Today I want to bring you my guide to Halloween in London. Whether you’re looking for the best decorations, the spookiest cemetery, or the perfect party, there’s something in the UK capital for you. The city comes alive for the occasion on and around October 31st, and it’s home to great festivities and otherworldly places alike. Read on for my top picks for ways to get in on the fun. I’ve included an interactive map, too.
Halloween in London
Halloween gets bigger and better every year in London. From haunted pubs to trick-or-treating and scary light trails, there’s a lot going on in the city in late October.
Whether you like a good costume party (call it a fancy dress party if you want to sound like a local), an eerie Victorian graveyard, or a street with photogenic shopfronts, there’s a way for you to celebrate Halloween in London that fits your personal style.
I hope my ideas for how to get in on the festivities help you come up with the perfect plan for a day out or a big night of revelry.
1. Ghost Tours
Since it’s a popular thing to do in London at any time of year, I’ll start my list with ghost tours. From spooky alleys to historic gallows, they’re great ways to see some of London’s most haunted places. You can book one here.
Another tour that’s perfect for Halloween is the Jack the Ripper tour. You can follow the trail of London’s most famous Victorian killer and see where he stalked his victims. You can book tickets here.
If you like the water, hop on a ghost tour boat ride. As you cruise along the Thames, actors will entertain you with horror stories of bloody murderers and vengeful ghosts from the city’s legendary past.
If you prefer land, a Halloween bus tour is just the thing. You can see the capital’s famous landmarks as you ride around a themed double-decker bus. Some even offer dark comedy or afternoon tea on board. You can see options and book one here.
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll want to take a day trip to the Dark Arts at Warner Bros. Studio in Watford. From mid-September until early November, the studio dims the lights and floats 100 pumpkins over a feast in the dining hall at Hogwarts.
There are Death Eaters in the halls, Dementors wandering the Forbidden Forest, and Defence Against the Dark Arts classes on offer. There’s even themed food for sale at the cafes. You can book a trip here.
2. Cemeteries
Another popular thing to do for Halloween in London is visit one of the city’s Magnificent Seven cemeteries. These extravagant Victorian graveyards have been converted into parks, and they’re great places to walk among the overgrown stones and try to spot ghosts.
If you want to explore a lesser-visited one, Nunhead Cemetery is my top pick. With narrow paths leading to crooked graves and fallen angels, it’s a great place to discover.
The most famous of the seven is Highgate Cemetery. Everyone from Karl Marx to George Michael is buried here, and there are guided tours you can take to see the spookiest bits.
3. Haunted Pubs
Visiting a haunted pub in London is a must, whether it’s Halloween or not. But when it is October 31st, it’s even more fun.
Thankfully London has no shortage of them. With all the history in the city, there are plenty of watering holes and historic inns that are said to have ghosts living in them.
Whether you believe it or not, you have options. My favorite haunted pubs in London include The Ten Bells in Spitalfields, The Grenadier in Belgravia, The Spaniards Inn in Hampstead, The Sutton Arms in Clerkenwell, The Flask in Highgate, the Viaduct Tavern in the City, and The Prospect of Whitby in Wapping.
If you’re up for seeing a few in one trip, you can check out some of London’s haunted pubs on a guided walking tour. You can see options and book one here.
4. Parties & Themed Bars
If you’re looking for a night of spooky fun, another exciting thing to do for Halloween in London is go to the city’s many parties and themed bars. From pumpkin-laden extravaganzas to club nights, there are plenty to choose from.
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One that stands out is The Haunting on Russell Street. This Halloween pop-up in Covent Garden runs throughout the month of October.
The Haunting features rooms transformed with cobwebs and candlelight, the sounds of whispers and crows squawking, and otherworldly figures serving eerie concoctions in vessels shaped like skulls and ravens.
Another famous event is the elrow Horroween Festival at Drumsheds. This massive electronic music festival in North London is one of the most anticipated events of the Halloween season.
5. Events
There are lots of events taking place in London on and around Halloween each year. Whether you want to experience a fright in a subterranean space or see spooky things in a famous fortress, London has you covered.
If you love history, head to the Tower of London. It features everything from a Haunted Forge to an Enchanted Wishing Well and a Raven’s Observatory at the end of October, not to mention chilling tales of its dark past. You can book tickets here.
If you like being scared, head to The London Dungeon. It offers a fully immersive Halloween experience for visitors, complete with actors and a storyline to follow. You can book here.
If you just want to experience some fun, Halloween Fest at Between the Bridges is for you. This free event on the South Bank will let you dress up in a costume and enjoy a night of live music and DJs.
For families, Trick-or-Treat at The Paddington Bear Experience is a fun way to entertain kids at the end of October. The attraction gets all dressed up for the occasion, complete with autumn leaves and Halloween decorations. You can book tickets here.
Another great event is the light trail at Kew Gardens. Halloween at Kew features a thrilling illuminated trail packed with spooky encounters, hidden surprises, and spine-tingling moments.
Other events include special screenings of horror movies, Halloween drag brunches, and spooky West End shows to enjoy.
6. Decorations
One of my favorite things about Halloween in London is the decorations. Many of the city’s shops and houses go all-out for autumn, but a select few decorate specifically for October 31st.
A good place to start is Leadenhall Market in the City of London. This famous Victorian shopping arcade stood in for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter movies, and in October it’s known for its spooky decorations.
Another place to see them is Belgravia. The shopfronts on Elizabeth Street are always decked out, and the residential streets around it are dotted with Halloween decor. You can see the area on my free self-guided Belgravia walking tour.
7. Shopping
If you love shopping, there are some great places to pick up Halloween treats. Department stores like Fortnum & Mason and Harrods have Halloween goodies galore, and many of London’s bakeries do special themed cupcakes and other pastries for Halloween.
Map
If you want to get your bearings, you can find an interactive map of my top picks for places you can go for Halloween in London here. It features all the spots I mentioned in this blog post. It can help you get a feel for where things are so you can plan your day.
Halloween Ideas in London
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to the best things to do for Halloween in London and that it’s helped you decide on the spookiest way to celebrate.
Whatever you do, make sure to reserve things like bars and events as far in advance as possible (or show up early if they don’t take reservations). This is a popular time to be in the city, and the best things get fully booked early.
If you want more inspiration, take a look at my blog post about things to do in London at night. If you found this post helpful, buy me a coffee!
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