Yes, trick-or-treating is a no brainer in terms of Halloween fun for kids. But there’s more to the second-most fun holiday of the year (after Christmas, of course) than trying to extract bucketfuls of sweets from your long-suffering neighbours.
Halloween typically coincides with the school half-term holidays (it does this year) and typically most major London attractions have a half term theme that will run for at least the length of the holidays, if not longer. meaning you and the family can really make the most of the city’s spooky, child-friendly events on either side of October 31.
While our half-term list does include some of the bigger Halloween events, much of what’s on it has no bearing on the spooky season – this one, however, is strictly haunted events only. From pumpkin picking to scary movies, there are loads of wicked things to do on and around October 31 2026. Happy Halloween!
RECOMMENDED: Our complete guide to Halloween in London for everyone.
What is it? This beloved long-running trick or treat trail sends young ones and their families on a quest through Covent Garden, starting at the hidden Phoenix Garden then proceding apace throughout the Piazza and the Seven Dials on a mission to learn some fun facts and bag some sweets. Unlimited soft drinks (hot and cold) plus crafting activities for youngsters are available in the Garden.
Where is it? Starts Phoenix Garden, Covent Garden.
What is it? Things are getting spooky on High Street Ken for Halloween. The west London thoroughfare will play host to a Halloween trail between October 24-31, complete with ghoulishly themed workshops, seasonal treats and scary surprises (all appropriately family-friendly, it is half-term after all). Then, on Halloween itself, Holland Park will transform into a theatrical playground of spooky characters, immersive installations and interactive games and live entertainment between 4pm and 7pm.
Where is it? High Street Kensington.
What is it? Following a successful debut in 2024, the producers of Kew Gardens’ beloved Christmas trail have seemingly made a fixture of their Halloween trail through the iconic botanical gardens. It’s a light trail, basically, but a souped up one: we’re promised eerie illuminated trees, ghoulish installations, fire performers and more, with a troupe of actors on hand to stoke up our horrors (in a family friendly way, of course).
Where is it? Kew Gardens.
What is it? Obviously you could just go down Tesco, but there’s no more whimsical way to grab your seasonal gourd than to head to an actual farm that grows them, of which there are several easily accessible from London. The closer you get to Halloween itself, the less likely you are to be able to literally pick your own because of blah blah ground frost. But there will be a thrilling selection of pre-picked pumpkins on sale, often combined with holiday activites.
Where is it? Various - click through fior details of Time Out-recommended London patches.
What is it? Strickly for ages 13-plus – but no doubt very exciting to the average teenager – this pungently named immersive horror experience has been terrifying the good people of Dublin since 2009, and now it lurches across the sea to London. The large scale independent production – with a cast of over 70 – will occupy Avery Hill Mansion in Greenwich and will offer two tales of horror and Halloween Town, a ‘living village’ to explore with presumably a slightly more chilled out vibe plus snacks.
Where is it? Avery Hill Park, Greenwich.
What is it? Are you brave enough to come face-to-face with a vengeful mummy? This year’s London Dungeon Halloween show runs from October 17 to November 1, and in it visitors will be transported into the spooky tale of the Curse of the Mummy. Based on a terrifying true story, guests will become immersed in 1880s London across three theatrical shows. Actors playing real historical figures, including the Victorian clairvoyant Madame Helena Blavatsky, will help guests uncover the chilling truth behind the tale – and find out why some tombs are best left undisturbed. As always, the age advice for the London Dungeon is 12-plus.
Where is it? London Dungeon.
What is it? The historic Conrad London St James hotel offers fun, unintimidating, customisable kids’ afternoon teas for a reasonable-for-central-London price of £29 a go. For half-term month (Oct 4-Nov 1) they’ve gone all out for a special Halloween ‘Wicked Treats’ theme, full details of which are coming soon.
Where is it? Conrad St James.
What is it? Warner Bros Studios’ blockbuster Harry Potter exhibition has undergone its traditional annual spooky makeover until Nov 8 as its Dark Arts theme returns. Most spectacularly, the Great Hall is filled with a hundred flickering, flying jack-o’-lanterns – aka Instagram heaven. New for 2026 is a special Dark Arts menu, plus a focus on the sound effects of the films. It is an enormously popular attraction and half-term week itself is sold out except the Sundays at time of writing, though there is availability earlier in the month.
Where is it? Warner Bros Studios.
What is it? It’s the perfect time of year to explore the grand, gloomy corridors and courtyards of Henry VIII’s haunted palace. As with last year, the focus has somewhat shifted from inside the palace to the Halloween trail in the grounds – now dubbed the Wilderness – but there will be plenty of mild peril inside and out, with various spectres wandering the halls, plus spooky storytelling sessions every 45 minutes
Where is it? Hampton Court Palace.
What is it? In recent years the Horniman has swerved Halloween per se in favour of the adjacent Day of the Dead/Dia de Muertos, the Mexican festival that commemorates those who have departed in gloriously vivid, carnivalesque fashion. The Family component of the festival will run 11am-4pm and feature live music and dance, face painting, Mexican food stalls, a Mexican market, and much much more. It’s a ticketed event you’re best booking in advance for.
Where is it? Horniman Museum.
What is it? A themed activity trail and miscellaneous spooky challenges are promised at the Sea Life centre this October and Halloween (and to be fair they’ll probably delivered as it‘s an long-established holiday event). Grab an activity sheet and complete the tasks as you make your way around the aquarium, learn about the tricks of the ‘scary not scary’ sea creatures who make up our seas and earn some Sea Life Halloween treats to take home with you.
Where is it? Sea Life Centre.
What is it? Between October 17 and November 1, the Paddington Bear Experience gets in on the Halloween action with a special seasonal makeover. Plus, for £15 extra, your little ones can go trick or treating in the immersive show's repilica Windsor Gasrdens: they’ll get a souvenir pumpkin sweet bucket, a selection of sweet treats throughout the experience and a pair of exclusive Paddington Bear ears.
Where is it? The Paddingtron Bear Expeerience, County Hall.
What is it? This Halloween (and indeed thoughout much of October), spooktacular activities await young revellers in the land of a million bricks (55 million to be precise). Special activites for 2026 include Lord Vampyre’s House Party, the Monster Jam music show, Trick or Treat stops, a disco taking over beloved rollercoaster The Dragon and more.
Where is it? Legoland Windsor Resort.
What is it? The history of the Tower of London goes back a whopping 900 years, which covers a hell of a lot of torture, prisoners and executions – most famously the beheading of Anne Boleyn. It‘s no surprise then that the landmark is notorious for ghostly sightings. Visit over October half term and follow a spooky trail around the ancient landmark and see if you can spot medieval queens, Roman soldiers, wizards and indeed ghost bear lurking about the place.
Where is it? Tower of London.
What is it? The Halloween edition of London premiere day rave for parents and kids aged 0 to 8 comes with the usual fun, including a multi-sensory dancefloor filled with foam, bubbles and giant balloons. DJs Louise + 1 & Hughesee will be dropping acid house, jungle and more in a two-hour live set that will reach a fun-filled climax with climax in a parachute dance: as to few club nights do. There’s also craft tables, facepainting, photography, a soft play area and – for tired mums and dads – a licensed bar.
Where is it? Night Tales, Hackney.
What is it? Chessington’s annual frightfest is back, filling the theme park with even more screams than usual. This year’s line-up of termporary terrors includes the return of Stone Watchers: Vampire’s Lair, in which hideous stone statues come to life if you try and enter the aforemention lair. You can also pay a £9 extra bolt on to gain entrance to the Enchanted Hollow, a whimsical kingdom of sweet little creatures who you can benignly trick or treat and get yourself a bounty of sweets in the process. Plus: general whimsical season vibes.
Where is it? Chessington World of Adventure.
You might be too old for trick-or-treating these days but trust us, there’s still a lot of fun to be had on and around Halloween
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