What’s On This Halloween in London and Surrey 2023

From jack-o-lanterns to terrifying tours there is something for all ages to enjoy this spooky season.

For the tiny tricksters:

Halloween Pumpkin Carving

24 October

Chelsea Physic Garden

A classic Halloween activity for the whole family to enjoy. Explore the garden in all its autumnal beauty before carving your pumpkin into a freaky friend for the holiday. A bonus just so happens to be the skip-the-mess-at-home part! INFO.

Spooky Halloween Character Workshop

25 October

Polka Theatre, Wimbledon

For ages 4 – 7, it is time to dress up and create a chilling character to join the monstrously exciting Halloween party at Polka. A fun workshop lasting two hours to let the imagination run wild. INFO.

Howl’O’Ween at Chessington World of Adventures 

7-8, 14-30 October

Chessington is forever the place for a family trip out. This haunting half term they have added attractions, Spooktacular Shows including a fab-boo-lous fire show, Enchanted Hollow a recently unearthed underground town where all is not what it seems and the return of the Wild Woods maze and performers, all of which is set to leave your skin crawling. INFO.

Pumpkin Festival

23-29 October

Crockford Bridge Farm

From fancy dress to fire dancer duos, scavenger hunts, stilt walkers and much more, Crockford Bridge Farm is set to offer the ultimate Halloween celebrations this half term. With prizes on offer for the best costume and most creative jack-o-lantern, this festival is the perfect outing for the family this season. INFO.

Hocus Pocus at Surrey’s Open-Air Cinema

[pictured top] 14 October

Polesden Lacey

Come little children and follow the infamous Sanderson sisters’ adventure in the UK’s biggest outdoor cinema. With tickets from just £9.50, this is the perfect family evening out to celebrate the spooky season this year. The touring cinema also offers a range of other viewings and venues across London and Surrey. INFO.

Dame Dolly’s Spooktacular Show

24-25 October

Colour House Theatre, Merton

Written and performed by Joe Meloy, this family-friendly show is always a hit. With audience participation be sure to dress to impress and be in for a chance to win a prize for the best fancy dress.  INFO. 

Hampton Court Palace

21-29 October

This October half-term will see Henry VIII’s notoriously haunted palace transformed with scary sounds and atmospheric projections. As you weave through the winding corridors and courtyards, keep your eyes peeled as chances are something is lingering around every corner. The Gallery of the Damned will see eerie portraits come to life, the Council Chamber is open for séances and the garden welcomes you for a stroll to admire the intricately carved pumpkins while the café tempts you with sweet treats. INFO.

The Ghost Bus Tour

Departs from Northumberland Avenue

This comedy-horror theatre experience offers a haunted history lesson on London’s most famous sights. Learn about the poltergeist past of London Bridge, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street and more. INFO. 

Putney Trick or Treat Trail

27 October, 2-6pm

Head down to Putney this October for a fun and friendly trick or treat trail! There will be lots of treats to be found at various businesses along the trail, with posters placed at every business so you know where to look. Including Jungle Rumble, the Royal Trinity Hospice, Specsavers, Itsu, and so many more. There will also be a variety of fun activities like arts and crafts, balloon modelling, and face painting. INFO

Autumn Aventures

West Horsley Place

24-27 October

Lots of fun activities for the little ones taking place this Halloween at West Horsley Place! From arts and crafts to garden games to children’s stories told in the beautiful library – head on down this half term for a week filled to the bring with autumn fun. INFO

Boo at the Zoo

London Zoo

For hairy but not too scary Halloween fun, families can trick-or-treat themselves to a trip to London Zoo this October half-term. From bats to spiders to wide-eyed lemurs, meet all the creatures that go bump in the night! INFO

Pop Up Pumpkin Patch

28 October

Richmond’s Whittaker Avenue will be going wild with its very own Pop Up Pumpkin Patch, which will feature hundreds of pumpkins with a spookily-themed patch. Youngsters can grab their own wheelbarrows and head off to harvest their favourite pumpkins which they can then take home for free. There will also be whole host of other fiendishly fun activities, including a scavenger hunt and face painting. INFO

Painshill Park’s Fairy Door Trail

21 October – 12 November

Painshill in Surrey invites families to enjoy an enchanting fairytale adventure in a landscape full of stunning autumnal colour. Wooden fairy doors will add a touch of magic to the beautiful woodlands, lake and gardens at Painshill. Ignite your child’s imagination and discover the secret worlds created by the fairies. INFO

Enchanted Claremont

Claremont Landscape Garden, 14-29 Oct

The Wandering Witch is organising an All Hallows Eve party for all the magical creatures that live at Claremont. Come and find what the different creatures are bringing to the party. INFO

Thorpe Park Fright Night

6-31 October

Make for an adrenaline-filled day of terror and thrills this half term with the infamous Fright Night. This year will see the arrival of spine-chilling Scare Zones, monstrous Scare Mazes and the park at a new level as you descend on the rides in daunting darkness. INFO.

For the grown-up ghouls:

London Halloween Walk

28 October

Oval Cricket Ground

Dress to distress, grab your favourite ghoul and challenge yourself to this hair-raising hike around some of London’s haunted hotspots. Choose between a 25km or 10km walk and once finished, indulge in some hot food and Devil’s Fizz. INFO. 

Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Various dates

Take a tour of one of the world’s most haunted theatres and hear tales of scandal and ghosts, and treat yourself to a special edition afternoon tea or Halloween cocktail. INFO

Neverland’s Halloween Haunted Lodge

28-29 October

Neverland, Wandsworth

A booming monster mash with cocktails, devilish food, face paint, arcade games, fondues and a photo booth.  Dress up in your favourite freaky fit and bring your best ghoul friends to this haunted wonderland of fun. INFO.

Anything Goes Cabaret Halloween Special

26 October

Two Brewers, Clapham

A diverse evening of comedy, burlesque, dance and more! A Halloween special means performances from horror legends such as Ghostface, Jigsaw and more macabre performers. Prepare yourself for a night of thrills and shrills. INFO.

Escape Rooms

Purgatory, Victoria

Not a total Halloween exclusive, but certainly a must-try this month. In this chilling immersive experience, Seal the Gates of Hell in just one hour before demons descend upon Earth! After your challenge kick back in the gothic-themed trendy bar and enjoy a unique cocktail blend. INFO.

The Haunted Palace

Fulham Palace

Friday 27 October, 18:30-20:00

From bloody Bishop Bonner to the mysterious Victorian woman, Fulham Palace is said to be haunted by many of its previous residents. Explore the Palace after dark and hear about the haunting hidden stories of the Bishops of London on this spooky guided tour… if you dare! Ages 18+. INFO

Frightfully good foodie treats

Three Cheeses of Eastwick at Big Mamma

Friday 27 – 31 October.

Gloria, Circolo Popolare and Ave Mario have a themed pizza topped with a smooth pumpkin cream, three types of cheesy badness (Mozzarella Fior di Latte, Gorgonzola & Parmigiano) and a crafty web of black garlic aioli.

Spooky cakes at The Hummingbird Bakery

Pick up one of the stunning cakes for a Halloween feast., including ghosts, gothic rose, spider webs and more.

Boo Bao at Dim Sum Terrace

30 October – 5 November

Dim Sum Terrace on Harrods’ 4th Floor is offering Wagyu Bao – fluffy, steamed and black, filled with tender witchy wagyu beef. You can partner these spooky bites with a brand new cocktail, the Sweet Cyclops.