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The top 15 Halloween activities to enjoy in 2026
Halloween is one of the best excuses in the calendar to get the whole family together, get creative, and lean into the spooky season. From pumpkin carving to dressing up in your best Halloween costume, there's something for everyone — whether you're planning Halloween activities for kids, a scare-fest for the adults, or a bit of both.
Below, we've rounded up 15 of the best Halloween activities in the UK, plus a look at what's on at Away Resorts' own 31 Days of Halloween.
Go trick-or-treating
Trick-or-treating is first on our list, and it's arguably the most iconic Halloween activity of all. It's a beloved tradition, especially among children — dressing up in costumes and going door-to-door saying "trick or treat!" for sweets and treats from neighbours.
While it's primarily thought of as a Halloween activity for kids, plenty of adults enjoy accompanying children or younger siblings. Some neighbourhoods organise community-wide trick-or-treating events to keep things safe and sociable.
If you're staying at a holiday park, check whether there's an organised trick-or-treat trail within the park or nearby community — many resorts run their own version as part of half-term festivities.
Telling ghost stories
Telling ghost stories is a timeless Halloween activity that suits all ages. Stories can range from child-friendly to properly terrifying, and sessions work well around a campfire, at a sleepover, or as part of a Halloween party. If you're away for October half term, a ghost story night is an easy, cosy evening activity to organise in your holiday accommodation.
Scary movie night
A scary movie night is a Halloween classic — ideal for groups of friends, couples, or families with older children. It's a low-effort way to get into the Halloween spirit without leaving the sofa (or your holiday accommodation). Dim the lights, get the popcorn in, and pick a film that suits your group's scare tolerance.
Learn about the history of Halloween
Digging into the history of the spooky season makes for a surprisingly fascinating — and genuinely educational — Halloween activity for kids and adults alike. The holiday has rich, layered origins spanning ancient Celtic traditions, Christian observances, and modern pop culture.
If you're staying at a holiday park, it's also worth checking for themed tours or local exhibits tied to autumn and Halloween traditions in the area.
Pumpkin picking
Pumpkin picking has become one of the UK's most popular autumn activities in recent years. It's a great warm-up to Halloween proper — many farms across the country now run pumpkin patch experiences where you pick your own straight from the field, often alongside hay rides, corn mazes, or seasonal food stalls. For inspiration, see our guide to the best pumpkin patches in the UK.
Pumpkin carving
Once you've chosen your pumpkin, it's time to turn it into a proper jack-o'-lantern. Pumpkin carving is the quintessential Halloween activity — creative, hands-on, and fun for pretty much any age.
You'll need a sharp knife (adults only for this bit), a spoon for scooping, and ideally some proper pumpkin carving tools. Cut a lid around the stem (or a small hole in the back), hollow it out, sketch your design, then carve carefully.
Beginners and younger carvers should stick to simple jack-o'-lantern faces; more confident carvers can attempt intricate or even 3D designs. And don't bin the seeds — roasted pumpkin seeds are a genuinely good snack.
Away Resorts runs pumpkin carving sessions for all ages as part of 31 Days of Halloween — one less thing to plan if you're staying with us this October.
Pumpkin painting
If carving isn't your thing but you still want to decorate your pumpkin, painting is a great (and considerably less messy) alternative. Clean the outside of your pumpkin, gather your paints — acrylics work best — and go as simple or as elaborate as you like with glitter, stickers or other embellishments.
Ideas range from classic ghosts and witches to abstract patterns, and it's a genuinely good activity for mixed-age groups on a Halloween break. If your resort doesn't run an official pumpkin painting session, it's easy to set up yourself in your accommodation — just protect surfaces and clothes from spills first.
Scavenger hunt
A Halloween-themed scavenger hunt combines problem-solving with the thrill of the chase, and it's particularly popular with children but easily adapted for adults too. Put together a list of Halloween-related items to find — a plastic spider, a small pumpkin, a black cat ornament — or, for an extra challenge, swap the list for riddles and clues. Don't forget a prize for the winner.
Enjoy an autumn picnic
An autumn picnic is a lovely way to mark the Halloween season while making the most of the season's colours. Pack a basket with seasonal food — pumpkin pie, apple cider, Halloween-themed sandwiches — bring blankets and an extra layer, and pick a scenic spot: a park with turning leaves, or even a pumpkin patch. Most holiday parks sit in beautiful landscapes, so you likely won't need to travel far.
Halloween parties
A Halloween party is one of the best ways to celebrate with friends and family, and can be scaled to any age group — from a small get-together to a full-blown bash. Away Resorts runs Halloween parties and events day and night across selected parks throughout October.
Find out more
Halloween fashion show
Costumes are central to Halloween, so a Halloween fashion show is a fun way to properly showcase them, whatever your age.
To set one up:
- Set up a "runway" — a cleared space indoors or an outdoor path both work.
- Get everyone into their best costumes.
- Create judging categories — "Scariest", "Most Creative", "Best Group Costume".
- Put some music on to accompany the show.
- Have small prizes ready for each category.
For children, it's a gentler alternative to trick-or-treating that still lets them dress up. For adults, it's a chance to get creative — and a little competitive.
Decorate your home
Decorating your home or holiday accommodation is a fun group activity that instantly creates a festive atmosphere, and it's easy to get the whole family involved. Use your carved pumpkins as a starting point, hang fake spiders and cobwebs, add a fog machine at the entrance, or go simple with orange and black streamers and balloons. A spooky tablescape, hanging ghost decorations and some atmospheric music round things off nicely.
Baking treats
Baking Halloween-themed treats is a genuinely delicious way to mark the holiday, whether you're at home or on an October getaway — and it works for all ages.
Popular ideas include:
- Decorated cookies shaped like pumpkins, ghosts or bats
- Cupcakes with Halloween-themed icing
- Pumpkin pie or pumpkin bread (bonus points for using seeds saved from carving)
- Caramel or candy apples
Apple bobbing
Apple bobbing is a Halloween game that's been around for generations: catch floating apples using only your teeth, no hands allowed.
To set it up:
- Fill a large tub or bucket with water.
- Add several apples — they'll float.
- Take turns trying to grab one with your teeth.
- Set a time limit per turn to keep things moving.
It's traditionally seen as a kids' game, but it's genuinely fun for all ages. For a less messy (and less wet) twist, try "hanging apple bobbing" — apples strung up rather than floating.
Spooky arts and crafts
If you're still after more ideas, Halloween-themed arts and crafts are always a solid option. They're particularly popular with families with children, but craft enthusiasts of any age will enjoy them too. Away Resorts runs plenty of arts and crafts sessions as part of 31 Days of Halloween if you'd rather leave the prep to us.
Exclusive Halloween activities at Away Resorts
Beyond the classics above, Away Resorts runs a full 31 Days of Halloween programme across selected parks throughout October — so if you're planning a Halloween break or October half term getaway, there's plenty you won't find anywhere else:
- Meet the Boo Crew — our mischievous Halloween characters run activities throughout the month. Kids can become Boo Crew trainees, earn badges, and graduate with their own "licence to scare."
- Halloween Jam-BOO-ree — show off carved pumpkins and fancy dress at this signature celebration hosted by the Boo Crew.
- Forest of Light Halloween — an after-dark trail through thousands of twinkling lights and spooky effects (at selected parks).
- High ropes courses, aqua orbs and axe throwing — for families wanting something more active alongside the traditional Halloween activities, several parks run high ropes challenges, giant walk-on-water aqua orbs, and axe throwing for a bit of friendly competition.
- Halloween House Party — an evening of spooky music and family-friendly frights.
Availability varies by park and date — see the full 31 Days of Halloween programme for what's on where.
The best Halloween activities — FAQs
What are the most popular Halloween activities? Many of the best Halloween activities are covered above, but the most popular tend to be trick-or-treating, costume parties, pumpkin carving, watching scary movies, visiting haunted houses or attractions, decorating homes and yards, and baking Halloween-themed treats. These appeal to different age groups and adapt easily to different group sizes.
What do you do on Halloween? Most people dress up in costumes and take part in trick-or-treating or Halloween parties. Other popular options include pumpkin carving, decorating your home, and a scary movie night. There's plenty going on at Away Resorts throughout Halloween too, alongside Halloween-themed attractions and events in the local area.
What are some good Halloween games for kids? Popular options include pumpkin bowling (small pumpkins and toilet-roll "pins"), a Halloween scavenger hunt, a mummy wrap race using toilet paper, pin the face on the pumpkin, Halloween bingo, witch hat ring toss, spooky sensory boxes, Halloween freeze dance, and decorating small pumpkins.
What is one of the most popular Halloween traditions in the UK? UK Halloween celebrations have traditionally been lower-key than in the US, but trick-or-treating is still the most widely adopted tradition — children dressing up and going door-to-door for sweets. Pumpkin carving, Halloween parties and ghost tours are also popular, and how big a deal Halloween is can vary by region, so it's worth picking your staycation with that in mind.
What is a typical Halloween party game? Apple bobbing is the classic — catching floating apples in a tub of water using only your mouth. Other popular party games include Halloween-themed charades, mummy wrapping contests, costume contests and scavenger hunts.
Enjoy unforgettable spookiness this Halloween
Whatever you're after — carving pumpkins in your self-catering accommodation, joining our arts and crafts sessions, or heading to a Halloween party — there's something for everyone this Halloween at Away Resorts. Explore our 31 Days of Halloween programme or browse our latest Halloween breaks to start planning.
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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.
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