This October the rooftops of Manchester will once again become invaded with giant inflatable monsters as Halloween in the City returns.
The spooky celebration will see the return of the legendary MCR Monsters, alongside a two day family-friendly festival over the weekend of 28-29 October.
Halloween in the City is organised by Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District, on behalf of city centre retailers, restaurants and businesses. As well as the monster takeover, families can head into Manchester city centre to watch as a massive monster music festival hit the city’s streets, alongside a monster procession and fancy dress challenge.
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Back by popular demand, the inflatable monsters will be popping up during half terms, from Wednesday 25 October to Tuesday 31. Created by artists Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas, both new and familiar faces will invade their way back into the city taking over venues including Manchester Arndale, Selfridges, and Castlefield Viaduct - the latter being a new location for 2023.
Come nightfall, buildings across the city will turn a ghoulish green and thousands of pumpkin lanterns will once again adorn the city’s streets as the city gets into the spirit of Halloween.
More family fun comes courtesy of the massive monster music festival taking place on the weekend of October 28-29. Featuring spooky live bands, DJs, rides, circus acts and even monster portaloos, the Monsters Rock! Music Festival will take place across New Cathedral Street, St Ann’s Square, Market Street and Exchange Square.
The popular Monsters Rock Out Procession, created by Walk the Plank, is also back for 2023, and will feature giant puppet monsters, stilt walkers and a live band who will be partying their way through Manchester Arndale and Market Street. To top it all off, families will be encouraged to come dressed in their spookiest costumes and play frighteningly fun games in the Team Trick v Team Treat challenge.
To get involved, arrive in your spookiest outfit, pick up a wristband, chose a side and win points for your team. Each day, the scariest team will be announced at 4pm, on the Main Stage.
Manchester's biggest ice rink for Halloween and Christmas will also be returning in the coming weeks. A staple in Manchester’s Halloween celebrations, the hugely popular Scare Skate will open in time for October half term, before the attraction is transformed for Christmas.
New for this year, the rink will see a 'frightfully realistic' giant spider take centre stage, wrapped in a bright white LED light web around the sparkling Christmas tree centre piece. Tickets for Scare Skate are available now, with prices starting at £15.50 for adults and £12.50 for children, with discounted family, group bookings and season tickets also available.
Following the opening week of Scare Skate, from October 27 to 31, the ghoulish spider will go into hibernation as the 'dazzling' seven-metre-tall Christmas tree transforms Cathedral Gardens into 'the ultimate winter wonderland'.
