Museum After Hours at Science and Industry Museum

Prepare for your very own night at the museum this October, as the Science and Industry Museum opens its doors for a special adults-only evening. Scheduled in time to kick-start the Halloween weekend, this after-dark event promises cosmic cabaret, scary surprises and galactic games made for grown-ups.

The museum will open from 7 to 10pm with live performances from Manchester drag royalty, Anna Phylactic, who’ll set the tone with cabaret featuring live vocals and a monster-mash soundtrack. You’ll also want to watch out for Albert Slime-stein, part of City Co’s much loved Halloween in the City monster hunt, as well as the roving Robotic Man who you’ll find dancing his way around the building, delivering electrifying performances of his own.

The spooky-season festivities include an invitation to explore the dastardly delights of Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos, test your reaction times in a giant UFO game, and take on life-sized interactive challenges themed around aliens and asteroids. There’s even a laser obstacle course if you’re feeling supple. In between exertions, there’s ample opportunity to refuel with delicious food options and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic bevs.

With the families departed for the day, this is the perfect chance to indulge your inner child (without having to battle any actual children) in the hands-on science playground that is Experiment, as well as the museum’s popular Power Up exhibition, which gathers 150 video game consoles for visitors to enjoy. From the Atari 2600 to cutting edge virtual reality machines, try to beat your own high score or team up for multiplayer action in games ranging from Sonic and Street Fighter to Mario and Minecraft.

For those of you looking for your Ben Stiller in Night at the Museum moment, the museum’s main Textiles Gallery, Revolution Manchester exhibition and the iconic Power Hall will also be open to explore at your own pace, with the after hours setting lending an eerie new Halloween-season atmosphere to a beloved Manchester institution.