Top October Events In Manchester

The month of Halloween is here, bringing with it an eclectic mix of activities to ease us into winter. Ignore the weather's grumbles and get a load of the city's top things to do, from unique walking tours to drag brunches or ball pit parties. Here's our pick of October events in Manchester.

Last edited by Lauren Cole

Last updated on 4th November 2024




Best Halloween Events In Manchester 2025

The ghosts and ghouls are out to play this October in Manchester, so we've rounded up some of the city's most fun Halloween events. Sporting everything from fancy dress to things that go bump in the dark, these picks of must-see events and club nights will hit the spot.

11 Central Gin Making Experience

@ 11 Central on Various dates from Saturday 30th November 2024

Fancy learning more about the history and distilling process of gin? Then head to 11 Central in Salford, where they're giving you the chance to attend a gin making experience. Their expert guides will teach you all about how these tipples are made, and you'll also get to enjoy a tasting to begin with.

Choose your own botanicals to create a unique blend, which you'll get to take home a 700ml bottle of afterwards - and you can even re-order this creation again. What's more, they offer a tasting experience here too.

Gin Journey Manchester

@ Nell's Pizza on Saturday 7th and Saturday 21st December 2024

For fans of botanical blends, check out the Gin Journey across Manchester. This tour is as educational as it is delicious, as you'll learn a lot about these drinks as you go.

Visit four cracking venues along the way, from distilleries to secret drinking dens and stylish bars. You'll get a drink at each place as part of your £49.50 ticket, as well as a different gin to sample at every one.

Electric Shuffle Manchester Brunch

@ Electric Shuffle Manchester on Various dates from Saturday 23rd November 2024

Fancy getting a little competitive with your friends? Then head to one of Electric Shuffle's brilliant weekend brunch socials at their Deansgate venue. This quirky activity bar boasts full-sized, interactive shuffleboard tables, and you'll get to spend an hour playing their fun minigames.

You'll get to enjoy unlimited pizza throughout the two hours as part of your £30 ticket, as well as an entire bottle of prosecco per person - finishing up in the bar to toast to the winners.

Cherry Jam

Taking place every Friday and Saturday, Cherry Jam's bottomless feasts offer some of the top October events in Manchester this weekend. Enjoy a selection of scrumptious sweet and savoury treats served alongside unlimited cocktails or draught beer.

R&B Brunch MANCHESTER

@ Manchester Bierkeller on Saturday 30th November 2024 and 2 other Saturdays

Make your way to Bierkeller in The Printworks for an afternoon of fun: R&B Brunch Manchester. This five-hour event kicks off with an hour of bottomless rum punch, before you hit the dancefloor as live DJs play the best of hip hop, UKG and RnB.

Tickets start from £18 per person, with the option to add on VIP packages too, and there's all sorts of tasty food and drinks available to purchase while you're there. What's more, they offer a throwback 90s and 00s brunch here too.

YO! Sushi School - Manchester Selfridges Trafford

@ YO! Manchester Selfridges Trafford on Wednesday 27th November 2024 and 2 other Wednesdays

Hide from Manchester's October weather at YO!'s cool sushi workshops, where you'll learn how to whip up four delish items to munch through after your session. To top it off? You'll enjoy gyozas and edamame on arrival, with a little history lesson throughout. And if you're not in the area, check out their Manchester Arndale venue instead.

What's on at GRUB

Wondering what's on in Manchester this October? GRUB's lineup of events are sure to have something to suit, as they're boasting the likes of disco bingo, bottomless brunches, workshops and more, all at their cool Red Bank space.

The Big Manchester Bake

@ The Big Manchester Bake on Various dates from Thursday 21st November 2024

This October hit the marquee to be crowned champion and challenge your mates at The Big Manchester Bake. This award-winning event starts from £49.90 per person and includes all the ingredients pre-measured and ready to go. Simply team up, set the clock to 90 minutes and sprinkle all the creativity you've got into your delicious masterpiece.

Alcotraz Manchester: Cell Block Three-Four

@ Alcotraz Penitentiary: Manchester on Various dates from Thursday 21st November 2024

Looking for fun Manchester events this October? Alcotraz is the immersive cocktail experience that's putting visitors behind bars. Perfect come birthdays, get-togethers or particularly unique date nights, the venue will have you smuggling booze and sipping bespoke cocktails.

Seconds Sunday Roast Carvery at Freight Island

@ Freight Island on Sunday 24th November 2024 and 4 other Sundays

Freight Island are bringing you a modern twist on the classic carvery, offering you unlimited access to seconds on all the trimmings, to pair with your choice of juicy mains - we're talking turkey crowns, porchetta, kale-stuffed cauliflower or rare topside of beef.

Plates start from £19 per person for two mains, or three for £23, and you can load it up with everything from garlic and rosemary roast potatoes to honey-glazed carrots and bottomless cheese. 

The Spirit of Manchester Distillery

There's all sorts going on at The Spirit of Manchester Distillery, situated in the heart of the city. Their expert mixologists are on hand to teach you all about the history and distilling process of their drinks, and the gin making experience even gives you the chance to create a 700ml bottle to take home.

They also offer tasting sessions for as little as £30 per person, as well as cocktail masterclasses where you can try your hand at making all sorts of exciting concoctions.

Pumpkin Picking In Manchester

Nothing screams October like pumpkins, and there are plenty of places in and around Manchester to get your fill of pumpkin picking. Choose from spots like Reddish Vale Farm, Lancaster Park and Smithills, promising Instagram-worthy patches and plenty of choice for pumpkins to take home. There's something to suit all budgets here too, so take your pick.

Bongo's Bingo Manchester

@ Albert Hall on Various dates from Friday 22nd November 2024

Named as England's wildest night out by the Wall Street Journal, Bongo's Bingo is a chaotic combination of dance-offs, rave intervals and audience participation among rounds of bingo. Their Manchester event takes place at Albert Hall on Peter Street, with tickets starting from £21 each.

Expect non-stop brilliant tunes and hilarious hosts, and you can even win whacky prizes like giant pink unicorns, Henry Hoovers and karaoke machines.