From family-friendly frights to adults-only asylums, here’s what’s happening in the North West this spooky season
Grimmfest
In true spooky season spirit, Odeon Great Northern will be transformed into a horror haven with four days of terrifying films. As well as movie premieres and re-released genre classics, there's the opportunity to attend filmmaker and cast Q&As, take part in pub quizzes, attend exclusive parties and collect autographs from special guests.
Where: Odeon @ Great Northern Warehouse, Manchester
When: 6-8 October
Price: From £35.50
Tickets & more info: grimmfest.com
Newsham Scream Park
Running from Friday 13 October to Sunday 5 November across selected dates, Newsham Scream Park is an immersive horror experience takes over three key areas of the abandoned Victorian building, adding a whole new element of fear to the place.
Scare attractions are aptly named, including ‘The Orphanage’ and ‘Insanitorium’, and will plunge guests into a four-dimensional living story complete with mazes, live actors and high-impact effects.
Where: Newsham Park Hospital, Liverpool
When: 13 October - 5 November
Price: From £29.70
Tickets & more info: newshamscreampark.com
DNA VR
DNA VR is giving you the chance to turn your horror movie nightmares into reality with an array of gruesomely terrifying virtual reality games and experiences. Whether you're navigating your way out of the Hospital of Horror escape room, evading the supernatural in Manor of Escape, or fighting off hordes of the undead in Arizona Sunshine, there is something for every horror-lover to enjoy.
What's more, anyone who pre-books their session and dresses up in Halloween attire will get a free drink to settle those nerves.*
Where: DNA VR, Manchester
When: 13 - 31 October
Price: Varies depending on experience booked
Tickets & more info: DNAVR.co.uk
*This includes one alcoholic or soft drink and is subject to availability. Offer valid between 23-31 October.
Knowsley Safari Park Halloween Takeover
This Halloween half term, kids go free (with a full-paying adult) between 21 October and 5 November, making half term fun even easier for families and friends to enjoy. The well-known Tiger Trail will be transformed into the eerie grounds of a haunted mansion while real-life spooky characters will tell creepy stories. There's also tonnes of multi-sensory props and themed games to get involved with.
Where: Knowsley Safari Park, Prescot
When: 21 October - 5 November
Price: Adult tickets from £22.50 (kids go free)
Tickets & more info: knowsleysafari.co.uk
Ducie Street Warehouse
DJ Fat Tony is back for the inaugural Monster Ball on Friday 27 October. From 9pm until midnight, DJ Fat Tony will welcome Manchester's local talent to join the party. Tickets are priced at just £5.
Room for more? On Saturday 28 October, DSW will be putting a spooky twist on their disco brunch. For a mere £40, you can enjoy bottomless cocktails for 90 minutes along with a delicious dish of your choice. Book here.
Where: Ducie Street Warehouse, Manchester
When: 27 October
Price: £5
Tickets & more info: www.eventbrite.co.uk
KISS Haunted House Party at M&S Bank Arena
Hit radio station KISS are hosting their annual Halloween event in Liverpool this year. Featuring huge acts including Becky Hill, Jax Jones, Rudimental and Zara Larsson. Tickets start at £47 and the show will begin at 7:30pm with an end time of 11pm.
Gather your ghoul-friends and get your grrr-oove on. This is bound to be a big one.
Where: M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
When: 28 October
Price: £47.05
Tickets & more info: www.kisshaunted.com
Celebrating one year of serving dogs in style, Salt Dog Slims are throwing a Halloween-themed birthday bash featuring some wild and whacky activities; a hot dog eating competition (naturally), jelly wrestling, and huge cash prizes to be won. Head down between 6pm-4am and join them for a weird and wonderful knees up.
Nick Thomas, Owner & Director of Salt Dog Slims says "It's all about giving back to the people who've supported us. We're throwing a big shindig to thank the people who've come down since we opened in a massive blowout, and we're going to go hard!"
Entry to the party is free, but eager beavers can book queue-jump tickets below.
Where: Salt Dog Slims, Manchester
When: 11 October
Price: FREE
Tickets & more info: skiddle.com
Scare City
As if the abandoned Camelot theme park site wasn't creepy enough by nightfall, this October, Scare City is set to return for its fourth year. With 10 terrifying zones, including four brand-new indoor mazes complete with goulish live actors, this immersive horror experience is great fun as well as very scary.
Where: Camelot Theme Park, Preston
When: 6-31 October
Price: From £25 (+ booking)
Tickets & more info: scarecity.co.uk
Jonathan Schofield's Halloween Tours
On this tour there are tales of enchanters, broken hearted lovers, ghostly pig men and many other wonders of the supernatural world. AND all these stories are genuine Manchester stories. They are not gimmicks. The tour will also reveal some of the rich history of this magnificent city while delivering thrills and also lots of laughs. The tour finishes in a terrifying dark underground space where often strange and unaccountable things happen.
Where: Central Library, St Peter's Square. M2 5PD. The tour finishes on Princess Street close to the junction with Whitworth Street.
When: Sunday 29 October (4pm, 6.30pm), Tuesday 31 October (6pm, 8pm)
Price: £20
Tickets & more info: www.jonathanschofieldtours.com
Ember & The Vixens: Creepy Cabaret
Combining sexy and spooky, Selina Helliwell Productions presents a Halloween-themed cabaret show from Ember & The Vixens. Head down to the King's Arms for an evening of spooktacular entertainment featuring themed music, boo-tiful burlesque, spine-tingling spoken word and a whole host of ghoulish surprises. Strictly 18+.
Where: King's Arms, Manchester
When: 21 October
Price: £15 (+ booking)
Tickets & more info: fatsoma.com
Cockfield's Pumpkin Festival
Calling all pumpkin enthusiasts - it's time to get picking your perfect Jack-o'-lantern. Celebrating all things pumpkin, Cockfield's Farm Park have a range of family-friendly activities available centred around the big, orange spheres of fruit. Meet and greet with farm animals, reptiles and rodents, or take a Halloween hayride on the tractor. You can pick up a pumpkin to take home with you as well.
Where: Cockfields Farm Park, Manchester
When: 14-29 October
Price: From £5
Tickets & more info: cockfields.co.uk
Goth Christmas at Junior's
"Alexa, play This is Halloween from Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas."
Goths and ghouls of Manchester, this one is for you. Head down to Junior's for an evening full of spooky songs from guest DJ, Jordan Jabroni, combined with a whole host of treats (and tricks).
Where: Junior Jackson's, Manchester
When: 31 October
Price: FREE
Tickets & more info: www.bunnyjacksons.co.uk
Stranger Things Halloween Special
Back by popular demand, Camp and Furnace are hosting their Stranger Things Halloween party once more. Expect soundtrack hits, 80s classics, epic visuals and projections, themed cocktails and plenty of tricks and treats.
The dress code is strictly Stranger Things, so gather your 80s outfits and Netflix-themed costumes and prepare for the Upside Down.
Where: Camp and Furnace, Liverpool
When: 28 October
Price: From £8.50
Tickets & more info: skiddle.com
Halloween bottomless brunch at BAB NQ
Petrifying pints, kooky cocktails, and boo-tiful 'babs. Our friends at BAB NQ are adding a Halloween twist to their famous bottomless brunch. Enjoy two courses and 90 minutes of bottomless booze from a selection of drinks.
Bookings must be made at least 24 hours in advance via the website or by emailing info@babnq.co.uk
Where: BAB NQ, Manchester
When: 28 October
Price: £40
Tickets & more info: babnq.co.uk
Potion Brewing Masterclass at Bird & Blend Tea
Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and caldron bubble...with beautifully blended tea.
Manchester's Bird & Blend Tea Co. will remain open after hours for any wizards and witches looking to learn the mastery of potion brewing whilst tea tasting. This one-off workshop combines tea mixology, science and Bird & Blend's autumnal tea elixirs. There will be 10% off the whole store on the night too. Fancy dress encouraged.
Where: Bird & Blend Tea Co., Manchester
When: 31 October
Price: £40
Tickets & more info: birdandblendtea.com
Goulish Graveyard Waffle at Creams Cafe
Spooky season is in full swing at Creams Cafe, both in the Arndale and Cheetham Hill Shopping Centre. The Ghoulish Graveyard Waffle is available until the end of the month for dine-in and takeaway.
What's more, between 23-31 October, those willing to don their most frightening costumes will receive a free Spooky Sundae Funday with any purchase of £5 or more.
Where: Creams Cafe, Manchester
When: Now until 31 October
Price: £8.45
Tickets & more info: www.creamscafe.com
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