What's On
Knowsley Safari letting kids go free October half term and Halloween
Somewhere to take the kiddies this spooky season
As October half term approaches and people get ready for their Halloween festivities, Knowsley Safari is letting kids go free throughout the spooky season.
If you’re wondering what to do this October half term and are looking for ways to keep the kids entertained then look no further, because Knowsley has you covered with its Haunting Half Term activities, where kids go free with a full-paying adult.
The scary event will take place between October 21st and November 5th, seeing the Merseyside grounds transformed into that of a haunted mansion complete with a surrounding graveyard.
Knowsley’s famous Tiger Trail will be turned into a Haunted Safari where families can sync their speakers to listen to fascinating facts along the way.
The whole park will be given a Halloween makeover and promises to ‘unleash memories to last a lifetime’ with plenty of spooky goings on for the whole family to enjoy, as well as having the chance to see all the amazing wildlife at their home in Knowsley.
Visitors can follow an illuminated and multi-sensory Halloween Trail while meeting scary characters along the way. Actors will tell stories and run themed games for children to take part in.
There will also be a real hedge maze for visitors to ‘encounter even more spooky delights around every twist and turn as they race to the heart of the maze before they plan their escape’.
Along the Safari Drive, guests can discover incredible wild animals including African lions, white rhino, and Bactrian camels. And be amazed along the Foot Safari with impressive giraffes, meerkats and bush dogs.
Stephanie Costello, events manager at Knowsley Safari, said: “Halloween is always an exciting time for Knowsley Safari and this year we’re super-sizing our guest experience with the addition of our giant authentic maze.”
She continued: “We’ve designed the whole Tiger Trail takeover to ensure maximum spooky fun and adventure and we can’t wait to see guests’ reactions to this immersive, monstrous experience.”
Hungry visitors can also stop off for a bite to eat and some refreshments at the food court.
The Haunted Halloween Safari event will run from October 12th to November 5th and is included with a paid admission ticket. Children go free when accompanied by a full-paying adult.
Ticket prices start from £22.50. You can book tickets online by clicking HERE.
What's On
The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Get in the festive spirit!
Get in the festive spirit with a brand new FREE Christmas makers night market, with over 40 traders and small businesses from across the region.
Brought to you by Renaker, the Manchester Made Christmas night market is coming to New Jackson, Deansgate Square from Friday December 6th to Sunday December 8th.
Following on from a successful summer market in May, the Manchester Made Market is returning bigger and better than before but with a Christmassy twist.
Manchester Made Market
Expect a ‘cosy and magical’ Christmas night market experience, with food, drink, live music and even a grotto for visits to Father Christmas.
There’ll be Christmas trees galore, glittering with lighting, with one huge show-stopping tree taking centre stage.
Bringing together over 40 artisanal traders and small businesses from across the region, the three-day event will showcase a plethora of food produce, homewares, crafts and creations.
Manchester Made Market
Visitors will be sure to find unique Christmas gifts that support local businesses, including from The Cole Men and their award winning sauces, Moon & Sixpence’s handmade jewellery, and fine art photography by Craig Barker.
There’ll be live music from a 20-piece choir, playing Christmas classics, cocktails from Manchester Gin and Gooey’s sweet treats.
The experts from Millington Hall Farm in Altrincham will be bringing a taste of their Wild Grill experience, including live sausage making demonstrations and an array of German sausages served from a festive BBQ trailer.
Manchester Made Market
Families with children can visit the Christmas grotto, where Father Christmas himself will be waiting in a cosy tipi – kids will get a gift from Santa, and bookings can be made online for £8.50 per child.
Manchester Made Market will be open from 4pm to 9pm on Friday December 6th, and 1pm to 9pm on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th – pre-register for a free guest list ticket and 50% off a hot chocolate HERE, or book the Christmas grotto HERE.
What's On
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Get in the festive spirit in Stockport!
Stockport’s free, one-day Christmas festival is returning this festive season, with 200 performers and more than 50 shows.
Spectacular Sunday will return to the town on November 17th at various sites and venues.
Following the success of last year’s event, hundreds of performers will take over Stockport, with everything from giant roller-skating presents to a living snow globe and roaming Christmas dolls.
There will also be street theatre, including grumpy Christmas grandads, a gigantic balloon man and water show.
Matthew Nichol Photography
Produced by carnival arts organisation Global Grooves and organised by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway and Stockport Market, the town centre will be buzzing with Christmas excitement.
Events will be happening in iconic Stockport locations like Market Place, Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock and Suffragette Square.
A grand finale in Merseyway will bring together the brass bands of Stockport, ending the day with a huge flash mob and rendition of All You Need Is Love.
Cirq Delight
Cllr Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, said: “We’re so excited to bring this event back after last year’s amazing success.
“It’s such a fun way to get everyone in the festive spirit and really shows off what makes Stockport special – our sense of community and joy.
“With loads of free performances and activities, plus a chance to enjoy the newly improved areas of Merseyway, it’s a perfect day out for families.
“Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday is all about having fun, making memories, and starting the holiday season in style.”
Spectacular Sunday is happening from 11am to 5pm on Sunday November 17th – find out more HERE.
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year next month, bringing with it a vibrant gallery space showcasing thousands of works from over 500 artists.
One of the biggest and most significant events in the UK art world calendar, it’ll take over Manchester Central for three days, from Friday November 15th to 17th.
The city will be flooded with art from all corners of the world, championing everything from local heroes to new emerging talent, as well as international artists with worldwide acclaim.
Manchester Art Fair
A wide range of artistic disciplines will be represented at the event, from painters, illustrators, and sculptors to graffiti artists and everything in between.
Expect exhibitions, workshops, Q&A sessions, demos, book signings and parties happening across the event.
Tickets include free access to art workshops and talks from leading artists and cultural experts, and are on sale now.
You can grab them HERE.
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The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Simmons Bar opens first Northern site in Manchester with free drinks at launch party
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year
