October brings a real change of pace to Manchester, with crisp autumn days and darker evenings, yet there’s still a packed events calendar to enjoy. From live music and comedy to food and drink, creative events, festivals, immersive experiences and a whole range of Halloween activities, there’s something happening across the city for everyone throughout the month.
Whether you’re looking for things to do in Manchester this October, planning a day out, meeting up with friends or looking for something different to do at the weekend, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the city this autumn. From discovering something new to enjoying some of Manchester’s most popular annual events, check out our Northern Group top picks of things to do in Manchester this October!
Candlelight: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
📍 Manchester Cathedral
📅 Thursday 1st
Experience the music of Fleetwood Mac in a completely different setting this October, as their iconic songs are reimagined as part of a candlelit concert at Manchester Cathedral.
Performed by talented classical musicians, the programme features some of the band's best-known tracks, including Dreams, The Chain, Go Your Own Way, Landslide and Little Lies. With the cathedral illuminated by candlelight, it offers a relaxed and atmospheric way to enjoy some of Fleetwood Mac's most recognisable music.
Rong Indoor Festival
📍 O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester
📅 Saturday 3rd
Fans of electronic music can head to O2 Victoria Warehouse this October for Rong Indoor Festival, a large-scale indoor celebration of trance music.
The festival will feature three stages, bringing together trance legends, exclusive sets and debut performances alongside some of the artists and sets associated with Rong. The event will also feature immersive production, laser shows and a new stage design for the 2026 edition.
With a focus on trance music and a festival-style atmosphere inside Victoria Warehouse, Rong Indoor Festival offers something different for electronic music fans looking for a night out in Manchester.
Manchester Literature Festival
📍 Various venues across Manchester
📅 Friday 9th – Sunday 25th
Manchester Literature Festival returns this October with two weeks of talks, author events, discussions and literary experiences taking place across the city.
Running throughout October, the festival brings together a wide range of writers and readers from around the world, with events designed to celebrate literature in all its forms. There are also events for children and young people, alongside opportunities to discover new perspectives and stories.
With events taking place across some of Manchester’s popular cultural venues, including Manchester Central Library and HOME, Manchester Literature Festival is a great option for anyone looking to discover something new and enjoy the city’s thriving literary scene.
Paint A Pic: Northern Lights
📍 Foundry Project, Manchester
📅 Sunday 4th October
Get creative this October with Paint A Pic: Northern Lights, an evening of painting led by a resident artist. Whether you’re joining with friends or heading along solo, the session offers a relaxed way to try something new and get creative.
All the materials you need are provided, including a canvas, paints, easel and apron, with guidance from the artist throughout the session. You’ll also have music and a bar to enjoy as you paint, before taking your finished Northern Lights-inspired artwork home with you.
Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair
📍 Victoria Baths, Manchester
📅 Thursday 15th – Sunday 18th
The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair returns to Victoria Baths this October, bringing more than 200 makers from across the UK to one of Manchester’s most distinctive venues.
Now in its 19th year, the event showcases a wide range of contemporary crafts including ceramics, jewellery, textiles, furniture, glass, wood, metal, printmaking and sculpture. Visitors can meet the makers, discover the stories behind their work and shop directly from the artists.
There will also be free drop-in workshops, giving visitors the chance to get creative themselves while exploring the historic Victoria Baths.
Whether you’re looking for a unique handmade gift, something special for your home or simply enjoy discovering independent makers, the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair is a great addition to Manchester’s October calendar.
Neighbourhood Festival
📍 Venues across Manchester City Centre
📅 Friday 17th
Music fans can explore some of Manchester’s best-known venues as Neighbourhood Festival returns to the city this October.
Taking place across 11 venues, the one-day festival brings together a programme of indie rock, alternative rock and pop, with a focus on new and emerging talent from the UK and Ireland.
One wristband gives festival-goers access to participating venues, including Manchester Academy, Deaf Institute, Gorilla, O2 Ritz, YES and Factory 251, making it possible to move between venues and discover different artists throughout the day.
With live music taking place across the city centre and Oxford Road Corridor, Neighbourhood Festival offers a chance to experience a wide range of artists in some of Manchester’s best-known music venues.
Aardman in Concert
📍 Manchester Central Exchange Auditorium
📅 Friday 23rd
Celebrate 50 years of Aardman with a special evening of classic moments from Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Timmy Time, Morph and Creature Comforts on the big screen, accompanied by a live orchestra.
The evening will finish with a screening of A Matter of Loaf and Death, alongside a special appearance from Shaun the Sheep. There will also be opportunities to meet the musicians and take photos with Wallace & Gromit after the show, making this a fun night out for Aardman fans of all ages.
Halloween in the City
📍 Manchester city centre
📅 Saturday 24th – Sunday 25th
Halloween in the City returns to Manchester city centre for a free weekend of family-friendly entertainment, activities and plenty of spooky fun.
This year’s celebrations will mark 10 years of the MCR Monsters, with a giant inflatable monster trail, live DJs, spooky storytelling, a Monster Bake-Off and a spectacular party procession through the city centre. Visitors can also expect monster-themed games, performances and a city-wide fancy dress takeover.
The MCR Monsters will remain across Manchester from 24th–31st October, appearing at locations including Exchange Square, Manchester Arndale, Mayfield Park and the Science and Industry Museum.
With varied activities suitable for all ages, Halloween in the City is set to be one of Manchester’s biggest Halloween celebrations this October.
Black History Month at Aviva Studios
📍 Aviva Studios, Manchester
📅 Events throughout the month
Aviva Studios is celebrating Black History Month throughout October with a programme of events exploring Black culture, creativity, music and storytelling.
The programme includes poetry, dance, live music, workshops, exhibitions and performances, with events taking place throughout the month. Highlights include BREATHE: Dance & Poetry Slam, an evening of community and feel-good music, and an immersive exhibition and live experience curated by Misha B.
Later in the month, Factory Remix: Call and Response will celebrate the influence of Black diasporic art through stories, sounds and traditions, while Factory Spotlight: Liberation Town will bring together African and Caribbean poetry, music and dance.
Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun
📍 Albert Hall
📅 Saturday 31st
Bongo’s Bingo is getting into the Halloween spirit this October with Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun, bringing its usual mix of bingo, music, dancing and chaos to Manchester for a spooky night out.
Expect plenty of classic Bongo’s Bingo antics alongside Halloween-themed entertainment, prizes and surprises throughout the night. Fancy dress is encouraged, so grab your friends, get into the spooky spirit and prepare for a bingo night with a difference.
October is a great time to experience Manchester, with events and experiences taking place across the city and surrounding areas throughout the month. There's always something new to discover as the city embraces autumn.
If you’re relocating, searching for your next home or looking to invest in Manchester, Northern Group is here to help.