The MCR Monsters turn 10: Halloween in the City Returns

Image Credit: Carl Sukonik

Manchester's favourite Halloween creatures are having a birthday party, and the whole city is invited.  

Halloween in the City returns to Manchester city centre this October with a free weekender full of monster parties, live performances, a brand-new bake-off and the biggest fancy dress takeover yet. 

Halloween in the City Weekender: Saturday 24 October, 10am to 6pm, and Sunday 25 October, 10am to 5pm 

Eight Days of Giant MCR Monsters 

MCR Monsters: Saturday 24 to Saturday 31 October 

Where: Manchester city centre
Cost: Free

Ten years on from their first appearance, the MCR Monsters are bringing their longest trail to date. The giant inflatable creatures, created by artists Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas and brought to life by Designs in Air, will pop up across the city for eight days during October half term. 

Look out for them at Exchange Square, Manchester Arndale, Selfridges Exchange Square, Corn Exchange Manchester, Printworks, The Royal Exchange Manchester, Treehouse Hotel Manchester, AO Arena, KAMPUS, Science and Industry Museum, Mayfield Park and Medlock Square.  

Plus, little monsters and grown-ups alike can come face to face with Swizzels’ very own MCR Monster, The Swizzeler, taking up residence on New Cathedral Street as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations. 

What’s Happening Over the Weekender:  

1. Swizzels' Spooky Sweet Stop: New this year on New Cathedral Street. Families can collect a Halloween party bag with Swizzels sweets inside, then wind their way around the festival finding mini surprises.  

2. The Monster Bake-Off: Also new, and also on New Cathedral Street. Join Paul Horror-wood for a bake-off with a difference, with hands-on fun and spooky surprises for all the family. Roll up your sleeves and you could win a coveted Horror-wood Handshake. 

3. The Monsters Party Procession: Created by Walk the Plank and inspired by the original MCR Monsters, this parade will stomp, bash and boogie through Market Street and Manchester Arndale. Expect dancing monster puppets, towering stilt walkers and a six-piece brass band. 

4. The Monster Library: The Legend of the MCR Monsters. Head into Manchester Arndale for live storytelling from Z-Arts that reveals where Manchester's legendary creatures came from. There are laughs, thrills and plenty of audience participation. 

5. The Monsters Disco: Exchange Square turns into a dancefloor, with four giant monster friends, with fancy dress accessories and prizes for the best moves. 

6. The Rave-Yard: St Ann's Square is where the resident evil DJs take over, with DJ Ghostman and friends, plus disco play sessions and ghoulish games hosted by Born To Be Wild Child. 

7. The Sweet Treat Eating Leech: This eight-metre-long wriggling creature, from Walk the Plank, will be crashing the party on New Cathedral Street and Exchange Street all weekend. He loves candy, toffee and above all birthday cake, so keep your sweets close and an eye on the cake. 

Join the Fancy Dress Takeover 

This is Manchester's biggest city-wide fancy dress event, and everyone is welcome to take part.  

Come as a ghost, a ghoul, something glittery or a full monstrous masterpiece. Costumes for the whole family fit right in. 

Plan Now

For the latest updates, visit halloweenmcr.com and follow @HalloweenMCR with #HalloweenMCR and #MCRMonsters.