What’s on this weekend in Manchester, 8-10 October? Five fun things to do

From book-themed events to making cracking coffee, there are all sorts of events to enjoy in Manchester this weekend. Here are some of our favourites.

By Jenny Simpson

Published 7th Oct 2021, 10:05 BST

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If you need inspiration for what to do this weekend, we’ve put together a diverse guide of ideas to steer you in the right direction - whether you need something fun to do with the kids or fancy a scary movie night out.

And if you’ve got an event coming up, email us at [email protected]

Bookshop Day

Various venues, Saturday 9 October

Celebrate your love of literature with events at bookshops across Manchester. Highlights include Jeanette Winterson and Mark O’Connell in conversation at 6pm at Manchester Central Library, as part of Manchester Literature Festival, and a family fun day from 10am to 5pm at B For Butterfly Books in Sale. Check other events via the Books are my Bag Facebook page here.

Jeanette Winterson

Jeanette Winterson

Learn to be a barista

200 Degrees Coffee Shop, Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 October.

One for the serious coffee lovers among you - a fun class to teach you how to make pro-standard coffee at home. Know your flat white from your cortado? You will after this Basic Barista session - plus you’ll get some coffee beans to take home and discount vouchers. There’s even an advanced latte art course on other dates if you get really into it! It runs from 10am to 3pm each day. Tickets cost £75 and need to be booked via 200 Degrees website.

Grimmfest

Great Northern Odeon, Deansgate, Manchester, Thursday 7 to Sunday 10 October

Get in the Halloween mood early at this independent film festival with screenings of more than 30 horror films, plus special guest appearances from actors, producers and directors. One for adults only, it runs from 4.30pm to 11pm each day.

See http://grimmfest.com/ for the full programme of events.

Suffragette City – The Pankhursts of Manchester tour

St Peter’s Square, Sunday 10 October

Explore Manchester’s historic links with the Suffragettes with a free guided tour. Learn more about the campaign to win women the vote and the right to enter the Commons, and how the Pankhursts played their part.

Meet at noon at the Emmeline Pankhurst statue in St Peter’s Square. More details and registration on Eventbrite here.

Rufus Wainwright

Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, Sunday 10 October

The highly-acclaimed singer songwriter brings his tour to the city at last in a date that was rescheduled from last autumn.

Tickets are still available from £40 via SeeTickets here.

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