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Every year Hallowe’en appears to be bigger than ever before, and 2013 is no exception. Having just returned from the USA, where they really go to town for the Pagan festival, the UK has got a bit of catching up to do to match it. However, if you’re a fan of the spooky holiday, there’s plenty going on in the capital for both adults and children alike. Parents looking for some half-term ideas to keep their children occupied will also find some inspiration.

For the 2014 guide to Halloween in London, click here.

Daytime jitters

• 25 September – 9 November : Halloween at the London Dungeon

Of course, one of the city’s scariest places is the London Dungeon, who are making the most of All Hallows Eve with six weeks of frightful goings-on.  As well as the usual features, the Hallowe’en festivities will also include a new character of the Pumpkineer, a graveyard themed shop and some other special surprises. London Dungeon, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, SE1 7PB. Nearest tube: Waterloo or Embankment. For more information and booking, visit the London Dungeon website.

• 18 October – 3 November : Climb Of The Cursed at Up At The O2

The climb over the roof of The O2 has been given a Hallowe’en makeover, featuring a few shocks and surprises on your ascent. Once you read the summit, you’ll be given a Gothic-style map of some of the capital’s horror hotspots. The experience takes place during day and night. Tickets £30, highly recommend to book in advance. Up At The O2, SE10 0DY. Nearest tube: North Greenwich. For tickets and information, visit the Up At The O2 website. For Metro Girl’s review of Up At The O2, click here,

• 26 October – 2 November : Witch Academy on the London Eye

Imagine you’re on a broomstick and can soar into the sky over London… then open your eyes and realise you’re on the London Eye as part of the Witch Academy. As well as a 30 minute ride on the big attraction, an academy experience also includes a Hallowe’en character host, storytelling for four to nine-year olds and a 4D experience. Tickets are half-price for kids if booked online in advance, or £17.40 on the day. London Eye, near Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB. Nearest tube: Waterloo, Westminster or Embankment. For more information and booking, visit the London Eye website.

• 26 October – 3 November : Boo At The Zoo

London Zoo has plenty of spooky goings on during half-term week. Special events will be taking place across the zoo including The Curiosity Shop of Horrors, creepy creatures in the Amphitheatre and see the Nocturnal animals. London Zoo, Outer Circle of Regent’s Park, NW1 4RY. Nearest tube: Camden Town or Regent’s Park. For more information and tickets, visit the London Zoo website.

• 26 October – 3 November : Shriek Week at Ally Pally

Alexandra Palace hosts a week of creepy activities, including spooky storytelling, pumpkin carving, inflatable play area, Dance Macabre at the ice rink (1 November), face-painting and gory games. Alexandra Palace, N22 7AY. Nearest train station: Alexandra Palace or tube station: Wood Green. For more information, visit the Ally Pally website.

• 31 October : Pumpkin Carving Competition at Fortnum and Mason

Two competitions for adults (6pm on the Lower Ground Floor) and children (3pm in the Demonstration Kitchen) to see who can make the most creative and imaginative pumpkin. Adult participants pay £10 to enter, while children 10 and under are free. All entrants must sign up beforehand. Fortnum and Mason, 181 Piccadilly, W1A 1ER. Nearest tube: Green Park or Piccadilly Circus. To find out more, visit the Fortnum and Mason website.

• 31 October : Halloween Spooktacular Family Fun Day at the Queen’s House

The Queen’s House in Greenwich hosts ghostly activities and scary entertainment, with guests invited to dress up. 11am-6pm. Tickets: £12 pp, £40 for family ticket (2 adults, 2 children). Queen’s House, Greenwich, SE10 9NF. Nearest tube/train: Cutty Sark (DLR), Greenwich or Maze Hill. For more information and tickets, visit the Royal Museums Greenwich website.

Nocturnal happenings

• 25 – 27 October : Halloween Movie Mash Up Weekend

Three day pop-up cinema event featuring Hallowe’en themed food and drink, sing and dance-a-longs, dressing up boxes, pumpkin carving, apple bobbing and trick or treating. Screenings include A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Rocky Horror Show Picture Show: Sing and Dance-a-long and Halloween. Tickets: £5. Portobello Pop Up Cinema, 3 Acklam Road, W10 5TY. Nearest tube: Westbourne Park. For more information, visit Tees and Cees website.

• 26 October – 2 November : PhoboPhobia at the London Bridge Experience

Hallowe’en spectacular at the London Bridge Experience and Tombs, featuring a ‘shocking and unnerving show’ alongside the usual horror maze and mind-bending experiences. Tickets: £23. Time slots available between 6-10pm. London Bridge Experience, 2-4 Tooley Street, SE1 2SY. Nearest tube/rail: London Bridge. For more information and booking, visit the London Bridge Experience website.

• 26, 30th October – 2 November : 2.8 Hours Later: Asylum

Night-time street game 2.8 Hours Later comes to the capital over five nights, giving you the chance to experience what it would be like if London was overrun with zombies. If you manage to escape them, then you can dance the night away at the Zombie Disco. Tickets: £40/£60. For more information and tickets, visit 8hourslater.com.

• 31 October – Halloween Disco Skate at Lea Valley

Get your Hallowe’en costume and your skates on and do the Monster Mash at the Lea Valley Ice Centre. 8.30-10.30pm. Tickets: £6 (including skate hire). Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, E10 7QL. Nearest tube: Walthamstow Central or Leytonstone. For more information, visit the Lea Valley website.

• 31 October – 2 November : Backyard Cinema presents Apocalypse

An immersive cinema experience from the Backyard Cinema crew, featuring screenings of Zombieland, Evil Dead, The Cabin in the Woods, 28 Days Later, World War Z and I Spit On Your Grave. Also including a bar, food, roaming zombies and SWAT Team. Tickets start from £12. Camden Lock Place (off Chalk Farm Rd), NW1 8AF. Nearest tube: Camden Town or Chalk Farm. For more information and tickets, visit the Backyard Cinema website.

• 31 October – 3 November : Pop Up Screens Halloween Weekender

Open-air cinema company Pop Up Screens will be hosting screenings of classic scary films at St James’s Church in West Hampstead, including Hellraiser, Saw, Scream and Beetle Juice. Tickets: £14. Doors open 7pm. 2 Sheriff Road, West Hampstead, NW6 2AP. Nearest tube: West Hampstead. To book tickets, visit the Pop Up Screens website. To read Metro Girl’s review of a previous Pop Up Screen outing, click here.

• 1 November : Scream After Dark Halloween Party

It’s strictly adults only at this late night event at Madame Tussaud’s, where its Scream experience is taken over by unhinged inmates. Dance amongst the waxworks (lets hope they don’t come alive!) after having your make-up done, munch some food or swill a drink from the bar. Tickets start from £15. Doors open 7pm, last entry 9.30pm, ends midnight. Marylebone Rd, NW1 5LR. Nearest tube: Baker Street. For more information and tickets, visit the Madame Tussaud’s website.

• Nightly : London Ghost Bus Tours

Although they take place all year round, the Ghost Bus Tours are particularly fun during Hallowe’en. Departing from 8 Northumberland Avenue (near Trafalgar Square) at 7.30 and 9pm every night, they take in the darker side of London with on-board horror theatre. Tickets: £22 adults, £16 concessions. Nearest tube: Charing Cross, Embankment or Westminster. For more information, visit the London Ghost Bus tours website.

photo credit: ramyo via photopin cc

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