What's On

Halloween in the City will return to Manchester with giant inflatable monster trail

The monsters are back!

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 9th October 2023

Manchester’s beloved giant inflatable monster trail will return to the city this Halloween, with the big colourful creatures taking over rooftops once again.

Halloween in the City is the country’s biggest Halloween celebration, with both the monster trail and a two-day family-friendly festival filling Manchester with things that go bump in the night.

The MCR Monsters, in all shapes and sizes, will be creeping and crawling over local landmarks including New Century Hall, the AO Arena, the Corn Exchange, Selfridges and the Manchester Arndale.

You’ll also find them lurking around Harvey Nichols, The Royal Exchange, and – new for 2023 – Castlefield Viaduct.

The gigantic inflatable sculptures are created by artists Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas.

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The monster trail is now in its eighth year, transforming the city centre into a ghoulish green landscape with thousands of pumpkin lanterns dotted around the streets.

The MCR Monsters will be in town between Wednesday 25 and Tuesday 31 October.

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Last year's inflatable monsters in the Halloween in the City trail in Manchester.
Last year’s inflatable monsters in the Halloween in the City trail in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Last year's inflatable monsters in the Halloween in the City trail in Manchester.
Last year’s inflatable monsters in the Halloween in the City trail in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

Halloween in the City, organised by Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District, also includes a two-day family festival on 28 and 29 October, which will include a fancy dress challenge, a monster procession, and a monster music festival.

The Monsters Rock Music Festival will take over New Cathedral Street, St Ann’s Square, Market Street and Exchange Square, with live bands, DJs, rides, circus acts and even monster portaloos.

Walk the Plank’s popular Monsters Rock Out Procession is also back in Manchester for Halloween 2023, featuring giant puppet monsters, stilt walkers and a live band who will be partying their way through Manchester Arndale and Market Street.

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Thousands of families are expected to flock into the city centre for the celebrations, and will take part in the Team Trick vs Team Treat challenge, where you can win points for your team.

You’ll be able to take to the ice on a spooky rink too, with the return of Scare Skate at Cathedral Gardens.

It’s all organised on behalf of city centre retailers, restaurants and businesses.

Where to find the inflatable monsters for Halloween in the City 2023

  • 1. Manchester Arndale, Exchange Square, Above Next, M4 3AJ
  • 2. Selfridges Exchange Square, Exchange Square, M3 1BD
  • 3. Exchange Square (28 + 29 Oct Only), Festival Entrance, M3 1BD
  • 4. Exchange Square (28 + 29 Oct Only), Music Stage, M3 1BD
  • 5. Corn Exchange Manchester – Inside Exchange Square, M4 3TR
  • 6. Harvey Nichols, New Cathedral Street, M1 1AD
  • 7. New Cathedral Street (28 + 29 Oct Only), Near Ted Baker M1 1AD
  • 8. The Royal Exchange Manchester, St Ann’s Square, M2 7DH
  • 9. Castlefield Viaduct, Duke Street, M3 4PU
  • 10. + 11. AO Arena, Victoria Station Approach, Hunts Bank, M3 1AR
  • 12. New Century Hall, Miller Street, M4 4AH
  • 13. New Victoria, Corporation Street, M4 4DZ
  • 14. Kampus, Aytoun Street, M1 3GL
  • 15. The Church, Chorlton Street, M1 3HN
  • 16. Depot Mayfield, Baring Street, M1 2PY

For event updates, follow @halloweenMCR. 

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Featured image: The Manc Group

What's On

Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 – prices for beer, mulled wine, bratwurst, and more

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Food and drink prices at the Manchester Christmas Markets 2026

It’s timeeeeee… Manchester Christmas Markets are officially open for 2026.

Now in their 27th year, Manchester Christmas Markets are known and loved for bringing thousands of people into the city centre each year to fill up on the fantastic festive treats and soak up all the Christmas atmosphere.

This year sees an even bigger return of Albert Square, and there’s also some new locations too for 2026. Lincoln Square has joined in on the action, and there’s also some big changes to St Ann’s Square – with what is being described as a ‘brand new layout’, bringing in a bigger number of market stalls.

There’s a total of 210 stalls spread out across the city centre, but we know there’s one question on everyone’s lips… ‘what’s it gonna cost me?’.

We’ve been running around the markets this morning checking out all the prices on things like beer, mulled wine, bratwurst, and more, so without further ado, here’s everything you need to know.

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Average food and drink prices at Manchester Christmas Markets 2026

  • Mulled wine – £6.50
  • Beer – £7
  • Prosecco – £7
  • Hot chocolate – £5
  • Bratwurst – £8

Albert Square

Bratwurst King on Albert Square
Bratwurst King on Albert Square
The North Pole pub at Albert Square
The North Pole pub at Albert Square

Bratwurst King

  • German bratwurst – £8
  • Smoked sausage – £8
  • Cheese sausage – £8
  • Halal hot dog – £9
  • Currywurst – £9
  • Glühwein – £6
  • Krombacher lager – £6 a pint, £3 a half pint
  • Soft drinks – £2

Macaroons and Loaded Chocolate

  • Coconut macaroons (+ chocolate / caramel drizzle) – £2.50
  • Loaded hot chocolates (original and various flavours) – £5
  • Hot drinks – from £3-£4.50

North Pole Pub

  • Prosecco – £7
  • Wine – £6 small, £8 medium, £9.50 large
  • Mulled wine – £7
  • Caramel rum – £8.50
  • Toffee cider – £8.50
  • Spiced apple & cinnamon – £8.50
  • Lager – £4 half pint, £7 pint, £14 stein
  • Cider – £4 half pint, £6.50 pint, £13 stein
  • Guinness – £4.50 half pint, £7.50 pint, £15 stein (£5.50 – Guinness 0%)
  • Cocktails – £11.50

The Wine Barrel Bar

  • Hot cocktails – £9-£9.50
  • Cocktails – £6-£9
  • Traditional glühwein – £7.50 (£10 for added spirits)
  • Wine and prosecco – £7.50
  • Beer – £4 half pint, £7 pint

The Falala Bar

  • Cocktails – £11
  • Prosecco – £7
  • Mulled wine (various flavours) – £7 small, £8.50 large
  • Hot liqueur – £9.50
  • Mocktails – £6-£6.50
  • Soft drinks – £2.50-£3

Float Bar

  • Cocktails – £10
  • Prosecco – £6.50-£8.50
  • Seasonal spiced wines – £6.50
  • Spirit & mixer – £6.50 single, £8.50 double
  • Hot drinks – £4.50
  • Boozy hot chocolates – £7.50

Apres Ski Bar

  • Prices TBC

Lincoln Square

Old Saint Nick’s Christmas Bar

  • Prices TBC

St Ann’s Square

Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 has a Guinness bar on St Ann's Square
Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 has a Guinness bar on St Ann’s Square

Guinness Bar

  • Guinness – £4.75 half pint, £7.75 pint, £15.50 stein (£5.50 – Guinness 0%)
  • Baby Guinness shot – £5
  • Beer – £4.50 half pint, £7 pint, £14 stein
  • Cider – £4 half pint, £6.50 pint, £13 stein
  • Hot liqueurs – £8.50
  • Spirit & mixers – £8-£10
  • Soft drinks – £3.50 small, £4.40 large

Der Grill

  • Extra large grilled sausage – £8 (+ £1 onion)
  • Winter cocktails (various) – £7.50-£9.50

Main Bar

  • Glühwein – £7.50
  • Glühwein specials – £10.50
  • Lager & pilsner – £4 half pint, £7 pints
  • Hot chocolate – £4

Loaded Roasties

  • Spiced rum – £7
  • Mulled wine – £6
  • Soft drinks – £2.50

Cirque de Noel

  • Prices TBC

Exchange Square

The Mill Exchange

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  • Homemade mulled wine (various flavours) – £7 small, £8.50 large
  • Cocktails – £11
  • Prosecco – £7
  • Kir Royale and Cointreau Royale – £8
  • Sparkling sangria and Negroni spritz – £10
  • Boozy hot chocolates – £8.50
  • Hot chocolate – £4.50 (deluxe flavours £5.50)
  • Tea – £2.50
  • Soft drinks – £3

Mamma Mia

  • Fine Italian wines – £7
  • Aperol spritz – £8
  • Beer – £3.50 half pint, £6.50 pint

Bratwurst King

  • German bratwurst – £8
  • Smoked sausage – £8
  • Cheese sausage – £8
  • Glühwein – £6
  • Krombacher lager – £6 a pint, £3.50 a half pint
  • Soft drinks – £2

The Hot Chocolate Bar

  • Standard hot chocolate – £5.50
  • ‘Hug in a mug’ hot chocolate – £8.0
  • Shots and flavours – extra £1 and £3
  • Signature creations – £9-£10
  • Chocolate shots – £4.95
  • Irish Cream Shot – £8

New Cathedral Street & Cathedral Gardens

The Witch House

  • Bratwurst – £9
  • BBQ hot dog – £9
  • Currywurst & fries – £12.50
  • Vodka, gin & JD – £6.50 single, £8 double
  • Glühwein – £6.50
  • Hot chocolate – £4.50 (£6.50 for boozy)
  • Beer & cider – £3.50 half pint, £6.50 pint
  • Hot Aperol – £6.50
  • Wine – £6
  • Sparkling wine – £6.50
  • Soft drinks – £2.50

C&C – Chocolate & Coffee

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  • Strawberry waffle cone – £10
  • Strawberry & brownie waffle cone – £11
  • Strawberry pot – £10
  • Extra toppings – £2
  • Hot chocolates – £5.95 (+ syrup £1, shot £3)
  • Chocolate shots – £4.95
  • Irish Cream shot – £8

King Street

Bratwurst on King Street at the Manchester Christmas Markets 2026
Bratwurst on King Street at the Manchester Christmas Markets 2026
The Grumpy Moose bar on King Street
The Grumpy Moose bar on King Street

Bratwurst King

  • German bratwurst – £8
  • Smoked sausage – £8
  • Cheese sausage – £8

Float Bar

  • Draught beers & ciders – £6.50-£7
  • Slushy cocktails – £8
  • Seasonal spiced wines – £6.50
  • Wines by the glass £6
  • Spirit & mixer – £7.50 single, £10.50 double

The Grumpy Moose

  • Mulled wine or cider – £6.50, or £9.50 with spirit
  • Prosecco – £7, or £9 with extra liqueur
  • Spritzes – £10
  • Cocktails – £10
  • Spirit and mixer – £7.50
  • Coffees – £4.50
  • Hot chocolate – £5, or £8 with extra booze

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Featured Image – Manchester City Council

What's On

Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.

In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.

Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.

Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.

Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied

At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.

Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.

The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.

Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied

The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.

Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.

“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”

Read more:

Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.

It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.

Featured Image – Supplied

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