That time of year is now upon us. All Hallows Eve is here! The nights are getting darker, the weather has begun to turn, and carved pumpkins are adorning plenty of doorsteps across the capital. It’s officially the season to be SPOOKY. Hopefully, you’ve sorted out your costume by now – otherwise, you might be leaving it too late! But either way, you can leave the Halloween plans to us. Whether you want to go out out, grab a magically reimagined bite, or go all in with the terrifying aspect of Halloween – we’ve got you covered for Halloween events in London. Check out these spooktacular happenings in London. You can thank us later…
1. Spook yourself senseless on a ghoulish ghost tour
In a city as old as London, there are more than enough stories of blood-curdling crime, murder most horrid, and spooky spectres. From shadowy graveyards to ancient boozers, our beloved capital has more than enough spots that put the ‘creep’ in creepy. One of our favourites is the aptly-named Petrifying London Ghost Tour, where you’ll sneak through the dark streets of hidden London and hear scary stories of all the ghosts, ghouls and spectres that are rumoured to stalk through the capital’s back alleyways.
You’ll visit landmark sites including All Hallows By The Tower, the oldest church in the city, the Monument to the Great Fire of London and St. Dunstan in the East – a bombed-out church that is now one of London’s most enchanting public parks.
2. See all the weird and wonderful things at Hackney’s Absinthe Parlour
Based in Hackney in East London, The Absinthe Parlour is located within The Last Tuesday Society alongside The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, which houses several peculiar items, including a unicorn, mummified fairies, the skeleton of a mermaid, a two headed kitten, an eight legged lamb, human hair art, and ‘magical’ soaps… to name but a few.
The Absinthe Parlour in Bethnal Green itself is equally intriguing with curiosities adorning every inch of its walls. This October, they’ve got a whole host of spooky Halloween events on the roster, including tarot and palm readings, horror movie screenings, magic doll workshops, scrying workshops, séances, magic candle-making, witchcraft lectures, and much more.
3. Waltz with witches at Lío London’s eerie Halloween affair
At Halloween, dancing with the devil is a must. So if you’re looking for a boogie, Lío London promises six nights of unrivalled entertainment all within the spooky spirit. ‘Murder on the Dancefloor‘ is the season’s theme for this cabaret experience from Ibiza so you can expect terrifying performances from Lío’s icons with an invitation to the dance floor after.
Fancy dress and cocktails are encouraged! You can find more information here.
4. Try El Ta’koy’s New Spooky Smoking Halloween Cocktail
Now who doesn’t love a themed cocktail? Hidden Covent Garden gem El Ta’koy has launched an exclusive cocktail for the spooky season. A blend of three rums – spiced, white and dark (tread lightly…) – mix with lime juice, pineapple juice, and a winter spice cordial, all served in a ghoulish black magic salt-rimmed glass.
It gets better as if you’re wearing a costume and give the secret code, you’ll earn yourself a free cocktail! So get your best spooky costume on and whisper *Boo-tiful cocktails* and voila, happy Halloween!
5. Indulge in a three-course meal and murder mystery
If you like your scares with a side of humour, hop aboard The Murdér Express. This immersive Halloween event and dining experience takes place at Pedley Street train station (a fictional stop, located close to the very real Bethnal Green station), which will transport you back to the 1920s. Aboard the train, you’ll be privy to a murder, and help the witty and often humorous characters solve the crime. Oh, and you’ll also get a three-course meal during the experience!
Grab your ticket for The Murdér Express here.
6. Join a Séance at the London Dungeon
If you’re looking for some real scaries – why not spend Halloween at the London Dungeon? This year marks 50 years of the much-loved attraction and as the home of Halloween – their new show Séance has been billed as their scariest show yet. Launching on 18th October – you can join hands and gather around an Ouija board to summon Mary Ann Cotton (a notorious 19th-century murderer).
For a truly terrifying experience, visit the London Dungeon for more Halloween events. You can find more information here.
7. Dress up and enter the world of the Wild West
If your favourite thing about Halloween is the dressing up bit, and not necessarily the spooks and the scares, then you’ll want to giddy on up over to Moonshine Saloon. This immersive cocktail experience sees you donning Wild West garb and entering a lawless world of cowboys, smugglers, and bootleggers. You’ll even have to smuggle your own liquor in! During their time at the Moonshine Saloon guests can “rub shoulders with the locals, try their luck at cards or dice games and enjoy a barrel load of illicit drinks. Just be sure to keep yourself quiet if the Sheriff is in town and asks any questions…”
Book your tickets for Moonshine Saloon here.
8. Have a fun and spooky time with all the family
London’s Paradox Museum of optical illusions has had a Halloween makeover. Head to Knightsbridge for family-friendly scares, creepy decorations, and of course, mind-bending illusions. There are over 50 different installations at the museum, some that play tricks on your eyes and brain as you look at them, others that play with all your senses as you step right into them.
Grab your ticket to the Paradox Museum here.
9. Follow in the footsteps of Jack the Ripper
Now if this isn’t one of the best things to do for Halloween in London, then we don’t know what is. You’ll learn about Jack the Ripper and his victims, and explore sites where he committed his crimes in the historic area of Whitechapel and Brick Lane which is shrouded in mystery. You’ll also discover how public perception has been shaped since the murders took place, and compare it to what really happened in 1888.
Get a magnifying glass and start looking at what’s going on at the crime scene, figure out who killed the victims and get to work solving this mystery. You’ll need all of your deductive reasoning skills to crack this case of the most infamous serial killer of all time – trust us! You can grab your tickets for the tour here.
If that wasn’t enough Jack the Ripper-themed stuff for you, then acclaimed Whitechapel cocktail bar, the Discount Suit Company, has partnered with the award-winning London’s Walks for a Halloween edition of the infamous Jack The Ripper Tour, a spine-tingling tour with speciality Halloween cocktails on actual Halloween (Tuesday October 31).
10. Make your way to London’s largest adventure playground
Looking for something to do with kids this Halloween in London? Well, look no further than this one. Hobbledown Heath is London’s largest indoor and outdoor adventure playground and one of the best Halloween events for kids, with four villages set in picturesque woodland in Hounslow, where kids can climb towers, crawl through tunnels, and safely explore an expansive play area! With a mini farm featuring goats, alpacas, meerkats, lemurs, and plenty more exotic and traditional animals, this is the ultimate day out that’s sure to create lasting memories for the whole family.
Plus, they’ve got pumpkin patches and plenty of Halloween activities for kiddies this year, so the whole family is guaranteed a good time. They’ve even got spooky science workshops conducted by Einstein – winner, winner!
11. Head to outer space with the immersive Avora experience
If you’re looking for a slightly alternative Halloween event in London, then this one’s for you. Avora, located at the Rosewood Building in Hackney, is the brainchild of those behind the famed Alcotraz experience, and will have you foraging for your cocktail ingredients, partaking in a theatrical storyline that’ll keep you thinking long after you’ve gone home.
Donning a custom jumpsuit, you’ll enter a brand new world and source magical buds and secret elixirs for three unique cocktails, all the while admiring the gorgeous greenery, and other-worldly attributes. While you’re in Avora, time moves fast from morning to evening; the bioluminescence you’ll experience at ‘night’ is something really special. As the experience goes on, a moral dilemma will present itself: do you continue to support the plans of the billionaire, or rebel and protect this new planet? The choice is yours…
12. Chow down on some devilish delights
Market Place Vauxhall is celebrating ‘gourd’ times this spooky season with a whole host of pumpkin-y delights. The market’s many street food vendors are offering up unique spins on their dishes, or all-new creations, that are available from October 28 – November 1. These include everything from a Pumpkin Pizza (Made in Puglia) to Duck and Roasted Pumpkin Arancini (The Duck Shed), a Roast Pumpkin Yorkshire Burrito (Yorkshire Burrito), and more. There are even some spooktacular booze-y creations, like the pint-sized Pumpkin Spice cocktail, and the Melon Spook-tini.
13. Terrify yourself senseless at the London Tombs
Often voted the scariest attraction in the whole of London, the London Bridge Experience is an award-winning visitor’s attraction set in the deep historical vaults of the world-famous London Bridge. You’ll get to experience the dark history of London Bridge first-hand as it is brought to life right in front of your eyes, with appearances by William Wallace and *gulp* Jack the Ripper along the way.
You can also have the option of entering into the London Tombs – an immersive scare maze playing home to a multitude of crazy characters and creatures including clowns, doctors, zombies, dentists, butchers, murderers and more. Plus, this Halloween they’re doing a terrifying extra show called ‘Ci-Curse’ – which is only suitable for those 16+!
14. Pay a visit to one of the most haunted places in London
Nothing screams Halloween like a building with a haunted past and fortunately, London has many. If the past two years haven’t already scared the living daylights out of you and you’re after a seriously spooky supernatural sighting, here are 20 haunted places in London and near London that won’t disappoint! From children’s hospitals and pubs to the Tower of London itself, this list has it all. Just a thought: It might be a good idea to let your friends and family know you love them beforehand, you know, just in case…
15. Enjoy a packed bill of Halloween celebrations at The Clapham Grand
The 123-year-old haunted Victorian Theatre is transforming this spooky season into a must-visit Halloween destination. They’re going all out at the Clapham Grand for Halloween, with a PACKED roster of events. There’s everything from Halloween Movie Nights to The Grand’s Halloween Party and a special HallowEmo edition of their emo-pop-punk club night, We Are Still Young.
Check out the full list of the Clapham Grand’s Halloween events here.
16. Celebrate spooky season at Tower of London
The Tower of London boasts a staggering 900-year history, filled with tales of torture, prisoners, and executions—most notably the beheading of Anne Boleyn. It’s no wonder this iconic site is famous for ghostly sightings. You can explore the ancient landmark by following a spooky trail and see if you can spot medieval queens, Roman soldiers, and wizards haunting the grounds.
17. Explore Henry VIII’s haunted Hampton Court Palace
Halloween is the ideal time of year to explore the grand, shadowy corridors and courtyards of Hampton Court Palace. It will come alive with eerie projections and spine-chilling sound effects. As you tiptoe through the stately rooms, uncover the tales of infamous ghosts said to haunt the palace. Keep an eye out for witches and alchemists scattered throughout, visit the ‘Gallery of the Damned’ to witness eerie portraits come to life, or join a séance in the ‘Council Chamber.’ If you’re feeling brave, venture outside to the Haunted Garden, where you can spot carved pumpkins and listen to spooky stories.
Read all about Hampton Court Palace’s haunting history here.
18. Step into the shadows at the Batman Unmasked Exhibition
Bats are pretty much at the black, moonlit core of Halloween, so it only makes sense to include the Batman Unmasked Exhibition, where fans can delve into the shadowy world of Gotham City. Visitors can marvel at original props, costumes, and iconic vehicles like the Batmobile from The Batman (2022) and the Batpod from The Dark Knight Trilogy. Plus, there’s a free-flow gaming and comic room, plenty of photo ops and themed rooms, including the gadget-filled Batcave and the Rogue’s Gallery, which features costumes of infamous villains.
Grab your tickets to the Batman Unmasked Exhibition here.
19. Try some spooky Mummy Buns from Chinatown’s iconic Bun House
Celebrate the scariest day of the year with Chinatown’s staple – Bun House. In true Halloween spirit, Bun House have announced their limited-edition Mummy Buns! Freshly made on-site and served hot – these pillowy soft buns are filled with buttery purple yam lava and are covered up as a ghoulish Mummy!
20. Drink devilishly delicious cocktails at Sam’s Riverside and Waterside
Enjoy Halloween special cocktails at Sam’s Riverside and Waterside. Exclusively available from the 25th to the 31st of October – guests can try the Spiced Pumpkin Sour (in true autumn style), made with bourbon, pumpkin spice syrup, lemon juice and aquafaba. Or you can try their Hostile Stare which includes Tequila, lychee syrup and lime, served in a highball glass, with a frozen lychee and blueberry ‘eyeball’ with a shot of cassis liqueur poured at the table.
21. Feast on a frightful Halloween menu of spooky delights at Bamboo Mat
Tickle your tastebuds and indulge in Bamboo Mat Stratford’s exclusive spooktacular Halloween menu featuring some mouth-watering Japanese–Peruvian delights.
From October 25-31, you can try the Pumpkin Tempura with shichimi togarashi, truffle oil, and lime, or the Nikkei Pumpkin Maki with cream cheese, salmon, pumpkin, ceviche chilli sauce, and mixed cress. Or if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, the Beef Heart Skewers might be for you. With a lean, gamey taste from the beef hearts, complemented by anticucho sauce, pickled mushrooms and chives, it’s got some frightfully good flavours.
22. Enter the Underworld at Bacchanalia and Apollo’s Muse
This Halloween, Bacchanalia and its exclusive cocktail lounge, Apollo’s Muse, invite guests to descend into the underworld for an evening of untamed revelry. You can enjoy some of the finest Mediterranean cuisine inspired by Hades, the Greek god of the underworld and Medusa, the mythical serpentine figure.
For one night only on October 31, you can enjoy a spooky dining experience followed by afters at Apollo’s Muse for a late night with cocktails and a DJ set by Kitty Amore.
23. Trick or Treat on the Thames till the early hours of the morning at the Halloween Boat Party
With spooky, moonlit views of London at night, you can celebrate Halloween this year on the riverside! Boogie all night to monstrous tunes and haunting rhythms on the top decks of a boat on the Thames! Enjoy the eerie atmosphere of the city with panoramic views and a bar and it doesn’t stop there – you can carry on till the wee hours of the morning at the secret after-party!
Get your tickets now for Halloween Boat Party & Secret After Party in London!
24. Join Donnie Darko at a house party this spooky season
Bringing the Donnie Darko universe to life, for three nights only – this Halloween you can immerse yourself in an 80s-themed Halloween House Party inspired by the iconic film. Guests dressed up in Halloween costumes can enter the house inspired by Darko in an immersive experience with actors, live music, and tech-enhanced visuals which mirror the movie’s universe. Not to mention the show will include surprise character appearances, and references to key moments from the film!
25. Enjoy free bottomless popcorn at these Halloween movie screening
This funky design-led hotel in Shoreditch is celebrating Halloween with free Bottomless Popcorn Movie Nights! Hotel nhow London is hosting a spooktacular cinematic experience showcasing iconic Halloween staples by legend Tim Burton. For six nights in a row, film buffs are invited to these free Halloween-inspired screenings and unlimited popcorn!
The movie schedule will be as follows:
- Saturday, October 26: Edward Scissorhands
- Sunday, October 27: Corpse Bride
- Monday, October 28: The Nightmare Before Christmas
- Tuesday, October 29: Sleepy Hollow
- Wednesday, October 30: Sweeney Todd
- Thursday, October 31: Beetlejuice
26. Have a raucously spooky time at Albert’s Schloss
The recently-opened Albert’s Schloss in London is a beer-drinkers paradise thanks to its wealth of authentic Bavarian food and beer. And this October, it’s also a Halloween-lovers dream. In the days leading up to the big day itself, guests are invited to don costumes and head on down to enjoy a spirited atmosphere. Then, on October 31 itself, the venue will play host to a Baby Grand Slam Halloween special. Expect spooky songs, makeup artists on hand to transform you into a monstrous sight, and even special spooky treats from the bakery!
27. Tune in to the moon
This Halloween, London’s bonkers gym group, Gymbox, is launching its latest unique workout. Lunar Yoga is a new yoga class inspired by the four key phases of the moon, which incorporates moon-charged crystals and oracle cards into the experience. Launching on October 31 at various Gymbox locations, why not align your intentions with the moon before you head out and hit the town in costume?
So there you have it – a roundup of some of the most spooktacular Halloween events in London. From scaring yourself senseless as you’re chased by clowns in a scare maze to hopping on board a boat down the Thames with pirates, there’s plenty to do in the Big Smoke this year. Be sure you don’t miss out!