6 things to do in the North West this weekend

Blackpool Illuminations are back…
Blackpool Illuminations will light up one again this weekend and they are set to be super special this year with an out of this world collaboration with astronaut Tim Peake. ‘Chasing Stars’ is just one of three new projections that has been created for the LightPool show, and spectators will be able to watch the show whilst hearing directly from Tim Peake!

Oh Happy Day!
X Factor winner Alexandra Burke stars in the feel good musical Sister Act this weekend at the Palace Theatre in Manchester. The musical, which has been directed and choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood, is a musical comedy perfect for the whole gang based on the hit movie starring Whoopi Goldberg and Maggie Smith. See it on your doorstep while you can! Find out more here.

Hike for your hops
Discover some of the finest pubs in the area on a guided Rail Ale Trail on Saturday! The walking tour will give you the opportunity to explore the fascinating history of the area and the chance to taste some of the very best locally brewed ales in the area at a whole range of fantastic drinking establishments. Don’t forget your walking boots, as this walk will take you up and down steep hills before you reward yourself with a drink, or five! Find out more here.

Get served by Basil and Sybil
If you laughed along with 70s sitcom Fawlty Towers, this event is for you! The ‘Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience’ returns to The Lowry this weekend and it is set to be an incredible show. You and fellow audience members will become diners in the famous hotel restaurant and will be served a 70s style 3 course meal with a sprinkle of mayhem and laughs. Two third of the show is improvised, meaning anything could happen! Find out more here.

Musical threads
Head along to the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on Saturday evening for a star-studded concert celebrating the life of one of the greatest pop culture fashion designers of our time; Manuel Cuevas. Some of Nashville’s finest artists will perform on the evening, including two-time Grammy winner Jim Lauderdale and Leigh Nash. Manual clothed some of the most iconic music stars of all time, including Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and The Beatles and the event will honour the man that have them a style of their own. Find out more here.

Get up close and personal with dinosaurs…
Have fun with the family on Saturday whilst seeing dinosaurs like you have never seen them before. The Opera House in Manchester will play host to some of the most extraordinary life-like in this show which will send the kids imagination into overdrive! The show is for kids aged 3+ and is set to be an hilarious day out. Find out more here.