Halloween in Manchester – the giant monsters WILL return this year

Halloween will be marked in Manchester this year with the return of the hugely popular giant inflatable monsters invading rooftops across the city centre.

It has today been confirmed that the monsters, created by artists Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas from Designs in the Air, will return for the third year running at seven locations across the city centre from 26th October to 1st November.

Organised by Manchester’s Business Improvement District (BID) which represents over 400 city centre retailers and restaurants, the monsters will be appearing at Spinningfields, Moda Angel Gardens, Manchester Arndale, The Printworks, Selfridges, 111 Piccadilly and Great Northern Warehouse. 

To complement the monster at 111 Piccadilly, developer of the building, Bruntwood Works, has also commissioned light art by Artin Light.

Visitors to the city centre will be able to see some old favourites including Filthy Luker’s iconic giant tentacles, along with new commissions for this year. 

And those who share their pics of the monsters on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #MCRMonsters will be in with a chance of winning a shopping weekend in Manchester.

The monsters usually form part of a range of family events for the annual Halloween in the City, but this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, the parade, trick or treat trail and maze will not be able to return.

READ MORE:  All the winners at Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards 2020

However, the city is already awash with hundreds of pumpkin lanterns on Market Street, St Ann’s Square, St Ann’s Street, Spinningfields and First Street as the city centre prepares to celebrate Halloween.

Jane Sharrocks, Manchester BID Chair and General Manager of Selfridges Exchange Square, said: “Manchester BID are incredibly excited to bring this event back in what will be the first major calendar date we’ve been able to celebrate in the city since the start of the pandemic. 

“This is an incredibly challenging time and obviously we’ve had to make changes to this year’s overall event programme but we’re confident that the return of the Manchester monsters will be a fantastic and safe way to surprise and delight visitors and celebrate Halloween across the city centre”