The best Halloween events in the UK to get spooky

Spend this Halloween at a 200-year-old decommissioned prison for the ultimate scare-fest that truly isn’t for the faint-hearted. Shrewsbury Prison is opening its doors and inviting guests into its isolated maze of cells and corridors, including the execution room. Full of paranormal activity and spooky happenings, this is the perfect place to celebrate the scariest time of the year. Plus, for anyone that dares, you can take on the Ouija board experience to communicate with the prisoners who met their deaths by hanging. 

October 25, 30, 31, November 1. 9.30pm-3.30am. HMP Shrewsbury Prison, SY1 2HP. From £59. 

Get your adrenaline pumping in more ways than one as Thorpe Park's legendary Fright Nights return for 2024. Combining high-octane rollercoasters with some of the country's scariest horror mazes, expect to hear screams from every corner of the park. Get lost in a labyrinth, dodge killer clowns and escape the clutches of an evil toymaker in between joyrides in the dark on the UK's tallest, fastest and most weightless coasters. 

October 3-5, 10-12 and Oct 16 - Nov 1, 3pm-9pm. Thorpe Park, Staines Rd, Chertsey KT16 8PN. From £36. 

For four nights only, Europe’s largest Halloween festival is taking over the City of Derry with all the terrifying festivities you could dream of. The city’s streets are set to transform into a spooky wonderland with decorations and lit by jack-o'-lanterns. But the decor is just the start; there’s activities galore including ghost tours, haunting stories, music, aerial performances in the streets as well as fireworks. However, if that doesn’t tempt you, there’s also a world-renowned parade that brings Halloween to life through illuminations. 

October 28-31, parade on October 31 at 7pm. City of Derry, Londonderry. Free. 

Tulleys Shocktober Fest is back yet again with its famous haunts and attractions. Across the evening, there’s a whole range of activities with different scare factors where you will encounter cursed circus performers, possessed nuns and flesh-eating zombies through performances, immersive scenery and live actors that create one hell of an atmosphere. Alongside the attractions, you’ll also have access to three food courts, live music, street theatre, and two bars where over 18s can settle their nerves. 

October 9-November 1, 4.30pm-11.30pm. Tulleys Farm, West Sussex, RH10 4PE. From £46.95.

No Halloween is complete without a trip to a theme park fright-night and what better place is there than FEAR scream park which was voted the UK’s Best Scream Park in 2022 at the Scare Awards (yes, it’s a real thing). This multi-sensory spine-chilling event returns once again and includes their infamous fire show, thrilling rides, street entertainment and an immersive dining experience – ensuring that you’re surrounded by terror both inside and on the streets. They even do a toned-down family friendly option for younger Halloween fans. 

October 10-November 1, Pixash Lane, BS31 1TP. From £16.99. 

Tamworth’s friendlier and more personal answer to Alton Towers is pulling out all the stops to chill you to the bone this spooky season. Over Halloween, Drayton Manor will get a chilling transformation full of jumpscares, ghostly rides and scary surprises, with a huge host (or should we say ghost) of events on offer throughout the month. 

October 25-November 2. Drayton Manor Resort, Drayton Manor Drive, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B78 3TW. From £29.50 per person. 

One to truly test your sanity is Newsham Scream Park, set in none other than an abandoned, derelict orphanage and asylum. Creepy little girls with dolls? No, thank you. However, if you are brave enough to enter the haunted Newsham Park Hospital, you’ll be able to explore the eerie halls and isolated rooms alongside three immersive attractions. You’ll find us in the courtyard enjoying some street food and live music, away from anything lurking in the shadows.

October 10-November 1, 6-10.30pm. 3A Orphan Drive, Liverpool, L6 7UL. £35.45. 

If you’re looking for something more family-friendly (or just something that won’t give you nightmares for the foreseeable future), head to Hirsty’s pumpkin patch for a creepy carving session. Around the fun park, there will also be plenty of attractions including a mega corn maze, a barrel train, zip wire, and an autumnal hay bale mountain. What could be more perfect for the Instagram grid than a harvest-vibe to match the pumpkin-spiced latte season?

October 18, 19, 25, November 2, 10am-4pm. Hirsty's Family Fun Park, Hemsby, NR29 4NL. Adult £8, under 2s £7, 3-16 year olds £14.  

Creep down to Alderford Lake for a Halloween escape room experience that is sure to leave you feeling spooked. Under the veil of darkness, scare-seekers are taken by boat to the island on the lake where troubled souls have been left to fester. You’ll need to solve some troubling mysteries in order to escape the island and free yourself from this hidden hell. However, if you’re not quite feeling brave enough to tackle Nightmare Island, the lake is also hosting Spooky Island; full of smaller frights and some unexpected twists and turns. 

October 24-26, 6-9pm. Alderford, SY13 3JQ. From £16.15.

If you don’t fancy celebrating in sheer terror, this murder mystery event might just do the trick (or treat). City Cruises are inviting guests aboard for the Halloween edition of their interactive dining experience on the Thames. Across three hours and three delicious courses, you’ll have to solve the murder of Lord Thornley-Cruttock and the thieving of priceless family heirlooms from his Manor House. Decipher clues to unravel the mystery and work out whether it was the work of the mansion’s ghosts or one of your frightening fellow diners.

November 1, 8-11pm. Tower Millennium Pier, EC3N 4DT. £149.