Choose park
Check in
Check out
Guests
Check in/out
Guests
Search
The 16 Best Halloween Events in the UK (2026)
Few seasons capture the imagination quite like Halloween, and the UK does spooky season properly. Whether you're after heart-stopping scare mazes, a gentle pumpkin patch with the kids, or a cosy half-term break, this guide rounds up the 16 best Halloween events in the UK for 2026 — checked and updated so you can plan with confidence.
Better still, you could experience a whole month of seasonal fun by joining us for 31 Days of Halloween at Away Resorts. Get the costumes ready — you're in for a (trick or) treat.
The best Halloween days out in the UK
From haunted dungeons to forest scare-fests, here are the events worth building a day — or a short break — around.
York Dungeon, Yorkshire
The York Dungeon blends history and horror in one of England's most haunted cities, bringing York's darkest characters and events to life through actors, special effects and immersive sets. The Halloween edition adds extra scares to the standard 75-minute experience. Recommended for ages 8 and up — the braver, the better.
Find out more
Thorpe Park Fright Night, Chertsey
Thorpe Park's Fright Nights, the UK's biggest and longest-running Halloween scare event, marks its 25th anniversary in 2026. Running on selected dates from 2 October to 1 November 2026 (park open 10am–9pm), expect award-winning scare mazes, sinister scare zones and live shows, plus the chance to ride the park's biggest coasters after dark.
Find out more
The Cauldron magical cocktail experience
A more sophisticated Halloween night out for adults. Don wizard robes, wield a working wand and brew your own bubbling, smoking cocktail or mocktail inspired by classic Halloween motifs. A fun, crafty alternative to a scare maze — ideal for couples or groups of friends.
Find out more
Alton Towers Scarefest
Alton Towers Resort's award-winning Scarefest runs on selected dates from 26 September to 1 November 2026, with the park open 10am–9pm throughout. Expect scare mazes in the Dark Forest and Forbidden Valley areas, themed scare zones, live entertainment and the chance to ride coasters like Wicker Man and Nemesis after dark. It's split by intensity, so families and hardcore horror fans can both build a day that suits them.
Find out more
Sloans Halloween Murder Mystery, Glasgow
Sloans Bar & Restaurant — one of Glasgow's oldest and most atmospheric venues — hosts a Halloween-themed murder mystery night. Guests enjoy a three-course meal while gathering clues, interrogating actor-suspects and working together to solve the crime. A great option for groups wanting interactive fun over straightforward scares.
Find out more
Newsham Scream Park
For an intense, immersive night out, Newsham Scream Park transforms part of Newsham Park into multiple scare zones and walkthrough mazes, complete with live actors and special effects. Given the intensity, it's best suited to older teens and adults.
Find out more
Halloween at Bodmin Jail, Cornwall
This 18th-century former prison already has a reputation for paranormal activity — Halloween cranks that up further with after-dark ghost tours, paranormal investigations and immersive horror experiences set among its genuinely unsettling history.
Find out moreThe best Halloween events for kids
Scare mazes aren't for everyone. Here's our pick of family-friendly Halloween events for 2026.
Pumpkin Festival at Tapnell Farm
Throughout October, Tapnell Farm hosts a pick-your-own pumpkin patch alongside carving stations, hay bale mazes, tractor rides and themed play areas. The farm's regular attractions — animal encounters and indoor play — stay open too, making it an easy full-day visit.
Find out more
PYO Pumpkins at Doddington Hall
Set against the backdrop of an Elizabethan manor house, Doddington Hall's pick-your-own pumpkin patch is a picture-perfect, low-key alternative to the big scare parks. Pull on the wellies, wander the pumpkin field, and look out for autumn crafts and Halloween trails.
Find out more
Halloweden at the Eden Project
Running over the October half-term, Halloweden sees the Eden Project's iconic biomes decked out for the season, with pumpkin carving workshops, spooky storytelling and Halloween crafts. Costumes are encouraged, and there's an ice rink for younger visitors to enjoy alongside the minibeast trails.
Find out more
Elsham Hall Halloween Animal Encounter
Elsham Hall puts a spooky spin on its animal encounters around Halloween — think nocturnal creatures, bats, owls and themed feeding sessions — alongside pumpkin carving, crafts and spooky garden trails. A strong pick for animal-loving families.
Find out more
LEGOLAND Windsor – Brick or Treat
LEGOLAND's Halloween takeover brings pumpkin patches, spooky scavenger hunts and monster-themed fun built entirely from LEGO, aimed squarely at younger children who want the Halloween spirit without the scares.
Find out more
Half Term Autumn Fun at Lulworth
Set in Lulworth's coastal castle grounds, this half-term event combines Halloween trails (look out for pumpkins and "funny bones" hidden around the grounds) with traditional lawn games, castle climbing and a woodland playground. Braver older visitors can take on the Zombie Barn.
Find out more
Zip World Fforest's Ffear Fforest Event
Zip World Fforest in North Wales transforms into 'Ffear Fforest' during Halloween for the ultimate scare-fest, only suitable for older children and teenagers who enjoy a bit of adrenaline with their Halloween celebrations.
Find out more
Blenheim Palace Halloween Festival
A glowing pumpkin trail winds through the grounds of this World Heritage Site, paired with storytelling and hands-on activities for families. It typically runs from late October into early November — a great option for combining Halloween fun with a grand day out.
Find out more
31 Days of Halloween at Away Resorts
With so many Halloween events across the UK, why not make a whole month of it? Join us at Away Resorts for 31 Days of Halloween, a season-long programme of spooky activities suitable for the entire family.
Find out more31 Days of Halloween activities
- Trick or Treat Trail — grab a trick-or-treat bag and costume for a Halloween quest around the park.
- The Halloween JamBOOree — a night of games, music and fun with the Boo Crew, including a Haunted House Party, Pumpkin & Fancy-Dress Parade, Spookiest Table competition, Zombie Party Bingo and a Deadly Disco.
- Outdoor cinema — blankets, snacks and a seasonal film under the autumn sky.
- Ghoul School — creative costume and role-play fun for little monsters.
- Hocus-Pocus Pottery Painting — design your own Halloween decorations.
- Potions and Spells — younger guests create their own enchanting potions, guided by our team.
Halloween events in the UK: FAQs
What is the best Halloween event in the UK? It depends on your group. For thrill-seekers, a theme park scare-fest like Thorpe Park's Fright Nights or Alton Towers Scarefest is hard to beat. For families with younger children, pumpkin patches, trails and craft-based events offer a gentler, equally memorable way to celebrate the season.
What does Halloween celebrate? Halloween traces back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when it was believed the souls of the dead returned home. People dressed in costume, decorated their homes and lit bonfires to ward off spirits. The name itself comes from "All Hallows' Eve," the evening before All Saints' Day, and the festival also marks the start of the darker half of the year and the end of the harvest.
Where is the best place in the UK for Halloween? There's no single answer — it comes down to what kind of Halloween you're after. Historic cities like York offer atmospheric, history-led scares; theme parks like Thorpe Park and Alton Towers deliver big, immersive scare events; and country estates like Doddington Hall and Blenheim Palace offer a softer, family-friendly take.
What is the biggest Halloween town in the UK? Derry, in Northern Ireland, hosts Europe's largest Halloween festival, the Walled City of Derry Halloween Festival. Over several nights, the city centre fills with music, illuminations, aerial performances and pyrotechnics. If that's too far to travel, historic cities such as York and Edinburgh offer plenty of spooky atmosphere closer to home.
Experience the best Halloween events in the UK this autumn
With this many brilliant Halloween events in the UK to choose from, your spookiest season yet is within easy reach. Join us for 31 Days of Halloween and enjoy seasonal fun, family-friendly events and that unmistakable autumn atmosphere, all on-site.
Don't be scared — book your spooky break at Away Resorts now.
Where is the best place in the UK for Halloween?
The best place in the UK for Halloween events is down to your personal preference. You could visit castles like Warwick Castle for your chance to go on a spooky paranormal investigation, or you could join a Halloween party at Away Resorts. Whether you want to dress up, decorate your house or test your fear, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Halloween.
What is the biggest Halloween town?
Considered the home of Halloween, Derry hosts Europe’s largest Halloween festival in the Walled City of Derry.
The festival opens on the streets for four nights, during which time you can enjoy music, illumination, aerial performances, and pyrotechnics.
But if Northern Ireland is too far to travel for Halloween events in the UK, you could visit historical cities like Lincolnshire or Edinburgh, with plenty of spooky attractions up and down the UK to get you in the spirit of the season.
Experience the best Halloween events in the UK this autumn
The best Halloween events in the UK are right at your fingertips. Join us for 31 Days of Halloween and experience the best of the season with local attractions and on-site events to sink your teeth into.
Don’t be scared, book your spooky break at Away Resorts now!
Similar articles
Kate Watts
Kate has been part of Away Resorts for many years, beginning her journey as a Holiday Home Advisor at Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park. She’s passionate about sharing authentic experiences that show what makes Away Resorts so special, whether that’s alpaca walks, surfing on the FlowRider, or simply enjoying time together in beautiful locations. Outside of work, Kate loves spending time by the coast and countryside. Her favourite spots include the beaches at St Ives Bay, wandering around Padstow, and exploring the stunning New Forest countryside around Sandy Balls Holiday Village.
Follow Kate Watts for thoughtful takes, fresh ideas, and inspiring reads.