Did you know that one of the world’s most famous festivals, Halloween, has its roots in an ancient Celtic tradition called Samhain?
Halloween has come a long way from the old days when people lit up bonfires, wore costumes and took part in community celebrations to keep evil spirits away. Today, it is one of the biggest global events across almost all major cities, including London.
If you’re into a magical combination of spooky experiences, partying and other fun activities, then there are several Halloween events in London worth checking out.
They include everything from immersive ghost, ghoul and zombie experiences to family-friendly events, themed tours and trails, pumpkin carvings and more.
Let us take a look at some of these attractions below.
Halloween Events in London
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1. The London Dungeon Halloween’s Special 2024
The London Dungeon (Image Courtesy: trip.com)
One of the top spooky things to do in London, it offers you an opportunity to step into an amazing Victorian Medium’s parlour.
Enjoy a never-before séance experience, while meeting Agnes Guppy, the iconic psychic from London’s past. Wait in anticipation as she tries to revive a character from the city’s past (think notorious killers like Mary Ann Cotton) for a thrilling encounter.
Ticket prices start from approximately £26.50 for adults.
Dates & Timings: 18th October to 3rd November (11 AM-5 PM)
Location: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road
Why a Must-Visit: Premium cocktail experiences in the Tavern, no time limits and digital photo passes with unlimited photographs directly sent to your phone
2. Fright Night at Thorpe Park
A big highlight of any Halloween in London, Thorpe Park offers chilling Fright Nights with amazing coaster rides and scare mazes with plenty of live action.
Some of the scare mazes and shows this year include Stitches, Deadbeat, Lucifer’s Lair, Creature Campus-Looks Can Kill and Survival Games, to name a few. You can also enjoy the new 4D experience in the town of Derry (with a mystery to solve) along with 25+ attractions and rides.
Ticket prices are just £36pp for this fabulous experience.
Dates & Timings: 4th-6th, 11th-13th, and 17th October to 3rd November
Why Visit: Savour your ride on the UK’s fastest, tallest and most weightless coaster (Hyperia) as you plunge to the valley at speeds up to 80mph.
Location: Staines Road, Chertsey
3. Halloween at Hampton Court Palace
If you’re seeking more classic and historic Halloween things to do in London, then this event’s just what you’re looking for! Explore the stunning yet haunted palace of Henry VIII with spooky sound effects and projections for the company.
The entire backdrop is of the elegant palace transformed by a haunted spell. Ghosts and ghouls add their frightening feel to the palace, while you can also attend the Halloween talks on offer each day between 9-25 October and 6-10 November. And if you plan on staying nearby to enjoy the experience to the maximum, there are plenty of serviced apartments to choose from too.
Dates & Timings: 26th October to 3rd November 2024 (10:00-16:00 each day)
Why Visit: Spooky story-telling sessions and Halloween-themed café treats
Location: Hampton Ct Way, Molesey
4. The Ghost Bus Tour
Go on the ride of a lifetime with one of the top Halloween activities in London, namely the Ghost Bus Tour. It offers a comedy-horror theatre experience on wheels as you take in some of the city’s most iconic spots from a whole new perspective.
The route covers everything from Trafalgar Square to St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and more. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Doesn’t it sound spookalicious?
Tickets start from £17 for children up to 15 years, while they are £25 for adults.
Dates & Timings: Check online (subject to availability)
Why Visit: Senior/student concessions on tickets and family ticket packages, opportunities to get fabulous insights on the haunted history of London’s top landmarks
Location: The Grand, 8 Northumberland Ave
5. Halloween Pumpkin Festival at Covent Garden
This is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in London for Halloween. Halloween and pumpkins go hand in hand and Covent Garden comes alive with its vibrant Pumpkin Market.
Buy pumpkins, squashes and gourds on the West Piazza and take part in amazing events at the Seven Dials Market. And there’s also a Trick or Treat trail to keep the entire family happily engaged here (you’ll find several goodies en route)!
Dates and Timings: 29th-31st October on the West Piazza and 31st October-3rd November for other events. The Trick or Treat Trail is on the 31st of October.
Why Visit: A chance to enjoy spooky grub and cocktails from popular food vendors, including Day of the Dead slices, the Triple Pickle and more. Expect plenty of themed prizes and gifts on offer too!
Location: Covent Garden, West End
If you are travelling and require a place to stay in Covent Garden then you can explore our serviced apartment in Covent Garden.
6. The Dark Side of London Walking Tour
One of the most interesting things you can do for Halloween in London 2024, this tour is all about exploring some of the city’s most notorious spots. Indulge your fascination for learning more about London’s dark and scary side as you go through the Tower of London or Whitechapel.
The tour ends at the Tower Hill Underground Station, with a maximum of 15 members for each group and a duration of 2-3 hours. It allows you to celebrate Halloween with a glimpse of London’s criminal and shady past. Now if that isn’t exciting, then what is?
Dates & Timings: Check for availability online
Why Visit: Great stories from experienced guides, unique landmarks like Jack the Ripper Museum, St. Katherine Docks and Ye Olde Mitre.
Location: Starts from Tower Hill Underground Station (near the entrance to the Tower of London)
7. Day of the Dead Festival at Wahaca Southbank
The beauty of Halloween events in London is that no two activities are the same! For instance, consider the Day of the Dead festival, one celebrated as Dia de los Muertos by Mexicans (1st and 2nd November every year). Enjoy gazing at the hand-painted skeletons or calacas and take part in fun crafting activities with your family.
Feast on a sumptuous traditional meal while viewing the classic ofrendas or altars which are common in Mexican homes. The carnival assumes a whole new level of fun with its innovative theme.
Dates & Timings: 16th October-7th November (12 PM-10 PM)
Why Visit: Sample seasonal delights and special tequila on the house
Location: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road
8. Howl’O’ween
London’s showpiece Halloween event, Howl’O’ween takes place at the Chessington World of Adventures Resort every year. Have a ball with amazing live entertainment and spooky rides.
Ticket prices are just £32pp onwards, with mega events like Enchanted Hollow- Trick or Treat available for visitors.
The best part is that you can check into a themed resort for an overnight stay, giving you more time to explore everything that’s on offer!
Dates & Timings: 5-6, 12-13 and 19 October-3 November
Why Visit: Catch the award-winning Banyan-The Final Flame show with a child-friendly party thrown by a vampire bat and werewolf
Location: Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Chessington, KT9 2NE
9. Dreadflix at London Bridge Experience
This one’s not for the faint-hearted! Picture yourself face-to-face with some of London’s most dreadful characters after dark. Get into an adult-only exclusive experience with spine-chilling thrills and encounters on offer. Push yourself to the limits, tackle your biggest hidden fears and view horror movie characters in a new light.
From going through a crawl space to wearing a hood, there’s plenty to hook you at this fabulous Halloween event. Tickets start from approximately £31 while show times are around 25 minutes.
Dates & Timings: 24th, 25th, 26th, 30th and 31st of October and 1st and 2nd of November (18:30-22:00)
Why Visit: Award-winning scare show that immerses you into a one-of-a-kind maze. You can buy the London Bridge Experience separately with Dreadflix.
Location: London Bridge, London EC4R 3TN
10. Dark Arts at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
Hallowееn at Thе Harry Pottеr Studio (Image Courtesy: wizardingworld.com)
The Dark Arts special returns in 2024, running throughout October. The Great Hall is adorned with floating pumpkins, just as seen in the iconic Halloween scenes from the films. You'll encounter Death Eaters roaming the halls, adding an eerie thrill as they demonstrate duelling techniques. The Dark Mark is cast over the studio, and you’ll get the chance to immerse yourself in the darker side of the wizarding world. Visitors are also encouraged to dress in their best wizarding costumes for the occasion.
It runs from September 13th to November 10th, 2024, and transforms the iconic sets into a spooky, magical atmosphere filled with over 100 floating pumpkins, a Hallowe’en feast of lollipops, red apples, and even a Dark Mark trail. Visitors can duel against Death Eaters in a live show and walk through a darker, more eerie Platform 9 ¾ and Diagon Alley.
Ticket prices vary depending on the date, but for adults, prices range from £51.50 to £55.50, and children’s tickets are around £40.00
Dates & Timings: The studio is open from 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM, with the last tour starting at 4:00 PM. It's located at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Leavesden, making it easily accessible from London
Why visit: The experience brings Harry Potter's magical world to life with a dark, thrilling twist that is perfect for the Halloween season. It's an immersive journey into the darker side of the wizarding world and a fantastic opportunity for fans to interact with the sets, costumes, and props in a completely new way.
Conclusion
Clearly, London hosts an array of exciting Halloween events that will keep you engaged if you visit the city during this time.
The city comes alive in a flurry of celebrations, tours, colours, feasts and themed attractions for visitors.
You’ll also find numerous serviced apartments in London conveniently located near these event hotspots, perfect for your stay. So, why wait? Immerse yourself in the spooky thrills of London’s top Halloween events and enjoy a thrilling adventure with your loved ones by your side.
