Halloween in the City Weekender: Saturday 24th – Sunday 25th October 2026
MCR Monsters: Saturday 24th – Saturday 31st October 2026
Manchester City Centre
@HalloweenMCR
#HalloweenMCR
#MCRMonsters
FREE
HALLOWEEN IN THE CITY RETURNS NEXT WEEK WITH AN EPIC LINE-UP OF BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS AS THE MCR MONSTERS TURN 10
The UK’s biggest free Halloween event is set to return as the MCR Monsters celebrate their 10th birthday with a giant fancy dress takeover, spectacular street procession, live entertainment, ghoulish games, spooky storytelling, a monster birthday bake-off and more
Manchester’s favourite monsters are turning 10 and the whole city is invited to the party as Halloween in the City returns with its biggest celebration yet. From giant inflatable beasts looming over the skyline to dancing puppets taking over the city’s streets, Manchester is set to throw one hell of a ‘Mon-chester’ birthday party this October.
Organised by Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District and proudly sponsored by British confectionery maker, Swizzels, Halloween in the City returns to Manchester city centre from Saturday 24th – Sunday 25th October, with free family entertainment from 10am across the weekend. The celebrations continue with the return of the iconic MCR Monster trail, as the city’s beloved creatures take over streets, rooftops and favourite city spots from Saturday 24th – Saturday 31st October.
Families are invited to get into the party spirit in their best Halloween costumes for a giant city-wide Fancy Dress Takeover. Whether you’re a little monster, a grown-up ghoul or a fancy-dress fanatic, make sure to come along dressed to spook, sparkle or steal the show, because all costumes are welcome at this year’s monster bash.
Ready to get the party started will be The Monsters Party Procession, designed and created by Walk the Plank and inspired by monster designs by artists Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas of Designs in Air. The procession will bring dancing monster puppets, stilt walkers and a six-piece brass band to Market Street and Manchester Arndale at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Expect loud rhythms, roaming monster performers and spooktacular tunes.
Because no birthday bash would be complete without party bags and sweet treats, visit Swizzels’ Spooky Sweet Stop on New Cathedral Street to pick up a special Halloween party bag with Swizzels sweets inside, while stocks last, and embark on a spooky trail across the festival in search of mini surprises in the Kids’ Halloween Hunt. Make sure to stop and snap a photo with The Swizzeler, Swizzels’ very own MCR Monster, who will be making an appearance on New Cathedral Street.
Created by artists Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas of Designs in Air, the MCR Monster Trail returns for its longest run yet with 17 inflatable monsters invading the city’s streets, squares and rooftops over eight days, with some appearing exclusively for the big birthday weekender. With monstrous newcomers and old fan favourites, monster hunters should keep their eyes peeled across the city as this year’s trail celebrates a decade of monster mischief.
Making a particularly gnarly comeback is the rooftop of Manchester Arndale on Market Street, which will feature in the monster trail for the first time since 2018. The popular shopping street will be under monster surveillance, with Blob Gnarly, a new monster for 2026, who will be looming down and keeping a very close eye on the crowds below.
Three additional new monsters have also been invited to join the party – Barkus makes his debut at Treehouse Hotel Manchester, Jack Sabbath will be lightning his way into town at AO Arena and over at Medlock Square at the Etihad Campus , The Medlock Monster will be spreading his tentacles.
The trail is also expanding its monster footprint with three new locations for 2026. Alongside Medlock Square, the Science and Industry Museum is a new addition to the trail, hosting Albert Slime-stein. Meanwhile, at The Royal Exchange Manchester, the monsters are invited inside the building for the first time, where monster hunters can get up close to The Royal Exchange Ghouls; a gang of grounded mini monsters.
Elsewhere on the trail, visitors can spot Three Eyed Guy on the Exchange Square side of Manchester Arndale, Harry & Gordon at Selfridges Manchester Exchange Square and Terrif-Eye inside Corn Exchange Manchester. Withy Ghoul will be having a purple makeover before landing inside Printworks, and the beloved KRAMPUS returns for the big birthday celebration at The Bungalow @ KAMPUS. The iconic Medlocktopus is also back, crawling onto the roof of Mayfield Park. Finally, making exclusive appearances for the Halloween Weekender, be sure not to miss familiar faces Ooey, Gooey, Scary Gary and Nasty Nelson in Exchange Square.
Across the weekend, the city will also be bursting with free family fun. Little monsters can step into The Monster Library at Manchester Arndale for The Legend of the MCR Monsters, a live storytelling adventure from Z-arts; show off their best moves at The Monsters Disco in Exchange Square; and help monster chefs and their hosts Paul Horror-wood and Scary Berry create a birthday cake with a difference at The Monster Bake-Off. Over in St Ann’s Square, The Rave-Yard will keep the party going with DJ Ghostman, ghoulish games and party sessions hosted by Born to Be Wild Child, while The Sweet Treat Eating Leech, created by Walk the Plank and its monstrous horde will be on the loose, looking to get their claws on the birthday goodies.
Full Event Line-Up:
MCR Monsters
Manchester city centre, Saturday 24th – Saturday 31st October 2026
The MCR Monsters are turning 10, and they’re taking over Manchester for eight days of monster-sized mischief. Track down 17 giant inflatable monster locations across the city’s streets and rooftops including four creatures appearing exclusively over the Halloween weekend. Snap a selfie with your favourites and share your monster-spotting pictures at @HalloweenMCR using #MCRMonsters.
Created by artists Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas of Designs in Air.
The Monsters Party Procession
Market Street and Manchester Arndale, Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th October 2026, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm
Join an unmissable roaming performance from Walk the Plank, featuring dancing monster puppets, stilt walkers and a six-piece brass band playing spooktacular tunes. Get ready to boogie as Manchester’s shopping streets become one giant birthday bash.
Designed and created by Walk the Plank, inspired by monster designs by artists Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas, created by Designs in Air.
Swizzels’ Spooky Sweet Stop
New Cathedral Street, Saturday 24th October, 10am – 5pm & Sunday 25th October, 10am – 4pm
Prepare for the scare!
Drop by Swizzels’ Spooky Sweet Stop to pick up a special Halloween party bag with Swizzels sweets inside, while stocks last. You can also come face to face with The Swizzeler, Swizzels’ very own MCR Monster, joining the 10th birthday celebrations. Grab your goodies and get ready to explore the festival for more monstrous surprises.
Sponsored by Swizzels.
The Monster Library: The Legend of the MCR Monsters
Manchester Arndale, Exchange Court, ground floor, opposite Next (inside), Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th October 2026
Show times both days: 10am, 10.45am, 1pm, 2.30pm and 4.30pm.
Ever wondered how the MCR Monsters came to be? Step inside Manchester Arndale for a live storytelling adventure from Z-arts and uncover the legend behind Manchester’s favourite monstrous visitors. Packed with laughs, thrills and audience participation, it’s the perfect birthday tale for little monster fans. Plus, pick up a mini prize for your party bag while you’re there.
The Monsters Disco
Exchange Square, Saturday 24th October, 10am – 6pm & Sunday 25th October, 10am – 5pm
It’s time to get your monster moves on! Head to Exchange Square to dance alongside four giant monster friends, grab some fancy-dress accessories and show off your best moves on the dancefloor. Strike a pose, bust a move and earn yourself a prize for monstrously good dancing.
The Monster Bake-Off
New Cathedral Street, Saturday 24th October, 10am – 6pm & Sunday 25th October, 10am – 5pm
No birthday is complete without a cake, but this one might need a few extra eyeballs! Join Paul Horror-wood, Scary Berry and their monster chefs for a bake-off with a twist. Help decide which ingredients belong in the MCR Monsters’ birthday cake, with audience participation and spooky surprises guaranteed.
The Rave-Yard
St Ann’s Square, Saturday 24th October, 10am – 6pm & Sunday 25th October, 10am – 4.30pm
A ghost’s favourite party spot, the Rave-Yard is back with resident evil DJ Ghostman and a packed programme of ghoulish games and monster moves. Dance, play and eat, sleep, grave, repeat, with party games hosted by Born to Be Wild Child. Little monsters can join the fun and pick up a mini prize for their party bag.
Saturday 24th October
- DJ Ghostman: 10am – 11am
- Born to Be Wild Child party games: 11am – 12pm, 12.30pm – 1.30pm, 2pm – 3pm, 3.30pm – 4.30pm and 5pm – 6pm
Sunday 25th October
- DJ Ghostman: 10am – 11am
- Born to Be Wild Child party games: 11am – 12pm, 12.30pm – 1.30pm, 2pm – 3pm and 3.30pm – 4.30pm
The Sweet Treat Eating Leech
New Cathedral Street and Exchange Street, Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th October 2026, 11am – 11.30am, 2pm – 2.30pm and 4.30pm – 5pm
Who invited The Leech to the birthday party? This hungry creature has never been invited to a birthday bash before, and it’s determined to make up for lost time. With candies, toffees and birthday cake proving far too tempting, the sweet-toothed monster and its horde are ready to crash the celebrations. Keep a close eye on your treats as this mischievous creature slithers through the city!
Produced by Walk the Plank.
Kids’ Halloween Hunt
Manchester city centre, Saturday 24th October, 10am – 5pm & Sunday 25th October, 10am – 4pm
Pick up your party bag from Swizzels’ Spooky Sweet Stop on New Cathedral Street, then set off on a Halloween adventure in search of mini surprises. Visit The Monster Library, The Monsters Disco and The Rave-Yard to discover more festival fun along the way.
Fancy Dress Takeover
Manchester city centre, Saturday 24th October, 10am – 6pm & Sunday 25th October, 10am – 5pm
Join in! Dress up! Party on! The MCR Monsters are turning 10, and they want everyone to celebrate in style. From spooky skeletons and creepy creatures to glittering ghouls and fabulous fancy dress, all outfits are welcome. Bring your most frightening, funny or fabulous look and become part of Manchester’s biggest city-wide Halloween fancy dress celebration.
For the latest news and event updates, follow @HalloweenMCR on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, or 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 www.cityco.com/about-bid
