Halloween in the City returns with inflatable monster trail & free family activities

Manchester’s Halloween in the City festivities return with a special edition next month, as the city’s much-loved inflatable monster trail celebrates its tenth anniversary.

The free city-wide spooktacular will bring a busy programme of family fun, fancy dress, street performers, live DJs, a brand-new birthday bake-off and a spectacular roaming procession.

The MCR Monsters have been a staple in Manchester’s Halloween celebrations for a decade, and this year, they’ll again be taking over some of Manchester’s most 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 feature across the longest trail to date, running over the October half term from Sat 24 Oct – Sat 31 Oct.

This year’s locations include 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.

Organised by Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District and sponsored by British confectionery maker, Swizzels, this year’s trail will also feature The Swizzeler, who will be taking up residence on New Cathedral Street.

Manchester’s Halloween Weekender

The Halloween in the City Weekender will take place on Sat 24 Oct from 10am – 6pm, and Sun 25 Oct 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.

Also new this year, The Monster Bake-Off is set to cook 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.

The Monsters Party Procession will again stomp through Market Street and Manchester Arndale, featuring dancing monster puppets, towering stilt walkers and a six-piece brass band. Elsewhere, Exchange Square will be transformed into The Monsters Disco, St Ann’s Square will become The Rave-Yard, where resident evil DJs will be getting the party started.

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, and all are invited to join a massive, city-wide fancy dress takeover.

For more information about Manchester’s Halloween in the City celebrations, click here.