Halloween in London for kids: wicked activities for families

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.