The best things to do on Halloween in London

With its story revolving around the witches in The Wizard of Oz and thematically spot-on set pieces, not to mention the hit film adaptation, the massively successful musical “Wicked” musical has been a mainstay of Halloween since first opening in London in 2006. The production's splashy musical numbers are entertaining for adults and kids alike. The musical is permanently at home at the renowned Apollo Victoria Theatre, a stunning Art Deco venue with over two thousand seats.

Hoxton Street Monster Supplies is a unique London store offering an array of spooky products, from bottled smog to marshmallow brain food, catering to both the living and undead since 1818. Behind its traditional façade lies a trove of quirky items appealing to both adults and children. More than just a shop, Hoxton Street Monster Supplies also operates as a charitable venture for the Ministry of Stories.

London's famed Natural History Museum is open after hours on Halloween, letting visitors explore the dark side of its skeleton-filled galleries. You'll be able to learn about the spooky specimens, sip on a cocktail, and shake, rattle, and roll in the silent disco beneath Hope the blue whale. This year, there'll also be a Vampire Ball, a live band, and other fun Halloween activities.

South London's Horniman Museum will be hosting different spooky events this Halloween, including screenings of “Nosferatu” (1922) with an immersive live score, a family-friendly interactive show where children can help make the soundtrack to beloved animated films, and a colourful Day of the Dead festival with live shows, food, crafts, and more on 1 November.

This year at Alexandra Palace, Halloween and Bonfire Night collide with a spectacular mix of thrills. Expect a Halloween-inspired fireworks and drone display, spooky bonfires, ghost tours of the Victorian Theatre, and a fancy dress competition with prizes. Beyond the frights, the celebrations include a bierkeller with oompah bands and tribute acts, live 90s anthems from Rhythm of the 90s, plus a funfair, ice discos, and over fifty food stalls and bars.

Once the scariest night of the year is done and dusted, don't go throwing out your pumpkins just yet. In an effort to combat food waste and pumpkins ending up in the landfill, late-night Soho pasta bar 27 Old Compton Street is proposing a swap. If you bring in a leftover pumpkin – carved or whole, but non-mouldy and suitable for cooking – the restaurant will treat you to a complimentary serving of their pumpkin ravioli with sage butter, parmesan, and amaretto. Now that's a scary good deal!

Step right into Coya's Cursed Circus this Halloween in Mayfair, where the abandoned circus comes alive with eerie encounters and unsettling surprises. Expect a night of dark elegance with DJs, curious live performances, and a haunting atmosphere. Indulge in signature Peruvian fusion dishes, sinisterly reimagined cocktails, and themed desserts – costumes and make-up strongly encouraged.

Halloween weekend at Los Mochis kicks off on Friday with the City's most vibrant crowd, fuelled by high-energy DJ sets from Jordi Ruz and resident Kaveh, alongside theatrical performances and mezcal-inspired revelry. On Saturday, Día de los Muertos takes over the both branches with an explosive, immersive celebration of music, performances, and signature bottle service late into the night.

Throughout October, the West End's only remaining independent cinema shows a selection of classic Halloween films from all of cinema's history. Timeless classics such as "The Thing" and “A Nightmare on Elm Street” will be screened alongside newer features such as “The Witch” and “The Lighthouse”. They're also hosting a classic horror all-nighter. Check out the programme online and find the right fright night for you.

Decades on, the gruesome crimes of Jack the Ripper continue to fascinate and horrify. The Jack the Ripper Tour takes you to each of the murder scenes, providing insight into the bloody crimes. Taking you back to Victorian-era Whitechapel, the walking tour has a particularly sinister note to it in October. The tours run twice daily.

Kew Gardens are getting in on the Halloween game with an eerie light trail designed by the same folks as their acclaimed Christmas at Kew event. As you walk the grounds, you'll be able to see a fiendish fire garden, brave fire artists, glowing pumpkins, neon cobwebs, and other ghostly displays, with warm seasonal treats on hand to help warm you up despite all the chills.

In both name and deeds, Henry VIII sure does sound like the villain of a long-running horror film franchise. His royal home, Hampton Court Palace, leans into the scariness in October, setting up atmospheric projections and creepy sound effects throughout its dark winding corridors and courtyards to bring its infamous ghosts to unlife. The family-friendly adventure finishes off with some scary stories and a finally a comforting treat in the café.

ZSL London Zoo is calling all little monsters for a variety of fun, family-friendly Halloween events and workshops this October. Little ones can try their hand at decorating a pumpkin, explore a pumpkin patch and search for the perfect pumpkin, attend talks and demonstrations about the creatures of the night, dance under UV lights at the silent disco, and more.

One London's last remaining 1950s-style ballrooms, the Rivoli Ballroom features a majestic preserved interior and exterior, and regularly hosts all sorts of events, from live music to salsa classes and more. For Halloween, it's setting up as a pop-up cinema and screening classic spooky films such as “Psycho” and “The Crow”, as well as more family-friendly movies like “Hocus Pocus”. They're also hosting a Halloween disco and funk party, a haunted house party, and more.

Bounce, the popular neon-lit ping pong palaces, are hosting Halloween-themed bottomless brunches this year. Those brave enough to attend will be greeted by with playlist of scarily good hits courtesy of the resident DJs, ghoulish games, unlimited pizza, beer, prosecco, and cocktails, and more. You'll also be able to try out Bounce's latest hit – AI-enabled ping pong tables with different interactive games to choose from.

Between the Bridges, the fun all-day destination in South Bank, is hosting a number of different events for this year's Halloween festivities. You can start with Ogrepalooza, the ultimate Halloween party featuring the UK's #1 Shrek tribute band, attend a Halloween Special Bad Decisions quiz party on 31 October, have Halloween drag brunch the day after, and more.

One of London's favourite outdoor cinemas will be screening frighteningly fantastic films throughout October. At the Rooftop Cinema in Peckham, you'll be able to watch classics such as "Scream” and “Hocus Pocus” alongside modern-day releases such as “Sinners” and “28 Years Later”. They're also showing a selection of family-friendly films featuring little terrors, for example “Lilo & Stitch”.

Popular event organizers Perplex are hosting their most decadent Halloween party to date. They're taking over the One Marylebone venue for three successive days, bringing a jam-packed DJ line-up to the grand Grade-I listed church. The festivities draw you into a world of gothic glamour and immersive performances, so you can expect a lot of fascinating fancy dress.

Bringing a touch of Cote d'Azur elegance to St James's, Riviera is a lavish dining outlet with an indulgent menu and a carefully curated wine list. This Halloween weekend, every guest in costume will get the chance to draw for a mystery prize, ranging from sweet treats and discounts to the chance of a free meal. Join the fun, embrace the spirit of the season, and see what your costume might reveal.

A reconstruction of the original Globe Theatre from William Shakespeare's times, Shakespeare's Globe is launching a spooky, family-friendly guided tour this October, exploring ghosts, spirits, and eerie moments from Shakespeare's most chilling plays. Along the way, visitors will discover grisly medical practices of the era, London's supernatural folktales, and traditional methods once used to ward off evil.

At stylish karaoke venue BAM Karaoke Box in Westminster, pop culture meets paranormal this Halloween. Inspired by Lady Gaga's album “Mayhem”, expect two nights of glam, ghosts, glitter, karaoke chaos, and exclusive Halloween cocktails, sponsored by Belvedere. Step into a night of shocking surprises, freaky fashion, and non-stop karaoke madness

There are several Little Door venues around London, each designed as a flatshare that's been turned into a lively bar. Each one is hosting its own themed Halloween party inspired by cinema, from “Hocus Pocus” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street” to “Haunted Hollywood”. There will be best-dressed competitions, DJs, Halloween punch, and more.

Halloween at Kenwood will turn the historic Hampstead Heath estate into an illuminated trail filled with eerie encounters, ghostly figures, and immersive light and sound installations. Visitors can expect everything from the Headless Horseman and cackling witches to neon spider tunnels, graveyards, fire shows, and spooky projections on the grand façade. With themed food, drinks, interactive selfie spots, and a family-friendly atmosphere (costumes and dogs encouraged), it promises a unique Halloween adventure for all ages.

Lil' Nashville is hosting a one-night-only Honky-Tonk Halloween Big Nash Bash, bringing a ghostly twist to country music in London. Guests can expect live bands, eerie covers, moonshine, and line-dancing under lantern light, as the bar transforms into a haunted honky-tonk. The Country Roses will lead a special Halloween-themed performance and tutorial, ensuring the dancefloor stays undead right up until the witching hour.

This October, the Oxygen Activeplay parks come alive to shake the Screen Zombies from their slumber. Families can dive into Halloween-themed adventures designed to get kids moving, laughing, and forgetting their phones. With spooky fun, active games, and plenty of costume-ready excitement, it's a month of wicked energy you won't want to miss.

“Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular” is hosting a special Halloween-themed version of the hit circus musical this year. The venue will transform into a haunted hall filled with thrilling illusions, oddities, and surprises, and audiences are invited to come dressed as witches, zombies, or any creature of the night. Highlights include a family-friendly matinee on 31 October with games, prizes, and trick-or-treat fun, plus an adults-only evening show featuring a themed cocktail, chilling pre-show acts, and a late-night afterparty.

This Halloween, the newly relaunched Bunga 90 in Covent Garden transforms into a chilling 90s nightmare, combining retro nostalgia with spooky thrills. Expect haunted video-store vibes, creepy cocktails, giant pizzas, and karaoke chaos set to Halloween remixes of classic 90s anthems. With nods to “Scream”, “Buffy”, and “Hocus Pocus”, it's the ultimate neon-drenched throwback party for anyone ready to unleash their inner Scary Spice or Scream Queen.

Ayllu in Paddington is marking Halloween with a two-night Día de los Muertos celebration. Guests can enjoy candlelit dining among marigolds, with three Nikkei-style tasting menus featuring ceviches, sashimi, Peruvian BBQ, and more. The experience is elevated with live Spanish guitar, tarot readings, and calavera-inspired face painting.

For Halloween, the Fairgame adult funfairs transform into eerie forests filled with roller-skating witches, stilt-walking sorceresses, and live DJ sets. Expect a fancy dress competition and thrilling game battles with your friends, all adding to the night's mischief. Each ticket includes games and a welcome cocktail from Beavertown and Pueblo Viejo, so rally your coven and prepare for a night of spooky debauchery.

This Halloween, 12th Knot at Sea Containers London will transform into a darkly decadent playground for Dark Waters, a Grey Goose Lates party high above the city. Guests can expect DJs, immersive entertainment, cocktails, and skyline views for a night of music and mischief. The following day, the bar is hosting a family-friendly Halloween Mini Disco, where children can enjoy games, dancing, and fancy dress fun by Sharky & George, while parents relax with drinks and Thames views.

This October, The Paddington Bear Experience is transformed with marmalade-orange magic and autumnal decorations. Families can make Halloween extra special with a Trick or Treat upgrade, giving children a fun and safe way to celebrate. The package includes a pumpkin sweet bucket, sweet treats along the way, and exclusive Paddington Bear ears. Fancy dress is encouraged.

Coinciding with the Day of the Dead, this family-friendly celebration brings one of Mexico's most action-packed cultural spectacles to Bethnal Green for two nights of high-flying action and wrestling theatrics. The star-studded roster of luchadores includes the silver-masked legend El Hijo del Santo in his farewell UK appearance, performing alongside his son Santo Jr. The event also includes Mexican street food, live music, and more.

Marylebone's Home House will transform into The Lost Forest on Halloween, inviting members and guests into a night of shadows, spirits, and sorcery. The Georgian townhouses will be reimagined with enchanted rooms, immersive performances, and eerie encounters, infusing revelry with ritual and mystery. Tickets start from £110 for members and £130 for guests, with options for cabaret dinners or overnight stays in the club's iconic bedrooms.

The London Taco Experience returns to Riverside East on 1 November with a Day of the Dead special, following a sold-out debut. Guests can enjoy tacos from some of the city's best traders, including Taco Bros, Tacos MX, Mex Club, Nopalito, Polanco, and La Chingada, all priced at £4.50 or less, alongside margaritas, micheladas, mezcal tastings, and a hot sauce showcase. With DJs, a live mariachi band, and views from the rooftop terrace, this flavour-packed fiesta promises to be one of the spiciest events of the season.

Dare to explore the dark side of London's Docklands in this haunting after-hours experience set within a 200-year-old warehouse. As the sun sets, step into a world of ghostly tales and sinister secrets, uncovering the eerie past of Sailortown and its long-forgotten inhabitants. Shadows whisper, floorboards creak, and unseen eyes may follow you through the narrow alleys and abandoned workshops of this spine-tingling historic site.

This Halloween, Ixchel joins forces with Don Julio Tequila for a weekend of Mexican-inspired feasting and Día de los Muertos celebrations. On 31 October, guests can enjoy a glamorous evening starting with a Don Julio Paloma, followed by a five-course menu featuring dishes such as soft shell crab tacos and mole negro confit duck leg, all set to a live DJ soundtrack. The festivities continue on 2 November with a relaxed, family-style dinner accompanied by acoustic music and optional tequila pairings.

Taco Bros, a third-generation family-run taqueria now settled in East Finchley, is celebrating Día de los Muertos with colour, flavour, and tradition. From 17 October to 9 November, guests can enjoy a special £10 blood orange margarita and visit the restaurant's traditional ofrenda honouring loved ones. On 1 and 2 November, from 4–8 pm, diners aged 3 and up can also enjoy free Día de los Muertos face painting – the perfect way to get festive after lunch.

OXBO Bankside is giving its popular weekend brunches a spooky makeover this Halloween, complete with themed decor, cobwebs, and a friendly witch handing out sweets and chocolates. Guests can enjoy the restaurant's signature four-course brunches with a seasonal twist and themed toppers. Saturday's menu features brunch classics like eggs, waffles, and pancakes followed by rotating seasonal mains, while Sunday's bottomless roast brunch includes beef, chicken, or veggie options with all the trimmings. Both include unlimited plates of savoury starters and sweet desserts from a buffet-style selection.

“Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition” is an immersive showcase of the occult, folklore, and the supernatural, featuring over 1,000 rare artefacts across 27 themed rooms. Visitors can encounter everything from cursed dolls and voodoo fetishes to Aleister Crowley's belongings and infamous works like “The Devil's Bible” and “Malleus Maleficarum”. Held in The Vaults beneath Waterloo Station, the exhibition is a fascinating exploration of mystery, belief, and the unknown.

Nikkei restaurant Piraña sets sail into darker waters for three nights only this Halloween, taking over Mayfair with a mutiny of rebellion and revelry. A lively crew will roam the floor with a scarily scintillating aura, drawing guests deeper into the chaos. Specially crafted cocktails will chart the course through the night, while an exclusive dessert, created solely for this occasion, completes the indulgent voyage.