The Gothic Hall Maze Run
Dates
October 20, 2026
Doors
Early evening
Where
Manchester Town Hall
Tickets from
£26.00
Inside the venue
Gallery
Instant e-ticket
In your inbox the moment you pay
Secure checkout
Encrypted card payment
Guide-supervised
Every vigil led by experienced staff
Date changes
Move night up to 48 hours before*
About this
Event Description
Race the clock through Manchester Town Hall’s Gothic corridors, then enjoy Albert Square’s Halloween market and live music. All ages, 4pm–midnight, 20 Oct–1 Nov 2026.
- Format: A race-the-clock run through Manchester Town Hall’s Gothic corridors in the dark with live-action scares, then Albert Square’s Halloween market and live music.
- A timed live-action maze, not a paranormal investigation — no ghost-hunting equipment involved.
- No contact: Performers will not make physical contact with guests; please don’t touch performers, fixtures or historic fabric.
- Supervision & age: All ages welcome; under-18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times, given uneven ground and low lighting.
- Optional: Your ticket covers the whole evening — only the timed headline experience needs a booked slot, so you can enjoy the festival, market and food areas without it.
Manchester’s spectacular neo-Gothic Town Hall — normally reserved for civic events and film shoots — opens its corridors, vaulted stairwells and ceremonial rooms for a race-against-the-clock maze challenge. But the fun doesn’t stop when your team crosses the finish line: Albert Square outside transforms into a full Halloween market and live music square, so you can carry on the night with friends, food, and a pint while you wait for the leaderboard results to come in.
Why you should book this
Manchester Town Hall is rarely open to the public in the evening at all, let alone for a maze challenge through its Gothic corridors. With a live leaderboard, a full market, and live bands right outside, teams tend to book in groups and make a proper night of it — early slots for Friday and Saturday nights sell out fastest.
What you’ll experience
- The Gothic Hall Maze Run — the timed headline challenge: solve puzzles tied to Manchester’s industrial history to escape before your torch runs down
- Albert Square Halloween Market — food stalls, craft stalls, and a licensed bar filling the square outside the Town Hall all evening
- Live Stage: Gothic Sessions — local bands and DJs performing on an outdoor stage from 6pm
- The Leaderboard Wall — a live-updating screen showing every team’s maze time, with the week’s fastest team announced nightly at 11pm
- Puzzle Bar Challenge — an optional side activity for teams waiting for their slot: solve a smaller puzzle at the market bar for a free drink token
Evening schedule
| Time | What’s on |
|---|---|
| Albert Square market opens, Town Hall reception opens for maze check-4:00pm in | |
| 5:00pm–10:00pm | Maze Run departs every 10 minutes |
| 6:00pm | Live Stage: Gothic Sessions begins |
| 9:00pm | Final live band/DJ set of the night begins |
| 10:00pm | Last entry to the maze |
| 11:00pm | Nightly fastest-team announcement on the Leaderboard Wall |
| 11:30pm | Market bar last orders |
| 12:00am | Square closes |
Before you visit
🚗 Getting there & parking
By car: Manchester Central Car Park is about a 5-minute walk to Albert Square and the Town Hall. By train/tram: Manchester St Peter’s Square tram stop is just a 3-minute walk to the Town Hall. Other: Excellent tram and bus links converge on Albert Square, so this is one of the easiest venues in the pack to reach without a car.
🕐 Entry & times
Daily 4:00pm–12:00am, 20 Oct–1 Nov 2026. A valid ticket for your chosen date admits you to the whole evening; the timed headline experience needs its booked slot. Arrive a little before your slot — late arrivals are accommodated in a later slot subject to availability.
⚠ Code of conduct
Prohibited at all events: real or imitation weapons, full-face masks that prevent ID checks, and glass containers. Costumes are welcome within those limits. Security searches may be carried out on entry. Abusive or threatening behaviour, or failure to follow venue instructions, means removal without a refund.
Content note: Some low lighting and confined stairwells in the maze; low-scare, high-puzzle format suitable for younger teens. An accessible ground-floor-only maze route is available for anyone unable to use stairs — contact the venue in advance to arrange. The market square is fully open and accessible. Good for: Families with teens · Work/office groups · Competitive friend groups · Team-building events · Anyone wanting a full night out, not just an attraction
Getting there
Where
Venue
Manchester Town Hall
Please allow extra travel time — several of our venues are rural, with limited public transport. Parking details are on your ticket.
Event dates
October 20, 2026
Before you book
Good to know
Age policy varies by tier — check the ticket option you pick. Photo ID may be requested for age-restricted tiers.
Genuine historic buildings. Expect uneven floors and, at some venues, steep stairs and limited step-free access.
Bring a torch, warm layers and flat, sensible shoes. Venues are cold and dark.
No physical contact takes place. All vigils are guide-supervised and every activity is optional.
Still deciding
Questions
Is anything staged?
No. Nothing is staged and no outcome is ever promised. Genuine historic buildings, investigated with structured vigils and traditional techniques.
What happens after I pay?
Your e-ticket is emailed straight away, with a unique QR code per guest. Save it as PDF, add to Apple or Google Wallet, or resend from My Account.
Which ticket should I choose?
Twilight for families, Standard for the full after-dark tour, Premium for a small-group vigil with equipment, VIP for the extended late session on 31 October.
Can I change my date?
Yes, up to 48 hours before, subject to availability on the night you move to.
Do I need experience?
None at all. Guides run every session and stay with your group the whole time.
Book your experience
- Instant e-ticket by email, QR per guest
- Secure card checkout — total confirmed at checkout
- Every activity on the night is optional
£26.00
Early Bird — 20% off