Manchester’s Halloween in the City festivities return with a special edition this 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 from Sat 24 Oct – Sat 31 Oct.
Where will Manchester’s Halloween Monsters be located in 2026?
Created by artists Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas and brought to life by Designs in Air, the MCR Monsters return for their anniversary outing, marking the occasion with their longest-ever run of eight days.
The trail, organised by Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District (BID), is completely free to attend. For the first time since 2018, Manchester Arndale on the Market Street side will be involved, with Bob Gnarly looming over the chaos beneath.
Invited to join the party are three brand-new monsters: Barkus makes his debut at Treehouse Hotel Manchester, Jack Sabbath heads to AO Arena, and over at Medlock Square, keep an eye out for The Medlock Monster’s giant tentacles.
Other new locations for 2026 include the Science and Industry Museum, which hosts Albert Slime-stein, and at The Royal Exchange, the Royal Exchange Ghouls are invited into the building for the first time.
Elsewhere on the trail, find Three Eyed Guy on the Exchange Square side of Manchester Arndale, Harry & Gordon at Selfridges Manchester Exchange Square and Terrif-Eye inside Corn Exchange.
Withy Ghoul will be having a purple makeover before landing inside Printworks, and KRAMPUS returns for the big birthday celebration at The Bungalow @ KAMPUS. The iconic Medlocktopus is also back, crawling onto the roof of Mayfield Park.
Popping up especially for the Halloween in the City Weekender on Sat 24 Oct and Sun 25 Oct, the trail welcomes The Swizzeler, courtesy of main event sponsor Swizzels, on New Cathedral Street. Also appearing for the Weekender are familiar faces Ooey, Gooey, Scary Gary and Nasty Nelson in Exchange Square.
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.
- Words:
- Bradley Lengden
- Published on:
- Thu 1 Oct 2026
