Halloween is a wonderful time to visit London, with plenty of spooks on offer for all ages. As a city with plenty of dark moments in its past and a real flair for the dramatic, here you’ll find everything from kid-friendly shows to adults-only events, some of which are taking place throughout October for added convenience and more opportunities to get involved.
If you’re in the mood for something new, some of the ideas below are ideal for anyone seeking a few unique experiences on their trip to the capital – while others focus on a traditional and authentic Halloween experience.
Whatever you’re looking for, we’ve compiled this quick guide to help you explore London in style this Halloween.
We are Halloween FSTVL
Hainault Forest Country Park, Hainault
26th October 2019
This special event takes place in the weekend before Halloween itself, but promises plenty of Halloween-themed fun to enjoy while staying at the Montcalm hotel!
The We are Halloween FSTVL is including a ‘Vampires and Zombies’ theme, with dressing up encouraged to help contribute to the spooky atmosphere. There’ll also be a light-show in the forest, helping to illuminate the festival for attendees.
There will be plenty of big-name DJs attending, giving visitors the perfect high-octane opportunity to get into the Halloween spirit.
Fortnum & Mason Pumpkin Carving Classes
Fortnum & Mason
26th – 27th October 2019
Another fantastic event for those staying in London at Halloween, famed London department store Fortnum & Mason are teaching people how to carve pumpkins. Whether you’re staying in the city using the latest London hotel deals or simply eager to discover the top tips and tricks to carve spookier pumpkins, this is the ideal way to brush up on your skills.
As one of the most significant department stores in London, Fortnum & Mason is a supplier to everyone from celebrities through to the Royal Family. There is nobody more trustworthy to help you improve your own carving skills ahead of Halloween night.
The pumpkin carving class also includes an added perk, as visitors can enjoy a range of delicious treats after they’ve created a creepy pumpkin of their own.
Temple Cinema
Masonic Temple at Andaz
31st October 2019
If you’ve ever wondered what its like to visit an authentic Masonic Temple, then this is your chance to find out. This event is going to showcase one of cinema’s true classics, Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’, in suitably unsettling surroundings which really help contribute to the atmosphere!
A trip to the cinema might be an unusual way to spend your Halloween night, but its sure to be unforgettable, making it a great way to spend your evening while staying in the city.
Ultimate Power: Bat Out of Halloween
The Forum, Kentish Town
1st November – 2nd November 2019
A club night with a difference, Ultimate Power: Bat Out of Helloween is working with a strong Halloween theme, and also encourages anyone attending to grab their best spooky costume and join in with the fun.
There’ll be plenty of power ballads to sing along to, as well as a karaoke round for anyone feeling a little bolder! This is a great way to enjoy a night out after a more sedate day partaking in afternoon tea London deals.
London Month of the Dead
Various locations
October 2019
This festival celebrating the relationship London has with its deceased residents is something a little offbeat to take part in, yet certainly perfect for anyone staying in the city during Halloween.
There are lots of activities to enjoy, including talks, photography exhibitions and explorations of the way folklore surrounding death has evolved over time. You don’t need to be interested in the macabre to get the most of this festival, but it does provide a fascinating and intellectual new way of looking at all things to do with our evolving approach to death.
Whatever you’re looking for, you’re sure to find an event to suit your mood – some activities take place during the daytime, and there’s also lots of after-hours fun for those seeking a few spooks.
To browse the full schedule, grab a cup of English tea and take a look at the official London Month of the Dead website.
Dark Arts at Warner Bros. Studio: The Making of Harry Potter
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
Until 10th November 2019
Children and adults alike will find plenty to love about this showcase, which looks at the magical ways in which special effects helped to bring the world of Harry Potter to life. There’s lots of light spooks to be enjoyed, ideal for families visiting London at Halloween.
If you’re travelling with kids or simply feel like revisiting your own childhood, then be sure to take a trip here while you’re in the city.
The Woman in Black
Fortune Theatre, Covent Garden
Until 28th March 2020
You have plenty of time to catch a show of this famous play, adapted from the Gothic horror novel written in 1983. Audiences have now been terrified by The Woman in Black for decades, and Halloween is the ideal time to see it live!
It is best avoided by anyone too young to cope with the scares on offer, but for adults this is a wonderful way to spend your Halloween, as well as giving you the opportunity to explore London’s West End.
London Ghost Walks
Various locations
London is a historic city, which has had lots of time to develop a spooky underbelly and plenty of terrifying tales! There is no better time to find out about some of the more unsettling parts of London’s past than Halloween, and thankfully lots of tour providers understand this demand!
Available in both small groups and larger gatherings, you can enjoy a wide range of different tours which take in both specific locations and guide you around the city as a whole. Be sure to choose a tour which suits the time you have and the guests you’re travelling with, for a delightfully informative look at London.
