A special lantern walk around one of the region’s biggest parks while the sun sets is happening in Manchester next month.
And it’s all for a very worthy cause too.
As the nights draw in, the temperatures drop, and autumn truly graces us with its glory, families are invited to get together and head on down to Heaton Park to experience it in a whole new light this November, all while raising money for hospitals across Manchester at the same time.
The family-friendly event will see dozens of people make their way around the North Manchester greenspace to help fundraise 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.
A twilight lantern walk is happening around Heaton Park to raise money for Manchester’s hospitals / Credit: Supplied
As the evening draws in, little Mancs can light their way around the park with a free lantern to create a twinkling light spectacle.
ADVERTISEMENT
Families can choose to take part in one of two carefully-curated and fully-accessible routes around the park, either 2km or 5km – with everyone taking part getting a free lantern, a worry pouch, and a compass to carry with them.
There’s also a quiet walk option which some participants may find more suitable.
ADVERTISEMENT
Special ‘spotter sheets’ will also be available too, helping children to interact with their surroundings, and take in the sights, smells, and sounds of the park along the route.
While the walk itself is what the event’s mainly all about, it’s not all that’s on offer on the day though, as you can also expect to make the most of lots of family entertainment, including music from The Night Creatures band and young Manchester musician Jacey-Mae, as well as mesmerising stilt walkers and so much more.
Food and drink stalls will also be on hand to offer walkers well-deserved refreshments after all their hard work, and there’ll also be prizes for top fundraisers too.
ADVERTISEMENT
Lantern Walk for Manchester Foundation Trust Charity will take place on Saturday 9 November from 2pm, and all you have to do is pay a registration fee of £6.
Manchester’s largest outdoor ice rink confirmed for a return this festive season with tickets NOW on sale
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s massive outdoor ice rink has been confirmed for a return to Cathedral Gardens once again this festive season.
Skate Manchester has always been a festive staple of our city centre, and 2026 is set to be absolutely no different.
Families, friends, and festive fun seekers will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas whatever the weather has in store, as although the rink will be outdoors in the heart of Cathedral Gardens, the ice is fully covered.
Off the back of a hugely successful 2025 season, there will be a specially curated programme of events this year too, including themed nights, competitions, and inclusive skate sessions designed for an accessible and enjoyable experience for as many people as possible.
And if you’re not too confident on the ice, the rink will also offer a variety of skate sessions that are tailored to meet the needs of all visitors too.
This includes dedicated quiet and toddler sessions to create a more relaxed skating environment.
Discounted tickets and weekly events will also be on offer too, meaning students can skate for just £10 on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, families can enjoy dedicated Parents & Mini Skater sessions in the same period, and group discounts will also be available for larger bookings.
There will also be £5 Community and school sessions, free skating for children on selected Tuesdays, accessible SEND sessions, and 20% off for Blue Light workers.
Manchester’s largest outdoor ice rink is confirmed for a return this festive season / Credit: Supplied
“Skate Manchester has established itself as the highest Google-rated rink in the UK, located in the heart of Manchester next to the world-renowned Christmas Markets – it’s the perfect way to enjoy a Mancunian Christmas,” commented Rob Derry, who is the Director at Tamarisk Events – the coordinator of Skate Manchester.
Skate Manchester will open to the public from Friday 6 November 2026 until Sunday 3 January 2027, excluding Christmas Day.
From 6 November to 6 December, the rink will be open daily from 11am to 9pm, and then from 7 January onwards, opening hours will extend from 10am to 9pm – with all skating sessions lasting 45 minutes.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Greg Davies and Alex Horne to host Taskmaster live on stage in Manchester
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Think you’ve got what it takes to impress the Taskmaster?
Global comedy gameshow sensation, Taskmaster, is set to bring its multi award-winning chaos to Manchester next year, as its first (and only) UK performance ever. Aren’t we lucky?
Following the show‘s roaring success in the USA earlier this year, Taskmaster Live On Stage is set to return in 2027, for two shows only – one taking over our very-own AO Arena, and the other being held at the iconic Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
Audiences can expect a high-energy and hilarious show from the one and only Taskmaster, Greg Davies, and his trusty sidekick Alex Horne, joined by some very special celebrity guests as live contestants.
To give you a flavour of what’s to come, Taskmaster Live On Stage was previously joined by comedians such as Jason Manztoukas, John Oliver, Seth Meyers, and Lisa Gilroy, so we can expect a similar star-studded special guestlist next year.
Alongside three celebrities, the remaining live contestant places will be available to two lucky audience members, who will have a chance to impress the Taskmaster.
Don’t worry if you’re not selected though, as there’ll also be brand-new special stage tasks for the entire audience to get involved with, and the Taskmaster will then judge the efforts of these brave souls to crown one as the Mancunian Taskmaster Live On Stage Champion – quite the mouthful, we know.
“I am thrilled that my tiny assistant and I are to bring Taskmaster to such illustrious venues,” commented Taskmaster Greg Davies.
“Whilst on one hand it feels daunting, on the other it feels like destiny. Rest assured my judgements will remain even handed and every effort will be made for everyone to have a good time, except Alex.”
Taskmaster Live On Stage will be coming to Manchester’s AO Arena next May.
Pre-sale tickets will be exclusively offered to the Taskmaster mailing list on 14 October, while general sale tickets will be released on Friday 16 October, and you can sign up to the mailing list for pre-sale access HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd October 2024 
