Elections to Manchester City Council were held on Monday, 2 November 1885. One third of the councillors seats were up for election, with each successful candidate to serve a three-year term of office. Owing to the extension of the city's boundaries, three new wards (Bradford, Harpurhey, and Rusholme) elected all of their councillors for the first time.
The Liberal Party retained overall control of the council.
Caused by the creation of Bradford, Harpurhey, and Rusholme wards on 1 November 1885, requiring the election of three aldermen by the council.
The following three were elected as aldermen by the council on 9 November 1885.
Caused by the death on 17 April 1886 of Alderman Sir Thomas Baker (Liberal, elected as an alderman by the council on 3 July 1875).
In his place, Councillor James Craven (Conservative, Medlock Street, elected 1 November 1871; previously 1863-69) was elected as an alderman by the council on 5 May 1886.
Caused by the death on 2 July 1886 of Alderman George Booth (Liberal, elected as an alderman by the council on 28 March 1879).
In his place, Councillor Thomas Rose (Conservative, St. Ann's, elected 16 July 1875) was elected as an alderman by the council on 14 July 1886.
Caused by the election as an alderman of Councillor William Brown (Liberal, St. Michael's, elected 1 November 1870) on 9 November 1885, following the creation of Rusholme ward on 1 November 1885, requiring the election of an alderman by the council.
Two by-elections were held on 25 November 1885 to fill vacancies that were created by the appointment of aldermen on 9 November 1885.
Caused by the election as an alderman of Councillor William Griffin (Conservative, Collegiate Church, elected 1 November 1871) on 9 November 1885, following the creation of Harpurhey ward on 1 November 1885, requiring the election of an alderman by the council.
Caused by the election as an alderman of Councillor Hugo Shaw (Conservative, New Cross, elected 1 November 1871) on 9 November 1885, following the creation of Bradford ward on 1 November 1885, requiring the election of an alderman by the council.
Caused by the election as an alderman of Councillor James Craven (Conservative, Medlock Street, elected 1 November 1871; previously 1863-69) on 5 May 1886 following the death on 17 April 1886 of Alderman Sir Thomas Baker (Liberal, elected as an alderman by the council on 3 July 1875).
Caused by the election as an alderman of Councillor Thomas Rose (Conservative, St. Ann's, elected 16 July 1875) on 14 July 1886 following the death on 2 July 1886 of Alderman George Booth (Liberal, elected as an alderman by the council on 28 March 1879).