‘Tis the season to get battered in fancy dress.
Halloween is finally upon us and there’s so much going on in the city this year. From creepy carnivals to freaky film screenings, there’s no excuse not to get dressed up and get involved!
1. Meet Kiefer Sutherland, Tobin Bell (Saw) and more at For The Love of Horror (October 19)
Get ready for a fantastic new concept that crosses a scare attraction with a fan convention. Meet like-minded people young and old from all over the world and celebrate your love for all things horror! There’ll be big names on stage meeting fans for photographs and autographs. Come along and look on the fright side of life! Get your tickets here.
2. See the monsters (until October 27)
Eight inflatable monsters will wrap their tentacles around Manchester’s rooftops as city-wide spookfest Halloween in the City is set to return.
The giant green tentacles, created by artist Filthy Luker, will snake across the rooftops of Manchester Arndale, The Printworks, Piccadilly Place and Mayfield Depot on October 26 and 27. While buildings around the city will be lit up a gruesome green as part of the two-day festival.
3. Brave the trick or treat trail
There’ll be trick or treat houses scattered across the city, with a different monster at each, waiting to greet you. Those brave enough to tackle the Creepy Trail can collect a map and check off each point. Complete the trail and collect a special treat at the end.
When: October 26 and 27, 10am – 6pm
Where: Across the city
4. Visit Dr Mancenstein’s Mad Science Castle
When: October 26 and 27, 10am – 6pm
Where: St Ann’s Square
5. And enter her poisonous maze
Take a walk through the grounds of Dr. Mancenstein’s castle and wander through the hedge maze that’s been taken over by creeping vines, enchanted statues and monstrous creatures – and watch out for the deadly, walking, talking bushes.
When: October 26 and 27, 10am – 6pm
Where: St Ann’s Square
6. See the creepy carnival
Grimm Rita’s Creepy Carnival will be twisting and turning along New Cathedral Street.
When: October 26 and 27, 10am – 6pm
Where: New Cathedral Street
7. And the strolling bones carnival
An unmissable, bone-jangling roaming performance from Walk the Plank. Expect skeleton puppets, stilt walkers, unicycle performers, a band and dancers.
When: October 26 and 27 at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.
Where: Exchange Square to St Ann’s Square
8. Step inside a Julia Donaldson story
Manchester’s favourite kids’ arts centre, Z Arts, will offer up a taste of the exhibition A World Inside a Book – Gruffalos, Dragons and Other Creatures, dedicated to the children’s author, Julia Donaldson. Head to Manchester Arndale to meet some of her best-loved characters and enjoy magical storytelling sessions of Room on the Broom.
When: October 26 and 27. 10am – 6pm
Where: Manchester Arndale
9 – 10 Scare yourself silly at Victoria Baths (October 31 – November 1)
The glorious grade II listed swimming pool and Turkish Baths complex has partnered up with The Village Screen to present two nights of spooktacular film screening, kicking off with the terrifying The Conjuring on October 31. Followed by the 80s classic, Beetlejuice on November 1. Get tickets here. Hathersage Rd, Manchester M13 0FE
11. Belt out epic power ballads at Bat Out of Helloween (November 1)
The biggest songs. The biggest hair. The biggest guitar solos. Expect all this and more when you experience the legendary club night that is Ultimate Power. Come and embrace the greatest power ballads ever written with the Ultimate Power DJs taking you on a ride through the very best of the genre: from forgotten classics to generation-straddling anthems by Journey, Bonnie Tyler, Bon Jovi, Toto, Queen, Whitney Houston, Aerosmith and many, many more. Imagine the most euphoric night of your life, double it, and you’re halfway there. Get your tickets here.
12. Head over to the most terrifying Halloween festival of the UK (November 1)
Witness death-defying acts, crazy characters and a heart-pumping soundtrack as the Twisted Circus invades VIVA. With everything from a body stapling and pierced weight lifting to the incredibly dangerous Bed of Blades, this event is like no other. Welcome to the dark side of the circus! Click here for tickets.
13. Visit Halloween Land (November 2)
Halloween land promises a horrifying host of activities including fairground rides, immersive photo booths, haunted houses and a ‘zombie run’. There’ll be cult horror movie screenings, a massive live show with tonnes of evil fun and creepy characters waiting to sneak up on unsuspecting visitors. Get your tickets here.
14. Festival of the dead (November 2)
Festival of the Dead is a contemporary event infusing elements carnival, circus, theatre and unadulterated partying. Expect a festival like no other, with carnival-esque pageantry, giant skull processions, acrobats, dancers and beautiful decorative art & costumes. Highlights include giant skull processions around the venue, acrobats and circus performers, DJs and live music, professional skull face painting, confetti, co2 and light show and much more. Don’t miss it! Book your tickets here.
15. Get lost in Wonderland (November 2)
Jump down the rabbit hole and embark on a horrific Halloween adventure as fear blends with fantasy at this Trapped in Wonderland Halloween experience. After being trapped in Wonderland for far too long, Alice has gone rather mad. The cats and bunnies are confused, the tea party is covered in blood and now #EvilAlice has decided she’s throwing a party! Expect deranged personalities, oversized props, spectacular music and a host of surprises! Get your tickets here.