Halloween in London 2026: frighteningly good things to do

Every Halloween, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour receives a mysterious makeover thanks to Dark Arts, an unforgettable seasonal event. You'll spot floating pumpkins in the Great Hall, death eaters in the Forbidden Forest and bloodcurdling projections of Lord Voldemort and other sinister characters throughout the tour. The Dark Arts experience is included with general ticket entry to Harry Potter Studios, allowing you to explore the famous film sets while soaking up the spooky spirit.

Best for: Harry Potter fans looking for a seasonal studio tour
Good to know: If you get peckish, you'll find Halloween-themed treats on offer at Dragon Roasted Café, Frog Cafe, Backlot Cafe and the Food Hall.

Delve into the darkest chapters of London's past as you visit some of the most formidable attractions in the capital. Over at the Tower of London, you can step into the Haunted Forge, listen to ghost stories recounted by live actors, or join Ghost Tour led by a famous Yeoman Warder. Meanwhile, the London Dungeon is set to play host to an immersive event exploring the "Curse of the Mummy" during the Victorian era, and Clink Prison Museum invites visitors to participate in terrifying ghost hunting tours.

Best for: An action-packed day out at London's most famous sights
Good to know: If you're not sure how to build your perfect itinerary, we recommend The London Pass – a digital sightseeing credits package that gives you access to more than 100 attractions.

Fright Night is undoubtably one of London's most popular Halloween experiences – but it isn't for the fainthearted. To mark 25 years since the iconic event first opened at Thorpe Park, prepare to be plunged into total darkness in Tenement, a fully immersive scare maze complete with terrifying illusions, sensational special effects and actors tracking you around every corner. Once you make it out of the maze, you'll find plenty more spine-chilling attractions in the theme park, including petrifying activity zones, dizzying rollercoasters and numerous live performances.

Best for: Anyone looking for a hair-raising, fully immersive Halloween experience
Good to know: Tenement isn't the only scare maze on offer at Thorpe Park; an additional four mazes will be open during Fright Nights, too.

Enjoy a movie with a view at art'otel London Battersea Power Station this spooky season. Head to the rooftop to watch Edward Scissorhands on 29 October, Ghostbusters on 30 October or The Rocky Horror Picture Show on 31 October, with film admission, homemade popcorn and dinner at JOIA restaurant included with every ticket. Just make sure to claim your spot before this beloved pop-up sells out. 

Best for: Couples, friends and anyone craving a luxurious film night
Good to know: Some dates may include dinner at TOZI Pizzeria and Cicchetti Bar rather than JOIA; this will be specified in your ticket. 

Combine sightseeing with scary stories on a Ghastly Ghost Tour. Uncover the spooky secrets of world-famous landmarks including St Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London, and learn about the chilling crimes and dreadful deeds committed at some of the most historic sites in the capital. Your expert guide will lead you on a carefully crafted route through the city, sharing gruesome facts and anecdotes along the way.

Best for: A blend of sightseeing and eerie history
Good to know: The Ghastly Ghost Tour runs in all weather conditions, so make sure to check the forecast and dress appropriately.

Book your spot on one of the Postal Museum's new Tunnel Walks and embark on a walking tour with a shocking twist. Get ready to head underground and traverse London's shadowy Mail Rail network, exploring disused platforms, abandoned tunnels and even a "graveyard" full of decommissioned trains which were once relied upon to deliver important letters. With a museum expert as your guide, you'll step back in time on an eerie 1.2-kilometre trail to uncover some of the biggest secrets from throughout the postal network's 100-year history.

Best for: History buffs and anyone eager to see a different side of London
Good to know: Although they're an ideal Halloween activity, Tunnel Walks are currently bookable until 22 December 2026. Plus, every ticket to the Postal Museum includes one ride on the Mail Rail train, so you can still check out the iconic underground route without booking a specific tour.

Got a sweet tooth? Step aboard a Halloween afternoon tea bus and enjoy incredible views of London's most famous landmarks while you tuck into an afternoon tea menu with a twist. Expect Halloween-themed cupcakes, pastries and sandwiches – plus a glass of Prosecco – and a suitably spooky soundtrack of Halloween songs. Don't forget to snap plenty of photos as you cruise through the city.

Best for: Eager foodies looking to embrace the spooky season
Good to know: Every ticket includes a full afternoon tea menu, a glass of prosecco or soft drink and a souvenir cup to take home with you.

This Halloween, head to London Transport Museum and claim your spot at a silent disco. With the museum's sprawling galleries as your dancefloor, you can party to a soundtrack of eighties, nineties and noughties tunes, and enjoy Halloween-themed cocktails.

Best for: A nostalgic night out at a unique location
Good to know: Tickets to this one-off event are likely to sell out, so book while you can.

Follow in the footsteps of an infamous murderer on a Jack the Ripper walking tour. Make your way from Whitechapel to Spitalfields as your guide lifts the lid on one of the world's biggest unsolved mysteries, sharing the secrets behind notorious locations at which murders took place. Venture through Mitre Square, walk down Brick Lane and visit the Ten Bells Pub, gathering clues, theories and grisly facts along the way.

Best for: Keen detectives, true crime fans and anyone in the mood for some grisly sightseeing
Good to know: Once your tour is complete, you can expand your knowledge of this notorious criminal by visiting the Jack the Ripper Museum.

If you're in the mood for a round of bingo, drop by Hijingo this Halloween and you'll find yourself face-to-face with some famous horror movie characters. Book your ticket to Hijingo: The Final Cut and prepare for a terrifying game night complete with live performers, sinister surprises and plenty of jump-scares.

Best for: A horror-fuelled group activity 
Good to know: While not compulsory, fancy dress is highly encouraged.

Take your seat on a vintage 1960s Routemaster bus and prepare for a Halloween journey like no other on a Ghost Bus Tour. Look out for famous landmarks including Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London as a cast of on-board actors uses theatrical tricks and special effects to perform a comedy-horror show on wheels. We love that this tour combines a classic sightseeing route with plenty of live-action fun – and during the Halloween period, you can expect seasonal commentary and dazzling surprises to ramp up the atmosphere.

Best for: Keen adventurers with a passion for theatre and comedy
Good to know: While you'll remain onboard the bus for the majority of the experience, you'll also have the chance to hop off and take a guided walk to a graveyard for more spooky storytelling.

Step inside the Museum of Illusions this month and you'll be greeted by The Weird Wonders – a collection of Halloween-inspired immersive experiences. Take a seat on the Bone Throne, creep through the Echo Cave and examine the mind-bending Web of Faces before you tackle the Illusion Quest, a spooky treasure hunt with clues hidden throughout the museum's exhibits. Once your adventure is complete, don't forget to swing by the gift shop to collect your prize: every child visiting the museum in October will receive a complimentary brain puzzle and a sweet treat.

Best for: An action-packed family day out
Good to know: Tickets can be purchased at the door, but it is advisable to book in advance to guarantee entry at your chosen time.

While Hobbledown Heath would make an ideal addition to your London itinerary at any time of year, it's particularly perfect in the autumn. Not only can you explore the indoor playground, tackle the adventure park and admire exotic animals in the zoo, but you can also pick out your very own Halloween decorations from the pumpkin patch. Visit after dark and you can even toast marshmallows, jump on fairground rides and marvel at live performers, too.

Best for: A family outing with plenty of different activities to choose from
Good to know: Ticket options include day entry to the pumpkin patch only; combined entry to the pumpkin patch and the adventure park; and evening entry to the pumpkin patch, which gives you access to exclusive events including live music, fire performers, stilt walkers and more.

Hidden among the thousands of artefacts in the Science Museum are some particularly spooky objects. This Halloween, follow a spine-tingling trail through the galleries and uncover a host of curiosities, from a mysterious merman to a lucky black cat. And when your quest is complete, don't forget to pay a visit to Wonderlab, the museum's incredible interactive gallery.

Best for: Young children eager for a hands-on experience with a Halloween twist
Good to know: While museum entry is free, you'll need to book in advance; the Halloween trail is included with every ticket, but Wonderlab is a paid attraction that must be purchased separately.

Swing through the trees while hunting for clues during this limited-edition experience at Go Ape Battersea Park and Go Ape Alexandra Palace. Among the rope crossings and zip wires, kids can find hidden potion ingredients to help them solve a thrilling puzzle – and collect a magical prize. Whether you're looking for an October half-term activity or a classic outdoor adventure, you can guarantee plenty of fun for the whole family.

Best for: An adrenaline-fuelled activity with a spooky undertone
Good to know: The Halloween Potion Hunt is a £5 addition to the Treetop Adventure (from £20.95) and Treetop Adventure Plus (from £29.95).

Watch in awe as the infamous story of Paranormal Activity comes to life on stage at the Ambassadors Theatre. Film fans will be transfixed by the new production, which makes use of spectacular sets, eerie special effects and a powerful musical score to create a theatrical experience that's guaranteed to leave you reeling. While the show is running until February 2027, now is the time to book your tickets and embrace the Halloween spirit.

Best for: Film fans looking for a live-action adaptation of a classic horror movie
Good to know: While the West End show takes inspiration from the original film, it isn't a remake – so prepare for a few twists and turns that you may not expect.

Wicked has been captivating audiences on London's West End for 20 years, and as Halloween approaches, there's no better time to see this incredible show. Prepare to be transported to the Land of Oz as you follow Elphaba's transformation from a young student to the formidable Wicked Witch of the West. Featuring spellbinding special effects and a rousing musical score, this is a Halloween treat for the whole family to enjoy.

Best for: Musical theatre fans and anyone in the mood for a show with a touch of Halloween drama 
Good to know: Since the stage is slightly elevated, front stall tickets may not be the best option for families with young children.

Immerse yourself in a world of witchcraft and wizardry at the Palace Theatre, where you can catch the new one-part format of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Discover the next chapter of the story that enthralled audiences around the world as Harry, Hermione and Ron reunite in adulthood to face another adventure – and battle some familiar enemies.

Best for: Families and avid Harry Potter fans
Good to know: While Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was previously split into a matinee and an evening performance, it is now running as a one-part production that lasts for approximately two hours and 55 minutes (including an interval).

Fancy spending Halloween in the midst of a murder plot? Head to the West End and watch Agatha Christie's classic crime novels come to life. Catch a performance of Witness for the Prosecution and dive into an immersive murder trial, or nab tickets to The Mousetrap and plunge into a world of secrecy and suspicion when a guest at a remote countryside hotel ends up dead.

Best for: Fans of classic crime stories and dramatic live theatre
Good to know: Witness for the Prosecution is currently playing at London County Hall on the Southbank, while The Mousetrap is playing at St Martin's Theatre in Seven Dials.