The Trafford Centre's Big Wheel is back, and this year it has a new spot directly outside The Great Hall.

The wheel opens to riders for its first run this weekend, on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October. It returns the following weekend and will then turn daily throughout the centre's Halloween Fair.

The Halloween Fair runs from 17 October to 1 November outside The Great Hall, with rides and family attractions. Opening times are:

17 and 18 October: 2pm to 9pm
19 to 23 October: 4pm to 9pm
24 October to 1 November: 2pm to 9pm

Gandeys Circus is also back with its Halloween Spooktacular, a family show in a big top on Car Park 7 (P7, opposite John Lewis, M17 8AA). It runs on selected dates from 10 October to 1 November. There are no shows from Monday 12 to Thursday 15 October or from Monday 19 to Thursday 22 October, and during half term, from 26 to 30 October, there are two shows a day at 2.30pm and 5.30pm. Tickets are on sale from £11.94 via the Gandeys website, and the on-site box office opens on 7 October.

Inside the centre there are free activities for children over half term. Free Halloween Craft Workshops on Orient Way run from 11am to 4pm, with a different activity each day:

Tuesday 27 October: Trick or Treat Bag Making
Wednesday 28 October: Creep Characters
Thursday 29 October: Cookie Decorating

The Main Dome will host the Tiny Terrors Trail, an interactive Halloween trail aimed at younger visitors.

Centre director Simon Layton said: "October half term is always a highlight in Trafford Centre's calendar and this year we are bringing even more thrills and excitement. Whether you're looking for a fun day out, a memorable experience with the kids or a little Halloween magic, Trafford Centre is the perfect place to make the most of the half term break and immerse in the new season."

And if you were dreading Christmas arriving before Halloween, the centre has listened: at shoppers' request, the famous Christmas lights won't go on until after Halloween this year. They are due to be switched on inside the centre from 6 November.

Check the Trafford Centre's website for Big Wheel and fair ticket details before you go.

Sources: Trafford Centre, Gandeys Circus and the Manchester Evening News. This article was produced with the help of AI tools and checked against the sources above.