three tents joined together with a huge open hub, complete with two roaring fires, twinkling fairy lights, faux fur throws.
The Teepee is famed for its free live music, home-cooked food, and laidback warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Find out more and make a booking here.
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Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 4 November – onwards
More than 100 objects and stories collected during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic are now on display as part of a new exhibition at the Science and Industry Museum.
The groundbreaking new exhibition, titled Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine, explores the worldwide effort to develop vaccines at pandemic speed, while uncovering the inspiring stories of scientists and innovators around the globe who collaborated to tackle the worldwide COVID-19 challenge along the way.
The best bit? It’s absolutely FREE to attend, and advanced tickets are available to book on the Museum’s website now.
Find out more and book tickets here.
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Looking for somewhere to watch some dazzling fireworks in Greater Manchester this Bonfire Night?
Bonfire Night is known for being one of the most colourful nights of the year, and there’s some great places in Greater Manchester that will be lighting up the night sky.
To make it a little easier for you to know where to head to, we’ve rounded up a list of bonfires and firework displays happening in and around the region this week – including some viewing spots where you can immerse yourself in a world of free fireworks atop the city centre skyline.
Find out more about what displays are on this Bonfire Night here.
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The Big Manchester Bake
New Bailey
Wednesday 6 November – onwards
The Big Manchester Bake has landed, and believe us when we tell you it’s one of the best ways to spend an evening in the city.
Baking enthusiasts and novices alike can indulge in the enjoyment of the Big Bakes experience, with step-by-step instructions allowing you to bake your way through the 90-minute timed task and be crowned ‘star baker’ (or…not).
Take part as a duo or trio as you test your partnership skills in this stressful but delightful frenzy of baking joy.
Find out more and book here.
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Manchester Christmas Markets 2024
Manchester City Centre
Friday 8 November – Sunday 22 December
It’s that time of year once again… Manchester Christmas Markets open for 2024 this week.
The iconic annual event is an absolute staple in Manchester’s festive events calendar, and always draws in thousands of visitors from all across the globe – with hundreds of stalls across several sites all set to line the streets of our city this year.
Visitors will be able to tuck into a wide range of festive foods and drinks, and shop for Christmas gifts from countless independent traders.
Find out everything you need to know about Manchester Christmas Markets 2024 here.
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Skate Manchester 2024
Cathedral Gardens
Friday 8 November – onwards
What’s a festive season in the city without Skate Manchester?
Back once again for 2024, Skate Manchester is festive staple, and this year, skaters can expect to glide across a gleaming ice path and spin around a dazzling seven-metre Christmas tree taking centre stage in the middle of the rink for another year.
Families, friends, and festive fun seekers will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas whatever the weather has in store for our city this year too, as although the rink will be outdoors in the heart of Cathedral Gardens, the ice is fully covered.
Find out more and grab tickets here.
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Red Rose Diner
East Lancashire Railway
Friday 8 November – onwards
Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is currently hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region.
Running on selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the rest of the month, East Lancashire Railway’s ‘Red Rose Diners’ are described as being “the ultimate first class foodie experience”, as they start with a glass of fizz and stretch over an almost three-hour steam train journey through the Irwell Valley.
The experience includes a four-course dinner with complimentary sparkling wine, followed by tea or coffee and after-dinner chocolates.
Find out more and book here.
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Lantern Walk for MFT Charity
Heaton Park
Saturday 9 November
You can take part in a special lantern walk around one of the region’s biggest parks while the sun sets this weekend, and it’s all for a very worthy cause.
The family-friendly event on Saturday will see dozens of people make their way around Heaton Park to help raise funds for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust hospitals such as Manchester Royal Infirmary, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Wythenshawe Hospital, Saint Mary’s Hospital, and more.
Families can choose to take part in one of two carefully-curated and fully-accessible routes around the park – either 2km or 5km.
Find out more here.
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2000s Brunch
Brickhouse Social
Saturday 9 November
Brickhouse Social is making every Saturday feel like a ‘throwback Thursday’ this autumn.
At the 2000s Brunch, running right through to the last Saturday of November, you can enjoy unlimited pizza, funky cocktails, and back-to-back noughties anthems up on Manchester’s best-kept secret roof terrace.
Drinks will be flowing, as guests are treated to unlimited bottled beers, bottomless fizz, and even bottomless select cocktails.
Find out more and book here.
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MTV EMAs 2024
Co-op Live
Sunday 10 November
Manchester is officially hosting this year’s MTV EMAs this weekend, and some absolute mega stars are set to step foot in our city.
Now in its 30th year, MTV’s annual European Music Awards is one of music’s biggest global celebrations, by far, and the 2024 show will be staged right here in our city to mark its long-awaited return to the UK.
The show will be broadcast live from Manchester’s brand-new, purpose-built live entertainment arena, Co-op Live, on MTV in over 150 countries this Sunday.
Find out more here.
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Remembrance Sunday Parade
St Peter’s Square
Sunday 10 November
Manchester will fall silent this Sunday as the city pays its respects to all those we’ve lost and all those affected by both historical and ongoing conflicts.
The annual Service of Remembrance will take place at the Cenotaph in St Peter’s Square, with proceedings set to start at 10:30am and run through until midday, and veterans and military personnel all gathering and observing a two-minute silence at 11am.
A number of road closures and parking restrictions will be in place on the day.
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Featured Image – MFT Charity | Manchester City Council | Skate Manchester