Halloween in the City: Plan your visit

Halloween in the City is Manchester city centre’s free, family-friendly Halloween celebration.

Event Highlights:

• MCR Monsters, Manchester City Centre: A giant inflatable monster art trail across Manchester city centre.
• Monsters Party Procession, Manchester Arndale and Market Street: A roaming monster procession created and performed by Walk the Plank.
• The Monster Library, Manchester Arndale: Live storytelling sessions with Z-arts.
• The Rave-Yard, Exchange Square: Main Stage entertainment with DJ Ghostman, Disco Games with Born to be Wild Child, and live band Half Baked (Saturday at 5pm).
• Monsters Fashion Week, New Cathedral Street: Strut your stuff on the monster catwalk.
• Carnival of Monsters, St Ann’s Square: Circus performances, hula-hooping workshops, Hall of Mirrors and Walk the Plank’s The Leech.

• Halloween in the City Weekender: Saturday 25th October, 10am – 6pm; Sunday 26th October, 10am – 5pm.
• MCR Monsters: Saturday 25th – Friday 31st October.

Halloween in the City Weekender:

• Manchester Arndale
• Exchange Square
• New Cathedral Street
• St Ann’s Square

MCR Monsters:

Across the city centre. Click here to view the monster map.

All Halloween in the City activities and the MCR Monsters trail are free to enjoy. Some partner events, such as the Scare Skate ice rink, have associated costs.

No, Halloween in the City is free and there is no need for a ticket.

Yes, there are five brand-new MCR Monsters for 2025 located at:

• Manchester Arndale
• Printworks
• New Cathedral Street (25^th & 26^th Oct Only)
• AO Arena
• New Century at NOMA

There are also two brand-new locations for 2025:

• Treehouse Hotel Manchester
• Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly

Plus, some old favourites and familiar faces at;

• Corn Exchange Manchester
• Selfridges Exchange Square Manchester
• Exchange Square
• Harvey Nichols Manchester
• The Royal Exchange Manchester [Exchange Street + Cross Street]
• St Ann’s Square
• The Bungalow @ KAMPUS
• Depot Mayfield

Halloween in the City: You can explore at your own pace. It typically takes around 2–3 hours to experience everything at Halloween in the City.

MCR Monsters: It will take approximately 1.5 - 2 hours to walk the full MCR Monster route. There are 12 MCR Monsters close to Halloween in the City and 5 more across the city centre.

No, you can take part in as many or as few activities as you like.

Whether you want to impress, spook, or sparkle, all costumes are warmly welcomed.

You’re also welcome to enjoy the event without a costume.

All areas of the event are wheelchair accessible and step free access. Paths are wide and accessible, but some crowded areas may require extra care.

The event spans Manchester Arndale, Exchange Square, New Cathedral Street, and St Ann’s Square. Exchange Street features a mix of paved and cobbled surfaces. St Ann’s Square offers public benches, and Exchange Square and New Cathedral Street will provide additional festival bench seating.

There are no grassed areas within the event site.

Please keep in mind this event will be busy and in certain areas of the event there will be higher than average levels of noise.

Accessible toilets are available in Manchester Arndale and M&S. 

Accessible toilets, changing places and baby changing facilities:

• Manchester Arndale, Lower Ground Floor. Click here for more information.

Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities:

• M&S, Market Street, First Floor

The main activities are suitable for children up to age 12. The MCR Monsters trail is enjoyed by all ages.

Most activities are aimed at children up to age 12, but toddlers can enjoy the MCR Monsters trail, fun characters and open outdoor areas with parental supervision.

All outdoor areas are dog friendly.

Yes, all areas of the event are pram friendly. Paths are wide and accessible, but some crowded areas may require extra care.

Yes, there are multiple food and drink vendors across the city centre, as well as cafés and restaurants in Manchester Arndale and nearby streets.

Yes, picnics are allowed in public areas, but some indoor venues may not permit outside food.

Halloween in the City is mostly outdoors, so bring suitable clothing.

Some elements of the event are weather-dependent, such as the MCR Monsters, which may be impacted by strong winds and the Monsters Party Procession, which may be impacted by heavy rain. Please check Facebook and Instagram @HalloweenMCR for announcements.

Yes, trained first-aid staff will be available at St Ann’s Square.

Yes, photography and filming for personal use are welcome. Please be mindful of other visitors.

• By Bus: Use TfGM’s journey planner.
• By Car: Parking is available at many locations across the city; the closest is Manchester Arndale. More information.
• By Metrolink: Nearest stops: Exchange Square, Market Street, and Shudehill. More information.
• By Train: Information on train travel to and from Manchester.

• Email: halloweenmcr@cityco.com (Monday – Friday)
• Social Media: Facebook & Instagram @HalloweenMCR
• On the Day: Speak to a member of the event team wearing orange Halloween in the City t-shirts.