The days may be getting shorter, and the temperatures cooler, but there's plenty of things to enjoy about autumn in Greater Manchester - from walks in nature and crunching leaves under foot, to light events preparing us for the Christmas festivities ahead.
Though autumn isn’t officially underway just yet - it begins on 23 September and ends on 21 September - there’s already a number of seasonal events on the calendar, including Halloween in the City, the Manchester Science Festival and the hotly-anticipated Banksy Exhibition over at MediaCity in Salford.
There’s also plenty of food and drink events taking place, from the Wing Fest competition at the Trafford Centre, Indy Man Beer Con at Victoria Baths and the Manchester Food and Drink Festival, which is celebrating 25 years over in Cathedral Gardens. Here, you’ll find some inspiration for the autumn season ahead.
Read more: 18 of the best places to go for an autumn walk in and around Greater Manchester
Manchester Food and Drink Festival
Now in its 25th year, the nationally acclaimed event was conceived by Phil Jones and was originally intended to showcase the diversity of Manchester’s food and drink scene. Taking place from September 22 to October 2, the event’s main events ‘hub’ will be based in Cathedral Gardens in the city centre.
This year, as it celebrates a milestone anniversary, a stellar line-up of chef talks and demos has been announced, as well as the vendors taking part in the street food village and what to expect from the artisan market.
As well as stalls from I knead Pizza, Oh My Glaze and Super Bao, there will also be a ‘festival fire pit’ with chefs including Caroline Martins and Francisco Martinez in charge of the coals. Full information on the dates, timings and schedule can be found here.
Festive light events
With the night drawing in, thoughts are now turning to the return of the big festive light events taking place across Greater Manchester. There are a number of huge light spectaculars, lantern parades and family friendly festivities already announced and getting booked up fast. This year, there are animal lanterns at Chester Zoo, festive light spectaculars at Dunham Massey and light displays at Heaton Park and RHS Bridgewater in Worsley - you can find the ones nearest to you via our guide here .
Manchester Wing Fest
The world’s largest chicken wing festival officially lands at the Trafford Centre this autumn, after previously being held at First Street South. Showcasing a range of restaurants, street food traders and pop-ups from across the UK - who will compete against each other - the competition is split into two categories: the best buffalo wing, the battle for the perfect spicy sauce; and the best wild wing, where the traders are tasked with letting their creativity run wild.
Festival goers can enjoy local favourites such as Kong’s Chicken Shop, Wing Dash and Yard and Coop, as well as new wings from all around the UK, including the award-winning Mexican Seoul. The competition will be fierce as all wing slingers will be competing to win votes and guarantee their spot in the Hall of Flame.
Autumn Walks
Leaves crunching underfoot and the warmth of the sun on a crisp autumn day, there’s really nothing better than getting wrapped up, filling your flask and heading out into the great outdoors at this time of year. From woodland walks lined with yellow, orange and red leaves, to waterside strolls and hilltop views looking out on the frost below, Greater Manchester has some wonderful parkland, forests and country estates to explore. You can check out some of our suggestions for autumn walks here .
Indy Man Beer Con
The Indy Man Beer Conference is to return this autumn after a two year break due to the pandemic. The much-loved beer festival takes place at Victoria Baths for its four-day run from September 29 to October 2. The first ever was held at Victoria Baths back in 2012, and brought together local breweries with some of the best from around the world.
Manctoberfest
Oktoberfest with a ‘Mancunian twist’, is inviting Mancs to dust off their lederhosen and assemble their hardiest drinking team for Manctoberfest. Preparing to take over the B.E.C Arena, beer fans are invited to sample a world-class selection of authentic German lagers served up in traditional steins.
Beer guzzlers can expect the Bavarian table layout with parties across the weekend including performances from tribute bands and local favourite Clint Boon backed by the traditional Oompah Band. German markets will also be attending and serving up salty pretzels and giant bratwurst.
Manchester Science Festival
Returning for the first time since 2018, the eight-day long series of events, exhibitions and experiences is regarded as one of the best science festivals in the UK. Taking place at The Science and Industry Museum from Friday 21 to Sunday 30 October, the packed programme will be underpinned by one central question - ‘What does the future hold for humanity?’
The line-up includes a number of world-first experiences and after-hours events, including a chance to explore Castlefield Viaduct by night and pioneering digital art and musical performances. The Turn It Up: The Power of Music event will offer an exploration of the science of music’s mysterious hold over people, while Sky Park After Dark will take visitors on a nocturnal nature tour of the recently unveiled Castlefield Viaduct.
The Art of Banksy
A massive exhibition featuring original works from graffiti artist painter Banksy opens in Manchester this October. Showcasing a large number of prints, canvases and sculptures created by the artist, it is due to open at MediaCity on October 21 and tickets are priced at £19.50.
The exhibition, which is presented in association with HOME, will be housed within a purpose-built 1,200 square metre temporary structure in the heart of Salford Quays. Visitors can see the famous artworks that brought the mysterious artist international acclaim, including Girl With Balloon (2002), which was ranked as the UK’s favourite piece of artwork in a recent poll.
Halloween in the City
To mark the arrival of Halloween, visitors can expect a weekend of monstrously good events across the city centre and inside Manchester Arndale. As has become customary, the rooftops of Manchester city centre will be given a spooky makeover, with inflatable monsters appearing above some of the city’s most famous buildings.
Ghouls and monsters will also be on the prowl for the Walk the Plank’s monster parade, which will journey through the city and stop off at various points including Market Street and Deansgate.
Backyard Cinema at Depot Mayfield
Later this year, a former train platform at the top of Depot Mayfield will be converted into a huge rooftop cinema. The purpose-built 330-capacity indoor winter cinema will give visitors access to movie-grade sets, and the chance to immerse themselves in a purpose-built enchanted forest.
The residency will transport visitors through tunnels of trees and magical doors, heading towards an Enchanted Forest and home of the Lost Theatre. Meanwhile, the purpose-built cinema screening room will be filled with custom-made giant bean bags for seating, with ushers offering table service, complete with seasonal cocktails and sweet treats. Visitors can expect a mixture of new releases alongside seasonal classics.
Manchester Christmas Markets
One of the biggest events to take over Manchester this autumn will be the Christmas Markets. While the official dates have not yet been announced, they usually take place between November 12 and December 22.
Last year, the world-famous Manchester Christmas Markets moved the festival hub to Piccadilly Gardens with yuletide bars, market stalls and food huts. It is expected that the seven city centre locations that hosted the markets last year will be the same this year, including King Street, St Ann’s Square and Market Street. As well as the usual foodie staples like German sausages and Gluhwein, there is expected to be a variety of local food traders like Porky Pig and Eat New York.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
