Halloween in London: How to Spend Spooky Season

What You’ll Gain from this Blog

• Find the best Halloween events and attractions in London for 2026.
• Discover family-friendly Halloween activities, including trails and pumpkin picking.
• Explore ghost tours, haunted-history experiences and spooky attractions.
• Find Halloween parties, themed nightlife and late-night events.
• See where to stay for easy access to Halloween attractions and events.
• Get practical tips on booking, transport and getting around London on Halloween.

Are you visiting London for Halloween 2026? You’ll find everything from illuminated trails and haunted palaces to horror screenings, family attractions, ghost tours and late-night parties across the capital.

Halloween in London falls on Saturday 31 October 2026, with events and seasonal attractions running throughout October and into early November. Options range from pumpkin picking and family Halloween trails to horror film screenings, haunted-history experiences, immersive attractions and late-night parties.

Whether you’re travelling with children, planning a night out with friends or looking for a more atmospheric Halloween experience, there are plenty of ways to celebrate. Our guide will take you through some unmissable Halloween events in London. 

Top Halloween Events in London

Halloween activities in London cover everything from family-friendly trails and historic haunted sites to horror films, pumpkin picking and late-night events. Here are some of the experiences worth considering in 2026. 

Haunted Experiences and Ghost Tours

Ghost tours and haunted-history walks remain popular ways to experience Halloween in London, England, after dark, particularly around areas associated with the city’s darker history. 

Jack the Ripper walking tours continue to focus on Whitechapel and the locations associated with the 1888 murders, combining local history with the darker side of London’s past. There are several spooky things to do in London as part of this tour, including immersive experiences like Ripper-Vision, coach tours and walking tours that take you deep into the city’s spooky and murky history. 

Some experiences combine historic pubs, Thames sightseeing or walking routes, although the itinerary varies by operator. Check the route before booking rather than assuming every tour covers the same landmarks. Make sure you complete your bookings in advance, and check the cancellation policy, meeting point, tour duration and minimum age before paying. 

Halloween Balls and Themed Parties

London has plenty of options for a more dressed-up Halloween night, from late-night club events to masked balls and theatrical parties. Here are the top confirmed Halloween parties in London for 2026.

• Halloween at The Mansion London: The Mansion London returns on Friday 30 October 2026, transforming a secret North London venue into a futuristic Halloween party inspired by dystopian elegance. The dress code is built around red, with the organisers inviting guests to interpret the theme through “red creatures of the night”, futuristic tribes and dramatic, otherworldly looks. The event runs from 10 pm to 5 am, making it one for those planning a full night out rather than an early Halloween celebration. 
• The Candlelight Club Halloween Ball: The Candlelight Club takes a different route with a 1920s-inspired Halloween ball on 31 October 2026 at a secret South London location. Expect an abandoned ballroom transformed with cobwebs and jack-o’-lanterns, alongside live jazz, cabaret and vintage-inspired entertainment. The dress code leans into the Jazz Age, with ghostly flappers, vampish witches, dapper devils and other period-inspired costumes encouraged. Guests can choose between drinks and dancing, table packages or a three-course dinner. 
• The Mandrake at Dante’s Inferno: For a more theatrical Halloween night, The Mandrake in Fitzrovia is transforming its hotel into Dante’s Inferno on 31 October 2026. The 21+ event runs from 8:30 pm to 3 am and combines live performances, DJ sets, art installations, theatrical encounters and Renaissance-inspired tableaux throughout the hotel. 

When it comes to attending these exclusive Halloween events in London, it’s best to book in advance, since tickets sell out swiftly. Make sure you check the dress code.  

Family-Friendly Halloween Activities

If you’re looking for more family-centric Halloween things to do in London, there are numerous options at hand.

• Halloween at Kew runs from 16 October to 1 November 2026, with a 1.5km illuminated trail through the Gardens. The 2026 experience includes Dracula’s Lair, a Cursed Tomb, Medieval Dungeon, Forest Ritual and Monster Disco, alongside live performers and the returning Headless Horseman. There are three session types: Daylight, Twilight and Moonlight, with the atmosphere becoming progressively spookier later in the evening.
• One of the best activities to do on Halloween night in London is visiting Chiswick House and Gardens with its family-friendly Halloween trail. 
• For pumpkin picking, Hobbledown has introduced a new Pumpkin Event at its Epsom site from 26 September to 1 November 2026, with pumpkins, seasonal displays and family activities. Hobbledown Heath in Hounslow also has its own Pumpkin Patch running from 25 September to 1 November.
• Halloween at the Tower of London runs from 24 October to 1 November 2026, with family-focused activities inspired by the Tower’s history and legends. The Halloween programme is included with palace admission.
• Halloween at Hampton Court Palace runs from 24 October to 1 November 2026, with atmospheric projections, eerie sound effects, ghost stories and a seasonal trail through the palace and grounds.

Halloween Film Festivals & Entertainment

There are plenty of film festivals and events for Halloween in London to get you into the proper spooky vibe. 

The Prince Charles Cinema’s HorrOctober season returns with horror screenings and special events throughout October 2026, including Mystery Horror Movies and a Mystery Horror Movie Marathon. 

The Mystery Horror Movie Marathon features five randomly selected horror films and is an 18+ all-nighter. Current 2026 listings show tickets at £20 for members and £22.50 for non-members. Check the cinema’s live schedule for the latest listings. 

Genesis Cinema in Whitechapel has a Halloween (1978) screening scheduled for 31 October 2026 at 9 pm, giving horror fans a straightforward Halloween-night cinema option. Clapham Grand is hosting a Hocus Pocus Halloween Movie Night on 29 October 2026 and a Rocky Horror Picture Show Movie Night on Halloween, 31 October 2026. 

Halloween-Themed Bars and Nightlife

For nightlife, London’s Halloween calendar typically includes costume parties, themed club nights, theatrical venues and seasonal bar events. Check each venue’s 2026 listing for the exact party date, ticket requirements and dress code.

• Sky Garden Halloween Spooktacular (30-31 October 2026): Head 35 floors above London for live music, Halloween cocktails, fancy dress and panoramic city views. Tickets are £35, and the event is 18+.
• The Haunting Pop-Up Bar, Covent Garden (Throughout October): For a more relaxed Halloween night, this immersive pop-up at 9 Russell Street serves theatrical cocktails in a deliberately eerie setting. It runs throughout October, making it a good option if you are visiting before Halloween weekend.
• Elrow Horroween at The Drumsheds (31 October 2026): A large-scale Halloween rave with horror-inspired sets, roaming performers and theatrical installations. The 10-hour event combines electronic music with an immersive horror setting at The Drumsheds in Edmonton.

Where to Stay in London for Halloween

Choosing where to stay can make a difference to your Halloween plans, particularly if you are visiting for Halloween in London, England, for a packed weekend of events. Central neighbourhoods such as Covent Garden, South Bank and Soho put you close to attractions, restaurants and nightlife, while areas such as Camden and Shoreditch work well if late nights are a priority.

• Covent Garden & Soho: A convenient choice for West End shows, restaurants, bars and central Halloween attractions. It works particularly well if you want to combine sightseeing with an evening out.
• South Bank & London Bridge: Ideal for access to the London Dungeon, Tower of London and riverside attractions, with good transport connections for exploring elsewhere in the city.
• Camden: A good fit for visitors interested in alternative nightlife, live music and Halloween parties, with Camden Town Underground providing easy access to central London.
• Shoreditch: Consider Shoreditch if nightlife is a major part of your Halloween plans. It is surrounded by bars, clubs and late-night venues, while Liverpool Street provides convenient transport connections.
• Kensington & South Kensington: Better suited to families or visitors who prefer a quieter base, with museums, restaurants and good transport links nearby.

Book early if you are visiting around 31 October, especially if you want to stay close to the events or nightlife you plan to attend.

How to Get Around London During Halloween

Understanding how to get around on Halloween in London is important, as it can be packed. 

• Use the Underground and buses: These are usually the easiest ways to reach major Halloween attractions, parties and neighbourhoods.
• Allow extra travel time: Central London and popular nightlife areas can be busier on 31 October, particularly around large events.
• Walk short distances: In central areas, walking can sometimes be quicker than changing between multiple transport services.
• Check TfL before travelling: Look for live updates, planned closures and service changes before heading to an event.
• Driving into central London: If you enter the Congestion Charge zone during charging hours, the charge is £18 in 2026 when paid on the day or in advance.

For Halloween night, public transport or walking is often more practical than driving and parking.
 

Conclusion 

Halloween in London 2026 offers something for every type of visitor, from family-friendly attractions and historic ghost tours to immersive horror experiences and late-night parties. 31 October falls on a Saturday, making it a particularly convenient time to explore the city’s Halloween events.

Plan around the experiences that interest you most, book popular attractions in advance, and choose short term accommodation with convenient transport links. Whether you want atmospheric evenings, family activities or nightlife, London has plenty to explore throughout the Halloween season.