Looking for ideas to celebrate Halloween in London with kids? In this guide, you’ll find a list of Halloween events and activities for kids in London and surrounding areas, some of the best Halloween porch decorations around London through the years, and where to shop for decorations and Halloween costumes for kids.
Table of Contents
Pumpkin Picking near London
One of the top things to do in London with kids during October is picking pumpkins at the pumpkin patch for carving, decorating and baking. There are several pumpkin patches near London in Surrey, Sussex, Kent and Hertfordshire which I have listed and will keep updating for Halloween 2023 in the Pumpkin Patches Near London post.
In previous years, we have been to Tulleys Pumpkin Farm, Crockford Bridge Farm, Garsons Farm and Cammas Hall Farm for pumpkin picking and family fall activities.
Halloween for Kids in London 2023 Map
I am also pinning the top places around London for Halloween family events, trails, activities and workshops as well as pumpkin picking near London in my “Halloween in London with Kids 2023” Google Map Guide. For a direct link to the map to bookmark, click here. To explore the map, click on the door sign with an arrow just before the map title.
Halloween Events for Kids in London
Since Halloween typically falls during or just after the October half term break for schools in England, many museums, attractions and parks run special Halloween events in London for kids.
Find more autumn days out inspiration and things to do in London this October half term on my post, October Half Term in London with kids.
This post was updated on 6 October 2023 with more recently announced Halloween events and activities coming up in London. I will continue to add to the list as more family events and activities are announced in the coming weeks.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter – Dark Arts
15 September – 5 November 2023
The Making of Harry Potter studio tour is an amazing experience going behind the scenes of the work that went into filming the Harry Potter movies. In celebration for Halloween, there will be 100 floating pumpkins in the magnificent Great Hall and tables laden with sweets, cakes and pies, as seen in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
The WB Studio Tours London are also featuring the Dark Arts this autumn. Keep an eye out for the Dark Mark projected in various parts of the tour and learn the moves behind a wand combat scene, just like the Battle of Hogwarts, in a live duel with Death Eaters.
Read more: Dark Arts at Harry Potter Studio Tour London
Address: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, WD25 7LR
Book tickets for Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter
Hobbledown Heath – Hobble’ween
7-8, 14-15, 21 – 29 October 2023
Hobbledown Adventure Park are running a special Hobble’ween line up at both their Hobbledown Heath and Epsom locations on October weekends and during the half term break.
Enjoy a pumpkin trail and Halloween-themed activities during the weekends, and a fun programme of spooky science workshops, a fancy dress monster ball and Halloween shows over the October half term.
Additional Halloween activities include a Build-a-Bat Workshop (from £19.95) a Trick or Treat trail and daily science shows with some spooky stunts (2pm during half term).
Book tickets for Hobbledown Heath
Osterley Park – Family Halloween Trail
14 – 29 October 2023
Explore nature this autumn along the Halloween trail at National Trust Osterley Park and House while you discover the Tale of the Monster Hunter. There are eight activities and two game stations along the self-led family trail through the woodland.
The Halloween trail costs £2, with a small prize and card payment only at the Osterley House kiosk. Normal admission applies.
Read more about the Halloween Trail at Osterley Park and House
WWT London Wetland Centre – eek! Weeks
21 – 29 October 2023
The London Wetland Centre in Barnes are running an exciting programme of interactive family activities over October half term. Discover a mysterious world of wetland nature on the interactive trail and put your spookometer to the test.
Will you dare to put your hand in a snake box, grab a photo op with a bat or get up close and personal with a toad? Free family activities over October half term also include pond dipping sessions, Make a Rainbow nature art workshops, potion making sessions and a mud kitchen.
Book tickets to visit the WWT London Wetland Centre
London Zoo – Boo at the Zoo
21 – 31 October 2023
Boo at the Zoo is back at London Zoo this October half-term! Halloween-themed activities include learning spells at Ghoul School, crafting a menacing mask, a bubble boogie and an extinct species graveyard.
Additional activities that cost extra are pumpkin decorating and face painting.
Book tickets to visit London Zoo
London Museum of Water & Steam – Mini Monsters
21 – 29 October 2023
Find out where our water comes from and see the science that cleans the mini monsters from London’s water in the Soggy Science Show.
There will also be storytelling, crafts and a community art project running at the London Museum of Water and Steam during the October half term for families to enjoy.
Book tickets for London Museum of Water & Steam
Hampton Court Palace – Halloween Trail
21 – 29 October 2023
Explore Henry VIII’s notoriously haunted palace along a spooky, family-friendly Halloween trail with atmospheric projections and creepy sound effects.
Head to the Gallery of the Damned and see eerie portraits come to life, or stop by the Council Chamber to take part in a spine-tingling séance.
Book tickets to visit Hampton Court Palace
Tower of London – Halloween Trail
21 – 29 October 2023
Follow in the footsteps of infamous prisoners as you wander the Tower grounds at the spookiest time of the year. This is a family-friendly adventure designed to spook, but not to terrify.
Pick up a trail when you arrive and keep track of the ghosts that you spot on your visit.
Book tickets to visit the Tower of London
Eltham Palace & Gardens – Halloween Half Term
21 – 29 October 2023
Enjoy a ghoulishly good day out at Eltham Palace and Gardens this half term. Follow the trail to solve creepy clues and gather round to listen to spooky stories.
Free for English Heritage members. For non-members, tickets cost £20 for adults and £12.50 for children ages 5 – 17.
Book tickets for Eltham Palace & Gardens
Chelsea Physic Garden – Halloween Broomstick Workshop
23 October 2023
Over the October half term, Chelsea Physic Garden will be running some great Halloween themed family workshops. Craft your own broomstick using plant materials foraged at the Chelsea Physic Garden. Learn about the craft of broomstick-making from around the world.
Join the Chelsea Physic Garden team for a broomstick ride around the garden at the end of the workshop to learn about some of the plants in the garden. Each participant will leave with a unique broomstick which will complement your costumes, home, or garden for the upcoming holiday season.
Tickets are £15 Adult and £10 Child and includes your entry to the Garden that day. Note that every person attending the workshop must have a ticket and children must be accompanied by an event ticket-holding adult. Recommended for ages 4+
Book tickets at the Chelsea Physic Garden
LookOut Discovery Centre Hyde Park – Hair-Raising Halloween
24 – 26 October 2023
Celebrate Halloween with the little ones at a free drop-in Halloween-themed Discovery Day at the LookOut Centre in Hyde Park. Take part in a host of free creepy crawly activities including guessing the gruesome contents of feely boxes, exploring an eerie nature trail and learning about the bats in the Royal Parks.
Drop in to this free event between 11am and 3:30pm. Dressing up is encouraged and everyone is welcome – their grounds are fully accessible. The LookOut Centre do ask for no more than 3 children per adult. Only assistance dogs are allowed.
Register your interest for the Royal Parks Discovery Day
Chelsea Physic Garden – Halloween Pumpkin Carving
24 and 26 October 2023
Prepare for the Halloween season with a visit to Chelsea Physic Garden for a pumpkin carving session. Participants will learn about pumpkin plants and explore the Garden through autumn.
All materials and tools will be provided (note that pumpkin carving involves using sharp tools), and each participant will get one pumpkin to take home. Each child must be accompanied by an adult who will work together with the child to create their jack-o-lantern masterpiece.
Tickets are £20 Adult and £15 Child and includes your entry to the Garden that day. Every person attending the workshop must have a ticket and children must be accompanied by an event ticket-holding adult. Sessions are from 1pm to 3pm. Recommended for ages 6+
Book workshop tickets at the Chelsea Physic Garden
Syon House – Horrible Halloween
25 – 27, 28 – 29 October 2023
Tickets available online soon
Visit Syon House in West London during October half term for “Creepy Critters” animal handling sessions and a spooky Halloween family trail.
Meet costumed characters in the rotten underbelly of Syon House and hear tales of gory guts, disgusting gravy and (to go out with a bang), a sinister tale of gunpower and plot.
There will also be storytelling with a Halloween twist, archery with zombie targets, a Halloween-themed dog walk and a Sunday Funday with face painting and creepy crafts.
See the full Halloween programme at Syon House
Horniman Museum and Gardens – Halloween Fair
28 October 2023
Join the Halloween Fair at Horniman Museum and Gardens for circus skills and hooping, spooky tunes, traditional party games and more. Family activities with extra charge include face painting, car rides and bouncy castles.
Tickets to visit the Horniman Butterfly House will be discounted during the Halloween Fair at £2.50 per person (last entry 3:30pm).
Book tickets for the Halloween Fair at Horniman Museum
Covent Garden – Halloween Pumpkin Market
29 – 31 October 2023
The Halloween Pumpkin Market will return to the iconic Covent Garden Market Building throughout October. The display will feature over two hundred pumpkins, squashes and gourds available to purchase in various shapes and sizes.
Read latest updates about Halloween in Covent Garden
Wands & Wizard Exploratorium – Halloween Wizard Afternoon Tea
For a unique, magical experience, visit the Wands & Wizard Exploratorium and enjoy their Halloween Wizard Afternoon Tea. This 1 hour 45 minute interactive experience includes 1 glass of Prosecco or HallowCream Cider (non-alco version available) upon arrival, magic wand and equipment rental and traditional tea with a Halloween twist that you brew.
Also included are the Cauldron’s spooky iced tea and a selection of spooky treats, cakes and sandwiches.
Prices: Child Halloween Wizard Afternoon Tea: £37 per person; Adult Halloween Wizard Afternoon Tea: £47 per person
Address: 26 Greek Street, Soho, London W1D 5DE
Book the afternoon tea at Wands & Wizard Exploratorium
Halloween Days Out near London
For even more Halloween days out inspiration around London, I have also included in this list upcoming Halloween events and activities in nearby Surrey, Kent, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire.
Cammas Hall Farm – Halloween Activities
30 September – 29 October 2023
The 2023 Halloween Pumpkin Patch at Cammas Hall Farm is open from 30 September to 29 October. Tickets include entrance to the Cammas Hall Farm pumpkin patch, interaction with friendly Halloween characters and a Wicked Walkway with haunting props and surprises.
Halloween-themed Maize Maze is open from 10am (last entry at 3pm) and costs £4.50 per person for ages 2+. Free for under 2s.
Each weekend and every day during October half term, Cammas Hall Farm will also be running a Monster Mayhem show twice a day. Tickets cost £8 per child and £5 per adult (plus booking fee), with a 10% discount if you book with your Halloween Pumpkin Patch tickets.
Address: Cammas Hall Farm Needham Green, Hatfield Broad Oak CM22 7JT
Book tickets for the Halloween Pumpkin Patch at Cammas Hall Farm
Related: Pumpkin Picking Near London
Hobbledown Epsom – Hobble’ween
7-8, 14-15, 21 – 29 October 2023
Hobbledown Adventure Park Surrey are running a special Hobble’ween line up during October half term, which involves a pumpkin trail, bug brunches, spooky science workshops and a Halloween show.
Take part in a pumpkin trail looking for hidden letters scattered throughout the park. Fill out your flyer, figure out the secret word and head back to reception to collect a sweet treat as a prize!
Halloween activities include a Build-a-Bat Workshop (from £19.95) a Fancy Dress Monster Ball, a Trick or Treat trail and daily science shows with some spooky stunts (2pm during half term).
Book tickets for Hobbledown Epsom
Priory Farm – Halloween Trail at Discovery Land
7 – 31 October 2023, excluding 9-10 and 16-17
Priory Farm will also have a Halloween Trail with spooky surprises along a nature trail in their Discovery Land. Venture along a spooky, Halloween themed walk through ancient woodland and meadows and around their fishing lakes.
Priory Farm grow over 10,000 pumpkins every year and there will be range of shapes and sizes for picking in their fields. Take a tractor ride to their fields to pick your own pumpkin on selected dates in October.
Halloween Trail tickets are £9 per person at peak times and £6 per person at off-peak times. Free for under 2s
Address: Sandy Lane, South Nutfield, Redhill, RH1 4EJ
Buy tickets for the Discovery Land Halloween Trail at Priory Farm
Willows Activity Farm – Pumpkin Festival
14, 15 and 19 – 31 October 2023
Pick your pumpkin from Willow’s Pumpkin Patch and enjoy a full programme of fun activities, including a pumpkin activity trail and photo opportunities at their Gourds Grotto with weird and wonderful gourds, squashes and pumpkin scenes.
Address: Willows Activity Farm, Coursers Road, London Colney, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 0PF
Book tickets for Pumpkin Festival at Willows Activity Farm
Aldenham Country Park – Spook-Fest
14 – 31 October 2023
Book a fun Halloween day out at Aldenham Country Park Spook-Fest. Discover frightfully fun offerings such as pumpkin picking and carving, horrid hay tractor ride, spooky trail, spider maze, pumpkin bingo, decorations throughout the farm and much more.
Spook-Fest tickets are now available and cost £8.95. Pumpkin picking and carving costs £4.95 per person and the Horrid Hay Tractor Ride is £3.50 per person.
Book tickets for Spook-Fest at Aldenham Country Park
Paradise Wildlife Park – Dinos After Dark
20 – 22 and 27 – 29 October 2023
The popular Dinos After Dark will be running on the evenings over two weekends, 20 – 22 and 27 – 29 October, from 5:30pm to 8:30pm each night. Take a magical trip around the World of Dinosaurs and see the dinosaurs come to life by moonlight.
The Rex Express, Safari Stage Shows, outdoor play areas, crazy golf, food outlets & shops will be open each night too. Tickets cost £16 per person, with member tickets at £13 per person and free for children under 2 years old.
Address: Paradise Wildlife Park, White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne EN10 7QA
Book tickets for Dinos After Dark at Paradise Wildlife Park
Blenheim Palace – Spooky Illuminated Trail
20 – 29 October 2023
Blenheim Palace will have a Spooky Illuminated Trail this October half term. The trail will take you through an illuminated haunted woods filled with neon cobwebs, ghastly ghouls, wicked witches, jack-o-lanterns, larger-than life spiders and beasty bats.
Watch for a fiendish fire garden, daring fire artists and jack-o-lanterns along the way to the Secret Garden filled with more hidden surprises.
Book tickets for the Halloween Trail at Blenheim Palace
Bocketts Farm Park – Witches and Wizards Week
21 – 29 October 2023
Activities during the Witches and Wizards Week at Bocketts Farm Park include a Reptile Roadshow, Science and Slime Shows, a spooky scavenger hunt, Meet and Green with owls and birds of prey and a Creepy Craft Corner.
There will be hundreds of pumpkins to choose from that were grown at Bocketts Farm and an opportunity to take family photos in their Pumpkin Village. Plus the fun activities we enjoy year round on days out at Bocketts Farm Park – trailer rides, pig races, feeding the farm animals, indoor and outdoor playgrounds and small animal encounters.
Address: Young Street, Fetcham, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 9BS
Book tickets for Bocketts Farm Park
RHS Garden Wisley – Spooktacular Fun
21 – 29 October 2023
Follow the fangtastic family trail around the garden this October half term at RHS Garden Wisley. Look out for some scary sights, discover creepy crawlies and hear spooky stories.
Book tickets for RHS Garden Wisley
Hever Castle & Gardens – Halloween Half Term Fun
21 – 29 October 2023
Visit Hever Castle & Gardens in Kent for a fun Halloween family day out. Over October half term, Hever Castle will have Halloween decorations around the grounds and a family-friendly spooky trail. Come dressed up soon in your spookiest costume and make time for the brilliant adventure playgrounds.
Keep an eye out for letters scattered in the grounds to spell out a mystery word in return for a small prize. There will also be a free pebble painting craft workshop and face painting (additional charge).
Address: Hever Rd, Hever, Edenbridge TN8 7NG
Book tickets for Hever Castle & Gardens
Leeds Castle – Halloween Half Term Fun
21 – 29 October 2023
Spooky adventures await this October half term with spellbinding activities planned throughout the grounds at Leeds Castle.
Join in on the Guardians on the Grounds, a haunted Halloween quest where young adventurers become spell seekers on a thrilling interactive journey full of surprises and friendly characters through the mystical Leeds Castle estate.
Address: Broomfield, Maidstone ME17 1PL
Book tickets for Leeds Castle
Knebworth House – Halloween Adventure
24 – 26 October 2023
Venture into Knebworth Gardens for a Halloween event that will have visitors taking part in a number of fun activities, including Halloween Crazy Golf, a decorated pumpkin competition and a Mini Broomstick Workshop.
Tickets cost £9.50 per child and £3.95 per adult. Children under 2 enter free, however, if you would like them to receive a prize at the end of the event the will need to have a child ticket. The Mini Broomstick Workshop is optional and costs an additional £2 per child. There is also an optional Halloween Children’s Lunch Bag that costs £5.50.
Book tickets for the Halloween Adventure at Knebworth House
Halloween Events for Kids at the Theme Parks
LEGOLAND Windsor – Brick or Treat
28 September – 5 November 2023
Throughout October, LEGOLAND Windsor Resort will be transformed into a pumpkin-filled wonderland for their frightfully fun annual Brick or Treat event. This year, Brick or Treat presents Monster Party, where the LEGO Monsters are taking over at LEGOLAND to celebrate their new 4D Movie ‘The Great Monster Chase!’
This Halloween spectacular will feature new experiences, live shows, fantastic LEGO decorations and lots of Monster mischief. Tickets start from £34 for the Brick or Treat event at LEGOLAND Windsor.
Address: Winkfield Road, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 4AY
Book tickets for LEGOLAND Windsor
Chessington World of Adventures – Howl’o’ween
7 – 8 and 14 – 30 October 2023
With entertainment for all ages, rides at dusk, Halloween fancy dress competitions and, new for 2023, meet the charming animal residents of Enchanted Hollow (optional extra)
Address: Leatherhead Rd, Chessington, Surrey KT9 2NE
Book tickets for Chessington World of Adventures
Peppa Pig World – Happy Halloween
14 – 30 October 2023
Peppa Pig World (part of Paultons Park) will have a spooky Halloween makeover for a frightful fun fest this October half term. Meet Peppa and George in their spooky outfits and enjoy lots of fun Peppa themed Halloween decorations.
Book tickets for Paultons Park
Halloween House Decorations in London
One of our favourite things to do at Halloween in London with kids is to see some of the brilliant Halloween porch decorations. You can find some of the best Halloween decorations in London around Holland Park, Notting Hill, Chelsea and Knightsbridge.
There are several houses that really go all out and it’s always a pleasure to see what they come up with each year!
Many of the party shops around London sell a variety of Halloween decorations and accessories. Non-Stop Party Shop in Kensington has the best selection of Halloween decorations I’ve seen, including animated and light up props, giant jumping spiders and hanging decorations. See their extensive range of Halloween decorations here.
Hobbycraft has a great selection of Halloween decorations and craft supplies available in stores from August. The Hobbycraft Halloween collection includes plush pumpkins, decorative potion bottles, themed baking kits and light-up bat wreaths. Shop online or look for a nearby Hobbycraft shop – locations around London include Wimbledon, Croydon, Greenford and Greenwich.
You can also find plenty of Halloween treats, decorative items and party supplies at the grocery superstores, such as Tesco, Asda and Sainsburys.
If you are placing an online grocery order, have a look at the following for Halloween sweets, pumpkins, party food and drinks;
Shop Halloween Costumes in London
Party shops that I can recommend for a great selection of Halloween costumes, masks and accessories are Party and Celebrate in Clapham, Non-Stop Party Shop in Kensington and Partica Party in Kingston.
If you’re shopping online, then have a look at the following websites for a wide variety of costumes;
Sainsbury’s Tu Halloween Costume Collection
Party and Celebrate Fancy Dress
Non-Stop Party Shop Fancy Dress
Trick or Treating in London
Trick or treating is one of our favourite Halloween activities and our experiences have varied over the years living in London. Trick or treat is always on 31 October, even if it falls on a weekday.
Trick-or-treating in London typically starts after sunset, around 5pm/6pm depending on neighbourhood and the houses taking part are decorated with at least a pumpkin. St John’s Wood, Kensington, Chelsea and Chiswick are London neighbourhoods popular for trick-of-treating.
I hope you found this guide to Halloween in London with kids helpful! I’ll keep adding to this Halloween Events 2023 list so do check back for more updates.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thanks for your support in this way.
Pin for Later – Guide to Halloween in London with Kids
