What’s on: Art, sweets, Halloween and a shed load of festive fund-raising in Manchester!
| 26th October 2022
Whats on in Manchester? There’s lots to do in Manchester and beyond this coming week from Manchester Art Fair, Halloween and donating Christmas cheer at Trafford Centre.
Here’s VIVA’s round up of what’s on in Manchester this week, so enjoy!
Manchester Art Fair is back
Manchester Art Fair returns with what is billed as its biggest and most ambitious show to date.
There’s over 120 exhibiting artists and galleries and new for 2022, one to one artist talks featuring Stanley Chow and Ghislaine Howard, among others.
Also new are exclusive limited-edition prints from Manchester’s most famous artists, which will be revealed when it launches next week.
Over 8,000 art lovers are expected to attend the 15th show which is a must for those looking for new pieces and a brilliant showcase for UK and Manchester talent as well as international artists
It opens to the public on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th November with over 8,000 people anticipated to attend the event at Manchester Central.
Halloween at The Ivy Spinningfields
If you’re still looking for some spooky inspo this Halloween, check out VIVA’s round up of what’s on in Manchester this Halloween.
We’re loving the treats in store at The Ivy Spinningfields Brasserie, with a spooktacular, limited-edition dessert and cocktail in partnership with Monkey 47 Gin, available from Friday, October 18 to Monday, October 31.
What’s more, be prepared for spine-tingling DJs and live entertainment on 31 October, groovy enough to get guests into the spirit.
Created by the restaurant’s talented bar team, two mouth-watering cocktails will be available for guests to enjoy. The Devil’s Mule, (£10.75) is a diabolical blend of Monkey 47 Gin, Wyborowa Vodka, Lillet Rouge, chilli, cinnamon, lemon, and ginger beer, while the Muertas Margarita, (£10.50) is a nod to Mexico’s Day of The Dead, with Olmeca Altos Tequila, Malbec, pear, and lemon juice.
For those with a thirst for something wicked, the Chilling Praline Parfait, (£9.75), a frozen hazelnut coffin decorated with dark chocolate soil, raspberry sauce and confectionary treats, makes the perfect partner in crime.
Halloween at Parea
Stuck for things to do with the kids this half term? Head on down to Parea, Alderley Edge this Thursday 27th October for a spooktacular party suitable for kids of all ages!
You’ll find Halloween themed arts and crafts, a spooky disco, plenty of sweet treats from Harry’s Confectionery and even a fancy dress competition! You can book tickets online here.
There’s something for the adults too! the annual Parea Halloween bash will take place on Saturday 29th October as owner Chantelle Heskey invites you to a special Fright Night so grab your scariest glad rags and head on down for a night to remember!
Give the gift of giving when you do your Christmas shopping at Trafford Centre
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and with just nine weeks to get your Christmas shopping sorted, Trafford Centre have come up with a cracker of an idea to help spread some much-needed festive cheer.
They have launched a new festive donation drop-off hub to help the community over the festive season aiming to give those who need it the most, a Christmas to remember.
With three out of five Brits saying they will have to cut down on their spending this Christmas and the dual threat of energy prices and mortgage and rents rising, it’s a great idea to help others if you can.
Although donations have to be new products, it can be as little as essential food items from tins to nappies, which will then be distributed to families and those in need in the borough.
To make it work, Trafford Centre have partnered with Trafford Council and Trafford Community Hubs, introducing the festive donation scheme to the centre this Christmas.
Donations can be made at the customer services desk from this now, where the hubs will coordinate and manage the distribution of all items raised through this initiative with the Trafford Centre, as they provide first-level support for residents.
They are looking for Food Bank items to be donated to local schemes, toiletries and baby products (nappies, wipes, baby food, blankets etc), warm items (hot water bottles, gloves, woolly socks etc).
Other inspo includes Christmas decorations and Christmas crackers, pyjamas and slippers, teenagers’ gifts (electronics, make up sets, clothing etc) gift sets and gifts for grown-ups and of course toys. And in the final weeks they are appealing for Christmas treats (chocolates, Christmas puddings, hot chocolate, crackers etc).
The last day Trafford Centre are accepting donations is Sunday 18th December to give the team at Trafford Centre, Trafford Council and Trafford Community Hubs the very best chance of sorting and distributing the kind gifts ahead of Christmas day.
All donations can be dropped off at the Customer Service Desk located on the ground floor of the Main Dome. Trafford Centre can only accept new items and not second-hand goods.
For more information on Trafford Centre see here.