Printworks has launched a virtual Mini Monsters Trail to help families celebrate the spooky season with plenty of treats and absolutely no tricks.
Just like everything else amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Halloween is gearing up to be a little different this year, but with the nights drawing in and the big day coming up this Saturday, you can still make the most out of October half term at Manchester’s “number one entertainment venue” this week.
Five mini monsters will be hidden across the Printworks’ website each day, and all you have to do is read the clues to find each monster, and you could then be entered into the “creepy competition”.
The Mini Monsters Trail is taking place from Monday 26th – Friday 30th October.
With a total of five daily trails to take part in throughout the week, there’s six chances for families to win “fang-tastic prizes”.
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Plus, if you manage to find the special Haunted Halloween Monster along the trail, then you’ll be entered into the “spookalicious grand prize draw” which could see you winning a £100 voucher to spend at a number of Printworks’ venues.
Join us on the Mini Monster Trail this Halloween as we're giving away over £350 worth of prizes! Tune in at midday Mon-Fri for Trail clues and find the monster to enter our daily draw! https://t.co/A70wkkDZ3Cpic.twitter.com/WPaxPnnxu2
You can catch the Printworks monster on its roof from 26th October – 1st November.
If you fancy joining in with the Mini Monsters Trail this week, then you can head on over to the Printworks website here for more information and to get started.
There’s plenty of other things happening at the city centre entertainment complex this week too.
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Vue
Vue will be showing all of the Halloween classics for both families and horror fans, and you can expect to catch the likes of Psycho, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Hocus Pocus from just £4.99 a ticket throughout the month.
If you want a real scary experience, then you can’t really go wrong with an escape room, and when you play horror rooms Enigmista or Ritual at Escape Reality, you’ll get 50% off any other room for your next visit, but you’ll have to make out of this room in one piece first.
Don’t want to risk bumping into any vampires? Tee off before midday at Treetop Adventure Golf and you’ll be able to play a second course for free while the sun is still up.
Hard Rock Cafe is giving you a taste of Halloween this October with a special cocktail for the spooky season, and the kids will also be able to pay with a pumpkin too, so get carving.
Bring a carved pumpkin during October Half Term, and get a meal from the kid’s Roxtars Menu free of charge when you buy a main meal.
Leave the pumpkins at Hard Rock Cafe and carve out some time during October half term for bowling, because the offers at Manchester’s newest Tenpin venue include bowling and a drink from £9 per person, bowling and food for £13 per person, and bowling, food and drink from £15 per person.
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Frankie and Benny’s
Treat the little terrors to lunch, as kids eat free over October half term when you order a main meal.
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You can find out more about the Mini Monster’s Trail and get your first clue here.
What's On
A magical family-friendly winter adventure with a light trail and live entertainment is returning to Tatton Park Gardens
Daisy Jackson
One of winter’s top events will return to Tatton Park Gardens this year, with another season announced for Yuletide.
The magical winter adventure will once again bring a glittering light trail and theatrical, immersive performance to the famous beauty spot.
This unique fusion of Christmas light trail and winter family festival is now in its third year, and will debut brand-new features and performances for 2025.
As visitors wander the Yuletide event, you’ll be treated to everything from sparkling light installations to impressive fire juggling shows.
Audiences are invited to step into a world of winter folklore, filled with live music, cosy campfire stories, and plenty more.
New this year will be a troupe of leaping acrobats, plus a new live music stage in the woods, and brand-new enchanting characters to meet around every corner.
Another new element is the wild Wassail, inspired by a centuries-old Twelfth Night tradition of singing and banging pots and pans together to bring good fortune for the coming year.
Wild Rumpus launch of Yuletide at Tatton ParkYultide returns to Tatton Park. Credit: Cat DineleyYultide returns to Tatton Park. Credit: Emma Croman
As night falls, Tatton Park Gardens will be transformed into a family-friendly winter escape.
Magical memories to be made include the chance to sip hot chocolates and toast marshmallows over a campfire, as a traditional storyteller weaves tales for the whole family.
And the glittering light trail includes interactive installations, glowing puppets, and characters inspired by festive tales.
There’ll also be food vendors serving up tasty festive treats and mulled wine.
Yuletide comes from Cheshire-based event producers Wild Rumpus, who’ll be unlocking new parts of the grounds this year.
Credit: Emma CromanCredit: Anna Hornby
Wild Rumpus’ Director Rowan Cannon said: “This year is a fresh and enchanting adventure for the whole family, with a twist of wild creativity.
“There’s loads of never-before-seen elements, including spellbinding acrobats performing as people arrive, a music stage in the woodland with performances from amazing live bands, and a dreamy Shadow Forest where you can cast shadows against beautiful backdrops.
“The trail is taking a new route through Tatton Park Gardens this year, so people can explore parts of the grounds they’ve never seen at night before.”
Yuletide will run at Tatton Park Gardens on selected evenings between Saturday 15 November and Tuesday 23 December 2026.
Tickets start from £19 for adults and £11 for children, but under 2s go free, with selected dates offering off-peak tickets.
Map and full lineup revealed for Heaton Park’s dazzling NEW immersive light trail opening this month
Emily Sergeant
Heaton Park will be transformed into a glowing world of wonder as one of the UK’s most celebrated festive light trails makes its Manchester debut this month.
And now, just weeks away from the grand opening date, organisers have given visitors all the information they need to know – including sharing a full map of the site.
In case you missed the announcement earlier this summer, visitors will soon be able step into an immersive world of light and sound as Northern Lights – the acclaimed light trail from the team behind established music festivals Kendal Calling and Bluedot – descends on our city’s largest park this winter.
Already a hit in other major northern cities such as Leeds and Newcastle, Northern Lights has captured national attention with its cinematic visuals, choreographed soundscapes, and festive atmosphere.
The mile-long route will feature 16 large-scale installations, each synchronised to bespoke soundtracks creating a 90-minute experience like no other.
Heaton Park’s dazzling NEW immersive light trail is opening this month / Credit: Supplied
Winding through Heaton Park’s iconic grounds, visitors will encounter glowing tunnels, enchanted glades, and a stunning illuminated lake scene, all promising to deliver an incredible experience for visitors of all ages.
Organisers say the new trail is designed to ‘spark wonder’ as the magical festive season arrives.
Alongside the trail, there’ll also be a ‘Christmas Village’ serving up mulled wine, hot chocolate, toasted marshmallows, and street food from Manchester’s finest independent traders, alongside vintage fairground rides, and open fire pits to complete the winter vibes.
“We’re beyond excited to be bringing the Northern Lights magic to Manchester’s Heaton Park, and can’t wait for everyone to see all the work and creativity that has gone into the installations,” commented Emma St. Croix, who is the Senior Marketing Manager at Northern Lights Manchester.
“Bringing this festive experience to Manchester and working alongside amazing local communities and talented artists has been a true privilege, allowing us to create something uniquely magical that brings the whole family together.”
Northern Lights is not only one of the UK’s most successful festive light events, but it’s also one of the most accessible, as the Manchester trail will be fully accessible for wheelchair users and prams once it arrives this winter, following hard paths, ramps, and matted areas, with no steps in sight.
On top of this, there’ll also be dedicated quiet sessions for neurodivergent visitors, and the chance to get wristbands allowing queue-jumping for those with additional needs.
Northern Lights will arrive at Heaton Park on 20 November and run up until New Year’s Eve (31 December 2025), with timed entry slots every 15 minutes from 4:15pm up until 8:15pm (times may vary during off-peak days), and tickets are on sale now.
Prices starting at £15 for adults, £5 for children aged three and up, and under threes going free – and you can also use the code LIGHTS20 at the checkout to enjoy 20% off.
Emily Sergeant -
27th October 2020 
