Halloween is creeping up on us (literally), the nights are getting darker, and London is full of ghoulishly good events to keep you entertained over spooky season.
DISCOVER: 54 best things to do in autumnal London this October
SEE: 11 most haunted places to visit in London - if you dare
Whether curling up on Halloween night with your favourite horror and spooky snacks is your vibe, or donning your finest costume and seeking out spooktacular cocktails around the city is more your jam, we've got you covered.
For the best Halloween-themed events around the city, read our guide of best spooky events in London this October.
Best Halloween events in London 2021
Jack the Ripper, Haunted London & Sherlock Holmes Halloween Tour
Take a trip back in time to discover sinister sides of London’s history. Embark on an open-top drive through the most haunted streets of London and take a chilling ghost tour of the capital. Those brave enough to take part will explore the underbelly of London’s East End, following the murderous trail of Jack the Ripper, before finishing the tour at the Sherlock Holmes pub.
To book, visit wowcher.co.uk
Explore one of the world's most haunted theatres
Theatre Royal Drury Lane is said to be one of the most haunted buildings in the world, with a cast of late-night visitors walking its halls, including the notorious Man in Grey. Offering a limited number of tours from 25th-31st October, guests are invited on a whistle-stop tour of the iconic London landmark where they’ll unearth hidden tales, scandal, conspiracy and hear ghost stories from the theatres, both past and present.
Prices from £25, to book visit thelane.co.uk
Dare to get trapped in this terrifying escape room
Is there anything more terrifying than being locked in? Test your wits with a thrilling escape room game this Halloween. Located on E1’s Commercial Street, London Escaped houses multiple inspiring game rooms that will test you to your limits.
Guests will have 60 minutes to search, ruminate, panic and solve problems to make your way out of the room. Filled with mind-boggling twists and turns, the time runs out quickly, so you need to be on the ball! Take a group of six people, and choose your favourite themed room. Do you dare?
To book, visit wowcher.co.uk
London Bridge Ghost Walking Tour for Two
Journey back in time on this spine-tingling tour of the capital, as you explore where law-abiding citizens would not dare enter and pass the site where anaesthetic-free operations were carried out, in the world’s oldest operating theatre. An experienced guide will take you to visit prostitute graveyards, secret alehouses, cockfighting rings and bear-baiting pits, on this two-hour tour of London Bridge's horrible history.
Prices from £40, visit redletterdays.co.uk
Party the night away with Southern Comfort
Southern Comfort is throwing a Halloween party like no other. Collaborating with one of the UK’s leading night clubs, Cirque Du Soul, they will bring the magic of New Orleans to life at NOLA-inspired venue, ‘Lafayette’ on Wednesday 27 October.
The Cirque Du Soul collective will entertain revellers throughout the night, soaking the air with the freshest collection of house, funk, soul, disco, bass, garage and hip-hop music. The one-off Halloween experience will feature a wicked mix of dancers, performances and decorations, inspired by New Orleans’ neon-lit streets and legendary creativity. For further magic on the night, guests can transform themselves with the help of makeup artists from In Your Dreams. Expect long tails and corsets, top hats and canes, glitter, sequins and feathers, blacks, reds, golds - if you don't dress up, you can't get down.
Tickets are available now via Fever at £12.00 (subject to booking fee), including a complimentary Southern Comfort slushie cocktail, to be redeemed on entry.
Best Halloween events for kids in London 2021
Magical Afternoon Tea for Two Adults and Two Children at Wands and Wizard Exploratorium
Step into a world of magical adventure with a family afternoon tea at Wands and Wizard Exploratorium for just £108. You'll be able to select a magic wand and begin spell casting to make the tea stand turn before you unlock a puzzle chest full to the brim with ingredients to make your own magical afternoon tea. After mastering the art of magic, indulge in a tempting selection of sweet treats and savoury nibbles.
To book, visit redletterdays.co.uk
Willa Wonka Halloween Party at Cloud Twelve
Cloud Twelve family wellness club in Notting Hill is running a weekend of spooktacular Halloween events on 29-31 October. Embrace your inner Ogre with slime making, get lost in the pumpkin hunt, decorate ghostly masks, feed a giant spider and bust mischievous ghosts.
Get picture perfect in the Spooky Photobooth and explore our enchanted forest to find a golden ticket to Willy Wonka's Trick Or Treat Shop. Finish with a monster parade and a haunted disco.
For details visit cloudtwelve.co.uk
Get spooked at Shrek's Adventure! London
The residents of Shrek's Adventure! London are celebrating Halloween this half term with a visit from a clumsy witch!
This Halloween, the clumsy witch needs all our help to find her dropped belongings after crash landing in London. Guests can pick up a trail card from the entrance and keep their eyes peeled for the spooky items before they board the magic 3D bus that will whisk them to Far Far Away.
At the end of the tour just hand your list to the witch and she will delve into her spooky cauldron to give you a special treat!
For more information visit shreksadventure.com
SEA LIFE London Aquarium: Creepy Crawly Adventure
This Halloween, from October 17 to November 1, SEA LIFE London Aquarium's Rainforest Adventure is taking a scary turn as it is overrun by thousands of creepy crawlies.
If brave enough, guests are invited to discover some of the Amazon's most amazing inhabitants, including the UK's largest population of piranhas, crocodiles, poison dart frogs and snapping and pig-nosed turtles. There is so much more to discover throughout the rest of the attraction too, from Shark Walk, Penguin Point and Rock Pool Explorer, all the way to Coral Kingdom.
Visit visitsealife.com for more information.
Take the kids to KidZania in London
KidZania London is getting ready to welcome kids and adults this October half term - and you can't miss it!
Kids aged 4-14 can join the thrills and frights as the indoor city full of immersive activities based on real-life jobs is transformed into a fa-BOO-lous ghost town with six new activities especially for Halloween.
Meanwhile, adults can take over the city for one night only on 22 October, from 7pm to 11pm, and try everything on offer to release the inner child. From an airline pilot to a doctor, firefighter or a radio DJ, grown-ups can make their dream career a reality… It's a little scary and a lot of fun!
For more information visit kidzania.co.uk
Best food & drink Halloween events in London 2021
Granary Square Brasserie in King's Cross is getting into 'Día de los Muertos' festivities with a show-stopping installation across its entrance, as well as a limited-edition cocktail menu created in collaboration with Cointreau. The gorgeous floral installation has given the popular venue a Mexican makeover, featuring bold bursts of colour and breathtaking blooms.
Devilishly tasty cocktails include the El Diablo, a fruity blend of Cointreau, Tequila, Mezcal, lime, pineapple, apple and avocado and the Café Naranja, a special twist on an Espresso Martini. The special menu is available from Monday 11 October to Sunday 7 November – and make sure to book because the venue (including the terrace) is always bustling. Those dining at the venue on Saturday 30 October will be treated to a Halloween spooktacular featuring live entertainment and DJs.
To make a reservation, visit granarysquarebrasserie.com
Spook-tacular Halloween Afternoon Tea
To celebrate Halloween, luxury French tea purveyor Mariage Frères is introducing a bewitching new afternoon tea experience at its resplendent tea emporium in the heart of London’s Covent Garden. From 25th-31st October, guests can enjoy a limited-edition Halloween Afternoon Tea (£35pp) in the flagship store’s stunning Salon de Thé.
Each and every item has been delicately infused with tea from Mariage Frères’ exquisite Halloween tea collection – expect spooky Black Bao Burgers filled with beef tataki and coleslaw infused with Chaï Parisen® tea; an assortment of mushroom and cashew sandwiches; and a hauntingly delicious Chicken Ballotine with pumpkin, ginger and polenta and infused with Full Moon Party® green tea.
Sweet treats include the signature annual special, the ghoulish Fantome de L’Opera: a yuzu sponge cake infused with Earl Grey Imperial® tea and coated in Italian meringue; alongside a pumpkin and orange cheesecake, and frighteningly-good black macarons filled with chocolate ganache infused with Midnight Magic® red tea and a gianduja gooey centre.
To book, visit mariagefreres.com
STK's haunted Halloween takeover
STK London Westminster is pulling out all the stops for Halloween this year! The popular restaurant will be given a ghostly transformation from Wednesday 27 November, with everything from flickering candles to faceless skulls. A limited edition menu will be served up to ensure that it's an unforgettable dining experience for all those brave enough to enter – complete with devilish cocktails. These include the Goose Bite - with Grey Goose vodka, blue curacao, peach liquer, orange juice and champagne on the top, and the moorish Dark Blue, complete with Bacardi Carta Blanca, blue curacao, green apple liquor and lime. Along with their signature steaks and vegetarian options - including the mushroom and truffle tagliatelle and the buratta salad - be sure to make room for the triple cooked chips - they won't disappoint.
To book, visit STK's website
Brace yourselves at Brasserie of Fright
Not for the faint-hearted! This Halloween, Brasserie of Light in Selfridges has transformed into 'Brasserie of Fright' with a horrifying October campaign, offering a limited-edition cocktail menu in partnership with Edrington-Beam Suntory, and a deadly dessert to shock and delight this season. What's more, the restaurant will be filled with chilling characters, including The Shining Twins, Annabelle the doll, Pennywise from IT and Rosemary’s baby. During Halloween weekend the restaurant will be dimly lit and characters from the movies will roam around providing an immersive experience for diners - perfect for horror film fans!
Book - if you dare...brasserie-of-light.co.uk
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