Manchester Events | Local Events & Community
Upcoming events · October 22 – October 31, 2026
Manchester’s October 22–31 guide brings together an open Manchester AI community evening, live football, a Northern Quarter literary conversation, Halloween across the city centre, a community-sector digital gathering and two Saturday parkruns. Check each organizer’s current registration, access and schedule details before setting out. Manchester Craft and Design Centre is the business spotlight, and Mustard Tree is the community spotlight. The AI Ethics reading list draws on Greater Manchester research into public participation and responsible AI.
READING LIST / GREATER MANCHESTER
AI Ethics
Greater Manchester has a locally developed model for putting residents—especially people often left out of technology decisions—in the room with researchers and businesses. These readings connect that public participation work to practical questions for the region’s AI builders: who gets to challenge a system, whose experience shapes it, and who remains accountable when it is used.
- Greater Manchester People’s Panel for AI: Building Trust and Giving People a Voice / Manchester Metropolitan University
A case-study booklet about Greater Manchester residents questioning AI research and products, and the changes that followed.
- Greater Manchester SME perspectives on current practices and future regulation of artificial intelligence / Manchester Metropolitan University and Greater Manchester AI Foundry
Research on how small and medium-sized businesses in Greater Manchester approach responsible AI and the challenges they face.
- The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech’s Hype and Create the Future We Want / Emily M. Bender and Alex Hanna · HarperCollins
A critical account of AI industry claims that helps readers ask whose interests, labor and evidence are represented when systems are adopted.
Upcoming events
Business spotlight
Manchester Craft and Design Centre
Business spotlight — check current opening hours at Northern Quarter, Manchester
A charitable creative space in the Northern Quarter, with independent makers’ studios and a programme supporting craft, design and creative careers. Check the centre’s site for current opening hours and visitor information.
Venue page for Northern Quarter, ManchesterOfficial source for Manchester Craft and Design Centre
Community spotlight
Mustard Tree
Community spotlight — explore current services at Manchester and Salford
A local charity working to improve economic wellbeing and help people find settled homes through community shops, training placements, support services, gifting schemes, vocational training and creative classes. Check its site for current services, locations and ways to help.
Venue page for Manchester and SalfordOfficial source for Mustard Tree
Arts
Claire Lynch & Claire Adam
Friday, Oct 23, 2026, 6:30 PM GMT+1 at Waterstones Deansgate, Manchester
Manchester Literature Festival hosts award-winning writers Claire Lynch and Claire Adam for a conversation about their novels, mothers and daughters, hidden truths and choices across generations. Tickets are listed at £10 / £8; check the festival page for availability and booking details.
Event details for Claire Lynch & Claire AdamVenue page for Waterstones Deansgate, ManchesterOfficial source for Claire Lynch & Claire Adam
Wellness
South Manchester parkrun
Saturday, Oct 24, 2026, 9:00 AM GMT+1 at Platt Fields Park, Fallowfield, Manchester
A free weekly 5K: walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. Register with parkrun before your first visit and bring a scannable barcode if you want a result. Check the official page for course details and any cancellation notice.
Event details for South Manchester parkrunVenue page for Platt Fields Park, Fallowfield, ManchesterOfficial source for South Manchester parkrun
Arts
Halloween in the City Weekender
Saturday, Oct 24, 2026, 10:00 AM GMT+1 at Manchester city centre — events across multiple locations
Free family events across Manchester city centre, with live performances, fancy-dress fun, storytelling, spooky DJs and a monster procession. The official schedule lists Saturday 10 AM–6 PM and Sunday 10 AM–5 PM; check the event map and FAQs for locations and updates. Times are local to Manchester (BST Saturday; GMT Sunday after the clock change).
Event details for Halloween in the City WeekenderVenue page for Manchester city centre — events across multiple locationsOfficial source for Halloween in the City Weekender
Arts
MCR Monsters
Saturday, Oct 24, 2026 at Manchester city centre — programme locations vary
The MCR Monsters mark their tenth birthday with Halloween-themed activities across the city. Visit Manchester lists the programme from October 24 through October 31; consult the official listing for individual activity times and locations.
Event details for MCR MonstersVenue page for Manchester city centre — programme locations varyOfficial source for MCR Monsters
Sports
Manchester United v AFC Bournemouth
Sunday, Oct 25, 2026, 2:00 PM GMT at Old Trafford, Manchester
Manchester United’s Premier League home fixture against AFC Bournemouth. The club lists a 2:00 PM local kick-off at Old Trafford; check the official match centre for ticket and broadcast information.
Event details for Manchester United v AFC BournemouthVenue page for Old Trafford, ManchesterOfficial source for Manchester United v AFC Bournemouth
Arts
The Haunting of Hill House
Tuesday, Oct 27, 2026 at Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester M1 6FT
A stage adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s novel, presented at the Palace Theatre. Visit the venue’s ticket page for the performance schedule, current availability and age guidance.
Event details for The Haunting of Hill HouseVenue page for Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester M1 6FTOfficial source for The Haunting of Hill House
Tech
Context, Retrieval & Compromised Agents
Wednesday, Oct 28, 2026, 5:45 PM GMT at Accenture, No. 2 Circle Square, 1 Symphony Park, Manchester M1 7FS
Manchester AI hosts two hands-on talks: one on visual intelligence and semantic retrieval, and one on how compromised AI agents can retain access. The organizer asks attendees to register in advance, complete its post-RSVP security form and bring photo ID. Check Meetup for current availability and entry instructions.
Event details for Context, Retrieval & Compromised AgentsVenue page for Accenture, No. 2 Circle Square, 1 Symphony Park, Manchester M1 7FSOfficial source for Context, Retrieval & Compromised Agents
Civics
Community Matters: Canva Get Together
Thursday, Oct 29, 2026, 10:30 AM GMT at Online
A free, informal online session for charity-sector people interested in using Canva for visual design. There is no fixed agenda; participants share questions and tips. Register through Manchester Community Central’s event page.
Event details for Community Matters: Canva Get TogetherVenue page for OnlineOfficial source for Community Matters: Canva Get Together
Wellness
South Manchester parkrun
Saturday, Oct 31, 2026, 9:00 AM GMT at Platt Fields Park, Fallowfield, Manchester
A free weekly 5K: walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. Register with parkrun before your first visit and bring a scannable barcode if you want a result. Check the official page for course details and any cancellation notice.
Event details for South Manchester parkrunVenue page for Platt Fields Park, Fallowfield, ManchesterOfficial source for South Manchester parkrun
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