Bring your kids to get scared silly this Halloween at the London Dungeons
© 2014 Merlin Entertainments

The onset of autumn can be a bit depressing for many of us as the nights get darker and the temperatures get colder. So perhaps that’s why so many of us are getting more excited about Halloween than we used to – a bit of fun to lift us out of our pre-winter blues. Now it’s not only the Americans that go crazy for the annual scarefest with a host of daytime and nighttime events for both children and adult on in London. As it coincides with half-term, there’s plenty of Halloween-themed fun for kids throughout the week in the lead up to the 31 October. Meanwhile, for party animals, there’s plenty of late-night revelry, or for a calmer alternative, there’s special meals and film screenings.

For a guide to what else is on in London in November, click here.

Daytime jitters

• 1 October – 1 November : Séance! at the London Dungeon

The London Dungeon are hosting a Halloween twist on their usual attractions, set in 1873 at a gathering hosted by the top medium of the day. Guests will be transported back to 50 Berkeley Square in scenes based on real events with supernatural disturbances and visits from the spirit world. Tickets start from children £17.50, adults from £21.50. London Dungeon, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB. Nearest station: Waterloo or Embankment. For more information and booking, visit the London Dungeon website. For Metro Girl’s review of the London Dungeon, click here.

• 16 October – 1 November : Dark Arts @ Warner Bros Studio Tour 

Explore some of the darker side of Harry Potter movies. Try your duelling techniques against a Death Eater, see Malfoy Manor and a 20ft model of Voldemort’s snake Nagini and floating mannequin of Muggle Studies teacher Charity Burbage. Tickets: £22.50 children, Adults £33 (must be booked in advance). Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7LR. For more information, visit the Warner Bros Studio Tour website.

• 24 – 31 October : Witch Academy on the London Eye

Special Halloween experiences for adults and children. For kids, the Witch Academy includes a 30 minute ride on the Eye, Storytelling for children (4-9 years), a Halloween character host and free goody bag. For adults, there’s the Trick Or Treat Cocktail experience, including two Halloween themed cocktails, nibbles, 1 hour on the London Eye (2 rotations) and priority boarding. Tickets: Children from £16.65, Adults from £26.55 (witch academy) or £45 (cocktail experience). London Eye, near Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB. Nearest tube: Waterloo, Westminster or Embankment. For more information and booking, visit the London Eye website. For Metro Girl’s review of the London Eye, click here.

• 24 October – 1 November : Boo At The Zoo

A week of fiendish fun at London Zoo including spider talks, pumpkin patch, spooky storytime and talks at the Owl Emporium. Activities take place from 1oam-4pm and free with entry to zoo. Entrance tickets: Adults £22.50, Child £16.65. London Zoo, Regent’s Park, Marylebone, NW1 4RY. Nearest station: Regent’s Park or Camden Town. For booking, visit the ZSL website.

• 24 October – 1 November : Spookfest @ London Museum of Water & Steam

Learn the secret history of the engine houses, enjoy a ride on the ghost train, a trip through the creepy wood and Halloween craft activities. Tickets: £11.50 adults, £5 children. London Museum of Water & Steam, Kew Bridge Road, Brentford, TW8 0EF. Nearest station: Kew Bridge. For more information, visit the London Museum of Water & Steam.

• 26 – 31 October : Halloween Pumpkin Carving @ Eltham Palace

Pumpkin carving sessions at the Medieval and Art Deco Eltham Palace. Book a time slot at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm. Tickets: Adults £13, Children £7.80. Eltham Palace, Court Yard, Eltham, Greenwich, SE9 5QE. Nearest station: Eltham or Mottingham. For more information, visit English Heritage website. For Metro Girl’s review of Eltham Palace, click here.

• 29 October : Kids Pumpkin Carving Class @ The Bluebird

Pumpkin carving class for over 4s. 4pm onwards. £20 per child, includes pumpkin, cookies and hot chocolate. The Bluebird, 350 King’s Road, Chelsea, SW3 5UU. Nearest station: South Kensington or Sloane Square. For more information, visit the Bluebird website.

• 27 & 30 October : Halloween @ Benjamin Franklin House

Over half-term, there will be a spooky family day on 27 October (4-5pm) with Polly Hewson telling 18th century scary stories and ghastly games. Free, but advanced booking recommend. On 30 October (from 6.30pm), the museum will open its doors in the evening as part of Museums At Night with a talk by Operations Manager, Braena Sykes on the skeletal remains found under the museum’s basement floor and the darker side of the 18th century hunt for knowledge. Tickets £5. Benjamin Franklin House, 36 Craven Street, WC2N 5NG. Nearest tube: Charing Cross or Embankment. For more information, visit the Benjamin Franklin House website.

Spooky fun for families on the Cutty Sark

• 30 October : Ghost Ships and Spooky Shadows @ Cutty Sark

Children (over 5s) are invited to create a spooky puppet show with their own puppet to take home. From 11.30am-1.30pm and 2-4pm. Special activities are free, but you must pay regular entrance prices. Cutty Sark entrance: Adults £12.15-£13.50, Children £7.70-£8.50. Cutty Sark Clipper Ship, King William Walk, Greenwich, SE10 9HT. Nearest station: Cutty Sark (DLR), Greenwich or Maze Hill. For more information, visit the Royal Museums Greenwich website.

• 31 October : Halloween Ghost Ship @ Maritime Museum

A spooky voyage through the Maritime Village for families, featuring many Halloween activities including ghost hunts and build-a-wreck. Fancy dress encouraged. 10am-4pm. Tickets: £10 adults, £6 child. Maritime Museum, Park Row, Greenwich, SE10 9NF. Nearest station: Cutty Sark (DLR), Maze Hill or Greenwich. For more information and booking, visit the Royal Museums Greenwich website.

• 1 November : Trick Or Treat Run

A Halloween-themed run of either 2km, 5km or 10km around a closed park course. For adults and children, fancy dress encouraged. Prizes for the best costumes. 9am-12pm. Entrance fees: £15-25 per person. Richmond Park, Richmond, TW10 5HS. Nearest station: North Sheen, Richmond or Hampton Wick. For more information and to register, visit the Human Race website.

Things that go bump in the night

• 11 – 30 October : London Horror Festival

Festival of live horror performance including cabaret, film screenings, Zombie weekends, midnight performances and a short horror play competition. Ticket prices vary, but many around £10-£16. Most events take place at the Etcetera Theatre, 265 Camden High Street, Camden, NW1 7BU. Nearest station: Camden Town or Camden Road. For more information, visit the London Horror Festival website.

• 19 – 31 October : The Skull Punch @ Alcoholic Architecture

Alcoholic Architecture – an immersive ‘drinking’ experience involving inhalable alcohol – is launching a special Halloween drink. Drinkers brave enough can take part in a millennia-old ritual of sipping from a real human skull (from a reputable antiques dealer), before walking through the cloud of breathable gin and tonic. Tickets for hourly slots between 12-11pm: £10 off peak, £12.50 peak. One Cathedral Street, Borough Market, Borough, SE1 9DE. Nearest station: London Bridge. For more information and booking, visit Bompas And Parr’s official website. For Metro Girl’s post on Alcoholic Architecture, click here.

• 24 October : London’s Night Owls Sleepover

Late night opening for children featuring three hours of immersive history, including Roman reenactors, candlelight club hunt and illustrators before bedding down for a sleepover with breakfast and a film in the morning. For children aged 7-11. 6.45pm-9.40am on 25 October. Tickets £60pp (1 adult required for up for 4 children, more adults for bigger groups of children). Museum of London, 150 London Wall, City of London, EC2Y 5HN. Nearest station: Barbican. For booking, visit the Museum Of London website.

• 24 – 31 October : Phobophobia: The Freaks

The already scary experience has a late night special Hallowe’en twist. ‘Expect to be harassed, held hostage and dipped into the very evil that has engrossed this family of freaks’. Over 16s only. Open 6-10pm. Tickets start from £25. London Bridge Experience, 2-4 Tooley Street, Borough, SE1 2SY. Nearest station: London Bridge. For more information and booking, visit the London Bridge Experience website.

• 27 October : Spirited Sermon – Day Of The Dead Special

As part of its informative and interactive Spirited Sermon series, JW Simpson is hosting a Day Of The Dead special with El Jimador tequila. As well as discover the story behind the spirit, you’ll also have the chance to make your own cocktails. Arrivals from 6pm, event from 6.30-10pm. Tickets: £25 + booking fee includes three cocktails. JW Simpson, 32 Goodge Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 2QJ. Nearest station: Goodge Street. For more information, visit the JW Simpson website.

A late night visit to the Tower Of London

• 28 October – 7 November : Nightwatchers @ Tower Of London

Enjoy special access to the Tower Of London when the visitors have gone for an immersive nighttime experience, directed by award-winning digital theatre company ANAGRAM. Have an induction to the world of covert investigation as you find your way around London’s most notorious prison using messages and phonecalls. For ages 16+ only, running time 45 minutes. Tickets: £16-£20. Tower Of London, Tower Hill, EC3N 4AB. Nearest station: Tower Hill, Tower Gateway (DLR) or Fenchurch Street. For more information and booking, visit the Historic Royal Palaces website.

• 29 October : Musical Bingo Halloween Ball

Musical bingo is similar to regular bingo – except they play music instead of shout numbers. Guests are encouraged to dress up for a night of bingo, music, food and ghoulish fun. There will also be prizes for the best dressed. Tickets: £12. 7pm-12am. Concrete, 56 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JJ. Nearest Overground: Shoreditch High Street. For more information and booking, visit the Musical Bingo website.

• 30 October : Ghost Stories of Sutton House

Son and Sons host a warm-up for Halloween with horror stories by firelight at this Tudor National Trust property. Fancy dress encouraged. For over 12s and adults. Gates open 7pm. Adults £7. Sutton House, 2-4 Homerton High Street, Hackney, E9 6JQ. Nearest station: Homerton. For more information, visit the National Trust website.

• 30 October : Dumb Supper @ Barts Pathology Museum

Special late night event at Barts Pathology Museum, an ancient custom to honour the dead. Diners will sit through a three-course meal without talking as you’re accompanied by a string quartet. 6.30-9pm. Tickets £50 (including three-course meal, all alcoholic drinks and entertainment). Barts Pathology Museum, 3rd Floor, Robin Brook Centre, West Smithfield, EC1A 7BE. Nearest station: St Paul’s or City Thameslink. To book, visit Eventbrite.

• 30 October : Friday Lates – The Art Of Witchcraft

A Halloween edition of Friday Lates, with artist Lachlan Goudie leading a ghoulish tour of the collection. 6.30-8pm. Tickets: £26. National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN. Nearest station: Charing Cross, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square or Embankment. For more information, visit the National Gallery website.

• 30 – 31 October : Fright Nights @ Old Royal Naval College

Enjoy a two course dinner in the Painted Hall at the Greenwich’s Old Royal Naval College. After your meal, you’ll be led through a secret tunnel to watch a scary film (Dracula or The Birds) in the undercrofts. Halloween dress code. 7-11pm. Tickets: £37.50 for two course dinner, welcome drink and screening. Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, Greenwich, SE10 9NN. Nearest station: Greenwich, Maze Hill or Cutty Sark (DLR). For more information and booking, visit the ORNC website.

• 30 – 31 October : The Nomad Cinema’s Spooky Screenings

Pop-up cinema company Nomad Cinema comes to Hyde Park with a selection of horror films, including Beetlejuice, The Shining, The Cabin In The Woods and Psycho. Screening at 7pm and 9.30pm. Tickets £25 include screening, a glass of bubbles, hot meal, Hallowe’en themed activities and a fire-pit for toasting marshmallows. The Lookout, Hyde Park, W2 2UH. Nearest tube: Hyde Park Corner or Marble Arch. For more information and booking, visit The Nomad website.

• 30 – 31 October : Chills in the Chapel – Escape From New York and Halloween II with live scores

Screenings of Escape From New York and Halloween II with live scores performed by composer Alan Howarth in the Gothic setting of Union Chapel. Followed by a Halloween ball. Over 18s only. 6.30pm-2am. Tickets start from £20 for screening, £5 for the ball. Union Chapel, Compton Terrace, N1 2UN. Nearest tube: Highbury & Islington. For more information, visit the Union Chapel website.

Scare yourself silly at The Mansion’s Halloween Ball
© The Mansion

• 31 October : The Mansion London presents The Halloween Ball

Extravagant Halloween party in a secret central London location, featuring two dancefloors, DJs, musicians, live performances, dancing devils, vintage horror films, tarot readings, art and human statues. Fancy dress mandatory, but there will be make-up artists to transform you even more. 2 drinks for 1 before 10pm. 9pm-3am. Tickets: £20-£25. Location to be revealed 48 hours before the event. For more information, visit The Mansion website.

• 31 October : Halloween: Voyage Of The Damned

Enjoy a candlelight tour of the National Maritime Museum and learn about death, disease and destruction. Tickets include a free Nelson’s Blood cocktail. 7-9.45pm. Tickets: £8 (£6 members). National Maritime Museum, Park Row, Greenwich, SE10 9NF. Nearest station: Cutty Sark (DLR) or Maze Hill. For booking, visit the Royal Museums Greenwich website.

• 31 October : Hallow’s Eve at Mr Fogg’’s Residence & Mr Fogg’’s Tavern

Mr Fogg’s of Mayfair hosts a celebration of the life of his aunt Gertrude Fogg, featuring her signature Miracle Vocal Elixir made with Tanqueray No. TEN gin and Victorian melodies. Following the Irish-style wake, there will be a funeral procession to Mr Fogg’s Tavern in Covent Garden for the ‘burial’, featuring live tunes, gin cocktails and Gertrude’s signature ales. 7pm onwards. Fogg’’s Residence, 15 Bruton Lane, Mayfair, W1J 6JD and Mr Fogg’s Tavern, 58 St Martin’s Lane, Covent Garden, WC2N 4EA. Nearest station: Piccadilly Circus or Covent Garden. For more information, visit the Mr Fogg’s website.

• 31 October : Terror On The Thames

Travel back to Victorian London in a party hosted by Bourne & Hollingsworth. Featuring music, creepy cocktails, face-painting and more. Victorian fancy dress code. 8pm-2am. Tickets £25. One Embankment, 8 Victoria Embankment, WC2R 2AB. Nearest station: Blackfriars or Temple. For tickets, visit TicketPorte. For Metro Girl’s post on Terror On The Thames, click here.

• 31 October : Ghost Tour @ Museum Of London Docklands

After being greeted with a hot drink, you’ll visit the haunted locations on the quayside before an intimate and exclusive after hours tour of the museum. Tours @ 6-8pm, 9-11pm & 11.59pm-2am. Tickets: £25 (includes a refreshment). Museum of London Docklands, No.1 Warehouse, West India Quay, E14 4AL. Nearest tube: West India Quay (DLR). For more information and booking, visit the Museum Of London Docklands website.

• 31 October : Werewolves Of London @ Trader Vic’s

Trader Vic’s tiki bar is hosting a Halloween party with live entertainment. Fancy dress encouraged, but not mandatory. 6.30pm until late. £10 entry afer 10pm. Trader Vic’s, 22 Park Lane, Mayfair, W1K 1BE. Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner. For more information, visit the Trader Vic’s London website.

• 31 October : Dead Cartoons @ The Little Yellow Door

The ‘flatmates’ from hit Notting Hill pop-up invite you to a Halloween house party with the dress code as ‘dead cartoon characters’ so think a Zombie version of your favourite animated personality. As well as fancy dress fun, there will be the usual creative cocktails and bar snacks. From 6pm until late. The Little Yellow Door, 68 Notting Hill Gate, Notting Hill, W11 3HT. Nearest station: Notting Hill Gate. For more information, visit The Little Yellow Door website. Read Metro Girl’s review of The Little Yellow Door here.

Celebrate Halloween at The Little Yellow Door pop-up before it closes in January
© The Little Yellow Door

• 31 October : Amazing Worlds – Harry Potter @ Dulwich Picture Gallery

Late night opening for families, featuring gallery tales, create your own artwork and watch a screening of Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone. 6-10pm. Tickets: Adults £24, Children £15. Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, Dulwich, SE21 7AD. Nearest station: West Dulwich or North Dulwich. For booking, visit the Dulwich Picture Gallery website.

• 31 October : Barrio Presents Day Of The Dead

The Barrio bars in Angel and Shoreditch will be transformed into spooky cemeteries to host two Days Of The Dead parties, featuring Mexican food, tequila cocktails, face-painters and late night DJs. Open 3pm-2am (Shoreditch) or 5pm-3am (Angel). Barrio North, 45 Essex Rd, Islington, N1 2SF (Nearest station: Angel or Essex Road) and Barrio East, 141-143 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, E1 6JE (Nearest station: Shoreditch High Street or Old Street). For more information, visit the Barrio website.

• 31 October : West End Film Club presents The Lost Boys

West End Film Club hosts two screenings of the cult 1987 film at the Century Club in Soho. Following the second screening, there will be a party on the roof until 2am. Tickets: £10. Century Club, 61-63 Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho, W1D 6LQ. Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square. For more information, visit the West End Film Club website.

• 31 October : Dial M For Murder @ M Restaurants

The City’s hot culinary destination M is being transformed into a 1920s speakeasy as it hosts a murder mystery evening, featuring a lavish meal, professional actors and a chance to solve ‘the crime’. Tickets £49pp, includes a complimentary ‘Dead Don’ cocktail on arrival. M, 2-3 Threadneedle Walk, 60 Threadneedle Street, City of London, EC2 8HP. Nearest station: Bank or Liverpool Street. For more information, visit the M Restaurants website.

• 31 October : Archer Street presents Thriller

Soho’s Archer Street bar puts on a musical celebration inspired by Michael Jackson’s iconic Thriller video. The bar, famed for its staff who can both sing and mix drinks, will be transformed into a glowing graveyard with tombstones and skeletons. There will be a special Thriller cocktail for only £4.95, with Michael Jackson himself tipped to make an appearance. 6pm-late. Archer Street, 3-4 Archer Street, Soho, W1D 7AP. Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus. For more information, visit the Archer Street website. For Metro Girl’s post on its pop-up Festival bar downstairs, click here.

• 31 October : The End Of The World Party – When Hell Erupts

The End Of The World parties are returning to London with When Hell Erupts, featuring party tunes chosen by revellers, confession wall, last ever selfie, ego massage, live show from The Church and serious Satan glitter! Tickets: £10-£16 (in advance), £20 on the door. The Electric, Town Hall Parade, Brixton, SW2 1RJ. Nearest station: Brixton. For tickets, visit The End Of The World website.

• 31 October : Day Of The Dead Insect Tacos @ El Patron

Putney’s Mexican bar and restaurant El Patron are putting on a special menu of insect tacos and cocktails to mark Day Of The Dead. Diners can sample dishes such as dried worms, marinated cockroaches and glazed scorpions all served on soft corn tortillas with various spices and toppings. House band Truly Meadly Deeply playing a selection of Latino classics and top hits, while face-painters will be on hand to transform you. Fancy dress encouraged. El Patron, 141 Upper Richmond Road, Putney, SW15 2TX. Nearest station: East Putney or Putney. For more information, visit the El Patron website. For Metro Girl’s review of El Patron, click here.

• 31 October : Buddy’s Haunted Cabin In The Woods @ Beaver Lodge

West London’s Jackson Hole-inspired nightclub is being tranformed into a chilling cabin for the night. Featuring a mystical magician, DJs playing jumpin’ beats, brews and Jim Beam Devil’s Cut Cocktails. Fancy dress encouaged. Beaver Lodge, 266 Fulham Road, Chelsea, SW10 9EL. Nearest station: West Brompton or Fulham Broadway. For more information, visit the Beaver Lodge website.

• 31 October : Candlelight Club’s Halloween Ball

Celebrate Halloween 1920s-style in a chandelier-filled ballroom hosted by pop-up nightclub Candlelight Club. As well luxury dining options, there will also be entertainment from the Top Shelf Band, Champagne Charlie, burlesque from Suri Sumatra, the Gatsby Girl flapper dancers, fortune telling and DJs. Tickets £35. At a secret London location. For tickets, visit the Candlelight Club website. For Metro Girl’s review of Candlelight Club, click here.

• 31 October : Yelloween @ St Barts

Exclusive Chelsea bar Barts hosted their annual spooky celebration with champagne reception. Fancy dress encouraged, but there will be a dressing up box for those unprepared. 6pm-1.30am. Barts, Chelsea Cloisters, 87 Sloane Avenue, Chelsea, SW3 3DW. Nearest tube: Sloane Square or South Kensington. For more information, visit the Barts website.

• 31 October – 28 November : Arcane

A pop-up immersive horror event from the people behind Zombie Apocalypse London. Explore a strange town and interact with locals as you become a character in this experimental experience. Age 16 and over. Timings generally 5-11pm. Tickets: £16pp. In a secret East London location. For more information, visit Zombie Apocalypse London.

For a guide to open-air ice rinks in London this winter, click here.

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