Featuring towering monsters, pumpkin-filled fields, lantern-lit trails and curious encounters with the natural world, Greater Manchester has plenty to keep families occupied as Halloween approaches and school’s out for the first half-term break.
This year’s selection ranges from free city-centre festivities and museum workshops to seasonal spectacles further afield, with endless opportunities to get creative, explore the outdoors and embrace the auburn-hued festivities of autumn.
Little bookworms can revisit some of their favourite picture-book characters at Lowry, where Wild Things: Animals in Children’s Books brings together almost 100 original illustrations from beloved stories including Elmer, Dear Zoo, Owl Babies and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. The exhibition spans generations of children’s literature, with work by celebrated illustrators and newer names to explore along the way.
Designed especially for children under seven, the gallery also features playful installations and activities, including the Bee Calm Spa, Vera’s Veggie Delights Stall and The Furry Wardrobe.
For families keen to make the most of the autumn outdoors, RHS Garden Bridgewater provides an expansive setting for seasonal exploration, with landscaped gardens, woodland walks and abundant space to roam.
This year’s autumnal programme features spooky plant trails, animal encounters and even spellcraft sessions inspired by ancient botanical folklore.
The ever-popular Gandeys Circus returns to the Trafford Centre with a Halloween-themed big-top production combining dazzling spectacle and seasonal theatricality. Running until Sun 1 Nov, the Halloween Spooktacular is a memorable alternative to pumpkin trails and museum activities, with performances scheduled throughout the half-term week.
Shows run at 2.30pm and 5.30pm from Mon 26-Fri 30 Oct, with additional weekend performances and a final pair of shows on Sun 1 Nov.
As darkness falls to the west of the city, Land of Lights takes over Gulliver’s World once again with a mile-long lantern trail weaving through a series of illuminated storybook worlds. This year’s displays include fantastical scenes and enormous creatures, promising an atmospheric festive outing for families who prefer their Halloween adventures on the gentler side.
The trail opens on Sat 24 Oct and runs on selected dates through to January 2027, with evening sessions offering the best opportunity to see the installations at their brightest.
Z-arts’ magical family escape room puts a literary spin on the puzzle-solving format, sending teams into a mysterious library where clues must be deciphered and challenges overcome to complete the adventure.
Sessions are available on selected dates throughout the half-term period, including Tue 27-Sat 31 Oct, with several time slots each day. Some sessions have already sold out, so advance booking is encouraged.
With an extended schedule running into the first weekend of November, HOME’s Halloween programme brings a fresh round of eerie entertainment to the arts venue’s familiar mix of film, performance and creative activity.
Designed specifically for the October break, the itinerary includes family films like Wildwood, Shaun the Sheep and Stitch Head, magical theatre show The Littlest Yak, and an array of free, spooky craft sessions.
Eric Carle’s much-loved picture-book creation makes the leap from page to stage in a colourful production celebrating the caterpillar’s journey through the natural world.
Combining puppetry, vivid visual design and familiar storytelling, the show draws on Carle’s best-known books for an introduction to live theatre aimed at very young children.
With performances during the half-term period, including accessible sessions on Wed 28 Oct and Sat 31 Oct and a relaxed performance on Sun 1 Nov, there are several opportunities to catch the production throughout the week.
Kids and grown-ups alike have a final chance to discover the fascinating connection between football and the human body in Head, Shoulders, Knees & Goals, the National Football Museum’s exhibition exploring the science behind sporting performance and the rituals that make matchday special. Alongside objects and stories from the game, visitors can explore movement, exercise, nutrition and clothing, with interactive elements bringing the science of football to life.
The exhibition also looks beyond the pitch to the sights, sounds and smells of the terraces, exploring the role that football plays in shaping identity and belonging.
For a more tranquil change of pace, Dunham Massey’s historic estate combines autumn walks, wildlife and centuries of local history across the rural idyll within a stone’s throw of Altrincham. The deer park is a notable highlight at this time of year, with fallow deer roaming among ancient trees and broad paths providing room for families to explore at their own speed.
The historic house and gardens is open as always, while the estate’s family resources can help structure a walk for children who enjoy some intrepid exploration along the way.
On Thu 29 Oct, Chetham’s Library invites school-age sorcerers and paranormal parents into its storied halls for Magic Makers, a fantastical afternoon of Halloween-themed activities.
Running from 2pm to 4pm, the family-friendly event combines arts and crafts with the chance to explore the historic library, learn about the traditions of Hallowe’en and take part in an enchanting scavenger hunt. Dressing up is encouraged, and activities are recommended for children aged 7 and over.
IWM North’s free half-term programme explores the stories behind the museum’s collections through creative activities and personal accounts of conflict. In the Family Activity Hub, Making a Museum gives children aged five and over the opportunity to consider why museums preserve and share stories, before contributing their own ideas to the IWM North Family Canvas.
The Story Seekers trail runs over the weekends from Sat 24 Oct-Sun 1 Nov, encouraging families to uncover the personal histories behind objects in the collection. On Wed 28 Oct, We Were There welcomes veterans and eyewitnesses into the museum to share first-hand experiences of conflict, offering a remarkable opportunity to hear history through the voices of those who lived it. All three activities are free, with the museum’s permanent galleries and cinematic Big Picture Show open during the break too.
If you’d rather swap scary scenes for star-hopping excitement, Jodrell Bank is set to host a programme delving into the mysteries of space this half term, with a blend of science demonstrations, creative activities and breathtaking astronomy beneath the vast Lovell Telescope. Families can tackle a free spooky space trail, make cosmic-themed crafts and explore the constellation-themed playgrounds, while short outdoor sessions introduce visitors to the observatory’s iconic radio telescope.
The weekday Curious Kids Science Show features live experiments and demonstrations, while the Space Dome’s regular film programme includes journeys through the Solar System and voyages into black holes. New exhibition The North Revisited pairs John Bulmer’s documentary photography with Simon Hill’s contemporary response, charting changes to the region’s topography and culture over six decades.
Admission tickets operate as annual passes, allowing return visits throughout the year, and online booking saves 10% on general admission.
There’s still ample time to get out of the city and stuck into a dizzying assortment of pumpkin fields, with farms across Greater Manchester and neighbouring Cheshire combining all-ages gourd-grabbing with a range of onsite activities. Depending on the location, visitors can expect carving sessions, maize mazes, tractor rides, animal encounters, fairground attractions and Halloween-themed trails, with some farms also hosting after-dark experiences.
Read our full guide to the best pumpkin-picking spots around the region below.
- Words:
- Wolf McFarlane
- Published on:
- Wed 21 Oct 2026
Manchester’s much-loved MCR Monsters celebrate their tenth anniversary with the biggest city-centre Halloween takeover yet, as giant inflatable creatures return to the city’s landmarks for an eight-day trail. The free festivities extend across the weekend of Sat 24-Sun 25 Oct, when families can enjoy street performances, fancy-dress fun, live DJs, spooky storytelling and a spectacular roaming procession.
The programme also features monster-themed games, a birthday bake-off and a packed schedule of activities around the city centre, with the main weekender spanning Exchange Square, Manchester Arndale, New Cathedral Street and St Ann’s Square.