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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Bethan Shufflebotham

Alton Towers announces dates for Oktoberfest and Scarefest as theme park reopens this weekend

Thrillseekers can get their adrenaline pumping at the UK’s biggest theme park as soon as Saturday as Alton Towers prepares to reopen. The Staffordshire resort will be reopening from March 19 with brand new attractions.

Home to the famous Nemesis, vertical drop coaster Oblivion, and Wicker Man, it also offers the country’s only CBeebies Land, perfect for little ones. Three new attractions will be ready to welcome families at the colourful corner of the park, including Hey Duggee Big Adventure Badge, JoJo & Gran Gran at Home and Andy’s Adventures Dinosaur Dig.

There’s also a new Bing live show joining the line-up of themed rides and live entertainment. The resort - just an hour and 40 minutes away from Manchester city centre - is opening in plenty of time for the Easter half term, and has announced a programme of festivities to celebrate.

READ MORE: Win four Merlin gold passes and enjoy a year of fun at some of the UK's biggest attractions

This year marks 15 years of the park’s terrifying Scarefest event, and to celebrate, they’ll be launching a brand new scare maze.

Alton Towers will celebrate 15 years of its award-winning Scarefest (Alton Towers Resort)

Other events include the popular Oktoberfest, Fireworks Spectacular, and festive events, as well as a brand new festival for 2022.

Here’s what’s on at Alton Towers in 2022:

Festival of Thrills April 4 to May 6

New for 2022, families can celebrate the Resort’s attractions as they reawaken this spring at the Festival of Thrills.

The event celebrates the resort’s ‘big seven’ rollercoasters: Wicker Man, Nemesis, The Smiler, Oblivion, Rita, Th13teen and Galactica.

Each of the resort’s big seven will have its own live music playing out at the adrenalin-inducing event.

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Mardi Gras May 21 to June 19

Following the success of last year’s event, Mardi Gras is back for its second year with a brand-new unique bar experience not to be missed.

The carnival inspired takeover is set to dazzle, thanks to an explosion of colours, sounds, high energy entertainment, delicious, themed food from the Deep South and around the world.

Oktoberfest September 10 to October 2

Oktoberfest will return to Alton Towers in September and October (Alton Towers Resort/F Stop Press Ltd)

In autumn, guests can enjoy the fun as Oktoberfest returns - and it’s promised to be bigger and better than ever.

Families can ride the roller coasters as darkness falls, try some delicious street food and enjoy themed entertainment, all with a German twist.

Scarefest October, 7 to 9, 14 to 30

Alton Towers Resort will celebrate 15 years of its award-winning Scarefest and this year, guests can expect more creepy scares, shocks and thrills than previous years.

Scarefest will see live entertainment across the resort for all ages and a brand-new scare maze for the bravest of souls.

Open until 9pm each day, daring guests can face hair-raising rides and attractions in the dark including Wicker Man and the Alton Towers Dungeon.

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Fireworks November 4 to 6

For spectacular sights and sounds, the Alton Towers Resort fireworks display is one of the UK’s most adored fireworks events.

Visitors can watch the historic Towers brought to life as the display dazzles guests with bursts, bangs and howls of fireworks to music, lights and live action storytelling.

Christmas selected dates from November 25 to January 1

This Christmas families can make magical memories with a Santa’s Sleepover , or enjoy a festive day out with specially selected rides and attractions and visit the Towers Street Christmas Market.

Returning for 2022 is the hugely popular Alton Towers Resort and Lightopia ‘Seasonal Wonderland’, providing a magical, immersive journey, the perfect Christmassy escape this festive season.

You can buy tickets and passes to Alton Towers, with prices from £34 here.

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