Halloween in the City 2025 includes a monster trail, monster party procession and more free family activities for half term
The Monsters have arrived in Manchester ahead of Halloween(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
The big wheel may have just gone up on Albert Square ahead of the return of Manchester Christmas Markets, but there’s still some very important festivities to enjoy this weekend.
Halloween falls next Friday, and in anticipation of that, Manchester has been invaded by a series of inflatable monsters.
This half term, the rooftops of some of Manchester’s most well-known buildings and landmarks, have been taken over by 17 giant monsters, as the Arndale, AO Arena and Treehouse Hotel get a spooky makeover.
Creating a free trail of unmissable spooky sights, this year the trail features five brand-new beasts and two new locations.
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The spooktacular installations are part of Halloween in the City organised by Manchester BID and CityCo, and they’ve gone to town with this year’s ghoulish decorations and installations.
The Monsters have arrived in Manchester ahead of Halloween(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
The MCR Monsters have become a defining feature of Halloween in Manchester since their first appearance in 2017.
Designed by renowned artists, Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas, these surreal, larger-than-life creations attract thousands of families, visitors and monster hunters every year.
Spooky Spice will be bringing a roar of 90s nostalgia to the AO Arena, with giant leopard print tentacles giving a whole new meaning to “spice up your life”.
Over at Manchester Arndale, Rocky Boo-Boa is ready to go the distance – a bruised-eye brawler ready to stomp into the ring and prove he’s a true champion heavyweight of the monster world.
The Monsters have arrived in Manchester ahead of Halloween(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
Meanwhile, at New Century at NOMA, Bruce Springscream will be keeping a three-eyed watch over the city, while R.STINKWORP makes its first Manchester appearance at Printworks, with its giant mouth and seven beady eyes.
Black and white, checkered Cru-hella will stalk visitors at ground level, bringing scares up close and personal during the Halloween in the City weekender, on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October, together with old favorites Ooey, Gooey and Scary Gary.
Alongside the new arrivals, don’t miss Terrif-eye at Corn Exchange Manchester, The Mayfield Menace at Depot Mayfield, Horrible Harvey at Harvey Nichols Manchester, KRAMPUS at KAMPUS, Harry and Gordon at Selfridges Manchester Exchange Square, and The Ghoullaghers at The Royal Exchange Manchester.
The 2025 trail also expands to two new locations. Guests at the Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly and Treehouse Hotel Manchester will find themselves checking in under the gazes of monstrous beasts, Spookadilly and Branchzilla.
The Monsters have arrived in Manchester ahead of Halloween(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
This weekend (25 and 26 October) as well as the monster trail, the city will host a number of free family-friendly events in the run up to Halloween.
Manchester will be alive with monstrous celebrations, including a giant fancy dress take over, live performances, spooky DJs, storytelling and the spectacular Walk the Plank Monster Party Procession – the latter setting off from Market Street this Saturday and Sunday.
The full guide to the Halloween in the City events taking place this weekend, including times and locations can be found here.
If you’re on the lookout for all of the monsters, there’s an official map here to help you track down each and every one. But in truth, it’s hard to miss their bulging eyes, spindly tentacles and spiky teeth.
Below are all the names of the monsters, their locations and a map to help you make your way around the city:
1. Rocky Boo-Boa
The Monsters have arrived in Manchester ahead of Halloween(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
Manchester Arndale, Exchange Square, M4 3AJ, Above Next
MAP LOCATION: https://what3words.com////congratulations.sparks.lake
2. R.STINKWORP
Printworks, Pumpyard, 27 Withy Grove, Printworks, M4 2BS – Inside
MAP LOCATION: https://what3words.com/candle.retire.rocky
3. Terrif-Eye
Corn Exchange Manchester, Manchester, M4 3TR – Inside
10.30am-11.30pm Only
MAP LOCATION: https://w3w.co/woof.years.vine
4. Harry and Gordon
Selfridges Manchester Exchange Square, 1 Exchange Square, M3 1BD
MAP LOCATION: https://what3words.com/varieties.public.cave
5. Ooey
Exchange Square, M3 1BD – Opposite Selfridges
Saturday 25th – Sunday 26th October Only
MAP LOCATION: https://what3words.com/goats.appear.wheels
6. Scary Gary
Exchange Square, M3 1BD
Saturday 25th – Sunday 26th October Only
MAP LOCATION:https://what3words.com/edge.wash.vibe
7. Horrible Harvey
The Monsters have arrived in Manchester ahead of Halloween(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
Harvey Nichols Manchester, 21 New Cathedral Street, M1 1AD
MAP LOCATION: https://what3words.com/stole.photos.fact
8. Cru-hella
New Cathedral Street, M1 1AD
Saturday 25th – Sunday 26th October Only
MAP LOCATION: https://what3words.com/drain.wiped.gifts
9. The Ghoullaghers
The Royal Exchange Manchester, St Ann’s Square, M2 7DH
MAP LOCATION: https://what3words.com/losses.tape.happy
10. The Ghoullaghers
The Monsters have arrived in Manchester ahead of Halloween(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
The Royal Exchange Manchester, Cross Street, M2 7DH
MAP LOCATION: https://what3words.com/maker.crunch.trains
11. Goey
St Anns Square, M2 2HQ – Opposite McDonalds
MAP LOCATION:///found.mops.view
12. Branchzilla
The Monsters have arrived in Manchester ahead of Halloween(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
Treehouse Hotel Manchester, Blackfriars Street, Manchester, M3 2EQ
MAP LOCATION:
https://what3words.com/honey.fruit.friend
13. Spooky Spice
The Monsters have arrived in Manchester ahead of Halloween(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
AO Arena, AO Arena, Hunts Bank Approach, Manchester, M3 1AR
MAP LOCATION: https://w3w.co/risen.sobs.winter
14. Bruce Springscream
New Century at NOMA, New Century, 34 Hanover Street, Manchester, M4 4AH
MAP LOCATION: https://what3words.com/join.swift.sounds
15. KRAMPUS
The Bungalow @ KAMPUS, 44 Aytoun Street, Manchester, M1 3GL
MAP LOCATION: https://what3words.com/feast.pushy.become
16. The Mayfield Menace
Depot Mayfield, 11 Baring Street, Manchester, M1 2PY
MAP LOCATION: https://what3words.com/admire.clear.busy
17. Spookadilly
Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly, 91 London Road, Manchester, M1 2PG
MAP LOCATION: https://what3words.com/lonely.supporter.sorters