Top Halloween Activities in Manchester

Have you heard? A whole pumpkin patch spooky activities seems to have cropped up right across Manchester’s city centre!

Here, we’ve gathered our top picks of things to do in the city during the long Halloween weekend. Whether you’re celebrating as a family or with friends, you’re sure to find some fun and festive frights on this list. So, grab you’re trick-or-treat bags, and let’s get going!

Lucardo Manchester

With Halloween right around the corner, Lucardo Manchester have settled right into the spooky spirit. If you’ve visited us this week, you’ll no doubt have noticed some eerie new ghouls haunting our escape room reception, along with treats and other terrific décor!

Of course, the first of our recommendations is going to be the spookiest escape room we have to offer right here at Lucardo: The Orphanage. Absolutely perfect for Halloween, this scary game will test your logic, wits, and nerves in a one-of-a-kind game, themed around an eerie abandoned orphanage for girls. If you haven’t played yet, and want to see if you have what it takes to unlock the secrets of the school, book your game today by clicking right here.

MCR Monsters

Returning for 2023 are the ever-popular MCR Monsters, whose electrifying presence can be seen looming over various stores, buildings, and attractions throughout the city centre. Installed between 25th and 31st October, these giant, inflatable, not-so-scary monsters are consistently a hit among visitors. So, if you want to catch the likes of Hellvis Presley, Scary Gary, Toxic Frog and The Mayfield Cracken, be sure to download the trail map here before heading into the city!

Limited-Time Entertainment

During the Halloween weekend, some of the best pop-up entertainment acts and offerings in the heart of the city will include:

• Live bands and DJ sets all throughout the day on the stage in Exchange Square
• Party processional parade through Manchester Arndale at select times
• Roaming “Carnival of Monsters” in St Ann’s Square
• A large-scale "Team Trick or Team Treat" challenge game, with wristbands and more information available at the hub on New Cathedral Street.

“Scare Skate” Ice Skating

If you like your frights frosted, make sure to get down to Cathedral Gardens between 27th and 31st October. Skate Manchester are bringing back their ice rink for a special Halloween experience, and tickets can be booked online here.

Catch a Scary Movie

If big-screen frights are your thing, we’d suggest visiting HOME during their FilmFear event this weekend, to witness the best in Halloween movies. Alternatively, King Street Townhouse will be holding screenings of scary popcorn classics, and The Portico Library will also be exploring horror through a screening of Night of the Living Dead. Sounds fun!

Dress Up, and Have Fun!

All through Halloween weekend, Manchester will be encouraging visitors to don their best costumes to join in the fun. With plenty of stores and attractions also hosting other unique and independent activities you’re not going to be short of things to do, whether you’re celebrating the season as a family, or with friends. What will you discover?

Have we missed anything from this list? Be sure to let us know in the comments on our social channels!

But, however you're choosing to celebrate this Halloween in Manchester, we hope you have a terrific time this weekend!

Written by Madeleine Lily

To book your next escape room adventure in Manchester or Rawtenstall, visit lucardo.com. For any queries, you can call us on 01706 551600. Be sure to also stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram, as well as the blog, for many more fun insights, news, giveaways, and more!