Halloween 2022: 8 fun things to do in Manchester - from ghosts hunts to scary film festivals

Vinyl Nightmares

Escape to Freight Island, Saturday 19 October

Enjoy cult classic horror films on the big screen accompanied by soundtracks from the likes of Stranger Things, American Psycho, Nightmare on Elm Street, all mixed on vinyl at Escape to Freight Island. There will be Halloween-themed cocktails and fancy dress is welcome.

Entry is free and more information can be found on the Escape to Freight Island website.

Halloween Ghost Hunt

Antwerp Mansion, Rusholme, Saturday 29 October

This run-down Victorian building was once Manchester’s favourite underground rave venue, but now Antwerp Mansion is now an art space and popular ghost hunting spot. It has a long history of paranormal activity, with ghost sightings dating back to the 70s. This Halloween, the Mansion is opening its doors for a special all night ghost hunt, including access to all the rooms (even the cellars) and use of all ghost hunting equipment and experiments. You can even go off and hunt on your own, if you’re brave enough.

Tickets are £39 and can be purchased via Eventbrite.

Let The Right One In

Royal Exchange Theatre, 22 October – 19 November

This Halloween, a stage adaptation of the chilling novel by Swedish writer Jon Ajvide Lindqvist comes to the Royal Exchange Theatre. It tells the story of lonely teenager Oskar and his unusual friendship with his new neighbour Eli.

The play is adapted by Jack Thorne, co-writer of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, who has also adapted Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials for theatre.

Tickets start at £20 and can be found on the Royal Exchange website.

For the Love of Horror

BEC Arena, Stretford, 22-23 October

Some of the horror genre’s favourite actors and creators will be in Manchester this October for the For Love of Horror convention, including The Shining twins Louise and Lisa Burns and Harvey Stephens, who played Damian in The Omen. There will also be a special appearance from Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor. The guests will be available for photographs, autographs and panel discussion. There will also be an Opening Night concert and Monster Ball afterparty.

There are different ticket packages that include meet and greets, as well as entry only tickets. More information can be found on the For the Love of Horror website.

Spooky Brunch Social

Flight Club, King Street, 29-30 October

There’s a free bottle of prosecco at Flight Club’s Spooky Brunch this Halloween weekend. You will also get a free cocktail on arrival as well as all the pizza you can eat in your two-hour slot. As it’s a darts bar, you can also add a Social Darts sampler to your ticket. Tickets range from £25-£35 depending on which day you go and whether you opt for darts. More information can be found on the event website.

Bottomless Rocky Horror Picture Show and Stab Film Season

GRUB, Cheetham Hill

GRUB are inviting guests to a singalong screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, complete with bottomless drinks. Tickets are £20 per person.

If you’re looking for more film screenings, the Chapeltown Picture House, which is located at GRUB also has a whole program of horror movies planned for its Stab Film Season running from Thursday 27 October to Monday 31 October. They will be showing cult favourites such as Jennifer’s Body, Candyman, Hellraiser and Poltergeist. There are full day and evening only passes available, as well as season tickets for £35. More information can be found on the festival website.

Fear at the Factory

Leigh Film Factory, Leigh Spinners Mill

This month, Leigh Film Society are screening a number of horror favourites, new and old, as part of their Fear and the Factor programme. There’s something for all kinds of horror fans, such as Robert Eggers’ directorial debut The Witch to the 60s classic Night of the Living Dead. Tickets and screening times can be found on the Leigh Film Factory website.

Film4’s FilmFear

HOME

From 27-31 October HOME cinema will be screening some of the latest indpependent British horror films that explore the dark secrets of the British lanscape and emotional hauntings if the heart. Films include folk-horror Enys Men, and The Lair of the White Woman, set in the Peak District.

Tickets and screening times can be found on the HOME website.