November’s here and the colder nights are drawing in, but there’s still so much to be getting up to in Greater Manchester.
If you’re stuck for something to do, then this is your go-to guide for what’s on and what’s happening in the city of Manchester and beyond this week.
Some of the events we’re going to mention here are completely free, others will set you back a few pounds and most will need to be booked in advance, but all are COVID-secure and socially-distanced in order to keep you as safe as possible during these trying times.
Whatever you fancy doing though, there’s certainly no shortage of choice in our region.
Here’s some of the things you could be getting up to this week:
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Escape to Freight Island
Depot Mayfield
Wednesday 4th – Sunday 8th November
The Ticket Hall at Escape to Freight Island
The Ticket Hall – Escape to Freight Island‘s next stage of evolution – has officially arrived this week.
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If you haven’t had chance to make your way down to Manchester’s newest social experience and one of the hottest tickets in town yet – which is housed at Depot Mayfield in the heart of the city centre – then this is definitely a good week to make that happen.
On the agenda this extended week is REFORM RADIO PRESENTS on Wednesday, Joe Goddard (HOT CHIP DJ SET), Massey & Gina Breeze on Thursday, DJ Paulette & Hypnojive Band LIVE on Friday, Ruf Dug, Abs Ward, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners & Dave Haslam on Saturday, and finally From MCR With Love with Jenna G & Norman Jay MBE & Amuse Bouche all taking to the stage on Sunday.
Tickets to all events must be booked in advance.
You can books yours and find more information about social distancing / COVID-safe precautions here.
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50 Windows of Creativity
Manchester City Centre
Monday 26th October – 5th December
50 Windows of Creativity
50 Windows of Creativity is a brand new art trail that celebrates Manchester’s rich creative culture and will see a huge array of spectacular mosaics, installations, fine art, photography, craft, murals and more by local artists and makers pop up in windows, venues, businesses and spaces right across the city centre.
Created by the team behind the award-winning Bee in the City event, 50 Windows of Creativity transform Manchester into an innovative art gallery.
Visitors are invited on a colourful, inspiring and COVID-safe journey around the city centre.
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The trail is also for a number of worthy causes too as it seeks to raise money for the artists involved, and also the Lord Mayor of Manchester’s Charity Appeal Trust – the We Love MCR Charity.
You can find more information about the 50 Windows of Creativity Art Trail here.
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A Good Market
Sadler’s Yard, Old Bank NOMA
Friday 6th November
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Old Bank NOMA / StudioDBD
This is your chance to do your bit and shop local ahead of the festive season.
Situated in the 20-acre NOMA neighbourhood, A Good Market is based in Sadler’s Yard and it features seasonal food, sustainable products, free workshops, engaging talks, live music and great local beers. Hosted by the Old Bank NOMA and the Pilcrow Pub, the weekly event showcases businesses that are B Corp certified, B Corp pending or about to begin their B Corp journey, setting out its stall to be the first of its kind in the UK – or anywhere else.
A Good Market is taking place at Old Bank NOMA every Friday until 18th December 2020 from 2pm – 7pm, and stall holders are announced on a weekly basis via social media.
You can find more information ahead of your visit via the Old Bank NOMA website here, and Instagram account here.
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FilmFear 2020
HOME Manchester
Wednesday 28th October – Thursday 5th November
HOME Manchester
Halloween may be over, but HOME’s annual celebration of big-screen scares – known this year as FilmFear 2020: Scream Now, Think Later – still has a few film-filled days left, with a provocative programme that mixes thrills and chills, with plenty to think about.
For this year’s festival, HOME has partnered with Film4 to co-curate a line-up of modern genre classics that sink their teeth into politics, race, sexuality, social issues and more, with movie-goers told to “prepare yourself for the ‘Night of the Living Subtext’ [as] the real world can be unsettling at the best of times and, as FilmFear proves, horror cinema faces it all without flinching”.
Tickets to all screenings must be booked in advance, and the full programme of films can found here.
You can find more information here and purchase your tickets to each film showing via the HOME Manchester website here.
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Strip! How Football Got Shirty
National Football Museum
2nd – 8th November
National Football Museum
This is one of your last months to catch Strip! How Football Got Shirty before it closes at the National Football Museum at the end of this year.
The exhibition examines the very fibres of shirt fashion, design and technology through the ages, from the heavy woollen jerseys of the Victorian era, to the heavily branded polyester of today. Strip! captures the growth of the football shirt phenomenon and charts the replica boom and the bold designs that followed, right through to the high-tech advancements and retro reappraisals. The accounts of designers, manufacturers, artists and experts are woven throughout the exhibition, but nothing tells the story better than the shirts themselves.
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Over 200 jerseys will be on display in the Score Gallery, featuring bona fide classics, unexpected game-changers, and some spectacular own goals.
You can book tickets for museum entry ahead of time via the National Football Museum website here.
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Dippy on Tour
Rochdale
2nd – 8th November
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Dippy on Tour / Visit Rochdale
Have you been to see ‘Dippy on Tour’ in Rochdale yet?
The exhibition – which features the world-famous dinosaur cast from the Natural History Museum – is back at Number One Riverside and Touchstones Rochdale as the only North West stop on its national tour after reopening following the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown, and due to the months that visits were unfortunately halted, Dippy’s stay has now been extended until 12th December 2020 to allow for as many people as possible to visit safely before moving to the next location.
There’s no need to book tickets in advance, but you find more information about all social distancing / COVID-safe precautions ahead of your visit here.
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Days Like These at The Lowry
Salford Quays
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Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th November
The Lowry / Nessa Heath
The Galleries have finally and safely reopened to the public at The Lowry.
Days Like These is a new exhibition sharing the stories of Salford in 2020 – using paintings, photographs, films and poetry contributed by some of the 245,000 residents of the city. From empty Salford streets and the joy of reuniting, to the impact on frontline workers and the challenges of being alone, the exhibition wants to reflect the hopes and fears of everyone, then and now.
On display will be ‘The Frontline’ by Sophie McBriarty – which documents the lockdown experiences of people from Salford – and the tribute to Salford’s key workers has proved one of the most popular submissions to the new exhibition.
Alongside Days Like These is a new display of the best of Salford’s own LS Lowry – an artist known for his paintings of crowded city streets, and vast empty landscapes.
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Prior booking is essential ahead of your visit to The Lowry.
Booking Details • The Galleries are open for weekends only. • Opening hours will be 11am-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. • Social distancing measures are in place, together with a one-way system. • Visits to the gallery will be via timed entry slots, so please ensure you arrive on time as late-comers may be declined entry.
You can book your slot and find more information about social distancing / COVID-safe precautions here.
What's On
How to look after your cats and dogs this Bonfire Night
Thomas Melia
Bonfire Night may be a blessing for some families who can take advantage of the beautifully lit sky and incredible views, but for those who own cats or dogs, this isn’t necessarily the case.
When it comes to your furry friends then simply turning to their owners is usually the best point of call, but sometimes it’s still good to have a quick refresher on how to spot when your pet is in distress.
Luxury clothing retailer, Joules, is one of those leading research this year as they provide a list of tips and tricks on how to notice a change in your dog’s behaviour, soothe your cat’s stress and just generally make things more manageable for your four-legged companions.
72% of cat and dog owners see a change in their pets’ behaviour over this season, with 68% saying that they are frightened by the loud noises. With that in mind, here are some helpful tips on how to take care of your cats and dogs this Bonfire Night.
How to create a safe space for pets on Bonfire Night
Cover your windows where possible
Closing the curtains is always a good start; although this may not reduce the noise fully, it will help to block out the flashes from those pesky fireworks and even dial those big bangs down slightly.
In order to combat sudden light changes, dog owners are advised to keep their lights on, this way the animals are used to this setting and there are no drastic differences.
The simplest thing you can do is just make sure you’re there for your animals; much like us humans, they don’t like to deal with things on their own and sometimes it’s nice to have a helping hand by their side for reassurance – especially when that includes some always welcome petting.
It’s also good to keep their minds occupied by playing games and interactive activities with them to distract their cute little faces from all the madness outside.
Stay calm yourself
It might sound a little self-involved but it’s also important that alongside keeping your dogs and cats company and playing with them, make sure to keep calm yourself, much like your children and little ones you know, dogs are very reactive and can pick up on emotions easily.
As much as this information may be handy, you still know your pet best, so reacting to their behaviour and catering to their needs is definitely a must.
There are also some easy ways to spot something’s up…
Joules worked with animal behaviourist Kimberly Grundy to help develop these helpful Bonfire Night tips cats and dogs.They are one of many retailers that stock comforting cushions and blankets that are perfect for these occasions.
The best way to spot any changes in your dog or cat’s behaviour is to look for these nine surefire signs – if you spot them, they’re most likely feeling unsettled by the celebrations.
Whining or barking – this will include whimpering, crying, barking, and growling.
Clinginess – i.e. more than normal.
Excessive panting or drooling – can signal anxiety and distress instead of the usual excitement.
Hiding or trying to find a safe space
Trying to escape – make sure your doors and windows are locked and dog/cat flaps are covered.
Trembling and shaking – soothing strokes can still work wonders.
Pacing or restlessness – if you can get them to just sit with you that’s a step in the right direction.
Loss of appetite – but don’t try and force them to eat though, the goal is to help them relax.
Dilated pupils
Whether you’re cosying up to your cat or dog, or venturing out to a bonfire, make sure you stay safe this November and most importantly have fun!
Manchester to commemorate our armed forces with ceremony and parade this Remembrance Sunday
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is set to fall silent and remember the fallen during this year’s annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations.
Just as it does each year, Manchester City Council has now revealed the details of how the city will mark Remembrance Sunday this weekend, and has confirmed that the annual Remembrance Sunday Parade will set off at 10:25am from John Dalton Street.
Civic dignitaries, servicemen and women, service and ex-service organisations, faith leaders, emergency services, and other uniformed organisations, have all been invited to lay traditional poppy wreaths and pay their respects at the Cenotaph in St. Peter’s Square, along with members of the public.
Proceedings will start at 10:25am, and run through until midday.
Plans to mark Remembrance Sunday in Manchester have been announced / Credit: David Dixon (via Geograph)
Veterans and military personnel will march from John Dalton Street to the Cenotaph, where a service will be held at 11am, along with a two-minute silence, all before a short march to Peter Street across St Peter’s Square then takes place to close out the commemorations.
The two-minute silence will be observed at 11am, and the start and finish of this silence marked by the firing of a maroon.
In order for necessary security checks and safeguards to be carried out, Manchester City Council has confirmed that a series of road closures will be implemented on Sunday 10 November between 7am and 1pm.
The following road closures will be in place:
John Dalton Street (Deansgate to Cross Street)
Princess Street (Cross Street to Portland Street) with a ‘hard closure’ at Back George Street
Cross Street (Princess Street to King Street)
Peter Street (Deansgate to Oxford Street) with a ‘hard closure’ at Watson street and Hale Street
Mount Street (Windmill Street to Albert Square)
Museum Street (Windmill Street to Peter Street)
Southmill Street (Windmill Street to Albert Square)
Bootle Street (Deansgate to Mount Street)
Lloyd Street (Deansgate to Southmill)
Jackson Row (Deansgate to Southmill)
Central Street (Southmill to Mount Street)
Cooper Street (Kennedy to Princess Street)
West Mosely Street (Booth Street to princess Street)
Bow Lane (Clarence Street to Princess Street)
St James’s Square (South King Street to John Dalton Street)
Ridgefield (Mulberry Street to John Dalton Street)
All the road closures for the ceremony have been confirmed too / Credit: Manchester City Council
As well as road closures, there will also be a number of parking restrictions set to apply on the day too.
It has been confirmed that all parking bays – including accessible parking bays – will be suspended from 8pm on Saturday 9 November, right through to 2pm on Sunday 10 November.
The roads where parking restrictions will apply are:
Lloyd Street (Deansgate to Southmill Street)
Jackson Row (Deansgate to Southmill Street)
Bootle Street (Deansgate to Mount Street)
Mount Street (Windmill Street to Albert Square)
Museum Street (Windmill Street to Peter Street)
Southmill Street (Windmill Street to Albert Square)
Peter Street (Deansgate to Oxford Street)
Oxford Street (Peter Street to Chepstow)
Princess Street (Albert Square to Portland Street)
John Dalton Street (Deansgate to Albert Square)
Ridgefield Street (John Dalton Street to South King Street)
Central Street (Southmill Street to Mount Street)
St James’ Square (South King Street to John Dalton)
Windmill Street (Mount Street to Watson Street)
Cross Street (Princess Street to King Street)
Cooper Street (Kennedy to Princess Street)
West Mosely Street (Booth Street to Princess Street)
Bow Lane (Clarence Street to Princess Street)
When it comes to other forms of public transport, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed that no trams will run through St Peter’s Square between 10am and 12:30pm on Sunday 10 November.
Emily Sergeant -
29th October 2020 
