Spooky season is almost upon us. Whether you want to spend Halloween 2025 partying to the max, or taking the kids for a creepy day out, here's our pick of the best Halloween events in London this year.
First things first: you'll need a Halloween costume. Whether you're after a traditional ghost, witch or grim reaper — or something a little more unexpected — start combing London's best fancy dress shops, pronto.
Adult Halloween events and parties in London
HALLOWEEN FILM SCREENINGS: It wouldn't be Halloween without a scary film. Whether you're into gory slashers, psychological thrillers or hammy classics, there are plenty of spooky movie film screenings in London at this time of year. Don't forget the popcorn!
DARK ARTS: The Warner Bros Studio Tour London — located just north of the capital in Hertfordshire — gets a spooky makeover for Halloween. The Great Hall is festooned with more than 100 floating pumpkins, Dementors appear unexpectedly in The Forbidden Forest (fear not though, you can banish them with a Patronus charm), and you can learn duelling techniques in the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. Special after-hours events run 29-31 October. Dark Arts events are in addition to the usual tour of sets from the Harry Potter film series. 12 September-9 November
DRACULA: Set largely in the shadows — of English graveyards, Transylvanian castles and storm-tossed ships at night — the Lyric Hammersmith's new adaptation of Dracula is a show with plenty of autumnal chill, and a shoo-in for Halloweeny culture. Here's our review. Until 11 Oct
MONTH OF THE DEAD: Halloween may not be until the end of October but London Month of the Dead goes on for the whole month. Informative, entertaining, and often pretty creepy, the festival enthuses on the subject of death through talks, cemetery tours, screenings and workshops. Many events have sold out now, but a handful still have spaces — jump to it! 1 October-2 November
HAUNTED HOUSE: Conway Hall starts the spooky happenings early, hosting art historian and author Caitlin Blackwell Baines to talk about what makes a haunted house. Why do some buildings gain a reputation for being particularly creepy? You can watch in person at the Holborn venue, or online via livestream. 9 October
HALLOWEEN AT THE GARDEN: One of London’s oldest gardens, Chelsea Physic Garden, has a programme of Halloween events for both adults and children. Join Maria from Herstorical Tours for an evening tour about the 17th Century women herbalists persecuted during the Witch Craze, try your hand at incense making, or take the kids along for broomstick, slime, or potion making — all with a botanical theme. 24-31 October
CANDLELIGHT CLUB HALLOWEEN BALL: Legendary speakeasy party The Candlelight Club once again holds a clandestine, 1920s-themed Halloween ball. Dress code is 1920s elegance, with an optional Halloween twist: think ghostly flapper or vampish witch. Expect live jazz, cabaret and cocktails, all overseen by host Champagne Charlie, at an historic mansion in south London. 25 October
OGREPALOOZA: South Bank venue Between the Bridges celebrates Halloween in unique style: Ogrepalooza is headlined by the UK's #1 Shrek tribute band The Ogretones. There's a lot to unpack in that sentence, so we'll just say this: arrive dressed to impress, and ready to hear covers of hits by the likes of Ricky Martin, The Proclaimers and Bonnie Tyler. 25 October. That's the first (and certainly the most unique) of several Halloween events at the venue, including a Halloween silent disco (31 October), spooky drag brunch and Glitterfest Halloween special (both 1 November)
CLUB DE FROMAGE: Cheesy disco night Club de Fromage hosts two 'Murder on the Dancefloor' Halloween specials at O2 Academy Islington. Gruesome and revolting outfits are very much encouraged, with sing-alongs, confetti cannons and themed cocktails all part of the hijinks, as DJs spin Halloween-themed tunes. There's also a Halloween over-30s daytime party. 25 October and 1 November
CLAPHAM GRAND: Legendary events venue The Clapham Grand has a whole host of Halloween events, from film screening nights and themed bingo to a Monsters and Aliens ball, and a huge Halloween party on the night itself. 25 October-1 November
KILLER SEAGULLS: Anyone who's ever watched The Birds/bought chips in Brighton can relate to the Weirdos Comedy annual Hallowe'en show, Killer Seagulls from Somerset. Part silly play, part terrifying horror pantomime, the show is stuffed with hilarious comedians (and, you'd assume, Killer Seagulls), and runs for three nights at Bloomsbury's Museum of Comedy. 30 October-1 November
DIE RHEINNIXEN: Theatre company Gothic Opera pops up at a different London venue with a different production each Halloween. For 2025, it's at Battersea Arts Centre with supernatural tale Die Rheinnixen (The Nixies of the Rhine) by Offenbach. Set in the postwar chaos of the short-lived Weimar Republic, it's the first time the opera has been fully-staged in the UK. 30 October-2 November
ROOFTOP FILM CLUB: Open-air cinema Rooftop Film Club stays open in Peckham right up until Halloween, offering three spooky screenings to catch on the day. Choose between Hocus Pocus, Practical Magic and Scream. 31 October
100 WARDOUR STREET: Soho live music venue 100 Wardour Street throws a lively Halloween party, with DJs playing spooky tunes until the early hours, themed cocktails, and a costume contest with prizes to be won. 31 October
BLACK AT THE MANSION: A regular fixture on London's Halloween calendar, The Mansion is back at a top-secret venue for a hardcore party spread across two floors, with cage dancers, tarot readers and a spooky graveyard thrown into the mix. 31 October
HALLOWEEN LATES: Not into hardcore partying, but still want to do something for Halloween? This month's Science Museum Lates takes place on Halloween itself, offering after-hours access to the exhibitions and displays, as well as special events and activities. Dress to impress, either as a Halloween character or as one of the Science Museum's objects, and show off your costume on the catwalk. Take part in interactive workshops, live demos and performances — or just dance the night away at the silent disco. FREE (VIP tickets also available), 31 October
DICKENS GHOST STORIES: "The monstrous thought came into my mind, as I perused the fixed eyes and the saturnine face, that this was a spirit, not a man." The Charles Dickens Museum hosts multiple performances of two of the author's most spine-chilling stories, The Signalman & The Trial for Murder. James Swanton (who you may recognise from some scary stuff on TV) spins the yarns. 31 October-2 November
COVEN AT KILN THEATRE: Opening at the Kiln Theatre on Halloween itself, Coven is a new musical about England's witch trials of 1612. Set in Lancashire, it's about a nine-year-old who accuses her own family of witchcraft, and whose past comes back to haunt her 21 years later. 31 October-13 December
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Celebrate spooky season at Hobbledown Heath's Pumpkin Patch
Autumnal days out don't get much more picture perfect than this. Hobbledown Heath is a family adventure park and zoo in west London. Throughout October the park's Pumpkin Patch springs into life, packed with seasonal activities for all ages.
First up, the pumpkins. Giant, small, knobbly, smooth, portly, svelte… there's a gourd for all tastes. Spread across the field, piled high on carts and tucked around secret corners — there's lots to explore. Just watch out for the pumpkin giants! There are plenty of photo opportunities along the way. Then, cosy up around the fire pit to roast marshmallows.
If an after-dark dalliance appeals, don't miss Pumpkin Nights. These special evening events open the patch from 5pm-8pm, so you can pick your perfect pumpkin (priced according to size) beneath a starlit sky. Whether it's a family outing or a quirky date night, Hobbledown Heath brings this special Halloween tradition to the capital. Happy picking!
Hobbledown Heath's Pumpkin Patch in Hounslow, west London takes place on select dates from 26 September to 2 November 2025. Tickets cost from £7.50 per person with the option to upgrade and add on all-day entry to see the animals, play areas and themed villages of Hobbledown Heath. Book now. Follow Hobbledown Heath on Instagram @hobbledownheath for all the latest updates.
Family-friendly events in London for Halloween
PUMPKIN PICKING: Embrace all things autumnal and take the kids to one of these farms or pumpkin patches near London where they can pick their own. Some have play areas, tractor rides and other fun activities too — and one will even let you carve your pumpkins on site, to save you making a mess on the kitchen table at home. Don't forget your wellies!
GHOST HUNT: The Bunny Adventures set of children's books comes to life at Osterley Park and House, with We're Going On A Ghost Hunt family-friendly adventure, designed for three-eight year olds. Pick your bunny name, then follow the trail around the gardens, play Halloween hoopla, racing your broomstick and watching out for the warty toads as you go. Once you’ve completed the trail, collect your prize and join the bunnies at the celebration party. 11 October-2 November
HALLOWEEN AT KEW: Kew Gardens hosts another Halloween trail; as darkness falls, wander through a fiendish fire garden, and illuminated haunted woods filled with neon cobwebs, ghastly ghouls, wicked witches, larger-than life spiders and beastly bats. 17 October-2 November
EAST SHEEN HALLOWEEN HUNT: Once again, the Hare & Hounds is the base for the East Sheen Halloween Hunt, a trail through the local area visiting different businesses. Each is home to a letter which, when combined, spell out a phrase. Once your kids have sussed out the phrase, head back to the pub where they can collect a prize. 25 October
HALLOWEEN AT ELTHAM: Half term at Eltham Palace has a Halloweeny twist, with creepy clues to solve, spooky stories to listen to, gruesome games, and some surprise performances. 25 October-2 November
HALLOWEEN AT HAMPTON COURT: As an historic building, Hampton Court Palace probably has a ghost or two kicking around its corridors and gardens. Keep an eye out for them this half term as you brave an eerie new outdoor trail, complete with atmospheric projections and creepy sound effects. Finish up with a spooky storytelling session. 25 October-2 November
HAIR-RAISING HALLOWEEN: Head along to Hyde Park for one of Royal Parks's hair-raising Halloween discovery days. Learn about some of the creepy crawlies, as well as the bats, which call the park home, via a nature trail, 'feely boxes' and spooky stories. Fancy dress is encouraged, to get into the spirit(s) of things. FREE, 28-30 October
SPOOKY WALKS: Highgate's Lauderdale House offers family-friendly spooky walks around the house and through Waterlow Park next door at dusk. Aimed at five-nine-year-olds and their families, the walk has actors dressed as creepy characters, striking a balance between fun and a little bit freaky. 31 October
VILLAINS UNLEASHED: Princesses make way for villains at Edmonton's Millfield Theatre. Villains Unleashed brings together some of the best-known baddies for a Halloween party with spine-tingling songs, chilling choreography, and devilish party dances, followed by a meet-and-greet after the show. 1 November
