Things to do for Halloween in London 2026

Cheap accommodation in London is a fantastic thing at any time of the year but it’s especially appealing at Halloween. That’s because this amazing global city is absolutely packed with spooky, hair-raising and knee trembling things to see and do during the season of tricks, treats, ghosts and witches. Finding a youth hostel in London that offers clean, secure and extremely comfortable accommodation is one thing, but when you book with London Backpackers you get all of that and much more besides. Our central London hostel is just a quick bus or tube trip away from all the major attractions. Our youth hostel in London offers communal spaces to meet people from around the world, fully equipped cooking facilities and somewhere to wash and dry your clothes. In short, it’s a real home away from home and the perfect place from which to explore the following fantastic London Halloween attractions:

30 Spooky Activities to Enjoy in Halloween

1. Go Trick-or-Treating

Trick-or-treating is one of the most loved Halloween traditions, especially for children and families. Dress up in a favourite costume and visit decorated homes to collect sweets, chocolates and seasonal treats.

Many neighbourhoods create impressive Halloween displays with pumpkins, lights and spooky decorations, making the walk around the area part of the experience. It is a simple activity that brings communities together and creates memorable moments for children and parents.

2. Host a Halloween Costume Party

A Halloween costume party is a fun way to celebrate with friends, family or colleagues while showing off creative outfits. Guests can dress as classic Halloween characters, movie personalities, mythical creatures or completely original ideas.

You can make the event more exciting with themed decorations, music, party games and a costume competition. For those looking for Halloween parties London 2026, hosting a celebration at home can be a personalised and enjoyable alternative to larger events.

3. Create Halloween Costumes at Home

Making your own Halloween costume can be a creative activity before the celebrations begin. Instead of buying a ready-made outfit, use clothes, accessories and craft materials to design something unique.

DIY costumes are especially enjoyable for families, as children can take part in creating their own characters. From simple ideas to more detailed designs, making costumes adds a personal touch to the Halloween experience.

4. Decorate Your Home for Halloween

Decorating your home is one of the best ways to get into the Halloween spirit. Add pumpkins, cobwebs, candles, lights, skeletons and themed decorations to transform your space into a spooky setting.

Families and friends can work together to create different areas, such as a decorated entrance, Halloween corner or photo backdrop. A well-decorated home also makes gatherings, parties and evening celebrations feel more special.

5. Carve Halloween Pumpkins

Pumpkin carving is a classic Halloween activity enjoyed by people of all ages. Choose a pumpkin, create your design and carefully carve it into a traditional jack-o’-lantern or a more creative pattern.

Once finished, pumpkins can be displayed outside your home or used as part of your Halloween decorations. Visitors can also look out for seasonal pumpkin carving events where families can enjoy guided activities and festive experiences.

6. Paint Halloween Pumpkins

Pumpkin painting offers a creative alternative to traditional carving and is suitable for younger children as well as adults. Use paints, markers, stickers and decorations to create colourful Halloween designs.

You can make funny faces, spooky characters, autumn patterns or completely unique artwork. Painted pumpkins are also reusable decorations, making this activity a great option for families who want a mess-free Halloween craft.

7. Watch Classic Halloween Movies

A Halloween movie night is a relaxing way to celebrate the evening with friends or family. Choose from classic horror films, spooky mysteries, animated Halloween adventures or family-friendly favourites.

Create a cosy atmosphere with blankets, themed snacks and decorations to make the experience more enjoyable. It is a simple activity that works well after a busy day exploring Halloween attractions or events.

8. Have a Halloween Movie Night Outdoors

Take your movie experience outside by creating an outdoor cinema in your garden or a suitable open space. Add comfortable seating, blankets, fairy lights and Halloween decorations to create a special atmosphere.

Watching a spooky film under the night sky adds a unique element to the celebration. This activity is perfect for groups, families or couples looking for a different way to enjoy a Halloween evening.

9. Bake Halloween Cookies

Halloween baking is a fun activity that combines creativity with seasonal treats. Prepare cookies shaped like ghosts, bats, pumpkins, spiders or other Halloween symbols.

Decorating the cookies with colourful icing, sprinkles and themed designs makes the activity enjoyable for both children and adults. Homemade Halloween cookies can also be shared with guests, neighbours or trick-or-treat visitors.

10. Prepare Halloween-Themed Food

Give your meals a spooky twist by creating Halloween-inspired snacks, desserts and drinks. Try making dishes such as mummy-shaped snacks, monster sandwiches, ghost desserts or pumpkin-inspired treats.

Creative presentation can make ordinary food feel festive and exciting. This activity works well for family dinners, Halloween parties or gatherings where guests can enjoy themed dishes together.

11. Make Halloween Cupcakes

Halloween cupcakes are a fun way to combine baking with creativity. Prepare cupcakes with different flavours and decorate them using colourful icing, sprinkles and themed designs inspired by ghosts, pumpkins, witches or monsters.

This activity is perfect for families, children and baking enthusiasts who enjoy creating seasonal treats. The finished cupcakes can be served at parties, shared with friends or enjoyed as part of a Halloween celebration at home.

12. Create Halloween Candy Bags

Creating personalised candy bags adds an extra creative element to Halloween celebrations. Instead of simply handing out sweets, decorate small bags or containers with Halloween colours, stickers, ribbons and spooky designs.

Children can enjoy making their own treat bags before trick-or-treating, while hosts can prepare special gifts for guests or visitors. It is a simple activity that adds a thoughtful touch to Halloween traditions.

13. Visit a Pumpkin Patch

A visit to a pumpkin patch is a great way to enjoy the autumn season while preparing for Halloween. Spend time outdoors choosing the perfect pumpkin, taking seasonal photos and exploring the surroundings.

Many pumpkin patches offer additional activities such as farm walks, food stalls, children’s entertainment and pumpkin carving opportunities. It is a popular family-friendly experience during the weeks leading up to Halloween.

14. Make a Halloween Gingerbread House

Create a spooky twist on the traditional gingerbread house by decorating it with Halloween-inspired designs. Use icing, sweets and creative decorations to build haunted houses, ghostly scenes or pumpkin-themed displays.

This activity is ideal for families and children who enjoy hands-on projects. Once completed, the gingerbread house can become a centrepiece decoration or a special Halloween treat to share.

15. Host a Halloween Baking Competition

A Halloween baking competition brings together creativity, cooking and entertainment. Invite friends or family members to create themed cakes, cookies, cupcakes or desserts and challenge each other to make the most impressive designs.

Participants can be judged on creativity, presentation and flavour. It is a fun activity for groups and works particularly well as part of a Halloween gathering or party.

16. Make Halloween Cocktails and Mocktails

Create themed drinks that add a festive touch to your Halloween celebrations. Adults can prepare creative cocktails, while children can enjoy colourful mocktails decorated with fruit, sweets or themed toppings.

Using unique names, spooky decorations and seasonal flavours can make simple drinks feel more special. These beverages are perfect for dinner parties, Halloween gatherings or relaxing evenings with friends.

17. Create a Halloween Playlist

Music plays an important role in creating the right Halloween atmosphere. Put together a playlist featuring spooky sound effects, classic Halloween songs, movie soundtracks and dramatic background music.

A themed playlist can be used during parties, dinners, costume gatherings or while decorating your home. It is an easy way to bring extra energy and excitement to your celebrations.

18. Make Halloween Crafts

Creating Halloween crafts is a great activity for children and adults who enjoy being creative. Use materials such as paper, cardboard, fabric and paint to make decorations like bats, ghosts, spiders and pumpkins.

Handmade decorations can be used around your home, garden or party space. Craft activities are also a good way for families to spend time together while preparing for Halloween.

19. Explore a Haunted House

A haunted house experience is perfect for anyone who enjoys suspense, storytelling and a good scare. These attractions usually include themed rooms, eerie decorations, live actors and unexpected surprises.

London offers several immersive Halloween attractions where visitors can step into spooky environments and experience the darker side of the city. Experiences such as The London Dungeon combine historical storytelling with theatrical scares, making them popular during the Halloween season.

20. Go on a Ghost Tour

A ghost tour offers a unique way to explore London’s history while discovering mysterious stories and legends. Guided walks often take visitors through historic streets, hidden locations and areas connected with unusual tales.

These tours are especially atmospheric after dark when the city takes on a different character. They are ideal for visitors who enjoy folklore, history and spooky storytelling rather than traditional scare attractions.

21. Visit a Haunted Trail or Adventure Trail

A haunted trail combines outdoor exploration with Halloween entertainment, taking visitors through themed routes filled with decorations, storytelling and unexpected surprises. These experiences can range from family-friendly walks to more intense scare attractions designed for thrill seekers.

Many trails include interactive elements such as puzzles, characters and themed scenes along the route. For visitors searching for unique Halloween activities London experiences, adventure trails offer a fun way to enjoy the season while exploring outdoor spaces.

22. Attend a Halloween Parade

Halloween parades bring communities together through creative costumes, themed displays, music and entertainment. Visitors can watch people showcase imaginative outfits, enjoy performances and experience the festive atmosphere.

Parades are a great option for families and visitors who want to celebrate Halloween during the day without visiting a scare attraction. They also provide excellent opportunities for photography and creating memorable moments.

23. Visit a Halloween-Themed Dinner

A Halloween-themed dinner offers a different way to celebrate the season through food, atmosphere and entertainment. Restaurants and venues often create special menus featuring seasonal dishes, creative presentations and themed decorations.

These experiences are ideal for those who want to enjoy a social evening without attending a traditional party. A themed dinner can be a great choice for couples, friends or visitors looking for something unique during the Halloween period.

24. Take Part in a Halloween Quest Game

A Halloween quest game turns the celebration into an interactive adventure where participants follow clues, solve puzzles and complete challenges. These experiences often combine storytelling, mystery and exploration to create an engaging activity.

Some quest experiences use mobile apps or guided routes, allowing participants to become part of the story while discovering different locations. This is a great option for families, groups of friends and anyone who enjoys problem-solving activities.

25. Explore Halloween Horror Experiences

For those who enjoy intense scares, Halloween horror experiences offer immersive attractions filled with live actors, themed environments and special effects. These experiences are designed to create suspense and excitement through storytelling and unexpected moments.

London has several horror attractions and immersive experiences during the Halloween season, including theatrical scare events and dark historical attractions. They are ideal for visitors looking for more thrilling Halloween events London 2026 experiences.

26. Organise a Halloween Scavenger Hunt

A Halloween scavenger hunt turns a traditional treasure hunt into a spooky adventure. Create clues, hide treats and set challenges that encourage participants to explore different areas while solving puzzles.

This activity can be organised at home, in a garden or across an outdoor space. It is especially popular with families because children can enjoy teamwork, discovery and the excitement of finding hidden surprises.

27. Play Halloween Party Games

Halloween party games are a simple way to keep guests entertained during celebrations. Activities such as Halloween trivia, costume guessing games, mummy wrapping challenges and themed competitions can bring everyone together.

These games can be adapted for different age groups, making them suitable for children, families and adults. They are a great addition to both small gatherings and celebrations.

28. Tell Ghost Stories

Sharing ghost stories is a traditional Halloween activity that creates a mysterious atmosphere. Gather friends or family together and take turns sharing spooky tales, folklore, legends or fictional stories.

The experience becomes even more memorable with dim lighting, candles and Halloween decorations. Storytelling is a simple activity that does not require much preparation but can create a strong Halloween atmosphere.

29. Read Halloween-Themed Books

Reading Halloween-themed books is a relaxing way to enjoy the spooky season. Choose from ghost stories, mystery novels, horror classics or family-friendly Halloween adventures.

This activity is perfect for a quiet evening indoors and can be enjoyed alone or with family. Children can also explore illustrated Halloween stories featuring friendly monsters, witches and magical adventures.

30. Paint Your Face with Halloween Makeup

Halloween makeup allows you to transform your appearance and create a unique character without needing an elaborate costume. Try designs inspired by vampires, skeletons, witches, monsters or fantasy creatures.

Experimenting with face paint and makeup can be a fun creative challenge for beginners and experienced artists. It is also a great activity before attending Halloween celebrations, parties or themed events.

Events

The Halloween Jazz Ball

Hosted by the Candlelight Club, the Halloween Ball will take place on 31 October 2026 at a secret location in London. Inspired by the glamour of the 1920s Jazz Age, this pop-up Halloween party will feature live jazz music, cabaret performances, vintage décor, cocktails and a spooky atmosphere. Dress up in your best vintage outfit and enjoy a unique Halloween night filled with music, entertainment and old-school charm.

Kids

Halloween at Harry Potter Studios

Step into the magical world of Harry Potter Studios this Halloween for the return of Dark Arts, a spellbinding experience filled with eerie decorations, special effects and a haunting atmosphere. From 16th September to 8th November 2026, visitors can explore the studios as they are transformed with Halloween-inspired details, including thousands of floating pumpkins in the Great Hall and a dramatic display of Death Eaters gathering around the Forbidden Forest.

Places

The London Dungeons

From 17th October to 1st November 2026, the London Dungeon brings the darker side of London’s history to life with terrifying stories, live actors and immersive experiences. During Halloween, the attraction becomes even more frightening, taking visitors on a chilling journey through the city’s haunted past, including tales of the plague, notorious criminals and sinister characters. Please note that visitors under 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

No matter what kind of scary Halloween London experience you’re looking for, make use of our online booking system today, to ensure that you have access to cheap accommodation in London that’s anything but terrifying. After all the frights and shocks, we can promise a chance to get your breath back and relax in comfort.