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Spooky season has landed. With Halloween falling on Friday, October 31, it’s time to dust off that tube of fake blood, line up your favourite horror films, fill a tub up with treats and prepare for some spine-tingling encounters.
Soon, London will erupt with dozens of fright-filled parties, nightmare-inducing movie screenings and ghoulishly good events. For lots of them, you’ll have to cough up some cash, but if you’ve blown all your money on making sure you have an outstanding costume, there are still plenty of free haunting events that’ll have your hair on end all weekend.
Whether you’ve got kids to keep entertained, or you’re looking for a fun alternative to generic fancy dress parties, here’s our roundup of the best free Halloween events happening in London this year.
The 10 best free Halloween events in London 2025
1. Put your pumpkin carving skills to the test at Big Penny Social
Head to Walthamstow’s Big Penny Social to cut up your squash, hand it to the bar team and bag yourself a free pint of Big Penny Beer. If you’re knife-wielding talents are especially good, you may also be in with a chance of winning a £100 bar tab.
Big Penny Social, E17 6AL. Thu Oct 30, 6pm-10pm. Booking advised.
2. Watch a mystery cult classic at Deptford Library’s Halloween Screening
The only details that have been revealed about this event is that there’ll be a cult classic comedy-horror projected onto the big screen at Deptford Lounge, and that it’s a ’90s gentrification satire from a legendary horror director not currently available on streaming. Can’t work it out? Look for clues on Lewisham libraries’ social media. Oh, and there’ll be free popcorn.
Deptford Lounge, SE8 4RJ. Thu Oct 30, 6.45pm. Book here.
3. Pick up macabre paraphernalia at the Halloween Alt Market
Walthamstow’s Signature Brew taproom will be filled with more than 30 gothic stalls for this Halloween-themed market. Expect macarbe fashion, art, jewellery, home decor and more, as well as a soundtrack of non-stop pop punk and emo, ghoulish treats, a tooth gem stand and beers on tap to get you in the mood for Halloween.
Signature Brew, E17 5QJ. Sun Oct 26, 1pm-6pm. Book here.
4. Creep around the Playful Park of Peculiar
The Playful Park of Peculiar will see the normally prim and proper Holland Park fill up with monochrome characters, eerie installations and quirky entertainment. Bring little ones along to cast spells, spin trick-or-treat games, and join a skeleton parade featuring a nine-foot-high dancing skeleton and mariachi band. Visitors are also encouraged to bring their dogs and dress them up for the parade.
Holland Park, W8 6LU. Fri Oct 31, 4pm-7pm. Book here.
5. Invite good spirits at Cody Dock
A big blazing fire, a costume competition, pumpkin carving, a monster disco, fortune telling – this Halloween shindig has it all. Cody Dock’s spook-filled event will also have live music installations, crafts and games. It’ll culminate in a pagan-sounding fire ceremony, where visitors can burn dedications and wishes to strengthen their spirits as we enter the colder months.
Cody Dock, E16 4TL. Fri Oct 31, 6pm-8.30pm. Book here.
6. Stop by The Sidings for a Halloween makeover
Haven’t organised your kids’ Halloween get up yet? The Sidings in Waterloo has you covered. At absolutely no cost at all, your little ones can design their very own trick or treat bag or 3D wooden bat to take home, get their face painted as their favourite creepy character and will receive a complimentary hat to complete their look. Voila! They’re ready to go forth and trick or treat. Warning: they’ll be able to chomp on free sweets, too.
Waterloo Station, SE1 7BH. Fri Oct 31, 11am-3pm. Drop in.
7. Buckle up for a night of horror at Peckham Levels
The night before Halloween proper, get down to Peckham Levels for three terrifying, spine-chilling, shocking hours of short films, brought to you by production company Three Shades Creative. Calm your nerves with a couple of drinks before the lights go down at 7pm.
95a Rye Lane, SE15 4ST. Thu Oct 30, 6pm. Book here.
8. Go on a date with a ghost at ‘Read and Buried’ with 19 Crimes
Few things are scarier than dating apps. So what have you got to lose? If you’ve had it with the living, get involved in a séance at The Charterhouse and try your luck with ghosts instead. Wine brand 19 Crimes has teamed up with psychic to the stars Sam O’Brien to link up singles with spirits. Throughout the evening, you’ll also get to try 19 Crimes limited-edition Halloween wine.
The Charterhouse, EC1M 6AN. Thu Oct 30, 6pm-9pm. Book here.
9. Combine Halloween and Day of the Dead at the British Museum
The British Museum is hosting five days of haunting storytelling and creepy crafts. On the Monday, artist Emily Hopkins is leading a session inspired by the traditional fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm and on Wednesday, kids are invited to make Halloween headpieces with artist educator Usva Inei. The family festival also incorporates Day of the Dead with a day exploring the history of fantastical skeletons and another day with performances from the all-female mariachi band Mariachi Las Adelitas.
British Museum, WC1B 3DG. Mon Oct 27-Fri Oct 31, various times. Booking advised.
10. Get scared silly on a ghost tour of Tooting
There are plenty of horrifying ghost walks going in in central London throughout the year, but for a one-off nights of scares, head southwest to dive into Tooting’s surprisingly dark and gruesome past. Led by local Geoff Simmons, the tour promises hair-raising tales about despicable Mr Drouet, the Acid Bath Murderer, the haunting of the Granada Bingo Hall, The Knifeman of St George's Hospital, the Misery Line Maniac, the 'blood diamonds' of Salvador Alley and the ‘dastardly plot’ hatched by The Icing Sugar Seven.
Tooting Broadway Underground station, SW17 0SU. Fri Oct 31, 6.30pm-8.30pm. Book here.
After more wallet-friendly fun? Check out our guide to Free London
And find more way to entertain little ones with our roundup of things to do over the October half-term
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