Season guide · Manchester · United Kingdom
Manchester in autumn
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: David Dixon, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
The football season, the food festival and university term bring energy; it turns wetter and darker by November, when the Christmas markets open. Expect highs up to 18°C (64°F) and lows around 5°C (41°F), with about 42 rainy days across September–November. September is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 5°C (41°F) to 18°C (64°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 42
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 18°C (64°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 12 | 12.6 h | 3/5 |
| October | 14°C (57°F) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 | 10.4 h | 3/5 |
| November | 10°C (50°F) | 5°C (41°F) | 15 | 8.5 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 14°C (57°F) against a yearly 14°C (57°F), and 42 of the year's roughly 155 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- September: Manchester Food and Drink Festival (usually late September into October)
- November: Manchester Christmas Markets (usually from mid-November to just before Christmas)
- November: Bonfire Night fireworks in parks (around 5 November)
Good choices for autumn
Gallery · University
The Whitworth
The University of Manchester's art gallery opens onto Whitworth Park through a glass-walled extension.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
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Experience · Trafford
Old Trafford stadium tour
Tours are not available on match days and are limited the day before, so check the fixture list first.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Kids
- Rainy day
Experience · Eastlands
Etihad Stadium tour
Manchester City's stadium in east Manchester was built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games and is part of the Etihad Campus sports complex.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
Museum · City Centre
National Football Museum
Allow time for the interactive Football Plus zone if you have children with you.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
Religious site · City Centre
Manchester Cathedral
The medieval collegiate church became a cathedral in 1847.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Day trips in autumn
- Chester (About 1 hour by train) — A walled Roman city with the most complete circuit of city walls in Britain, the two-tier timber-framed shopping galleries called the Rows, a Gothic cathedral and Chester Zoo just north of town.
- York (About 1 hour 20–30 minutes by train) — The medieval walled city of York has York Minster, the timber-framed Shambles, the free National Railway Museum and the JORVIK Viking Centre, all within a walk of the station.
What to pack
- Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit Manchester?
Yes: September is among the best months. The football season, the food festival and university term bring energy; it turns wetter and darker by November, when the Christmas markets open.
+What is the weather like in Manchester in autumn?
Highs of up to 18°C (64°F) and lows around 5°C (41°F), with about 42 rainy days over the season.