Step Back in Time for Stoke Markets’ Centenary Celebration
Plus grab tickets for B Arts' show to celebrate Stoke's canals, join a spooky bat trail at Middleport, and get ready to celebrate Diwali at the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery…
WHAT’S ON/THINGS TO DO ✅
HIGHLIGHTED ⬇️ (FULL EVENTS LISTINGS BELOW)
🤩 Step Back in Time With Stoke Markets. 04/10, 10am-4pm; Hanley Indoor Market, Longton Market, Tunstall Market & Stoke Market. This Saturday, Markets Time Twist will see each of the city’s markets transport visitors to a different decade, with free themed events bringing music, fashion, games and iconic characters to life. At Hanley Indoor Market, it’s all about the Nostalgic 90s, and at Longton Market it’s the Electric 80s. Tunstall Market will focus on the Sensational 70s and Stoke Market’s theme is the Swinging Sixties. Admission free.
🎭 Silent Cinema Soundtracked. 02/11, 7pm, Fenton Town Hall. Stoke is set for a unique cinematic event as it gears up to mark The Phantom of the Opera ‘s 100th anniversary with a return to the big screen and a live musical performance by the acclaimed quartet Minima, renowned for its modern live scores for silent films. Tickets £9 (Fenton residents/low income £4).
😂 Laughs with Ross Noble. 06/11, 10.30am, Victoria Hall. Geordie comic Ross is bringing his new improvised show Cranium of Curiosities to the stage. Some viewers have called his standup “weepingly funny” so it should be a good night – check him out going on about glitter here. Tickets from £35.46.
⚓️ The Story of How Canals Shaped Stoke. 04/10 at 3.30-5.30, 6pm-7.30pm; 05/10 at 3.30-5.30, 6pm-7.30pm, B-Arts. Created as part of the city’s centenary celebrations by B-Arts and Alarum Productions, this show will bring to life archive material and stories of Stoke’s unique canal heritage, with stories told through words and music as Kate Saffin and a community cast of actors and singers take you on a whirlwind tour from James Brindley’s bright idea in 1766 to the canals of today. Tickets £5 (standard), £10 (supporter).
🇩🇪 Commemorating Stoke’s Ties with Erlangen. 23/10, 6pm-8pm, Commerce House. In 2025, Stoke-on-Trent is commemorating 35 years of friendship with twin city Erlangen. Hear stories from the early days of the partnership with former Stoke-on-Trent MP Joan Walley, who was instrumental in making it happen, stories, student talks, and live links to Germany. Admission free.
🕯️Celebrate Diwali. 02/11, 11am-5.30pm, Potteries Museum & Art Gallery Discover the story of Diwali and celebrate the colourful and vibrant Hindu and Sikh Festival of Lights at the museum with traditional music, dance and craft activities. Admission free.
🦇Join a Spooky Bat Trail. 25/10-02/11, 10am-3pm, Middleport. Follow the rhyme around the site to find all the bats and learn all their names to complete the trail. Each participant will get a crafty treat when they finish and tell reception the phrase the names spell out. Parental supervision is required, but adults don’t need to buy a separate ticket. Tickets £3.
EVENTS LISTINGS
Parkrun, every Saturday at 9am at Hanley Park; Trentham Gardens; Cannock Chase; Lower Milehouse Lane, Newcastle; Birchall Playing Fields; Isabel Trail, Stafford
Heritage Walks with the Red Haired Stokie, various dates
Willow Pattern Showcase and Stories of ‘Other’, until 26/09, Spode Museum
Edward Mackenzie, until 01/10, the Art Studio & Gallery
Make & Bake, ongoing, Mitchell Arts Centre
Open mic nights, various dates, Darcy’s + The Woodman, The Beehive Inn, The Windmill Werrington, Foxfield Arms, & The Victoria
Potteries Centre Events Series, ongoing, Potteries Centre
Throw a Pot and Pottery Painting, ongoing, Kiln at Number 12
Throw a Pot Sessions, ongoing, LoveClay
Lunch at Stoke Minster, every Thursday
Guided Walks in the Peak District, Various, Multiple (Peak District)
Titanic Brewery Tour, multiple dates, Titanic Brewery
Spitfire Comedy Open Mic, multiple dates, Old Post Office, Burslem
World of Wedgwood Artisan markets, every second Sunday of the month
Electric Tentacle Electronic Music Open Mic, multiple dates, Captain’s Bar
Honeybox Live, various dates and locations
Jasperware at Wedgwood, 31/10; World of Wedgwood
Hallowe’en at Trentham, 25/10-02/11, Trentham Estate
Scarefest, 27/09-02/11, Alton Towers
2:22: A Ghost Story, 29/09-04/10, Regent Theatre
Autumnal Display and Pumpkin Painting, throughout October, World of Wedgwood
Keele World Affairs, 02/10 onwards, Keele University
Markets Time Twist, 04/10, markets in Stoke, Tunstall, Hanley & Longton
Black History Month 2025, 04/10, Potteries Museum & Art Gallery
Boats, Barrels and Bottle Ovens: Stories from the Canals of Stoke, 04/10, Middleport Pottery
The Unfriend, 07/10-11/10, Stoke Repertory Theatre
Stoke-on-Trent Classics, 10/10, Victoria Hall
Paint a Ceramic Pumpkin, 11/10, Middleport Pottery
A Symphony of Wind, 11/10, Longton Central Hall
Shed Stories, 11/10, Fenton Town Hall
Stoke-on-Trent Beer & Cider Festival, 15/10-18/10, King’s Hall
Festival of Craft: Celebrating Stoke 100, 18/10, Middleport Pottery
City of Stoke Centenary: Building the Century, 11/10, Burslem School of Art
Stoke-on-Trent & Erlangen: Celebrating 35 Years of Friendship, 23/10, Commerce House
An Evening with Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard and Simon Jones, 24/10, Bet365 Stadium
Spooky Bat Trail, 25/10-02/11, Middleport Pottery
Nick Degg poetry workshop, 25/10, Bethesda Chapel
Nick Degg poetry performance, 25/10, Bethesda Chapel
Castle Classics and Retro Car, 25/10, Iron Market & High Street
Gandeys Spooktacular, 25/10-02/11, Trentham Estate
The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight, 26/10, Regent Theatre
Rosie Jones, 29/10, New Vic
Riverdance 30: A New Generation, 28/10-31/10, Regent Theatre
Calling Planet Earth, 31/10, Victoria Hall
The Phantom of the Opera (silent film with live music from Minima), 02/11, Fenton Town Hall
Diwali, 02/11, Potteries Museum & Art Gallery
The Bodyguard, 03/11-08/11, Regent Theatre
Ross Noble, 06/11, Victoria Hall
The Australian Pink Floyd, 18/11, Regent Theatre
For more events, check out our comprehensive What’s On list.