It’s one of the biggest events of the season this week — that’s right, Halloween is upon us! As always in Manchester, there’s a wide variety of fantastically frightening events, and there’s definitely something for everyone. We’ve rounded up the best free things to do in Manchester this week, and plenty of them are appropriately spooky — read on to find out more…

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night & Halloween Film Screenings | YES | Mon 26 Oct | 7pm - 9pm

Above The Line Film Club have a suitably spooky programme of films lined up this week at YES — don’t miss A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night this Monday 26 October. Billed as the first Iranian vampire western, this black and white political parable takes a couple of turns you won’t be expecting, soundtracked by an eclectic mix of brooding, dream-like tunes. Also screening at YES this week are horror classics like The Wicker Man (Thursday 29 October), Rosemary’s Baby (Friday 30 October) and loads more.

YES, 38 Charles Street, Manchester M1 7DB
Spooky Museum Search | People's History Museum | Tue 27 Oct | 10am - 5pm

This family-friendly event from the People’s History Museum combines the classic search for Where’s Wally with some spooky stylings for the season. It’s a free, drop-in activity — all you need to do is book your visit to the museum in advance — and if you successfully find Wally in the museum’s collections, you get a spooky bookmark to take home.

People's History Museum, Left Bank, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3ER
Paper Flowers | Manchester Museum | Thu 29 Oct | 2pm - 2.45pm

Manchester Museum is hosting an installation by paper artist Kate Kelly as part of the newly launched 50 Windows of Creativity art trail around the city. This week, she’s holding a paper craft workshop alongside Rachel Webster, the museum’s Curator of Botany. Rachel will talk about the museum’s botany collection as Kate demonstrates paper craft techniques to teach you how to craft your own paper flowers — and it all takes place over Zoom, so you don’t even have to leave the house!

Fat Out Fest 2020 Halloween Broadcast | Fri 30 Oct | 7pm - 9pm

Fat Out, Salford-based independent curators of the rowdy, weird and obscure, are holding a totally virtual, totally zany three-day broadcast, featuring experimental performances, queer rituals, film and panel talks across the Halloween weekend. It promises to be an exciting three days, featuring performers like Adult Entertainment, Creatures of Catharsis, and Rebekah Reid — make sure to tune in to catch some truly spooktacular stuff. Find out more about Fat Out Fest here.

Hallowe'en Costume Party | GRUB | Sat 31 Oct | 12pm - 10pm

GRUB are hosting their first ever Hallowe’en Costume Party – and they’ve got a whole host of cool and creepy stuff lined up for those celebrating the haunted holiday. There’ll be a trick or treat tombola, pumpkin carving, and of course, a costume competition. As always, GRUB will have the finest selection of street food in Manchester accompanied by the coolest local craft beer — and some spooky themed drinks too!

GRUB, 50 Redbank, Manchester M4 4HF
Mon 26 Oct - Sun 1 Nov
Words:
Amy Callaghan
Published on:
Mon 26 Oct 2020