Things to do for Halloween in London

Colder weather, shorter days and darker nights can only mean one thing: Halloween is here. Notorious for its fancy dress, pumpkin decorations and horror films, Halloween is a celebration of all things creepy, stemming from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. 

These days, Halloween is more about light-hearted fun from pumpkin carving and parties to spooky days out with the whole family. Whether you’re looking for grown-up thrills, nightlife with a twist, or you’re travelling with your kids for some family-friendly fun, London has something for everyone this October. 

There’s plenty happening across the city, with ghost tours, themed attractions and exciting seasonal events on in October. So, however you choose to celebrate this spooky season, London is the perfect spot for a day or night of ghoulish fun. Want to go further afield? Take a look at our ultimate guide to the UK’s top spooky attractions.  

Family Halloween events and activities

Get the whole family involved this Halloween with a fun day out that’s not going to leave you with nightmares! From trips to the zoo to a delicious, spooky meal, there are so many ways you can celebrate Halloween with the kids.

Covent Garden Halloween events

Image credit: Shaftesbury Capital

If you’re looking for the top free Halloween events London has to offer to soak up the spooky atmosphere, head to Covent Garden. Each year, the market is transformed with a huge pumpkin display, and there are fun activities for kids like pumpkin carving, face painting and bouncy castles. It’s one of the best ways to celebrate Halloween in London for families, as there’s something everyone can enjoy here!

How to get there: Take the northbound Northern line from London Waterloo to Leicester Square, then walk 8 minutes to Covent Garden. Alternatively, it’s a 19-minute walk across the Thames.

Halloween at Hogwarts: Harry Potter Dark Arts

Harry Potter fans won’t want to miss the Dark Arts feature at Warner Bros. Studios in Watford this Autumn. Visitors can see the Great Hall decorated with floating pumpkins as seen in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone to get in the Halloween spirit.

For a spooktacular Hogwarts experience, Death Eaters and Dementors lurk around the studio, but fear not – you can practise casting spells in the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom.

Price: The Dark Arts feature is included with all studio tour tickets booked between September 13 – November 10, 2024. Advance booking is essential, with prices starting at £43 for children (ages 5-15) and £53.50 for adults. Family tickets are also available – find out more on the Warner Bros. Studios tickets page.

Don’t forget to check SWR Rewards for 10% off your visit to Warner Bros. Studios when you book directly with us!

How to get there: Catch a train from Clapham Junction  to Watford Junction. From the station, hop on the 318 or 8 bus to the studios – a 20-minute journey.

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. All characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. WB SHIELD: © & ™ WBEI. Publishing Rights © JKR.

Little Wizard Afternoon Tea in London at The Wands & Wizard Exploratorium

This interactive tea-brewing experience is perfect for kids, letting their imaginations run wild, but adults will love it too! Upon arrival, select your magic wand and use it to cast spells, unlocking the ingredients to brew your interactive tea. Then, enjoy your creations alongside some tasty wizard-themed treats, including ‘sand-witches’ and desserts.

Price: Tickets for the Little Wizard Afternoon Tea experience (suitable for ages 11+) cost £34.99 per person. For older children (ages 12+) and adults, choose the Arcane Wizard Afternoon Tea experience, which costs £47 per person.

How to get there: Take the northbound Northern line from London Waterloo to Tottenham Court Road, then walk 8 minutes to The Wands & Wizard Exploratorium.

Chessington Halloween family event: Howl’o’ween at Chessington World of Adventures

Every October, Chessington World of Adventures transforms into a magical Howl’o’ween adventure for families. Enjoy fangtastic activities including the Enchanted Hollow children’s trick or treat maze, a themed pumpkin patch, fancy dress competitions, and live shows like Banyan The Final Flame. Kids can meet favourite characters such as Wilf the Werewolf and Violet the Vampire Bat, along with family-friendly rides as dusk falls. 

Price: Tickets start from £34 per person, with access to the Theme Park, Zoo and SEA LIFE Aquarium.  

How to get there: Take a South Western Railway train from London Waterloo to Chessington South. The park is a short walk from the station. 

Halloween events in London

Want to discover the best Halloween activities London has to offer? Head to the city’s spookiest attractions to get the full experience, including the Tower of London and the London Dungeon.

Halloween at the Tower of London

Photo credit: Tower of London

Celebrate Halloween at the Tower of London with a family-friendly ghost trail taking place from 26th October – 3rd November 2024. This historic fortress and former prison has a spooky feel about it, so the various Halloween installations and surprises add to the eerie atmosphere.

Price: The Halloween trail is included in your ticket price when visiting between 26th October – 3rd November 2024. Tickets for the Tower of London cost £34.80 for adults (ages 18-64), £17.40 for children (ages 5-15) and £27.50 for concessions (students, seniors and disabled visitors).

How to get there: At London Waterloo, hop on the Waterloo & City line to Bank. Walk 4 minutes to Monument and catch the eastbound Circle or District line to Tower Hill, then it’s a 6-minute walk to the Tower of London.

Halloween at the London Dungeon

Photo credit: London Dungeon

What better time to visit London’s scariest attraction than at Halloween? The London Dungeon’s Halloween experience is extra frightening, with live actors and shows telling spooky tales from the city’s haunted past. Due to the nature of this attraction, it’s best for adults or older children.

Price: Tickets cost £43 for adults and £37 for children (ages 5-15). However, SWR Rewards customers can save 1/3 on tickets to the London Dungeon. Advance booking is essential, especially during Halloween.

How to get there: It’s a 10-minute walk from London Waterloo to the London Dungeon.

Hampton Court Palace Halloween event

From 25th October to 2nd November 2025, experience a spell-binding Halloween adventure at Henry VIII’s famously haunted Hampton Court Palace. Explore eerie outdoor trails like the Haunted Garden and Wilderness Trail, peek into the mysterious Wise Woman’s Hut, and brave the chilling Spider’s Lair in the shadowy wine cellar. Throughout the palace and gardens, magical projections and creepy sound effects add to the atmosphere while roaming ghosts, including the likes of Oliver Cromwell and Henry VIII, might be spotted by the brave. 

Price: Included in the general palace admission—adults £28, children (5–15) £14. Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. 

How to get there: From London Waterloo, take a South Western Railway train towards Hampton Court. The journey takes around 35–40 minutes via Surbiton. From Hampton Court station, it’s a 5-minute walk to the palace entrance. 

Ghost walks and tours

If you love history and horror, join one of the many ghost walks and tours in London this Halloween for a truly thrilling experience.

Jack the Ripper Tour

Retrace the footsteps of one of the UK’s most famous serial killers in this Jack the Ripper walking tour, which takes place on the very streets that he once prowled. Guided by published authors specialising in this notorious serial killer, this ghost walk will take you back to 1888 as you witness evidence from the very spots where Jack the Ripper took his victims’ lives.

Price: Tickets cost £15 per person, and advance booking is required. See the website for more booking information.

How to get there: Take the northbound Northern line from London Waterloo to Embankment, then change for the eastbound District line to Aldgate East. Meet your tour guides outside exit 1 of Aldgate East Underground Station.

Ghosts, Ghouls and Gallows: A haunted London walk

Looking for spooky evening activities this Halloween? Discover the dark history of London by night on this Ghosts, Ghouls and Gallows walking tour and river cruise. Learn about lesser-known legends and ghostly tales from your knowledgeable tour guide and see a different side of the city once darkness falls.

Price: Tickets cost £26.50 per person for this 2-hour experience.

How to get there: Hop on the northbound Jubilee line from London Waterloo to Green Park, then meet your guide by the Constance Fund statue of Diana outside the south exit of the tube station. Please note: the tour finishes in a different location, ner Tower Hill station.

The London Ghost Bus Tour: A night in London 

Step aboard the London Ghost Bus, the UK’s only comedy-horror theatre show on wheels. Board a beautifully restored 1960s Routemaster bus known as “The Necrobus” and embark on a hilarious yet spine-chilling journey through London’s haunted landmarks. Your talented actor guides will entertain you with creepy stories and wicked humour as you pass iconic sites like the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, and more. The tour includes stops for on-foot exploration of eerie hotspots, blending history, theatre, and thrills perfectly for a memorable Halloween outing. 

Price: Tickets start from £25 for adults and £17 for children (ages 5-15). Advance booking is recommended. 

How to get there: From London Waterloo, then walk about 15 minutes to 8 Northumberland Avenue, near Trafalgar Square and opposite the Sherlock Holmes Pub. 

Book your train tickets with SWR this Halloween

Halloween in London is the perfect time to explore spooky attractions, family-friendly activities and late-night adventures. Planning ahead is the best way to make the most of your celebrations, and travelling by train means you can enjoy a hassle-free journey into the city without worrying about traffic or parking. 

Book advance tickets to get the best prices on your journey and take advantage of our GroupSave offers when travelling with family and friends. You can also check your eligibility for Railcards and discounts to save even more. 

For extra flexibility, choose from our Sunday Out and Semi-Flex return tickets, making every family day out stress-free. If you travel regularly with children, consider a Family and Friends Railcard, which saves 1/3 off adult fares and 60% off child fares. Explore our range of cheap train tickets and benefit from off-peak pricing. 

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