That time of year is now upon us. The nights are getting darker, the weather has begun to really turn, and carved pumpkins are adorning plenty of doorsteps across the capital. So whilst the Christmas train has already started chugging for some people (including our inboxes – no seriously), ‘tis the season to be SPOOKY. Hopefully, you’ve decided whether you’re going to be a devil or angel (costume optional) this year, but if not, sort it out pronto and then leave the Halloween plans to us. Whether you want to go out out, grab a magically reimagined bite, or really and truly go all in with the terrifying aspect of Halloween – we’ve got you covered for Halloween in London this year. You can thank us later…
1. Discover the spookiest melodies with Candlelight Halloween
Forget the tricks, it’s time to treat yourself to a night of thrills this October, with Halloween Candlelight concerts across the capital. Candlelight brings breathtaking classical concerts in over 100 cities around the world, this October we can’t wait to see their special Halloween shows.
Immerse yourself in a cozy, candlelit setting where the warm glow of countless candles creates an enchanting atmosphere, perfectly complemented by live performances of spooky Halloween tunes. Upcoming shows are set to feature tributes to iconic horror movie soundtracks like Beetlejuice and Sleepy Hollow, along with renditions of Halloween favourites, including the Stranger Things soundtrack and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
Keep your eyes peeled for more information here.
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 a number of 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, and this October, they’ve got a whole host of spooky 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, much more.
3. Get pumpkin’d for Halloween at Belgravia’s Pumpkin Trail
Belgravia’s Pumpkin Trail has returned for a second year to transform the neighbourhood into an autumnal spooky dream filled with pumpkins galore! Eerie tombstones, witches broomsticks, and cobwebs line the streets whose shops are decorated with autumnal displays and of course, endless amounts of pumpkins. The free trail is already up and in full swing, with it ending on October 31 with plenty of events and activities to keep visitors busy. For those wanting a supernatural fix, free ticketed ghost tours are being run that takes thrill-seekers on a tour around the most haunted spots in the neighbourhood including a pub that is said to be haunted by a lonely soldier his murdered by his comrades. Other spooky activities to expect include a pumpkin craving competition and a whole host of Halloween treats to tuck into.
4. Spook yourself senseless on a ghoulish ghost tour
In a city as old as London, there’s 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 which is now one of London’s most enchanting public parks. Grab your tickets here.
5. 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 spooky season. A blend of three rums – spiced, white and dark (tread lightly…) – with lime juice, pineapple juice, 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!
6. Wine and dine with devilish drag queens at Between The Bridge
Calling all huns – Drag Race fans, this one’s for you! Between The Bridges in Clapham will be hosting an especially devilish Drag Brunch Special featuring some of your favourite queens – Tamara Thomas and Michael Marouli on 26th October.
With previous guest stars including the superstars Bimini, Tayce ,The Vivienne, Lawrence Chaney & Danny Beard, this years event is a guaranteed good time! Happy Halloween and Sashay away!
7. 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 a Ouija board to summon Mary Ann Cotton (a notorious 19th century murderer).
8. Get in a competitive Halloween Spirit and throw some darts at Flight Club
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 really 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, 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! Get involved here.
11. Head to outer space with the immersive Avora experience
If you’re looking for something different to do during Halloween 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. As the story goes, you’ll rock up at ‘Roscorp Laboratories’, owned by a greedy CEO, and be briefed on a mission before you enter Avora.
Donning a custom jumpsuit, you’ll enter this 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 you get acclimatised, 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… head to space here.
12. 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+!
13. 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…
14. Watch ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ at The Clapham Grand
15. 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.
16. 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.
So there you have it – a roundup of some of the best things to do for Halloween in London. From scaring yourself senseless being chased by clowns in a scare maze to hopping on board a boat down the Thames with pirates, there’s a whole host of things to do in the Big Smoke this year so don’t miss out!