Brightly coloured canal boats docked along the Manchester Ship canal in front of historic red-brick buildings in Manchester, with ducks swimming in the water.

What’s on in Manchester in October – City Events Guide

Simone Riches

What’s on in Manchester in October 2025? Here’s your quick, always-updated guide to the best events, things to do and half-term activities across the city.

From family days out and Halloween happenings to live music, student nights, theatre, exhibitions and more, we’ve pulled it all into one place – plus Manchester City and Manchester United fixtures to help you plan travel on match days.

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Disclosure: This post may contain adverts and affiliate links. Always check with venues for the latest info before you set off, especially dates, times, age guidance and if booking is required. Details can change.

Entrance to The Royal Exchange, Manchester, framed by a colourful floral arch — featured in our “What’s On in Manchester in October” guide.

Events in Manchester during October 2025

1st October

  • Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £21.
  • Eddie Izzard’s Hamlet at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £32.50.
  • Drift by Pui-Ka Cheng at The Lowry (Aldridge Studio). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £12.
  • Deacon Blue (The Great Western Roadtrip Tour) at the AO Arena. Event starts at 7:30pm.
  • Moulin Rouge! The Musical at The Palace Theatre Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £29.50.
  • 13 Going on 30 Musical at the Opera House Manchester. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
  • Meet Hannah Bonam-Young at Waterstones Deansgate Manchester. Event from 5:30pm. Tickets from £9.99.
  • Vista at Gorilla Manchester. Event from 7pm.
  • Great4What #001 Club night at Gorilla. Event from 11pm.
  • Atreyu: The Curse – 20+1 Years Anniversary at the O2 Ritz. Event from 7pm.
  • Flo – Access All Areas Tour at Academy Manchester. Event from 7pm.

2nd October

  • Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £21.
  • Eddie Izzard’s Hamlet at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £32.50.
  • Drift by Oui-Ka Cheng at The Lowry (Aldridge Studio). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £12.
  • The Hallé – Enigma Variations at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 6pm. Tickets from £18.50.
  • Candlelight: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles at Hallé St Peter’s. Event from 7pm.
  • Candlelight Original Sessions: James TW at Hallé St Peter’s. Event from 9:30pm.
  • Moulin Rouge! The Musical at The Palace Theatre Manchester. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £25.
  • 13 Going on 30 Musical at the Opera House Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
  • Peter Andre Live at Manchester Cathedral. Event from 6:30pm – 10pm. Tickets from £28.97.
  • The Duke Spirit at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.
  • Student Night ’25 at Trafford Centre. Event from 6pm – 10pm.
  • JoJo Siwa at the O2 Ritz. Event from 7pm.
  • Billy Nomates & Special Guests at Academy 2. Event from 7:30pm.

3rd October

  • Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £21.
  • Al Stewart and his band The Empty Pockets at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £49.25.
  • Darius Rucker at the AO Arena. Event starts at 7:30pm (doors open at 6pm).
  • The Kooks with special guests The KS at the Co-op Live Arena. Event starts at 7:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm). Tickets from £42.50.
  • Moulin Rouge! The Musical at The Palace Theatre Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £35.
  • 13 Going on 30 Musical at the Opera House Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
  • An Evening of Country at Manchester Cathedral. Event from 6pm – 11pm.
  • Bingo Lingo Oktoberfest Special at Freight Island. Event from 8pm – 12am. Tickets from £11.
  • Freshers Takeover – Bollywood Night at Gorilla. Event from 11pm
  • Man With A Mission and Hands Like Houses at O2 Ritz. Event from 7pm.
  • Bad Touch & The Dust Coda at Club Academy Manchester. Event from 7:30pm.
  • Cardinal Black – Midnight at the Valencia Tour at Academy 2. Event from 7:30pm.
  • Luna Marble & Flat Moon & The Prior at Academy 3. Event from 7:30pm.
  • WHP Presents: Sammy Virji at Depot Mayfield. Event from 8pm – 4am.
  • Indie Discoteque at the Deaf Institute Manchester. Event from 11pm – 3am. 

4th October

  • Manchester United v Sunderland at Old Trafford. Kick off at 3pm – Premier League match.
  • Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event slots at 2pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £21.
  • Chisato Minamimura: Mark of a Woman at The Lowry (Aldridge Studio). Event starts at 6:30pm. Tickets £14.
  • Hannes Langolf at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £18.
  • The Hallé – Guitar Superstars at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £18.50.
  • Marvin Humes presents Noughties Baby at Manchester Cathedral. Event from 7pm – 11pm.
  • John Bishop – 25 Years of Standup at the Co-op Live Arena. Event starts at 8pm (doors open at 6:30pm). Tickets from £31.50.
  • Moulin Rouge! The Musical at The Palace Theatre Manchester. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £29.50.
  • 13 Going on 30 Musical at the Opera House Manchester. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
  • Shade at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.
  • Decades at Gorilla. Event from 11pm.
  • Lyvia & Sissy Ford at Academy 3. Event from 7:30pm.
  • Wishbone Ash at Academy 2. Event from 7:30pm.
  • Mancunia Fest – Oaces, Arctic Mankeys, The Britpop Beatles & more tribute acts at Barca, Castlefield. Event from 5pm – 3am.
  • Antonio Vivaldi: The Four Seasons at The Stoller Hall, Hunts Bank Manchester. Event from 6:30pm – 8:15pm.

5th October

  • Nigel Planer – Young Once Live at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 2pm. Tickets from £34.50.
  • Joanne McNally – Pinotphile at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event slots at 3pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £34.50. Ages 14 years above.
  • Kae Kurd: What’s O’Kurd at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 7pm. Tickets from £24.50.
  • John Bishop – 25 Years of Standup at the Co-op Live Arena. Event starts at 8pm (doors open at 6:30pm). Tickets from £31.50.
  • 13 Going on 30 Musical at the Opera House Manchester. Event starts at 3pm. Tickets from £15.
  • Mooncake Making Workshop at Kargo.MKT. Event from 11am – 12pm. Tickets from £8.30.
  • Corbin at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.
  • Party101 at O2 Apollo. Event from 7pm.
  • Kult at Academy 2. Event from 6pm.

6th October

  • Efím Zaválny baritone & Rebekka Magomedova piano at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 1pm. Tickets from £13.50.
  • Tenebrae & The Third Culture Collective at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £20.
  • Parkway Drive at the AO Arena. Event starts at 6:30pm (doors open at 5pm).
  • An Evening with Freddie Flintoff at the Opera House Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £41.

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    7th October

    • Reckless Sleepers: Binary Opposition at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £13.
    • Lulu – If Only You Knew at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £49.25.
    • Lady Gaga – The Mayhem Ball tour at the Co-op Live Arena. Event starts at 7:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm). Tickets from £476.75. (No, that isn’t a typo!)
    • 13 Going on 30 Musical at the Opera House Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Chloe Qisha at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.

    8th October

    • Reckless Sleepers: Binary Opposition at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £13.
    • Black Sabbath – The Ballet at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £25.
    • Far Gone at The Lowry (Aldridge Studio). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £14.
    • Katy Perry  at the AO Arena. Event starts at 7:30pm (doors open at 6pm).
    • Lady Gaga – The Mayhem Ball tour at the Co-op Live Arena. Event starts at 7:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm). Tickets from £476.75. (No, that isn’t a typo!)
    • 13 Going on 30 Musical at the Opera House Manchester. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Blood Incantation at the Albert Hall Manchester. Event from 7pm – 11pm. Tickets from £37.56.
    • Chloe Slater at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.
    • Kane Brown at O2 Apollo. Event starts at 7pm.
    • 49 Winchester & Wyatt Flores at Academy Manchester. Event from 7pm.

    9th October

    • Black Sabbath – The Ballet at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event slots at 2pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £25.
    • Far Gone at The Lowry (Aldridge Studio). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £14.
    • Nick Helm: No One Gets Out Alive at The Lowry. (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £23. Age 16 years upwards.
    • The Hallé – The Sorcerer’s Apprentice at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £18.
    • 13 Going on 30 Musical at the Opera House Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Dubioza Kolektiv at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.
    • Desi Circle Fresher’s Tour at Gorilla. Event from 11pm.
    • SYML – Nobody Lives Here Tour at Academy 2. Event from 7:30pm.
    • Ayetian at Club Academy. Event from 9pm.

    10th October

    • Black Sabbath – The Ballet at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £25.
    • Far Gone at The Lowry (Aldridge Studio). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £14.
    • Mufutau Yusuf: Impasse at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £13.
    • Architects at the Co-op Live Arena. Event starts at 7:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm). Tickets from £51.95.
    • Sunny Afternoon at the Palace Theatre. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • 13 Going on 30 Musical at the Opera House Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • The Sherlocks at the Albert Hall Manchester. Event from 7pm – 11pm. Tickets from £26.31.
    • Dancing at Lughnasa at the Royal Exchange Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £12.
    • Bingo Lingo Oktoberfest Special at Freight Island. Event from 8pm – 12am. Tickets from £11.
    • The Spitfires at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.
    • Swiftogeddon – The Taylor Themed Club night at Gorilla. Event from 11pm – 3:30am.
    • Gandeys Halloween Spooktacular Circus at Trafford Centre (opposite car park 13 – M17 8WW). Event starts at 5pm. Tickets from £9.99.
    • Aunty Donna at O2 Apollo. Event starts at 7pm.
    • KPOP Party Manchester with DJ EMKAY (Fire Tour at) at the O2 Ritz Manchester. Event from 11pm.
    • The Wedding Present: 40th Anniversary Tour at the O2 Ritz Manchester. Event from 6pm.
    • Testament & Obituary – Thrash of the Titans at Academy Manchester. Event from 5:30pm.
    • Concrete Club (with Intake, Llama Llama and Banana Undertones) at Academy 3. Event from 7:30pm.
    • Giovanni’s Room – The Violence Reduction Unit at Club Academy. Event from 7:30pm. 
    • Zack Knight Live – Rula Diya Tour at Academy 2. Event from 7:30pm.
    Opera House Manchester exterior under blue skies — featured in our “What’s on in Manchester in October” guide.

    11th October

    • Thomas Green: Brainstorm at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £20.50 
    • BBC Philharmonic – Sibelius Symphony No. 2 at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £12.
    • Sunny Afternoon at the Palace Theatre. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £20.
    • 13 Going on 30 Musical at the Opera House Manchester. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Ibiza Proms in Candlelight at Manchester Cathedral. Event from 6pm – 11pm.
    • Candlelight: The Wizard of Oz – A Classical Concert at Hallé St Peter’s. Event slots at 7pm and 9pm.
    • Dancing at Lughnasa at the Royal Exchange Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £12.
    • Bez’s Over 30’s Day Party at Freight Island. Event from 3pm – 9pm. Tickets from £12.
    • The Tumbling Paddies at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.
    • Decades at Gorilla. Event from 11pm.
    • Gandeys Halloween Spooktacular Circus at Trafford Centre (opposite car park 13 – M17 8WW). Event slots at 12pm / 2:30pm and 5pm. Tickets from £9.99.
    • Aunty Donna at O2 Apollo. Event starts at 7pm.
    • Martin Jensen at the O2 Ritz Manchester. Event starts at 11pm.
    • The Dualers – Beach Life Tour at Academy. Event starts at 7pm.
    • Cloudbusting – The Music of Kate Bush at Academy 3. Event starts at 7:30pm.
    • The Doors Alive at Academy 2. Event starts 7:30pm.

    12th October

    • Listen Very Carefully: The Allo Allo Podcast – Live at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 2pm. Tickets from £39.50. Meet & Greet starts at 12:30pm for £70.
    • Dead Ringers: 25th Anniversary Tour at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event slots at 2:30pm and 8pm. Tickets from £34.50.
    • Josie Long – Now is the time of Monsters at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £26.50.
    • The Hallé – The Sorcerer’s Apprentice at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 4pm. Tickets from £18.
    • 13 Going on 30 Musical at the Opera House Manchester. Event starts at 3pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Rose Gray at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.
    • Gandeys Halloween Spooktacular Circus at Trafford Centre (opposite car park 13 – M17 8WW). Event slots at 12pm / 2:30pm and 5pm. Tickets from £9.99.
    • Nena at O2 Ritz Manchester. Event from 7pm.

    13th October

    • Rishab Sharma: Sitar for Mental Health at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £53.
    • Public Building Tour with BSL at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 11:15pm (doors open at 11am – event is 1 hour 30 mins). Tickets are £10.
    • Sunny Afternoon at the Palace Theatre. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Dancing at Lughnasa at the Royal Exchange Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £12.
    • Sofia Camara at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.
    • One OK Rock Detox European Tour 2025 at the O2 Apollo.

    14th October

    • Nick Mohammed is Mr. Swallow: Show Pony at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £31.50. Ages 14 years upwards.
    • The Brno Philharmonic Orchestra at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £25.
    • Sunny Afternoon at the Palace Theatre. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Inside No 9 Stage/Fright at the Opera House. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £40.
    • Dancing at Lughnasa at the Royal Exchange Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £12.
    • Newton Faulkner (with Marie Naffah and Nati) at Academy 3. Event from 7:30pm.
    • Se So Neon at Academy 2. Event from 7:30pm.
    • Abel Selaocoe – Live in Manchester at New Century Hall, Manchester. Event from 7pm – 10pm.

    15th October

    • Nick Mohammed is Mr. Swallow: Show Pony at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £31.50. Ages 14 years upwards.
    • The  Hallé’s Chamber Series with Schubert’s Quintet in C Major at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 1pm. Tickets from £17.
    • Jonathan Scott: The Four Seasons at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 1:10pm. Tickets from £15.50.
    • Sunny Afternoon at the Palace Theatre. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Inside No 9 Stage/Fright at the Opera House. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £40.
    • Dancing at Lughnasa at the Royal Exchange Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £12.
    • Bow Wow Wow at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.
    • Nova Twins: Parasites & Butterflies UK Tour 2025 at O2 Ritz Manchester. Event from 7pm.
    • Leap (and Tally Spear) at Academy 3. Event from 7:30pm.
    • Na Yina at Academy 2. Event from 7:30pm.
    Red truss bridge over the Manchester Ship Canal with modern buildings and high-rise towers in the background at dusk.

    16th October

    • Thomas Green: Brainstorm at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £20.50 
    • Black Power Desk at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £18.
    • An Evening with Sir Jimmy Anderson at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £39.50.
    • Graham Nash at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £46.75.
    • Little Simz at the Co-op Live Arena. Event starts at 7:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm). Tickets from £33.95.
    • Sunny Afternoon at the Palace Theatre. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Inside No 9 Stage/Fright at the Opera House. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £20.
    • Cymande at the Albert Hall Manchester. Event from 7pm – 11pm. Tickets from £32.50.
    • Dancing at Lughnasa at the Royal Exchange Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £12.
    • Cookery School – South Indian & Nonna’s Italian Classics at Freight Island (Plant Room). Event from 5:45pm – 9pm. Tickets are £65.
    • Hope of the States at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.
    • Pale Waves at O2 Ritz Manchester. Event from 7pm.
    • Mimi Webb (and Grace Gachot) at Academy Manchester. Event from 7pm.
    • Panic Shack at Academy 2. Event from 7:30pm.

    17th October

    • Boogie Down Broadway at Manchester Cathedral. Event from 7pm – 10pm. Tickets from £19.
    • Black Power Desk at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £18.
    • W*nkernomics: Just Touching Base at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event starts at 6pm. Tickets from £24.50.
    • Emmanuel Sonubi: Life After Near Death at The Lowry (Aldridge Studio). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £23.
    • A.R Rahman – The Wonderment Tour at the Co-op Live Arena. Event starts at 7:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm). Tickets from £89.42.
    • Sunny Afternoon at the Palace Theatre. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Inside No 9 Stage/Fright at the Opera House. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £40.
    • Sleeper at the Albert Hall Manchester. Event from 7pm – 11pm. Tickets from £34.75.
    • Dancing at Lughnasa at the Royal Exchange Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £12.
    • Oktoberfest – The Ultimate Bavarian Experience at Freight Island (Platform). Event from 7pm – 12am. Tickets from £16.75
    • Bingo Lingo Oktoberfest Special at Freight Island. Event from 8pm – 12am. Tickets from £11.
    • Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair at Victoria Baths. Event from 10am – 6pm.  Tickets from £7.50.
    • The Happy Fits at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.
    • Charlie Simpson (Busted) DJ set at Gorilla. Event from 11pm.
    • Gandeys Halloween Spooktacular Circus at Trafford Centre (opposite car park 13 – M17 8WW). Event starts at 5pm. Tickets from £9.99.
    • The Groove Chorus at O2 Ritz Manchester. Event from 7pm.
    • Larkin Poe (and Son Little) at Academy Manchester. Event from 7pm.
    • Pop Will Eat Itself (and GANS) at Academy 2. Event from 7:30pm.
    • SL at Club Academy. Event from 7:30pm.
    • The Dreggs (and Etaoin) at Academy 3. Event from 7:30pm.
    • Paradise at Depot Mayfield. Event from 8pm – 5am.

    18th October

    • Manchester City vs Everton at the Etihad. Kick off at 3pm – Premier League match.
    • Meet Tom Fletcher at Waterstones Manchester Arndale. Event from 11:30am. Tickets from £7.99.
    • Manchester Literature Festival’s Family Birthday Bash at the Central Library. Range of events from 10:30am – 2:45pm – Booking may be required. FAMILY.
    • Candlelight: Rings and Dragons at Hallé St Peter’s. Event slots at 5pm and 7pm.
    • Black Power Desk at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £18.
    • Dance with Groove and Flow Workshop at The Lowry. Event starts at 4:15pm. Tickets from £5. For ages 10 – 16 years.
    • Candlelight: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles at Hallé St Peter’s. Event from 9pm.
    • Myra Dubois: Cosmic Empath at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £29.50.
    • The Hallé – Flying Through Film (with Anna Lapwood on the Organ) at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £18.50. 
    • Sunny Afternoon at the Palace Theatre. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £20.
    • Inside No 9 Stage/Fright at the Opera House. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £20.
    • Dancing at Lughnasa at the Royal Exchange Manchester. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £12.
    • Oktoberfest Day Session – The Ultimate Bavarian Experience at Freight Island (Platform). Event from 12pm – 7pm. Tickets from £16.75.
    • Oktoberfest Evening Session – The Ultimate Bavarian Experience at Freight Island (Platform). Event from 7pm – 12am. Tickets from £16.75.
    • Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair at Victoria Baths. Event from 10am – 6pm. Tickets from £7.50.
    • The Vamp present Up All Night at Gorilla. Event from 6pm.
    • Decades at Gorilla. Event from 11pm.
    • Gandeys Halloween Spooktacular Circus at Trafford Centre (opposite car park 13 – M17 8WW). Event slots at 12pm / 2:30pm and 5pm. Tickets from £9.99.
    • The Stranglers at the O2 Apollo. Event from 7pm.
    • The Pharcyde & Souls of Mischief: 30th Anniversary. Event from 7pm.
    • Porkpie Live at Academy 3. Event from 7:30pm.
    • The Velvetines at Club Academy. Event from 7:30pm.
    • OVERMONO at Depot Mayfield. Event from 4pm – 4am. 
    • ABBA Bottomless Brunch at The Grosvenor, Manchester. Event from 3pm – 5pm.

    19th October

    • Wet Wet Wet with special guest Heather Small at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £36.
    • Simply Dylan at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £27.50.
    • Rick Wakeman at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £49.25.
    • Nina Conti at the Opera House Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £22.16.
    • FREE Mini Disco with The Villain at Kargo.MKT. Event from 10am – 12pm. FREE – FAMILY.
    • Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair at Victoria Baths. Event from 10am – 4pm. Tickets from £7.50.
    • Gandeys Halloween Spooktacular Circus at Trafford Centre (opposite car park 13 – M17 8WW). Event slots at 12pm / 2:30pm and 5pm. Tickets from £9.99.
    • Jalen Ngonda at the O2 Apollo. Event from 7pm.
    • New Model Army at O2 Ritz Manchester. Event from 6pm.
    • Men I Trust (Llana Flores) at Academy Manchester. Event from 7pm.
    • Sonata Artica (with Seven Spires & Dendera) at Academy 2. Event from 7pm.

    20th October

    • Myra’s Story at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £10.
    • Suzanne Vega at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £41.75.
    • Strange, But True Crime with Jennifer Rees at the Opera House. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £25.
    • Beach Bunny at the Albert Hall Manchester. Event from 7pm – 11pm. Tickets from £30.25.
    • Keo at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.
    • Football Cliches Live at Academy 2. Event from 6:30pm.
    • Coheed and Cambria – Welcome to Forever Tour (with Haken) at Academy Manchester. Event from 7pm.
    Historic brick railway arches spanning the Manchester Ship Canal, with a canal boat and Beetham Tower visible in the background.

    21st October

    • Myra’s Story at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £10.
    • ENO: Albert Herring at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £25.
    • Curious Directive: Black Sheep at The Lowry (Aldridge Studio). Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £14.
    • Rumer – Seasons of my Soul at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £41.25.
    • Fiddler on the Roof at the Palace Theatre. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • The Cat Empire at the Albert Hall Manchester. Event from 7pm – 11pm. Tickets from £34.75.
    • Dancing at Lughnasa at the Royal Exchange Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £12.
    • Lloyiso at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.
    • Glenn Hughes – The Chosen Years UK Tour 2025 at O2 Ritz Manchester. Event from 7pm.

    22nd October

    • Myra’s Story at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £10.
    • ENO: Albert Herring at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £25.
    • Fiddler on the Roof at the Palace Theatre. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Slava’s Snow Show at the Opera House Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Those Damn Crows at the Albert Hall Manchester. Event from 7pm – 11pm. Tickets from £26.31.
    • Dancing at Lughnasa at the Royal Exchange Manchester. Event slotts at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £12.
    • Gandeys Halloween Spooktacular Circus at Trafford Centre (opposite car park 13 – M17 8WW). Event starts at 5pm. Tickets from £9.99.
    • Battle Beast at O2 Ritz Manchester. Event from 6pm.
    • ADMT (with Ansley and Liv Harland) at Academy 3. Event from 7:30pm. 

    23rd October

    • Scratch Nights x Climate Hope at The Lowry (Aldridge Studio). Event starts at 7pm. Tickets from 7pm. Tickets from £5.
    • Black is the Colour of my Voice at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £23.
    • Alexander Gadjiev (piano) at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 1pm. Tickets from £13.50.
    • The Hallé – Schubert’s Great Symphony at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £18.
    • Fiddler on the Roof at the Palace Theatre. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Slava’s Snow Show at the Opera House Manchester. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Dancing at Lughnasa at the Royal Exchange Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £12.
    • Halloween Paint a Pot at Kargo.MKT. Event from 7pm – 9pm. Tickets from £22.38.
    • Meet Cassandra Clare & Holly Black at Waterstones Deansgate Manchester. Event from 6pm. Tickets from £10.99.
    • Wisp at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.
    • Gandeys Halloween Spooktacular Circus at Trafford Centre (opposite car park 13 – M17 8WW). Event starts at 5pm. Tickets from £9.99.
    • Igorrr at O2 Ritz Manchester. Event from 7pm.

    24th October

    • Candlelight: A Tribute to Adele at Hallé St Peter’s. Event starts at 9pm.
    • Black is the Colour of my Voice at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £23.
    • Hofesh Shechter – Theatre of Dreams at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Public Building Tour with BSL at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 11:15pm (doors open at 11am – event is 1 hour 30 mins). Tickets are £10.
    • Disturbed with Special Guests Megadeath at the AO Arena. Event starts at 7:30pm (doors open at 6pm).
    • Jason Manford – A Manford All Seasons tour at the Co-op Live Arena. Event starts at 7:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm). Tickets from £26.70.
    • Fiddler on the Roof at the Palace Theatre. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Slava’s Snow Show at the Opera House Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Dancing at Lughnasa at the Royal Exchange Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £12.
    • Candlelight: The Wizard of Oz – A Classical Concert at Hallé St Peter’s. Event at 5pm.
    • Bingo Lingo Oktoberfest Special at Freight Island. Event from 8pm – 12am. Tickets from £11.
    • Joel Sunny at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.
    • WHE presents: Mr. Traumatik & DJ Frenzee at Gorilla. Event from 11pm.
    • Gandeys Halloween Spooktacular Circus at Trafford Centre (opposite car park 13 – M17 8WW). Event starts at 5pm. Tickets from £9.99. FAMILY.
    • Counting Crows at the O2 Apollo Manchester. Event from 7pm.
    • Black Parade – 00’s Emo Anthems Halloween Party at O2 Ritz Manchester. Event from 9pm.
    • Spacey Jane (and Mia Wray) at Academy Manchester. Event from 7pm.
    • The Hip Hop Festival at Academy 2. Event from 7:30pm.
    • Ultimate Power at Club Academy. Event from 10pm.
    • Confidence Man at Depot Mayfield. Event from 8pm – 4am.

    25th October

    • Manchester United v Brighton at Old Trafford. Kick off at 5:30pm – Premier League match.
    • Halloween in The City Weekender – Halloween events throughout Manchester City Centre including MCR Monsters (the inflatables are back!)
    • Candlelight: Tribute to Ludovico at Hallé St Peter’s. Event starts at 7pm.
    • Candlelight: Coldplay vs Ed Sheeran at Hallé St Peter’s. Event starts at 9pm.
    • Black is the Colour of my Voice at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event slots at 2:30pm and 8pm. Tickets from £23.
    • Hofesh Shechter – Theatre of Dreams at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Not Truly Dead at The Lowry (Aldridge Studio). Event slots at 2:30pm and 8pm. Tickets from £16.
    • BBC Philharmonic – Moving Pictures at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £12.
    • Marti Pellow with Brian Kennedy at the AO Arena. Event starts at 7:30pm (doors open at 6pm).
    • Fiddler on the Roof at the Palace Theatre. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Slava’s Snow Show at the Opera House Manchester. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • The Amazons at the Albert Hall Manchester. Event from 7pm – 11pm. Tickets from £29.12.
    • Dancing at Lughnasa at the Royal Exchange Manchester. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £12.
    • Raver Tots – Halloween Party at Freight Island. Event from 10am – 12pm. Tickets from £15. FAMILY.
    • Lapsley at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.
    • Decades at Gorilla. Event from 11pm.
    • Gandeys Halloween Spooktacular Circus at Trafford Centre (opposite car park 13 – M17 8WW). Event slots at 12pm / 2:30pm and 5pm. Tickets from £9.99. FAMILY.
    • Gillian Welch & David Rawlings at the O2 O2 Apollo Manchester. Event from 7pm.
    • The 30+ Club at Academy Manchester. Event from 5pm.
    • Sanctum Sanctorium (The Dark Side of the 80’s) at Academy 2. Event from 7:30pm.
    • Ten (and the Reminisce) at Academy 3. Event from 7:30pm.
    • Silence of the Baths III – The Return (Silent Disco) at Victoria Baths. Event from 7:30pm – 11:30pm.
    The Ivy, Spinningfields with its lush green façade beside a glass office tower — featured in our “What’s on in Manchester in October” guide.

    26th October

    • Halloween in The City Weekender events throughout Manchester City Centre including MCR Monsters (the inflatables are back!)
    • Our Kids Social (Halloween) at Freight Island. Event from 10am – 12pm. Tickets from £11. FAMILY.
    • Rave Kidz goes Bonkers at Bowlers Exhibition Centre. Event from 2pm – 7pm. FAMILY.
    • Manchester 16+ Halloween Rave at Gorilla, Manchester. Event from 5pm – 9pm. Over 16 Years.
    • An Audience with Sir Bradley Wiggins at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event starts at 2pm. Tickets from £39.50. Ages 14 years upwards.
    • Jack Dee: Small World at The Lowry (Lyric Theatre). Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £34.50.
    • This Flight Tonight at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £28.
    • Benson Boone – American Heart Tour at the Co-op Live Arena. Event starts at 7:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm). Tickets from £256.50 (floor).
    • Slava’s Snow Show at the Opera House Manchester. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Gogol Bordello – Fall 2025 European Tour at the Albert Hall Manchester. Event from 7pm – 11pm. Tickets from £34.75.
    • Dancing at Lughnasa at the Royal Exchange Manchester. Event starts at 3pm. Tickets from £12.
    • Boomchikkaboom Family Rave at Kargo.MKT. Event from 10am – 12pm. FREE – FAMILY.
    • Gandeys Halloween Spooktacular Circus at Trafford Centre (opposite car park 13 – M17 8WW). Event slots at 12pm / 2:30pm and 5pm. Tickets from £9.99.
    • Erykah Badu: ‘Mama’s Gun’ 25th Anniversary tour at the O2 Apollo Manchetser. Event from 7pm.
    • Fields of the Nephilim at O2 Ritz Manchester. Event from 7pm.

    27th October

    • MCR Monsters in Manchester City Centre.
    • The Smeds and The Smoos at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event slots at 1:30pm and 4:30pm. Tickets from £19.50. FAMILY.
    • Jason Byrne – Head in the Clouds at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £33.
    • Benson Boone – American Heart Tour at the Co-op Live Arena. Event starts at 7:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm). Tickets from £256.50 (floor).
    • The Psychedelic Furs at the Albert Hall Manchester. Event from 7pm – 11pm. Tickets from £37.
    • Bricklands Lego Build and Play Workshop at Kargo.MKT. Event from 10am – 12pm. FREE – FAMILY.
    • Remember Monday at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.
    • Gandeys Halloween Spooktacular Circus at Trafford Centre (opposite car park 13 – M17 8WW). Event slots at 2pm and 5pm. Tickets from £9.99.
    • Caamp at O2 Ritz Manchester. Event from 7pm.

    28th October

    • MCR Monsters in Manchester City Centre.
    • The Smeds and The Smoos at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event slots at 11am and 1:30pm. Tickets from £19.50. FAMILY.
    • Ivo Graham: Orange Crush at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 8pm.
    • Tom Odell at the Co-op Live Arena. Event starts at 7:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm).
    • Fiddler on the Roof at the Palace Theatre. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Dancing at Lughnasa at the Royal Exchange Manchester. Event starts at 6pm. Tickets from £12.
    • Paint a Pot & Read a Lot at Kargo.MKT. Event from 10am – 12pm. Tickets from £16.96.
    • Swirlies at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.
    • Gandeys Halloween Spooktacular Circus at Trafford Centre (opposite car park 13 – M17 8WW). Event slots at 2pm and 5pm. Tickets from £9.99.
    • The Terminator Live at the O2 Apollo Manchester. Event from 6:30pm.
    • Sananda Maitreya at O2 Ritz Manchester. Event from 7pm.
    • Ezhel at Academy 2. Event from 7:30pm.

    29th October

    • MCR Monsters in Manchester City Centre.
    • The Smeds and The Smoos at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event slots at 11am and 1:30pm. Tickets from £19.50. FAMILY.
    • Dance Magic – The Workshop Day at The Lowry. Event starts at 10am – 4pm. Tickets £40. Ages 8 – 12 years.
    • Fourfront at The Lowry (Aldridge Studio). Event starts at 7pm. Tickets from £10.
    • Garth Marenghi – This Busted Earth Book Tour at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £24.50.
    • Steve Backshall – Deadly Live tour at the AO Arena. Event starts at 2pm. FAMILY.
    • Fiddler on the Roof at the Palace Theatre. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Steve Bracknall at the Albert Hall Manchester. Event from 7pm – 11pm. Tickets from £29.12.
    • Dancing at Lughnasa at the Royal Exchange Manchester. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £12.
    • Roya at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.
    • Gandeys Halloween Spooktacular Circus at Trafford Centre (opposite car park 13 – M17 8WW). Event slots at 2pm and 5pm. Tickets from £9.99.
    • KIDZ BOP Live: Certified Bop Tour at the O2 Apollo Manchester. Event from 5pm.
    • Graham Bonnet Band at Academy 3. Event from 7:30pm.
    • I Wrote This For Attention: Lukas Gage in Conversation (hosted by Emma-Louise Boynton) at Academy 2. Event from 7:30pm.
    • Aitch at Depot Mayfield. Event from 7pm – 11pm.

    30th October

    • MCR Monsters in Manchester City Centre.
    • The Smeds and The Smoos at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event slots at 11am and 1:30pm. Tickets from £19.50. FAMILY.
    • Storytelling with the League of Curiosity at the Castlefield Viaduct (National Trust). Event slots from 10am – 10:45am and 11:15am – 12pm. Tickets from £2. FAMILY.
    • Dance Magic – The Workshop Day at The Lowry. Event from 10am – 4pm. Tickets £40. Ages 12 – 16 years.
    • Garth Marenghi – This Busted Earth Book Tour at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £24.50.
    • Boys Move! at The Lowry. Event starts at 10am. Tickets from £40. Ages 8 – 12 years.
    • Shellshocked at The Lowry (Aldridge Studio). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £14.
    • The Hallé Presents – John Adams in Manchester at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £23.50.
    • Haim – I Quit Tour at Co-op Live Arena. Event starts at 7:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm). Tickets from £34.50.
    • Fiddler on the Roof at the Palace Theatre. Event slots at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Dancing at Lughnasa at the Royal Exchange Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £12.
    • Gandeys Halloween Spooktacular Circus at Trafford Centre (opposite car park 13 – M17 8WW). Event slots at 2pm and 5pm. Tickets from £9.99. FAMILY.
    • Old Dominion: How Good Is That World Tour at the O2 Apollo Manchester. Event from 7pm.
    • REEF: Replenish 2025 and Ben Ottewell (Gomez) at O2 Ritz Manchester. Event at 6pm.
    • DearAlice (with Tommy Lyon) at Club Academy. Event from 7:30pm.
    • The Lovely Eggs (with Frank Skinner) at Academy 2. Event from 7:30pm.

    31st October

    • MCR Monsters in Manchester City Centre.
    • The Smeds and The Smoos at The Lowry (Quays Theatre). Event slots at 11am and 1:30pm. Tickets from £19.50. FAMILY.
    • Storytelling with the League of Curiosity at the Castlefield Viaduct (National Trust). Event slots from 10am – 10:45am and 11:15am – 12pm. Tickets from £2. FAMILY.
    • Shellshocked at The Lowry (Aldridge Studio). Event starts at 8pm. Tickets from £14.
    • Public Building Tour with BSL at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 11:15pm (doors open at 11am – event is 1 hour 30 mins). Tickets are £10.
    • The Hallé – John Adams Chamber Symphony at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 1pm. Tickets from £17.
    • Björn Again The Hallé – John Adams Chamber Symphony at The Bridgewater Hall. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £24.25.
    • Duran Duran – Halloween at Co-op Live Arena. Event starts at 7:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm). Tickets from £73.50.
    • Fiddler on the Roof at the Palace Theatre. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £15.
    • Dancing at Lughnasa at the Royal Exchange Manchester. Event starts at 7:30pm. Tickets from £12.
    • Bingo Lingo Halloween Special at Freight Island. Event from 8pm – 12am. Tickets from £11.
    • Frankenstein’s Monster Mash Party at Kargo.MKT. Event from 10am – 12pm. FREE – FAMILY.
    • Mono at Gorilla. Event from 7pm.
    • Gandeys Halloween Spooktacular Circus at Trafford Centre (opposite car park 13 – M17 8WW). Event slots at 2pm and 5pm. Tickets from £9.99. FAMILY.
    • Arch Enemy: Blood Dynasty Tour 2025 at the O2 Apollo Manchester. Event from 5pm.
    • Lord of The Lost at O2 Ritz Manchester. Event from 6pm.
    • Just Radiohead (Tribute Act) at Academy 3. Event from 7:30pm.
    • Ocie Elliott (and Bertie Newman) at Academy 2. Event from 7:30pm.
    • Sunny Rave with DJ Pressed at Club Academy. Event from 11pm.

    Wrapping Up What’s Happening In Manchester In October

    Don’t miss our guide to the best firework displays in Manchester (times, locations, prices – currently being updated) and head to North West Family Adventures for trusted picks on pumpkin picking in the North West throughout October.

    Bookmark this page, share it with your group chat and check back – we’ll keep adding fresh Manchester events as they’re announced.

    Want to make sure you don’t miss a single event? Sign up for our monthly ‘What’s On Guide’ and get the latest event updates sent straight to your inbox. Manchester’s got plenty in store, so get ready to dive in and enjoy everything this vibrant city has to offer!

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      Simone

      Simone, an established blogger, is the passionate creator of ManchesterMummy.com. As a dedicated Manchester local, she shares her deep knowledge of the city through detailed guides and resources. Her expertise covers Manchester's top dining experiences, hidden attractions and family-friendly activities. Simone's Manchester City Guide serves as a comprehensive resource for both residents and visitors eager to explore what Manchester has to offer. Besides city insights, she offers practical lifestyle tips to enhance urban living and family life. When not scouting the city or writing, Simone enjoys family time, writing, photography and exploring local flavours. Follow her journey as she reveals Manchester's unique charm, one post at a time.

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