UK Tiki Fest’s Northern Rum Festival at New Century Hall

Rum-lovers rejoice: the UK’s first Tiki Fest hits Manchester this week with music, art and, of course, plenty of rum, culminating with the three-day Northern Rum Festival. Taking place at Co-Op’s New Century Hall, the weekend will be packed full of talks and tastings as well as street performers, Tiki carvings and sand sculptures as the venue is transformed into ‘Rum Street’ (naturally). But it’s as the evening draws in – and more rum has been drunk – that the madness really begins as the reggae music is turned up, DJs hit the decks and the main event bar opens – serving beers, Tiki cocktails and a wide variety of rum. All part of the theme, there will also be a number of competitions taking place, including Tiki Burlesque, Limbo and, er, the finals of Mr Tiki UK and Miss Tiki UK. Probably best to drink up, then.

Fri 18 – Sun 20 Oct, New Central Hall, Corporation Street, M60 4ES, Fri 3pm – 7pm, Sat-Sun 12pm – 7pm, £5 wristband, www.facebook.com, @UKTikiFest