Lifestyle
Written By Deanna Thomas
This year is set to be a monster smash with special events, film shows and spooky food & drink menus
A long, long time ago, before Christianity took over the western world’s cultural calendar, the Autumn solstice was the biggie of the year. It was a time when everyone knuckled down and did the best they could to survive the coming winter. Wood was gathered, fruit and veg was preserved and the longer darker nights provided the setting for spooky tales to the backdrop of shadows and smoke.
Despite the evolution of central heating, electric lights and 24-hour supermarkets, humans still love to be bewitched by the idea of monsters and magic. Most of us also enjoy no more than half an excuse to dress up, drink too much and eat lots of sweets. Halloween has become HUGE.
Manchester has really got into the Halloween spirit over the past few years and there’s a monstrous weekend of events, screenings, special menus, co*cktails, family fun and more planned across the whole region. There’s so much going on I wasn’t sure whether to list in by date, theme or even alphabetically, so instead I’ve just mixed it up into a cauldron of copy.
Here’s what to expect from a visit to Manchester in Halloween week…
Halloween in the City
Monsters and ghouls are set to return to Manchester for an eighth instalment of Halloween in the City, featuring a monstrous line-up of free family-friendly festivities. Thousands of families and visitors are expected to head into the city wearing their spookiest costumes for the free two-day event over the weekend of Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th October from 10am.
Monster activities across the city centre have all been organised by Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District, on behalf of city centre retailers, restaurants, and businesses.
From Wednesday 25 October, during half term, the legendary MCR Monsters (created by artists Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas) will be back. It’s fun spotting the 16 colourful invasion of giant inflatable monsters which appear across Manchester city centre rooftops. If you take a pic, remember to tag @halloweenmcr and #MCRMonsters. Also this year, as night falls, buildings across the city will be turning a ghoulish green, making Manchester a terrifyingly good place to be this Halloween.
Monsters Rock! Music Festival with spooky DJs, live performances, gruesome competitions, carnival rides and even monster portaloos on the Main Stage at Exchange Square.
Saturday 28th October
10am-12pm: DJs Fat Boy Slime and Grave Haslam
12pm-2pm: Half Baked - Band
2pm-4pm: Ellis Davies – Duo
4pm-4.30pm: Dr Butler’s Hatstand Medicine Band
4.30pm: Trick v Treat Scariest Team Winner Announcement
4.40pm-6pm: Dr Butler’s Hatstand Medicine Band
6pm-7pm: DJ Ghostman
Sunday 29th October
10am-12pm: DJs Fat Boy Slime and Grave Haslam
12pm-2pm: The Thingumajigs Band
2pm-4pm: Ellis Davies – Duo
4pm-4.30pm: DJ Ghostman
4.30pm: Trick v Treat Scariest Team Winner Announcement
4.40pm-5pm: DJ Ghostman
Each day from 10am – 4pm, families can head to New Cathedral Street near Zara to pick up a wristband and join Team Trick or Team Treat to take part in ghoulish games across the city, including Monster Portaloos at New Cathedral Street, a Monster Rock Out stage at Manchester Arndale, a Skeleton Hoopla on St Ann’s Square and more, where they will be able to win points for their team throughout the weekend. The team with the most points will be announced as the winners from the Main Stage on Exchange Square at 4.30pm on both days. Those who come along in fancy dress will also be given the opportunity to win extra bonus points for their team, as well as monstrously fun, on-the-spot prizes.
Get into the Halloween spirit with screenings from CBeebies and CBBC in a wonderful indoor woodland chill out zone at The Royal Exchange, 10am – 7pm on Saturday and 10am – 5pm on Sunday featuring twinkling lights, comfy seating and family crafts.
This free event is open to all ages and will feature episodes from family favourites such as Hey Duggee and Shaun the Sheep.
There’ll be a Hell-ter Skelter on New Cathedral Street that lands you in a pit of smoke and flames (if you dare!). £1 per person per ride.
Artist Filthy Luker has designed an Eyeball Hunt across the city. If you spot some of the hundreds of eyeballs that have appeared on windows, railings, trees, lampposts and doorways across the city centre turning hotels, shops, theatres, art galleries and city buildings into mini monsters, take a pic and tag in @halloweenmcr #eyeballhuntmcr
Strap on your boots and jump in the rink as Scare Skate returns to the city for another year of spooky ice-skating at Cathedral Gardens between 27th – 31 t October, 11am – 9pm (last skate at 8pm). Click HERE to book.
Halloween happenings around Manchester include spooky screenings, themed co*cktails, Halloween wine tastings and more…
All the businesses based atGreat Northern Warehousehave also planned a frightfully fun Halloween
Independent expert chocolatiers Dormouse Chocolateshave created a pumpkin spice bar (£6)This autumnal treat has been created with their delicious blend of ethically sourced milk chocolate, a mellow blend of spices and white chocolate infused with sweet pumpkin – perfect for enjoying on those cold autumn nights.
Creepy co*cktail specials at Impossiblethis Halloween include the Witches Brew – Decorrum, apple and maraschino deep red cherry, the Poison Apple – Cazcabel Blanco, green apple, Midori and fresh lime, the Dracula Sour –Disaronno, Gomme syrup, lemon and grenadine, or the Drink My Blood – a deliciously spooky mix of Don Papa, Chambord, bubble-gum and cranberry. The Halloween co*cktail specials are £10 each, or two for £15.
Street food and drinks events company GRUB, based at Red Bank in Manchester’s Green Quarter, are doing spooky season right with a week of fun activities, tour guided walks, painting, scary quizzes and boozy happenings.
On Wed 25th October there’ll be a frightening version of GRUB’s regular monthly trivia night Fizzy Quizzy where a gallon of North Brewing Co’s Springwell Lager is up for grabs. On the same day you’ll also find a special version of the popular Life Drawing with Hop, with eerie music to get you in the mood and expert guidance for artists of all levels. In the downstairs dining room there will be a Hallowe’en Makeup Masterclass to get you prepared for the extra flourishes you can add to your Hallowe’en costume.
Sign up to North Manchester FM’s Hannah Kate as she takes intrepid adventurers on a ‘Weird History Walking Tour’ of the Green Quarter’s Eccentric Past.
GRUB’s in-house cinema space Cultplex will be showing THREE bottomless, singalong screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The Saturday evening show has already SOLD OUT, but a few tables remain for the Saturday matinee and Friday night.
On Saturday 28th October, you can embrace the Hallowe’en spirit at Floating Art’s Japanese Ghosts Painting Workshop. Choose to paint eerie vengeful spirits or iconic characters like Scream and Slimer while learning traditional techniques from a skilled local artist, suitable for all skill levels.
On Sunday 29th October you can look at the lighter side of Hallowe’en with a Simpsons Pub Quiz in Cultplex before entering a pumpkin carving competition with huge prizes to be won at both.
More info and ticket links to all the GRUB events can be found here.
With so many spooky happenings across Manchester, this Halloween is set to be an absolute monster. Have I missed anything? Let me know in the comments below and don’t have nightmares…
Manchesterthings to doHalloweenco*cktails
Deanna Thomas
