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

food and drink
Restaurant
Belzan

Belzan is a modern bistro serving delicious food in a relaxed and friendly setting, in an unexpected location.

food and drink
Restaurant
NORD

A Scandi-inspired restaurants that celebrates Northern hospitality, with a seasonal menu made from locally-sourced ingredients.

food and drink
Liverpool
Restaurant
Mahoe Blue

Mahoe Blue is a bar and bistro that serves authentic Jamaican food in a cosy venue in South Liverpool.

music 2
City Centre
Music venue
Rough Trade

The largest of Rough Trade stores, it’s record shop, event space and concert venue in the heart of Liverpool, complete with its own gift shop

exhibition
Wirral
Gallery
Hamilton Vault Studios

A disused bank vault now conceals a unique gallery space and filming location, championing local creatives and their vision.

exhibition
Wirral
Gallery
Lake Gallery

Lake Gallery is an artist-run space in West Kirby, showcasing fine art and contemporary craft in regularly changing exhibitions.

literature
Library
Birkenhead Central Library

Birkenhead Central Library provides books and resources, and welcomes everyone to their community hub in a stunning, historic location.

library
Shop
The Reader, Calderstones Park

The Reader brings people together through a shared love of literature and their home is in the beautiful Calderstones Park in Liverpool.

bar
City Centre
Brewery
Ye Cracke

Hidden in the Georgian Quarter, Ye Cracke is a historic Liverpool pub, known for being John Lennon’s local in his student days

record shop
City Centre
Shop
81 Renshaw

81 Renshaw is a record store in Liverpool city centre, selling new and second-hand vinyl from a location with a long musical history

shop
Lark Lane
Shop
Larks

Larks is a vintage clothing and gift emporium in a bright pink shop where you’ll find a bit of everything, sprinkled with glitter.

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