Halloween in the City Weekender: Saturday 24th – Sunday 25th October
MCR Monsters: Saturday 24th – Saturday 31st October
Manchester City Centre
Facebook @HalloweenMCR
Instagram @ HalloweenMCR
halloweenmcr.com
#HalloweenMcr #MCRMonsters
FREE
10 YEARS OF MCR MONSTERS: MANCHESTER’S FAVOURITE HALLOWEEN CREATURES ARE BACK TO PARTY FOR THEIR BIGGEST CELEBRATION TO DATE AS HALLOWEEN IN THE CITY RETURNS.
Free city-wide Halloween Weekender to return with giant inflatable art trail, monster parties, a brand-new monster bake-off, spooky storytelling and its biggest fancy dress takeover yet!
Manchester is getting ready to celebrate a very special monster-milestone this October as the MCR Monsters turn 10 and take over the city for a monstrously good Halloween birthday bash.
Organised by Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District and sponsored by British confectionery maker, Swizzels, Halloween in the City returns to Manchester city centre next month, bringing a free weekend of family-friendly fun, spectacular street entertainment and larger-than-life monsters.
To mark a decade of monster mayhem, the two-day celebration will bring the city to life with a giant inflatable monster trail, walkabout performers, party games, live DJs, spooky storytelling, a brand-new birthday bake-off and a spectacular roaming procession – and everyone is invited to join the party!
MCR Monsters
The MCR Monsters have been a staple in Manchester’s Halloween celebrations for a decade, and this year, they’re going all out across Manchester’s iconic buildings and landmarks. Created by artists Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas and brought to life by Designs in Air, the giant inflatable creatures will make their way into the city for their longest trail to date, celebrating eight days of monster mischief over October half term from Saturday 24th – Saturday 31st October 2026.
Visitors can expect a city-wide monster invasion at locations including Exchange Square, Manchester Arndale, Selfridges Exchange Square, Corn Exchange Manchester, Printworks, Science and Industry Museum, The Royal Exchange Manchester, Treehouse Hotel Manchester, AO Arena, KAMPUS, Mayfield Park and Medlock Square.
Little monsters and grown-ups will also be able to come face-to-face with Swizzels’ very own MCR Monster, The Swizzeler, who will be taking up residence on New Cathedral Street as part of this year’s monster trail and 10th anniversary celebrations.
Swizzels’ Spooky Sweet Stop
The Halloween in the City Weekender will take place on Saturday 24th October from 10am – 6pm and Sunday 25th October from 10am – 5pm. New for 2026, Swizzels’ Spooky Sweet Stop will be located on New Cathedral Street, where families can pick up a special Halloween party bag with Swizzels sweets inside, before winding their way around the festival to discover mini surprises along the way.
The Monster Bake-Off
Also new this year, The Monster Bake-Off is set to bake up a storm on New Cathedral Street. Join Paul Horror-wood for a ‘bake-off’ with a difference, packed with hands-on fun and spooky surprises for all the family. Roll up your sleeves, get stuck in and see if you can win a coveted ‘Horror-wood Handshake.’
The Monsters Party Procession
Then, things are set to get seriously monstrous, as The Monsters Party Procession – designed and created by Walk the Plank and inspired by the original MCR Monsters by artists Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas, created by Designs in Air – prepares to bash, boogie and stomp its way through Market Street and Manchester Arndale.
Dancing monster puppets, towering stilt walkers and a six-piece brass band will descend on the city centre, bringing a suitably spooktacular soundtrack as the MCR Monsters celebrate their tenth birthday with a party that promises to be anything but quiet.
The Monster Library: The Legend of the MCR Monsters
Families can also head into Manchester Arndale for The Monster Library: The Legend of the MCR Monsters. This live storytelling performance by Z-Arts will reveal the origins of Manchester’s legendary creatures. Filled with laughs, thrills and audience participation, the show promises to bring the Monsters’ story to life.
The Monsters Disco
Dancing shoes are essential at this birthday bonanza because the MCR Monsters will be boogieing down at The Monsters Disco in Exchange Square. Partygoers can dance alongside four giant monster friends, dress up in spooktacular fancy dress accessories and show off their best moves on the dancefloor. This is the place to strike a pose, bust a move, and collect prizes for monstrously good dance skills!
The Rave-Yard
Meanwhile, St Ann’s Square will become The Rave-Yard, where resident evil DJs will be getting the party started with DJ Ghostman and friends, alongside disco play sessions and ghoulish games hosted by Born To Be Wild Child.
The Sweet Treat Eating Leech
Lurking amongst the celebrations will be The Sweet Treat Eating Leech – an enormous eight-metre-long wriggling creature who wants to join his monster friends for some birthday treats! Candies, toffees and, most importantly, birthday cake are all far too tempting for this schlurping creature, so hold onto your Halloween sweets, keep a close eye on the cake and watch out as the Leech and their horde crash the party on New Cathedral Street and Exchange Street across the weekend.
Halloween dress-up
And, of course, no monster birthday would be complete without a Halloween dress-up. Visitors are invited to join Manchester’s biggest city-wide Fancy Dress Takeover, with families, friends and Halloween fans encouraged to come dressed to spook, sparkle or simply impress. From ghosts and ghouls to glittering creations and monstrous masterpieces, everyone is invited to get involved.
With ten years of monster mayhem under their belts, the MCR Monsters are ready to make this Halloween one for the history books. From baking up a storm and dancing in the Rave-Yard to stomping through the streets and dressing to impress, this is set to be the biggest, baddest birthday bash the city has ever seen.
For more information and updates on Halloween in the City, visit www.halloweenmcr.com
For more media information please contact Hannah or Anoushka at ECHO PR – hannah@echo-pr.co.uk / anoushka@echo-pr.co.uk / 07803 524525.
Notes to Editors
Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District (BID).
BIDs are defined geographical areas where businesses work together and invest in agreed services, initiatives, and special events, and are financed by a levy made based on rateable value. They operate in most cities and towns across the UK.
Manchester City Centre BID, which is managed by The City Centre Management Company, CityCo, was successful in securing a third 5-year term on 1st April 2023.
The BID brings together 600+ businesses including retail, hospitality, and offices, spanning Deansgate, King Street, Cross Street, St Ann’s Square, Market Street, New Cathedral Street, Manchester Arndale, Spring Gardens and Fountain Street.
The BID connects businesses with key authorities including Manchester City Council, Marketing Manchester, Transport for Greater Manchester, and Greater Manchester Police.
Work is delivered around four themes: Attracting Visitors, Environment, Community, and ESG.
More information at cityco.com/about-bid
