Manchester is marking a decade of monstrous fun this October as the iconic MCR Monsters take over the skyline for a milestone 10th anniversary celebration. Organised by the Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) and sponsored by confectioner Swizzels, the free, family-friendly Halloween in the City festival returns with live street entertainment, spooky games, and towering rooftop beasts.
The 10-year MCR monster trail
Created by artists Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas and produced by Designs in Air, the giant inflatable sculptures will form their most expansive trail to date. The monsters will peer over rooftops and historic landmarks across the October half term, running for eight days from Saturday 24 to Saturday 31 October 2026.
Inflatable monster locations:
- AO Arena
- Corn Exchange
- Exchange Square
- KAMPUS
- Manchester Arndale
- Mayfield Park
- Medlock Square
- Printworks
- Science and Industry Museum
- Selfridges Exchange Square
- The Royal Exchange
- Treehouse Hotel
Visitors can also track down Swizzels’ own resident monster, The Swizzeler, located along New Cathedral Street.
Halloween in the City Weekender
The festival’s headline weekend takes place on Saturday 24 October (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM) and Sunday 25 October (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM), introducing several brand-new attractions:
- The Monster Bake-Off: Taking over New Cathedral Street, host Paul Horror-wood will lead interactive challenges and spooky activities, giving daring bakers a shot at the coveted “Horror-wood Handshake.”
- Swizzels’ Spooky Sweet Stop: Located on New Cathedral Street, offering party bags loaded with Swizzels treats and festival surprises.
- The Monsters Party Procession: Produced by Walk the Plank and inspired by the original creature designs, this energetic carnival will march through Market Street and Manchester Arndale with dancing monster puppets, stilt walkers, and a live six-piece brass band.
Additional weekend activities:
- The Rave-Yard: St Ann’s Square transformed into a lively, open-air dance zone.
- The Monsters Disco: Family dance parties and DJ sets in Exchange Square.
- The Monster Library: Immersive storytelling of The Legend of the MCR Monsters inside Manchester Arndale.
- The Sweet Treat Eating Leech: Roaming New Cathedral Street and Exchange Street.
- City-wide Fancy Dress Takeover: Encouraging visitors of all ages to arrive in their best Halloween costumes.
A decade after their first rooftop invasion, Manchester’s beloved beasts are delivering their biggest, boldest birthday party yet.
