The Best Halloween Events In London For Ghost Stories, Films And Scares

London Month Of The Dead’s annual programme returns this spooky season to get you in the mood for Halloween with some chilling – and fascinating – events. Ramp up to the big day throughout October with ghostly tours and talks that will take you inside cemeteries and other eerie locations across the city, from Brompton Cemetery to along the Thames. Each event delves into a different topic related to death and the afterlife, whether that’s the scientific side of things (‘Dissection And Dissipation – Life as a medical student in Victorian London’ and ‘The Golden Age Of Death – The dawn of modern forensic science’) or the scarier side (‘A Warehouse Of Homicide – The Metropolitan Police Crime Museum’ and ‘Buried Alive – The horror of premature internment’). These events are frighteningly popular, so book your ticket now. 

For students, Halloween is an exercise in creativity – just how impressive and spooky a costume can you make on your limited loan funds? Once you’ve made something suitably scary (or given up defeated), Scala’s Nightmare In Kings Cross will welcome you with open arms for a big Halloween rave up. Over two rooms that will be blasting hip-hop, R&B, drill, trap, house, commercial and deep house, the party will bring tricks (confetti showers) and treats (candy floss, a tuck shop, hours of fun).

Spend your October in the dark – the dark theatres of Prince Charles Cinema, that is. In the run-up to Halloween, the beloved cinema is hosting ‘Gynophobia Season’, showcasing films that explore representations of monstrous women in horror. Before each movie – ‘Twins Of Evil’, ‘The House That Screamed’ and ‘Sisters’ – you’ll get an introduction to the film that will make you think about the social attitudes within each, and question how they reflect and challenge the culture and society of their time.

You'll need to book well ahead for Halloween at the London Dungeon – but then they do always put on a simply frightful show. This year, expect to be haunted by the ancient and sinister force which has been awakened. The Exorcism of Peter Moore will send a shiver down your spine with the chilling whispers of his lost soul — it will take some courage to bear this unsettling show. 

For all the information on what's happening at the London Dungeon this Halloween, check out their website here. 

It’s the perfect time of year to explore the Henry VIII’s haunted palace. Over October half term the grand, gloomy corridors and courtyards of Hampton Court Palace will be filled with atmospheric projections and creepy sound effects. Tiptoe through the grand pile and learn about the infamous ghosts said to roam the grand rooms. Look out for witches and alchemists dotted all over the palace, visit to the ‘Gallery of the Damned’ to see eerie portraits come to life, or stop by the ‘Council Chamber’ to take part in a séance. Feeling brave? Head outside to the Haunted Garden to spot carved pumpkins and listen to spooky stories. 

Forget the daytime events at London Bridge Experience if you want the biggest scare of all. Instead, head to the venue after dark and brace yourself to come face-to-face with some of horror’s most infamous – and frightening – characters. The ‘Dreadflix’ event series promises a ‘high-intensity evening scare show’, so it’s definitely not for the faint-hearted. You have been warned.

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 teh ancient landmark and see if you can spot medieval queens, Roman soldiers and wizards lurking about the place. Keep track of the ghosts you see along the way and drop by the ruined garden in the shadow of the White Tower where you’ll see the decaying walls and barred windows of a lost palace. 

If you're looking for an eerie thrill this Halloween season, join the seriously spooky historic storytellers at Eltham Palace in Greenwich. After dark, you can follow their journey through the ghostly halls, and hear tales of ghouls, supernatural sightings and horrors from throughtout history. The tales will be told over the weekend before Halloween and the big day itself (open to those over the age of 16), with entry at 6pm, 7.15pm, 8.30pm and 9.45pm each evening, so make sure you book your place!

If you're after a spooky screening to feel completely immersed in the spirit of Halloween, the Eventim Apollo have got you covered. The Grade II listed cinema will be hosting two screenings with live bands on Halloween Sunday: Hocus Pocus and Twilight.

You might have seen them a thousand times, or you might be relatively unfamiliar with these Halloween classics. One thing's for sure — they'll have new life brought to them with the accompaniment of the live music, and truly absorb the audience. If that sounds like an enchanting way to spend an afternoon, grab your ticket for the show. 

The Clapham Grand is hosting one of the most exciting Halloween seasons in London, and that of course includes some fantastic film screenings. The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be accompanied by Dreamteam dancers and hosts, special games and prizes on Halloween Saturday. Hocus Pocus will be screened on Halloween night, so you can head to one of the spookiest haunted venues in the city to celebrate the right way, supplemented with witchy dancers, games and some petrifying prizes, too! 

The beautiful Rivoli Ballroom – one of the last remaining ballrooms in town – is open again for its usual series of Halloween pop-up film screenings. In the days running up to fright night, it’ll be showing movies of the spooky and scary (and camp) variety, including 'The Lost Boys', 'The Shining', 'Hocus Pocus' and 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show'. Scroll down for the full details of the spooktacular film programme.

The 13th edition of the popular festival – featuring 100 beers from across Britain, as well as wine and cider – takes place in the grounds of the very spooky Grade II-listed Royal Victoria Patriotic Building. There’ll be tasty food and live music to go with the drinks. Dogs are invited too. 

Ghost stories were made for Halloween, and London’s resident yarn spinner Vanessa Woolf is pulling out her best tales of ghoulish goings on in the capital for this atmospheric storytelling sesh. Learn about the mysterious urban legend of the 'Highgate Vampire' – a true horror story about Highgate Cemetery, vampires and blood, media frenzy, terrifying hauntings and black magic. For full-on macabre vibes, the story circle will convene outside in the gloaming very close to where the events took place. Dress warm and head along, if you dare. 

The London Bridge Experience claims to be one of the scariest attractions in all of London, so it stands to reason they’re going all in on Halloween. This spooky season, the fear fest will include the spot’s usual chilling tales of the Keeper of the heads and other historical characters, but add in some new scares and Halloween history along the way.