Halloween in the City 2024

Shekina Rose, Families Editor
Halloween in the City
CityCo

Halloween in the City at Exchange Square, 25 — 31 October 2024 Entrance is free — Visit now

Looking for some fearsome family fun? Halloween in the City is back to haunt Manchester over Halloween weekend, with a petrifying programme of spooky events and activities taking place across Manchester city centre.

Manchester’s streets will be overrun by frightening but friendly monsters, with audiences encouraged to dress up and meet the beasts as they make their way through the city, causing fright and delight.

In its eighth year, Halloween in the City is pulling out all the stops, bringing back the iconic MCR Monsters – a vibrant invasion of inflatable creatures that will take over city rooftops throughout the week from 25-31 October during the half term break, along with a thrilling two-day family-friendly festival right in the heart of Manchester’s shopping district on 26 and 27 October.

The main event unfolds on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October with a two-day, monster-packed festival. Families can enjoy the Monsters Rock! Music Festival, featuring live bands, DJs, and gruesome games, while the Rock! Party Procession will bring giant puppet monsters, stilt walkers, and a live band to the streets of Manchester, parading through Manchester Arndale and Market Street. Don’t miss this monster mash-up of spooky music and petrifying performances.

And new for 2024, a brand-new monster is slithering into the city: The Leech, produced by Walk the Plank. Catch this eight-metre-long creature dancing with its skeleton friends in St Ann’s Square.

Expect hair-raising live bands, electrifying DJs, exhilarating rides, jaw-dropping circus acts, and even monstrous portable loos as the Monsters Rock! Music Festival returns to the city, spanning New Cathedral Street, St Ann’s Square, Market Street, and Exchange Square!

This Halloween, Manchester is the place to be, and Halloween in the City promises a monster-sized celebration like no other.

Halloween in the City at Exchange Square, 25 — 31 October 2024 Entrance is free Visit now

Where to go near Halloween in the City 2024

GET BAKED Opening Day
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
GET BAKED

Newly opened cakery in Stevensons Square, Northern Quarter Manchester. Get Baked brings all the Yorkshire charm and sweetness one of the city’s most popular squares. Get Baked is now one of the fastest growing dessert brands in the UK which is ultimately what led to the opening of this sister site in Manchester this year.

Discover Lotherton, a country estate, historic hall and Wildlife World zoo. Our Edwardian estate is truly a great place for a family day out, with plenty to keep children and grown ups entertained! The expansive grounds and gardens are lovely walking spots, with or without four-legged companions. Each season brings new surprises including wild garlic in the spring, a sea of colourful blooms in summer in the formal gardens and stunning autumnal colours later on in the year. We have two playgrounds which means there's plenty of space for running about and letting off steam, with zip wires for older children to enjoy. Our evolving zoo, Wildlife World, is a real highlight of any visit and we'd highly recommend popping by to see the Humboldt penguins splash and swim in their pool. Other colourful characters include Arthur the tapir, our resident porcupines and a flamboyance of pink flamingos. Stop in at the shop on your way to pick up your very own version of one of our Lotherton
Café or Coffee Shop
Lotherton Hall and Estate

A truly great place for a family day out, discover Lotherton, a country estate, historic hall and Wildlife World Zoo.

Winsome
Manchester
Restaurant
Winsome

Winsome delivers modern British food, cooked beautifully by chef-owner Shaun Moffat and his team.

Image of the outside of Altogether Otherwise at night with people inside
Manchester
Event venue
Altogether Otherwise

Altogether Otherwise is a haven of activity where all are encouraged to make, do, dance, read and enjoy pursuing creativity with no pressure.

Chapel Allerton Library
Leeds
Event venue
Chapel Allerton Library

Chapel Allerton library is a place where history meets a love of reading, where visitors can borrow books, eBooks, eAudio, and more.

Renae Logo
Manchester
Restaurant
Renae

Introducing Renae: A new music-led bar and creative hub in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

Chakalaka
Manchester
Restaurant
Chakalaka

The very best of South African cuisine in an intimate, friendly space in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

The Daisy
Manchester
Restaurant
The Daisy

The Daisy is one of Manchester’s more in-demand basement bars, offering an underground Paris-inspired night out.

Manchester
Restaurant
Sampa

Colourful Brazilian fine dining at Caroline Martin’s intimate restaurant, Sampa.

Hinterland bar and cafe
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Hinterland

Alcohol-free bar and cafe in the heart of Northern Quarter. Serving mocktails, 0% beer and all your alcohol free favourites.

What's on: Festivals

FestivalsCity Centre
MIF25: Festival Square

Festival Square is the beating heart of Manchester International Festival 2025, returning to its riverside location once again.

free entry
The Herds, The Walk Productions
FestivalsManchester
MIF25: The Herds

Manchester International Festival 2025 kicks off with an awe-inspiring outdoor spectacle as The Herds take to the streets of Manchester, Rochdale, and Wigan.

free entry

Culture Guides

GROVE
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Classical Music in the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.

Mohair Man, 1991, by Dave Swindells
Exhibitions in the North

Cinematic sets, 90s nightclub photography and even new gallery - we have a great mix of exhibitions for you this month.

image shows pinned butterflies and pretty paper with frames
Tours and Activities in the North

Boozy tours, art workshops and a 'hobby house' that champions all things DIY, get the creative cogs whirring with our latest batch of tours and activities.

Poet Imtiaz Dharker. Photo by Ayesha Dharker
Literature Events in the North

It's like the Woolies pick'n'mix counter this month in live literature land – so much choice, we're not sure where to start digging in.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

DaDaFest’s 40th anniversary line-up, contemporary reimaginings and outlandish fringe, check out our top theatre picks for spring onwards.