Things to do in Manchester this weekend (14-16 October) including Oktoberfest and Manchester Folk Festival

Manchester Folk Festival

HOME and other venues, 13-15 October

Manchester Folk Festival returns to the city this weekend with a programme full of gigs across three days. The festival hub will be based at HOME, but some of the gigs will take place at other venues such as the International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Blues Kitchen and Impossible. The festival will showcase the best of contemporary British folk music, as well as a free “singaround” at the Briton’s Pub on the Sunday and kid-friendly family sessions.

All events are individually ticketed and can be purchased from the festival website, where you’ll also find the full program of events.

Bierkeller Oktoberfest

Printworks, 14, 15 October

It’s time to dust off the lederhosen and dirndls because Oktoberfest is coming to Bierkeller at the Printworks this weekend. There will be Bavarian food, live bands, DJs and all the steins of beer you can drink.

Tickets cost £25 per person and can be purchased via the Fever ticket platform. The event will be taking place on Friday 8-11pm and Saturday 2-7pm.

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

Victoria Baths, 14-16 October

If you’re looking for some unique handmade homeware, head over to Victoria Baths this weekend, where the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair will be returning to Manchester for the 15th year. There will be all sorts of makers there selling their wares, including glass, jewellery, interior and fashion textiles, ceramics, prints, furniture, lighting and more.

There will be a preview night on Thursday 6-9pm, and the open again on Friday and Saturday 10am-5pm, and Sunday 10am-4pm. Tickets can be bought online or on the door and cost £7, or £6 for concessions.

RNCM Young Explorers: Halloween Spooktacular

Royal Northern College of Music, Sunday 6 October, 2-4pm

The RNCM have put together a programme of Halloween-themed music for kids to enjoy this Sunday. A live orchestra will be playing famous film theme tunes from the likes of Monsters Inc., The Addams Family, Hotel Transylvania, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Harry Potter. These concerts are especially designed to keep children and entertained and engaged throughout and a great way to get the little ones into music. Tickets can be bough ton the RNCM website and cost £12 for adults, and £8 for under 16s.

Jason Manford

AO Arena, 15 October

The Salford comedian will be bringing his new show Like Me to the home crowds this weekend as he takes to the stage at Manchester’s AO Arena.Tickets start at £18 and can be purchased via Ticketmaster.