Everything you need to know about Manchester’s huge free Halloween event – including locations, times and activities

Halloween is just around the corner and Manchester is gearing up for a massive weekend of free events for all the family.

The program of events will be taking place on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October, starting at 10am each day. As in previous years, the giant monsters are back throughout the city as well. They will be taking over buildings and landmarks during the October half term, from October 25.

Manchester city centre’s Halloween events are being organised by the Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District, on behalf of city centre retailers, restaurants, and businesses.

More details have been released about the specific events, including set times, locations and all the acts performing. Here is what you need to know.

Monsters Rock! Music Festival and procession

The main stage will be set up at Exchange Square and there is a full line-up for the both days. The set times are as follows:

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

There are also going to be processions by the Walk the Plank at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm each day, featuring puppet monsters, giant skeletons, stilt walkers and a five-piece band.

Team Trick V Team Treat Challenge

Between 10am and 4pm on both days, there will be a variety of games that everyone can take part in, taking places throughout 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.

Participants will need to head to New Cathedral Street, near Zars, to pick up a wristband. You can then pick either Team Trick or Team Treat, earning points for your team as play the games. Winners will be announced at the main stage at Exchange Square at 4:30pm each day. There are bonus points to be if you come in fancy dress, as well as on-the-spot prizes.

Carnival of Monsters

St Ann’s Square is being transformed into a carnival, including roaming circus acts, sideshow stalls, hula hoop workshops, a hall of mirrors. There will also be a market, where you can shop for Halloween-themed items, like sweets and crafts. It will be open 10am–7pm on Saturday 28 October and 10am–5pm on Sunday 29 October.

CBeebies and CBBC Chill Out Zone

If you need some to recharge after all the excitement CBeebies and CBBC are hosting an indoor woodland chill out zone at the Royal Exchange, featuring twinkling lights, comfy seating and family crafts, as well as screenings of Hey Duggee and Shaun the Sheep. It is free entry and will be open from 10am–7pm on Saturday 28 October and 10am–5pm on Sunday 29 October.

Hell-ter Skelter

Ride the devilish helter skelter that lands you in a pit of smoke and flames. It costs £1 per ride and will be located at New Cathedral Street. It is open 10am–7pm on Saturday 28 October and 10am–5pm on Sunday 29 October.

MCR Monsters

There will be 16 giant inflatable monsters throughout the city from Wednesday 25 to Tuesday 31 October. Visitors to the city centre can try and find them all and post their findings on social media using @halloweenmcr and #MCRMonsters.

The locations include: Manchester Arndale, Selfridges Exchange Square, Exchange Square, Corn Exchange, Harvey Nichols, New Cathedral Street, The Royal Exchange Manchester, National Trust - Castlefield Viaduct, AO Arena, New Century Hall at NOMA, New Vic, Kampus, The Church (Chorlton Street) and Mayfield.

The Castlefield Viaduct, Corn Exchange and Mayfield Park monsters will only be here for the Halloween weekend.

Eyeball Hunt

As well as hunting monsters, you can also try and hunt the hundreds of eyeballs that will be placed on on windows, railings, trees, lampposts and doorways across the city centre on hotels, shops, theatres, art galleries and other buildings. You can post pictures of what you find on social media using @halloweenmcr #eyeballhuntmcr.

Scare Skate at Skate Manchester

The ice rink is returning to Cathedral Gardens open on 27–31st October, 11am–9pm. More information on ticket prices and how to book can be found on the Skate Manchester website..