The 21 best Halloween events in the UK

Look no further for the best Halloween events in the UK. From dungeons to pumpkin decorating, we have compiled a list of the best places to go for the most thrilling Halloween days out.

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Our list of the 21 best Halloween events in the UK features some of the most popular, obscure and must-visit attractions all around the country. Suitable for any age, we’ve ensured there’s something for everyone. 

What’s more, you could visit them all by joining us for 31 Days of Halloween at Away Resorts! Get your costume ready because you’re in for a (trick or) treat! 

The best Halloween days out

Enjoy autumn at its finest with the best Halloween days out in the UK. Explore forests, spooky trails and action-packed adventures that are sure to help everyone celebrate the spooky season. 

York Dungeon, Yorkshire image

York Dungeon, Yorkshire

The York Dungeon offers a unique and terrifying experience combining history and horror. Located in what’s considered one of the UK's most haunted cities, this attraction takes you on a journey through York's dark past, bringing to life some of the city's most notorious characters and interesting events.

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During Halloween, the York Dungeon offers special themed shows and experiences. Expect to encounter live actors, special effects, and realistic sets in a spine-chilling experience that lasts around 75 minutes.

Only suitable for brave souls above eight years old, this Halloween event could be a great choice for those looking for Halloween thrills in a city known for its ghostly reputation and rich history.

Thorpe Park Fright Night, Chertsey image

Thorpe Park Fright Night, Chertsey

Thorpe Park's Fright Night is one of the UK's largest and most popular Halloween events, drawing thrill-seekers from all around. This iconic Halloween event transforms the already exciting theme park into a playground of terror after dark.

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Fright Night at Thorpe Park features a range of specially designed scare mazes, each with its own unique theme. These mazes are populated by live actors in full costume and makeup to really set the scene. As well as a selection of terrifying mazes, there’s a new 4D experience. 

Plus, many of Thorpe Park's regular rides and attractions remain open so that you can ride the roller coasters in the dark! The event usually runs on selected dates throughout October, with a grand finale on Halloween night. 

The Cauldron magical cocktail experience image

The Cauldron magical cocktail experience

The Cauldron offers a unique and magical Halloween experience for adults. This cocktail-making class allows you to don wizard robes, wield working magic wands, and brew your own magical potions in the form of cocktails or mocktails. Concoct bubbling and smoking cocktails inspired by classic Halloween motifs, or learn spells to change the colour and flavour of your drinks.

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Perfect for couples or friends looking for a more sophisticated Halloween event, it combines the fun of dressing up with crafting and tasting unique and magical cocktails.

Old SKOOL Bingo Nottingham image

Old SKOOL Bingo Nottingham

Old SKOOL Bingo in Nottingham offers a fresh, energetic twist on the traditional game of Bingo with special Halloween events. Expect a night filled with 90s and 00s music, dance-offs and prizes, all with a Halloween-themed twist. Grab your costume and get ready to dance the night away at this Halloween event, perfect for a slightly unconventional Halloween night out.

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Sloans Halloween Murder Mystery, Glasgow image

Sloans Halloween Murder Mystery, Glasgow

Another unique Halloween event, Sloans Bar & Restaurant hosts an intriguing Halloween Murder Mystery night filled with food, detective work, and spooky fun. This event transforms the historic (and haunted) venue into a crime scene, where you’ll get to become a detective.

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The Halloween-themed murder mystery includes a three-course meal, during which you’ll gather clues, interrogate suspects (played by actors), and work together to solve the crime.

Newsham Scream Park image

Newsham Scream Park

If you’re looking for an intense and immersive Halloween event, Newsham Scream Park is the place for you. This seasonal attraction transforms a section of Newsham Park into a Halloween event featuring multiple scare zones and attractions.

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Discover mazes, scare zones populated by live actors, and other themed walkthrough Halloween events with special effects and detailed set design. 

Due to the intensity of the scares, Newsham Scream Park is generally recommended for older teens and adults.

Halloween at Bodmin Jail, Cornwall image

Halloween at Bodmin Jail, Cornwall

This 18th-century prison, with its dark history and reputation for paranormal activity, becomes an even more chilling destination during the Halloween season. The special Halloween events include after-dark ghost tours, paranormal investigations, and immersive horror experiences that bring the jail's grim history to life

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The top Halloween events for kids

Many scare parks and themed Halloween events can be quite intense, meaning they aren’t child-friendly, so we’ve put together some of the best Halloween events for kids to enjoy, too.

Pumpkin Festival at Tapnell Farm image

Pumpkin Festival at Tapnell Farm

The Pumpkin Festival at Tapnell Farm on the Isle of Wight offers a wholesome autumnal experience for families of all ages. Throughout October, the farm will host a pumpkin patch where you can pick your own pumpkins and pumpkin carving stations where kids can let their creativity run wild.

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 It often also offers additional seasonal attractions such as hay bale mazes, tractor rides, and themed play areas.

Tapnell Farm continues to offer its regular attractions during the festival, which include animal encounters, indoor play areas, and opportunities to learn about farm life. 

PYO Pumpkins at Doddington Hall image

PYO Pumpkins at Doddington Hall

Doddington Hall in Lincolnshire offers a charming Pick Your Own (PYO) pumpkin experience for families looking for a traditional UK Halloween event. Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Elizabethan manor house, the pumpkin patch provides a picturesque setting. Grab your wellies and wander through the pumpkin field, enjoy autumnal crafts or embark on Halloween-themed trails

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The local and well known Eden Project in Cornwall, a perfect place to visit on your Cornwall trip.

Halloweden at the Eden Project

Halloweden at the Eden Project in Cornwall takes place during the October half-term holiday and provides a range of Halloween events and activities for the whole family. Find the iconic biomes of the Eden Project decorated with Halloween-themed displays, where pumpkin carving workshops, spooky storytelling sessions, and Halloween-themed crafts take place.

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Explore the world of minibeasts and find your balance on the glittering ice rink. Costumes are encouraged throughout the season, making the combination of seasonal fun, learning opportunities, and unique setting a standout Halloween event for families.

Elsham Hall Halloween Animal Encounter image

Elsham Hall Halloween Animal Encounter

During the Halloween season, Elsham Hall typically organises special animal encounters with a spooky twist. This might include meeting nocturnal animals, learning about creatures associated with Halloween lore, like bats and owls, or participating in Halloween-themed animal feeding sessions.

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In addition to the animal encounters, the Halloween event often includes other activities such as pumpkin carving, Halloween crafts, and spooky trails through the gardens. If you’ve got animal lovers in the family, Elsham Hall is the place to be this Halloween!

An image of our awesome on-site activity, Target Archery.

Halloween Archery Pumpkin Shooting

New Forest Activities in Hampshire offers a unique and exciting Halloween Archery and Pumpkin Shooting event. Practice your archery skills by shooting at pumpkin targets with the help of experienced instructors who provide guidance on techniques and safety throughout the event.

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Your little ones will get to decorate their pumpkins before enjoying 90 minutes on the range learning techniques and shooting at other Halloween-themed targets before watching their own pumpkin go splat!

Half Term Autumn Fun 2024 at Lulworth image

Half Term Autumn Fun 2024 at Lulworth

Lulworth in Dorset hosts a Half Term Autumn Fun event that coincides with Halloween, offering a range of activities for families in a beautiful coastal, castle setting. Find pumpkins and funny bones on the Halloween-themed trails through the castle grounds and practice your sporting skills with traditional lawn games.

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For the older visitors, a Zombie Barn takes centre stage – will you be brave enough to enter? Or, if you’re looking for Halloween events for kids, you can continue to explore the castle, climb the tower and enjoy the woodland playground, making it the ideal autumn day out.

Zip World Fforest's Ffear Fforest Event image

Zip World Fforest's Ffear Fforest Event

Zip World Fforest in North Wales transforms into 'Ffear Fforest' during Halloween for the ultimate scare-fest, only suitable for older children and teenagers who enjoy a bit of adrenaline with their Halloween celebrations.

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During 'Ffear Fforest', you can experience Zip World's regular attractions, such as zip lines, treetop nets, and forest coasters, but with an added Halloween twist featuring clowns and other scary creatures in the night. 

With a standard night pass or the option to elevate your night of frights to another level, do you have what it takes to embark on this Halloween event?

Forest of Light, Hampshire image

Forest of Light, Hampshire

The Forest of Light event in Hampshire offers a magical and family-friendly alternative to some of the scarier Halloween activities. This illuminated trail through the forest creates an enchanting atmosphere that's more whimsical than scary, making it suitable for children of all ages.

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Follow a path through the woods, encountering various light installations, projections, and sound effects along the way. What’s more, the Forest of Light has interactive elements, where you can play with light and sound as you explore.

This Halloween event offers a gentler way to celebrate the season of darkness, focusing on wonder and beauty rather than frights and scares. It's an excellent choice for families looking for a memorable autumn evening out.

31 Days of Halloween at Away Resorts image

31 Days of Halloween at Away Resorts

There are so many Halloween events in the UK making it easier than ever to celebrate the spooky season. If you’re looking for an autumnal getaway, why not join us at Away Resorts for 31 Days of Halloween, where you’ll find spooky events and activities galore – suitable for the entire family!

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31 Days of Halloween activities

Trick or Treat Trail

Grab your trick-or-treat bag and put on your best costume as you embark on a Halloween quest around the park. New for 2024, this trail will surely get you in the Halloween spirit. 

The Halloween JamBOOree

Join the Boo Crew as they host a night of fun, games and music for the whole family. The Halloween Jam-BOO-ree at Away Resorts is the ultimate, spine-tingling Halloween event you won’t want to miss!

The Halloween event includes fun activities such as:

  • Bear in the Spooky Woods 

  • Haunted House Party 

  • Pumpkin & Fancy-Dress Parade 

  • The Boo Crew Graduation 

  • Spookiest Table - Guests invited to decorate their own table 

  • Zombie Party Bingo 

  • Deadly Disco

Outdoor cinema

Grab a blanket and snacks and prepare to cosy up at one of our outdoor cinema screenings. Watch your favourite films and take in the autumn scenery as you celebrate the season like never before. 

Ghoul School

Let your little monsters run wild as they join the Ghoul School and get creative in costumes in this spooktacular role-play adventure. 

Hocus-Pocus Pottery Painting

Create your own Halloween decorations at Away Resorts with our Hocus-Pocus Pottery Painting event. Get dressed up and let your inner artist flourish as you join us for pottery painting at this Halloween event. 

Potions and Spells

Step into a world of magic and creativity as your little ones create their own enchanting potions and spells. Our friendly team will set the scene and guide the way as your little witch or wizard embarks on this truly bewitching experience at Away Resorts.

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Halloween events in the UK – FAQs

If you’re still looking for some of the best Halloween events in the UK, here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:

What is the best Halloween event in the UK?

The best Halloween event in the UK is down to the personal preferences of your entire group. 

If you’re a group of older children and adults, you might want to test your fear at a theme park or scare-fest. However, there are plenty of UK Halloween events to suit those looking for a more wholesome experience. Go to a pumpkin patch, get crafty with decorations or enjoy whimsical light trails like the Forest of Light

There really are so many Halloween events in the UK to choose from, you’re bound to have the best spooky season.

What does Halloween celebrate?

Halloween has a deep-rooted history for many cultures and religions in the UK. It can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain. It was believed that on that day, the souls of the dead returned home, so people dressed in costume, decorated their homes and lit bonfires to ward off spirits. Halloween also celebrates the beginning of the dark half of the year and the harvest, with its name deriving from the evening before All Saint’s Day, which became a holy or hallowed eve. 

What is the biggest Halloween shop in the UK?

Not just the biggest Halloween shop in the UK, but in Europe, Halloween House near Birmingham is full of colourful makeup, spooky home decorations and a towering 11-foot-tall skeleton. With over 40 creepy animatronic creatures in store, Halloween House stocks one of the largest collections of Halloween merchandise in Europe. 

Where is the best place in the UK for Halloween?

The best place in the UK for Halloween events is down to your personal preference. You could visit castles like Warwick Castle for your chance to go on a spooky paranormal investigation, or you could join a Halloween party at Away Resorts. Whether you want to dress up, decorate your house or test your fear, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Halloween. 

What is the biggest Halloween town?

Considered the home of Halloween, Derry hosts Europe’s largest Halloween festival in the Walled City of Derry. 

The festival opens on the streets for four nights, during which time you can enjoy music, illumination, aerial performances, and pyrotechnics. 

But if Northern Ireland is too far to travel for Halloween events in the UK, you could visit historical cities like Lincolnshire or Edinburgh, with plenty of spooky attractions up and down the UK to get you in the spirit of the season. 

Experience the best Halloween events in the UK this autumn

The best Halloween events in the UK are right at your fingertips. Join us for 31 Days of Halloween and experience the best of the season with local attractions and on-site events to sink your teeth into. 

Don’t be scared, book your spooky break at Away Resorts now!

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