Giant inflatable monsters descend on Manchester again next month for their BIGGEST celebration to date

Halloween in the City returns next month with its biggest celebration ever to mark a decade of monster mayhem.

Organised by Manchester BID and sponsored by British confectionery maker, Swizzels, Halloween in the City will be back in Manchester city centre next month once the spooky season arrives – bringing a free weekend of family-friendly fun and spectacular street entertainment.

To mark a decade of monster mayhem, the two-day celebration will bring the city to life with walkabout performers, party games, live DJs, spooky storytelling, and a spectacular roaming procession.

There’s also set to be brand-new birthday bake off this year to celebrate the big 10, and everyone is invited to join the party

But, of course, at the heart of the celebrations will be giant inflatable monsters.

The MCR Monsters have been a staple in Manchester’s Halloween celebrations for a decade now, and this year, they’re going all out across the city’s 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 make their way into the city for their longest trail to date, celebrating eight days of monster mischief over October half term from Saturday 24 to Saturday 31 October.

Visitors can expect a city-wide monster invasion at locations – including 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.

Then, the big Halloween in the City Weekender will take place on Saturday 24 October from 10am-6pm and Sunday 25 October from 10am-5pm.

Some of the activities on the Weekender lineup this year include a live storytelling performance by Z-Arts in Manchester Arndale, a big Monsters Disco over in Exchange Square, a Rave Yard with resident evil DJs in St Ann’s Square, the Swizzels Spooky Sweet Stop on New Cathedral Street – which is new for 2026 – and then the main event, The Monsters Party Procession.

Designed and created by Walk the Plank, The Monsters Party Procession will ‘bash, boogie, and stomp’ its way through Market Street and Manchester Arndale, so expect dancing monster puppets, towering stilt walkers, and a six-piece brass band suitably spooky soundtrack.

Read more:

• Greater Manchester’s spooky steam trains are returning this Halloween
• Tickets now on sale for popular pumpkin festival near Greater Manchester this autumn
• Scare City returns to abandoned theme park with eight new horror zones this Halloween

And, of course, no monster birthday would be complete without a Halloween dress-up, which everyone is encouraged to join in with.

Halloween in the City returns from Saturday 24 October, and you can find out everything happening over the eight-day period online here.

Featured Image – Supplied