Manchester is ready to transform into the ultimate Halloween hotspot once again this month, as the much-anticipated, MCR Monsters, make a spine-tingling return ahead of the free, two-day family festival, Halloween in the City.
This year, NEW MONSTERS will take over the city’s streets, with jaw-dropping inflatables popping up in familiar haunts and brand-new locations, creating a monstrous art trail across the city centre.
As the first UK city to host these incredible creatures, Manchester has firmly established itself as the place to be for a monster-sized celebration. Visitors can expect to encounter brand new monsters, alongside some beloved returning faces, ensuring Halloween in the City 2024 will be bigger, scarier, and more exciting than ever.
Organised by Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District and created by renowned artists, Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas, the MCR Monsters have become a beloved part of Manchester’s annual celebrations. From their larger-than-life designs to their playful but eerie presence, these monsters have put Manchester on the map as the go-to destination for Halloween and are ready to crawl their way back into the city from Friday 25th – Thursday 31st October.
The 2024 edition of the MCR Monsters trail sees the arrival of some brand-new faces. Fresh beasts ready to make their terrifying debuts include Wibbly Wobbly Williams at AO Arena and Hellvis at Manchester Arndale. Named by the public via a recent competition, New Century at NOMA will be welcoming, not Miss Americana herself, but Wailor Swift! While Medlocktopus will be making an even bigger splash as this slippery monster heads to Mayfield Park, boasting a new look and more tentacles than ever before!
This unique, open-air gallery spans across Manchester’s key locations, with each monster bringing something special to the city for Halloween. Notable monsters on this year’s trail include:
For two days only (October 26th & 27th), visitors can also catch:
Other thrilling highlights include Emmeline Planthurstat National Trust, Castlefield Viaduct (10am – 5pm), Liam & Noel at The Royal Exchange Manchester, and the terrifying Horrible Harvey at Harvey Nichols, on New Cathedral Street.
The MCR Monsters will officially launch the Halloween in the City celebrations, followed by a brimming line-up of monstrous mayhem and eerie escapades. Featuring a massive monster music festival, as well as a frightfully fun fancy-dress challenge and a hair-raising monster procession, thousands of visitors are expected to flock into the city in their best Halloween attire for the two-day festival, ready to scream with delight from Saturday 26th – Sunday 27th October.
The full monster trail map is available to download here, so visitors can plan their monstrous adventure through the city. For further details on Halloween in the City activities and events, please visit https://www.visitmanchester.com/halloween-in-the-city/.
