Your complete guide to Manchester Halloween 2024

Manchester, are you feeling spooky? Here's our top guide to the best events in the city for Halloween 2024.

Get ready to experience a spine-tingling Halloween like never before as Manchester transforms into a playground of ghoulish delights!

Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fun or thrilling nights of horror, the city has you covered with a lineup of scarily-good events this spooky season.

From haunted forests at The Trafford Centre to a fright-filled movie marathon at CULTPLEX, and from spellbinding costume parties to immersive pumpkin patches, there’s something to send shivers down everyone’s spine.

For little monsters, there are witches, wizards, and magical trails, while daring thrill-seekers can dive into the eerie world of haunted attractions.

With interactive activities, silent discos, crafting workshops, and even encounters with life-sized dinosaurs, Halloween 2024 in Manchester promises unforgettable moments for all ages.

Check out the best Halloween events in Manchester this year and start planning your spooky adventures now—if you dare!

What’s on in Manchester this Halloween?

Halloween at The Trafford Centre

The Halloween Trail

17th of October – 3rd of November, Wilderspool Woods

The Trafford Centre is unveiling the Halloween Trail at Wilderspool Woods. This immersive, spooky experience promises to be a must-visit for families and thrill-seekers alike.

Created by the team behind The Twilight Trail, this year’s event features over 100,000 lights illuminating a haunted forest, complete with a Skeleton Village, laser-lit gardens, and plenty of interactive activities. DJ Rasp’s eerie soundtrack will set the mood as visitors navigate the forest, encountering spooky surprises and indulgent food and drink, including offerings from Michelin-starred chef Jordan Bailey.

Step into Wilderspool Woods and explore a magical trail filled with over 100,000 lights, captivating installations, and interactive activities like pumpkin carving, marshmallow roasting, and a quirky skeleton petting zoo. Keep an eye out for the skeleton funfair, Haunted Hotel, and enjoy food from Freight Island.
Tickets start at £8 per child and £10 per adult. Family tickets from £32.

You can book here

Pop-Up Pumpkin Patch

23rd & 24th of October, 10 AM – 4 PM, Main Stage, The Orient

Perfect for indoor pumpkin picking, this Pop-Up Pumpkin Patch includes a Halloween trail and a free pumpkin for kids to take home and carve.

With spooky photo opportunities, it’s ideal for families.

£2 per child, with proceeds going to FareShare Greater Manchester.

No booking is required.

Spookfest Fairground & Pumpkin Tower

Manchester Halloween 2024 — Things are getting spooky at the Trafford Centre

19th of October – 3rd of November, outside The Great Hall

Enjoy traditional fairground rides like the ghost train and haunted house, and don’t miss the towering Pumpkin Tower, over five metres tall and adorned with 250 pumpkins—the ultimate spooky selfie spot.
Entry from £3.50.

Rides operate on a token system (2-5 tokens per ride).

Gandeys Halloween Spooktacular

11th of October – 3rd of November, Car Park 7

This big top circus show brings a world of skeletons, vampires, and circus artists, perfect for a family-friendly Halloween experience.

Tickets available here

Meet Pip and Posy

28th of October, 11 AM – 3 PM, Main Stage, The Orient

Families can meet Pip and Posy, the lovable characters from the animated pre-school series, at regular intervals throughout the day.

Free event.

Jurassic World: The Exhibition

Step into the incredible world of Jurassic World and encounter life-sized dinosaurs like Blue the Velociraptor and the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex.

It must be seen to be believed!

Tickets available here

Halloween at Quarry Bank Mill

25th of October 2024

Celebrate Halloween with a spooky trail through the historic Quarry Bank Mill in Wilmslow.

This after-dark experience is filled with flickering flames, daring fire performers, and grinning pumpkins lighting up the eerie grounds.

Visitors can immerse themselves in this creepy setting and explore the hidden surprises lurking around every corner of the old mill.

With tickets limited to only a select few, make sure to book your spot early for what promises to be the ultimate Halloween adventure!

When: Friday, 25th of October 2024
Time: 5 PM or 5:15 PM
Where: Quarry Bank Mill, Styal, Wilmslow
Tickets & Info: click here

Halloween Half-Term at RHS Garden Bridgewater

19th of October to 3rd of November 2024

RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford is hosting a wicked half-term event for families this Halloween. Expect a variety of spooktacular activities, from the Wicked Plants trail and spooky crafting, to creepy insect workshops with ZooLab. In addition, there will be Rangoli art for Diwali, a Zombie Disco, and Day of the Dead mask-making workshops.

Younger visitors can also enjoy mushroom house crafting and basil planting, ensuring there’s something fun for all ages. Best of all, admission is free for RHS members and children under 5!

When: 19th of October to 3rd of November 2024
Where: RHS Garden Bridgewater, Salford
Tickets & Info: click here

The Lost Worlds of Ray Harryhausen: Creatures, Martians and Myths

Sat 26th October 2024 – Sat 4th January 2025

Step into the enchanting realm of cinema with The Lost Worlds of Ray Harryhausen: Creatures, Martians and Myths.

For the first time in the North West, this free exhibition pays homage to the legendary Ray Harryhausen, renowned for his pioneering work in special effects and stop-motion animation.

Inspired by John Walsh’s book Ray Harryhausen: The Lost Movies, this exclusive showcase features rare pre-production artwork, sketches, and prototype models from Harryhausen’s classic films like Clash of the Titans, Jason and the Argonauts, and The 7th Voyage of Sinbad. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to explore Harryhausen’s creative process, with previously unseen treasures from both his iconic works and unrealised projects, including The War of the Worlds and The Story of Odysseus.

This exhibition also highlights Harryhausen’s connection to the North West through his collaboration with Manchester-based Cosgrove Hall Productions. Film enthusiasts and newcomers alike will be mesmerised by the artistry and imagination that brought mythical creatures and cinematic magic to life. Don’t miss this chance to delve into the lost worlds of one of cinema’s greatest innovators!

When: Sat 26th October 2024 – Sat 4th January 2025
Where: Lauriston Gallery, Waterside Arts, Sale
Tickets & Info: click here

Hallowgreen at Stockport

26th of October 2024

Stockport’s magical Hallowgreen celebration is set to enchant families this Halloween with a fun-filled day of trick-or-treat trails, live performances, and spellbinding activities.

The day kicks off at Merseyway Shopping Centre from 12 PM to 3 PM, where families can journey to the Emerald City and enjoy dazzling performances from the iconic characters of Oz. Children can follow the yellow brick road to uncover a trick-or-treat trail, collect special pins, and use a magical map to unlock a secret password. This will lead them to the Wicked Witches, where they’ll discover if they’re “wicked” or “good” and receive a special Halloween treat!

From 5 PM to 7 PM, head over to Redrock Stockport, which will transform into Greenrock for a night of captivating entertainment. With live performances by The Emerald Singers, DJ sets, costume competitions, and a mini disco, the evening promises to be an unforgettable Halloween experience. Don’t forget to stop by the glitter makeover station to add some dazzling green sparkle to your costume!

When: Saturday, 26th of October 2024
Where: Merseyway Shopping Centre & Redrock Stockport
Info: click here

What’s on at The Printworks this halloween?

Tomb of Gloom at Walkabout

25th to 31st of October 2024

Step into Walkabout’s Tomb of Gloom for a Halloween experience like no other from 25th to 31st of October. Get dressed to distress for a chance to win Best Dressed, where prizes include two tickets for Bongos Bingo, a bottle of Southern Comfort, and eternal glory! With spooky vibes and thrilling decor, Walkabout will be your go-to haunt this Halloween.

Prepare for a week of haunting fun and show off your sinister style!

When: 25th to 31st of October
Where: Walkabout, Printworks, Manchester
Tickets: Free entry (prizes for Best Dressed)

Frightful Films at Vue

Throughout October 2024

Horror fans, gather round for a month of Frightful Films at Vue! Get ready to revisit the classics with a lineup of iconic horror movies returning to the big screen.

From The Exorcist (50th Anniversary) to Hocus Pocus and Friday the 13th, Vue has all your favourite spine-chilling flicks. Plus, there are new releases to keep the horror alive all month long!

Don’t miss the chance to scream together on the big screen.

When: Throughout October 2024
Where: Vue, Printworks, Manchester
Tickets: click here

Creepy Cocktails at Printworks

Throughout October 2024

Pick your poison with Creepy Cocktails at Printworks this Halloween! From the eerie Black Widow mocktail at Treetop Adventure Golf to Walkabout’s signature Venom cocktail, there are plenty of Halloween-themed drinks to choose from.

Try pun-tastic drinks like Zombie, Draquari, and Spookito at O’Neill’s, or grab cocktail pitchers at Wetherspoon with devilish deals like 2 for £15.

Raise a glass to a spooktacular weekend of ghoulishly good drinks!

When: Throughout October 2024
Where: Printworks, Manchester
Tickets: Prices vary by venue

Petrifying Parties at Bingo Balls

27th to 28th of October 2024

Get ready for two nights of freaky fun at Bingo Balls on the 27th and 28th of October. It kicks off with Music Bingo: Halloween Edition on Friday, followed by Starstruck Saturday for a spooky sing-along. Expect a ball pit, spooky cocktails, and anthems that will have you dancing the night away in ghoulish style.

It’s the ultimate Halloween party with a twist—dive into the fun if you dare!

When: 27th to 28th of October
Where: Bingo Balls, Printworks, Manchester
Tickets: Click here

Manifest Party Halloween Edition at Cargo

28th of October 2024

Cargo is hosting the ultimate Halloween rave with the Manifest Party Halloween Edition on 28th October. With over 2000 partygoers expected, this immersive event will feature live performers, crazy lights, and three rooms of music for every party vibe. From confetti blasts to spooky entertainment, Cargo’s Halloween party will be one of the biggest in Manchester.

Make sure to wear your best costume and get ready to rave into the night!

When: Saturday, 28th of October
Where: Cargo, Printworks, Manchester
Tickets: click here

Lil’ Monsters Ball at Hard Rock Cafe

28th & 29th of October 2024

The Lil’ Monsters Ball returns to Hard Rock Cafe for a family-friendly Halloween bash on the 28th and 29th of October. Enjoy a buffet breakfast, spooky games, face painting, balloon artists, and Halloween treats. Don’t forget to dress up—both kids and adults are encouraged to show off their best costumes!

This popular event sells out fast, so book your tickets early for a morning of Halloween fun.

When: Saturday, 28th of October (8:30 AM – 10:30 AM) & Sunday, 29th of October (9 AM – 11 AM)
Where: Hard Rock Cafe, Printworks, Manchester
Tickets: £4 per person

STAB Horror Film Season at CULTPLEX

October 2024

Manchester’s iconic CULTPLEX is back with STAB, the city’s most highly anticipated horror film season, running throughout October.

This year’s event promises a chilling lineup of spine-tingling films that will satisfy horror fans of all tastes.

Highlights include a terrifying Halloween double bill of Alien (1979) and The Exorcist (1973), offering a back-to-back cinematic experience with two of the most iconic horror films ever made. For those who love their horror with an undead twist, there’s a Zombie All-Nighter featuring a gruesome lineup: Train to Busan (2016), Return of the Living Dead (1985), REC (2007), and Zombie Flesh Eaters (1979).

Fans of dark humour won’t want to miss the Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace binge session, packed with quotable moments and cult-classic vibes. With more fright-filled film screenings throughout the month, STAB at CULTPLEX is set to be a bloody good time.

When: October 2024
Where: CULTPLEX, Manchester
Info & Tickets: click here

Mini Monster Mash at Victoria Baths

26th of October 2024

Get ready for a wickedly fun Halloween takeover at Victoria Baths with the Mini Monster Mash, a family-friendly spookfest on Saturday, 26th of October from 11 AM to 2 PM. Manchester’s iconic baths will be transformed into a haunted playground, complete with 100 skeletons, 9-foot ghosts, 1,500 bats, and 500 watchful eyes lurking in every corner!

The Sports Hall (formerly the Male 2nd Class Pool) will host all the ghoulish activities, including scary mask-making, creating mummy-inspired paper decorations, and designing fiendish pumpkin cards. For little monsters who love to groove, there’s a silent disco with Halloween classics like Thriller, Monster Mash, and Ghostbusters, with separate channels for adults and kids to bust their best spooky moves!

Don’t forget to show off your best Halloween costumes for fantastic photo opportunities amidst the creepy décor, and refuel at the tuck shop with light snacks, sweets, and drinks.

When: Saturday, 26th of October, 11 AM – 2 PM
Where: Victoria Baths, Manchester
Tickets: £4 per person (adults and mini monsters) click here

New Animals Horror Special at Derbyshire Brewery Arms

The New Animal Collective at the Niamos Centre

18th of October 2024

Get ready for a night of spine-chilling creativity as The New Animals return to Manchester for their latest macabre showcase! This time, they’re taking over The DBA (Derbyshire Brewery Arms) for an unforgettable evening of horror-inspired art and performances.

Expect a lineup of Manchester’s top creative talent, including UK rappers BatFunk and Frisko, underground Jungle DJ Amen Sage, and Italian powerhouse DJ Krioso.

Plus, Amalgamation’s own DJ Jumbled will be spinning the decks. It’s not just music, though – there will be disturbing art, horror-themed food, SFX makeup, live graffiti art, tarot readings, and even a best-dressed competition for those who want to embrace their dark side.

The evening will also feature a mix of poetry, body painting, and a dark photography exhibition, along with an art auction showcasing some truly twisted talent. Whether you’re into hip hop, rap, or bass music, this event promises a unique combination of creepy creativity and underground culture.

Make sure to grab your tickets via Skiddle before they’re gone – this is one Halloween celebration you won’t want to miss!

When: Friday, 18th of October 2024
Time: 6 PM to Midnight
Where: The DBA (Derbyshire Brewery Arms)
Tickets: click here

Last updated 3 hours ago.
This article was first published on 26 September 2024 and is subject to be updated from time to time. Please refresh or return to see the latest version.

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