Top family-friendly Halloween events 2024

Drusillas Zoo is gearing up for a frightfully fun half-term this October. As well as devilish décor – from pumpkins and cobwebs to spiders and skeletons – there’ll be an array of activities to keep your mini monsters busy. Venture through creepy cobwebbed corridors in the park’s live-action haunted house experience, go hunting for an ancient mummy, meet the iconic Sugar Skull Witch and have exciting encounters with a range of creepy crawlies, like cockroaches, locusts and Asian forest scorpions. They can even have some freaky face painting done down at the Petrifying Parlour and take part in the park’s fancy-dress competition.

When? 26 October to 3 November 2024

Wands and wits at the ready… The Dark Arts have returned to the Harry Potter studios. For two months, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Watford will be infiltrated by the symbol of Lord Voldemort, the Dark Mark. Projected throughout the tour, the Mark will lead you through all the Harry Potter film sets, from the Great Hall with its 100 floating pumpkins to the Forbidden Forest filled with giant spiders. If you’ve memorised your spells, you can even take part in a live duel with Death Eaters. Expelliarmus!

When? Until 10 November 2024

The London Dungeon is the true home of Halloween, with year-round jumps, frights and chilling stories about the capital’s perilous past. But for October, the Dungeon gets an even more ghoulish addition to accompany its collection of haunting tales, rides and characters – an exclusive Halloween show. Please avoid trying one of Mrs Lovett’s pies!

If you’re based in the north, both Blackpool and York Dungeons have their own morbid makeovers, with plenty more nightmarish stories of happenings closer to home. 

When? 18 October to 4 November 2024

Visit one of Britain’s most haunted castles for Halloween this year. The castle hosts an array of weird and wonderful activities, from the fire juggling to The Scary Maze. Little devils will love the Ghostly Grotto, with face painting, lantern making and drumming workshops, while aspiring witches and wizards may prefer learning about spells, potions and charms on the Witch Hunters trail. 

When? 26 October to 3 November 2024

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Celebrate everything orange and squashy (get it?) at Tapnell Farm this autumn. After picking your very own pumpkin from their home-grown selection, you can carve it right on the farm for free and turn your pumpkin into a spooky masterpiece – and what’s more, all the leftover bits will go to feeding the farm animals. Once you’re finished picking your pumpkin, why not take part in some axe throwing for fun? There will also be pumpkin-themed treats, a licensed bar and live music on selected dates.

When?

Pumpkin Trail: 12 and 13 October, and 19 to 31 October 2024
Pumpkin Festival: 28 to 31 October 2024

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Returning for 2023, the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort is once again hosting BRICK OR TREAT - where the LEGO® Monsters are taking over and throwing a Monster Party to celebrate their favourite time of the year! Join in on the festivities with the return of the frightfully fun 4D movie, The Great Monster Chase!, get stuck in with awesome themed LEGO builds, watch the fangtastic Monster Jam show on the Harbour, PLUS ‘Monster Street’ returns for all those who dare to visit…

When? Until 3 November 2024

Scary story fans big and small (from as little as 5 years old!) should get their hands on tickets to this London-based tour, which recounts the haunted history of some of the city’s most famous attractions, including The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, The Shard and the Tower of London. On board a lovingly restored 1960s Routemaster bus, you’ll be treated to one of the best comedy-horror theatre experiences on two wheels, with tales of royal executions and devious spirits. 

When? All year round

Suitable for even the smallest of monsters, this spooky, scare-free experience will get the whole family in the Halloween mood. Your journey will begin at Audley End Miniature Railway Station, where you’ll board the Halloween Express before delving into the tall, dark woodland. At your destination, the witches’ house, to watch monsters dance around cauldrons, meet Belinda the Fortune Telling Witch and help the King of the Woods, William the Wizard, perform his spells. Be sure to book an afternoon slot, too if you want to see the trees adorned with lights.

When? 26 October to 3 November 2024

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Paulton’s Park puts the ‘happy’ in ‘Happy Halloween’, at their frightful yet friendly fun Halloween event. Meet Peppa Pig as she rocks her spookiest costume, brave the rides after dark and attempt to count the 10,000 pumpkins dotted across the park! The highlight of the day though is The Legend of Paultons Manor stage show, which follows the Spirit Squad as they try to throw the best Halloween party ever. This singing and dancing extravaganza is not to be missed.

When? 17 October to 4 November 2024

Join ghosts, ghouls, wizards and witches on the grounds of Warwick Castle this October half-term for some family-friendly frights. From secret spells to bubbling cauldrons, you’ll uncover eerie experiences around every corner. Navigate the Horrible Histories maze, attend spooky schools and discover quirky characters in spellbinding shows. If you’re brave enough, turn your visit into a spine-tingling sleepover at the Fright’s Village, complete with bedtime ghost stories.

When? 26 October to 3 November 2024

Visit the childhood home of doomed queen Anne Boleyn this Halloween for some sinister surprises. Explore Hever Castle's grounds on the Halloween Trail to discover different spooky zones, from spiders to witches, skeletons to bats, each hiding a letter that spells out a mystery word. Will you be able to guess it? Once you’ve solved it, you’ll also have the chance to plant some garlic bulbs to ward off any stray vampires. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for  the giant spider...

When? 26 October to 3 November 2024 

The Isle of Wight’s most famous theme park transforms into a Halloween spectacular for two weeks in October. The family-friendly Fiesta of the Dead event will have lots to keep your tribe happy, with this uplifting celebration of life. There’ll be a Sacred Fire Garden where you can leave written messages for your loved ones beyond the veil, and the resident DJ spins the decks over in Cowboy Town for a high-octane party with fire-wielding performers!

When? 25 October to 1 November 2024

Bedsheet ghosts, toilet-paper mummies and aspiring witches are welcome to join in the fun at Reddish Vale Farm’s Halloween event. Taking place throughout October, this farmyard festival has many activities and attractions to keep your little devils entertained. Ride the Spooky Express tractor tide, try Vampire Archery, get lost in the straw maze and pet the farm’s smallest animals. Kids can also pick their own pumpkin before taking it to the Carving Cavern to create a haunting masterpiece.

When? 7 to 29 October 2023

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Got a pack of older teenagers to entertain this Halloween? Be sure to visit England’s most notorious Halloween event at Thorpe Park. For over two decades, the Fright Nights event has preyed on its visitors’ darkest fears with its creepy atmosphere, infamous mazes and spine-chilling scare zones. 

Visit the island on dates throughout October to experience thrilling rides in the dead of night (including the sick and twisted games of Jigsaw on SAW – The Ride), escape lunatic lumberjacks in brand-new scare mazes and witness an awe-inspiring fire and light display.

When? Selected nights from 4 October to 3 November 2024

Add some grisly history to your Halloween fun this October with these year-round ghost tours in Liverpool. Immerse in fact-filled 90-minute tours of the city’s haunted heritage, packed with spirited storytelling, humorous history and sinister sites. Suitable for all ages, Shiverpool offers a variety of different tours, including a comedy-horror road trip on board a vintage Routemaster bus, and a walking tour. Learn about tales of slavery, plague and city slums, explore a former city morgue and walk down the most haunted street in northern England – if you dare.

When? All year round

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A spook-tacular October half term experience awaits you at Blenheim Palace, where a new themed walking trail awaits to chill and thrill you and the family. Wander the grounds of this magnificent 18th century property, (the birthplace of Winston Churchill, no less!) and wind your way through the scary spider tunnel where you will encounter fire performers - but be sure to look out for the sinister cloaked horseman lurking in the mist. Discover demons, listen to werewolves howl in the dusk and dodge the grinning pumpkins as you approach the vampires’ crypt - will you encounter the fanged creature waiting inside?

Afterwards, soothe your nerves with a selection of sweet treats with a fiendish twist. Why not indulge yourself with a cheeky hot toddy or decadent hot chocolate too? 

When? 25 October to 3 November 2024

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Venture (if you dare) into Madame Tussauds' reopened Chamber of Horrors, where you will find an updated waxwork collection of the most heinous criminals in history, including the Kray Twins, Dennis Nielson and Ruth Ellis. Explore London’s most notorious crime scenes of the past 150 years. Not recommended for under-16s or those of a nervous disposition - you have been warned...

When? All year round