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Trafford Centre’s ‘Spookfest’ is back and bigger than ever this Halloween

Last year's festival went down a treat — this year's looks even better.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 14th October 2022

Trafford Centre‘s ‘spooktacular’ Spookfest is back for another year of festive fright and family fun.

The massive shopping centre and leisure centre’s annual Halloween build-up event is one of the biggest anywhere in Greater Manchester and promises more creepy activities than ever.

From seasonal-themed food, drink and face-painting, to special movie screenings, circus shows and live performances, the second half of October will be dedicated to everyone’s favourite horror-filled holiday.

Credit: Trafford Centre

Spooktacular Big Top Circus Returns: 14-30 October

The creepiness kicks off with the return of the beloved Gandeys Circus, which arrives with a brand-new Halloween Spooktacular Big Top show.

The specially selected international cast of skeletons, vampires, jack-o’lanterns and Circus Artistes have been brought together for an action-packed extravaganza.

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Tickets can be pre-booked HERE.

The Funfair: 14–30 October

Just like the circus, the funfair is back and bigger than ever. As well as classics like the ghoulish ghost train and haunted house, new additions include the new Mach 5: an adrenaline-pumping ride that spins speedily at soaring heights of 55m above the ground. That’s more than enough to put the fright in us!

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But don’t worry, it’s not all scares; there’s plenty of fun for the little ones as well, with flying elephants, mini-chairs, tea cups, the dedicated Kidzone and much, much more. Spookfest has something for people of all ages.

Entry tickets to the funfair and rides area are priced at just £2.50 per person at an online discounted rate, but they can be purchased on the door if need be.

Full list of rides:

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  • Ghost train 
  • Rock rage
  • Mach 5
  • Crash test (spinning coaster)
  • Kidzone ​​​
  • Balloon ride​​ 
  • Racing cars ​​
  • Mini chairs​​
  • Train Ride ​​
  • Tea cups​​​
  • Waveswinger​​
  • Bumper Carz ​​
  • Funhouse​​
  • Flying Elephants​
  • Jumping Frog ​​
  • Cruise Ship​​
  • Starflyer​​​
  • Tin Can Ally​​
  • Extreme
  • Cliffhanger
  • Bungee Trampoline

You book tickets and find out more information on the ride token system HERE.

Halloween Movie Screenings

If you’re looking for something a little less pulse-raising but still fun for all the family, there are a number of seasonal films playing across the rest of the month. Here’s what you can catch:

  • 15 October, 2pm: Toy Story of Terror
  • 22 October, 2pm: The Nightmare Before Christmas
  • 29 October, 2pm: Coco

Moreover, the screenings are free to anyone who purchases a fairground wristband, both of which can be pre-booked online before you arrive.

Sort your tickets HERE.

Costume characters and face painting: 15– 30 October

For even more to keep the little ones entertained, there’ll be a whole host of Halloween heroes appearing on the weekends and throughout half-term at the Trafford Centre.

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Performers will be doing shows and greeting visitors between 2-4pm. Face painting will also be available from 1.30pm–5.30pm on 15, 16 and 22–30 October.

  • Sat 15 Oct: Maleficent and Aurora
  • Sun 16 Oct: Jack Skellington
  • Sat 22 Oct: Jack Skellington
  • Sun 23 Oct: Maleficent and Scooby Doo
  • Mon 24 Oct: Batman and Maleficent
  • Tues 25 Oct: Aurora and Maleficent
  • Weds 26 Oct: Scooby Doo and Maleficent
  • Thurs 27 Oct: Jack Skellington 
  • Fri 28 Oct: Batman and Maleficent
  • Sat 29 Oct: Scooby Doo and Maleficent
  • Sun 30 Oct: Jack Skellington 

And for those looking for scarier Halloween vibes, there’ll be plenty more frightening folk walking around the premises throughout Spookfest.

Credit: Trafford Centre

Pumpkin Tower Installation 

Last but not least, Spookfest 2022 will christen the Trafford Centre’s striking new Pumpkin Tower feature, the first ever in the North West and one of the collect new additions to the popular annual event.

The Pumpkin Tower will boast 250 pumpkins and jack o’lanterns and reaches a full five metres into the air — two big Christmas trees worth. This is definitely one to get a snap of with the kids.

Read more:

Visit the Spookfest ’22 page on the Trafford Centre’s website HERE for all information on everything they have on offer this year as well as how to get tickets for each event.

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They’re kicking off Halloween this year and we’re absolutely here for it.

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

Featured Image — Trafford Centre

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Free summer artisan festival series announced at revived iconic Manchester market hall

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

One of Manchester’s historic market halls has been revived for a new era, and a series of summer festivals are set to celebrate.

That’s right – an iconic Manchester building is rebirthed, and everyone is invited.

As part of the unveiling of the newly-revived Campfield Mega Campus, a grade II-listed building that will be returning to its original purpose as a bustling market hall for the first time this century, Department and GRUB has announced the return of The Weekender – a one-of-a-kind artisanal festival taking place on several dates.

After years of ‘transformative’ and ‘restorative’ work to turn the space into what it is today, this will be the first chance the public has had to step foot into the former market building that’s now repurposed as one of the UK’s most exciting creative and tech campuses.

Just as the name suggests, The Weekender will run exclusively on weekends, while during the week, the campus will become a ‘vibrant hub’ for innovation and entrepreneurship that houses Manchester’s flagship accelerator programme supporting the next generation of digital and creative businesses.

Kicking off for the first time on Saturday 28 June from 10am-4pm, The Weekender at Campfield will host a curated makers market, live music, creative classes, kids activities, top street food, delicious beverages, and a few other creative surprises.

On the day, visitors will be able to browse from more than 30 hand-picked independent traders showcasing the very best from Manchester’s flourishing makers and producers scene.

Free artisan festivals are coming to a revived iconic Manchester market hall this summer / Credit: Supplied

You can expect everything from bakers, brewers, and jewellers, to florists, bee keepers, distillers, crafters, printers, picklers, illustrators, chefs, and so many more, all trading under the magnificent skylights of Campfield.

DJs selected by award-winning broadcaster, Reform Radio, will also be playing throughout the day, alongside surprise big-name buskers.

Then beyond the markets and music, there’ll also be opportunities to try your hand at laughter yoga, life drawing, and other creative classes.

You can expect everything from bakers and brewers, to jewellers, florists, and more / Credit: Supplied

“GRUB has always believed in creating spaces where people can come together to enjoy great food and local talent,” says Jason Bailey, who is the co-founder of GRUB

“We’re thrilled to be part of Campfield’s next chapter – it brings together everything we champion at GRUB independent makers, grass-roots culture, and community-led experiences, and we can’t wait to see this astounding Manchester building buzzing with that energy again.”

Read more:

The Weekender is free to attend and everyone is welcome on Saturday 28 June, where doors will be open between 10am and 4pm – with a schedule of events happening and tickets to workshops available to book here.

The festival will also return to Campfield again on 26 July and 30 August with new events, activities, and traders, so keep your eyes peeled for announcements.

Featured Image – Supplied

What's On

There’s a midsummer party coming to IKEA with a live ABBA tribute act

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Swedish household furniture giant and flatpack masterminds IKEA are hosting a midsummer party with a live ABBA tribute, because why the hell not?

I definitely don’t need to be soundtracked by a live ABBA tribute while shopping for new homeware, but hey, don’t threaten me with a good time…

IKEA‘s Manchester branch is hosting a party with a three-course meal, drinks and live music from none other than the Abberettes, a duo which covers classics by Swedish pop icons, ABBA.

Starters include a marinated salmon plate, salmon wrap or a small salad bowl, while one of the mains also features this fish favourite served with a bean mix.

The friendly Ikea team will be able to assist any queries on the day.
The friendly Ikea team will be able to assist any queries on the day.

There are two more main menu options in the form of their menu highlights: meatballs, which always go down a treat, and veggies get to sample the meat-free alternative, plant balls.

In terms of a sweet treat, there are two dessert choices, both of which are equally delicious. Partygoers can choose from a Daim cake or an apple pie, and all guests are entitled to a hot or cold drink too, yum.

Kids can choose from the famed meatballs, plantballs or a tomato pasta meal, alongside a soft drink and a piece of fruit, a super meal for your little ‘Super Trouper’.

If you’re worried this special midsummer party and live ABBA tribute is going to cost you lots of ‘Money, Money, Money’, fear not as tickets are only £7.50 for Ikea family members and get this – kids eat free.

The Abberettes are doing two performances throughout the day, one from 5:30-6:15pm and a second show at 6:45-7:30pm, ‘Mamma Mia’.

Here’s a taster of the kind of crowds they pull in:

Read more:

All I have left to say is I’ll have to get my tickets fast before they end up ‘Slipping Through My Fingers’ or before ‘The Winner Takes It All’.

The midsummer party with a live ABBA tribute is coming to Ikea in Ashton, Greater Manchester, on Thursday, 19 June from 5pm, with tickets available now.

You can grab yours HERE.

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

Featured Image — Raph_PH/Mikey (via Flickr)/Abberettes (via Instagram)

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