The Best Halloween Events for Kids in London 2026
- Tracy Tristram
- 20 hours ago
- 7 min read
Thereāll be no resting witch face happening this year because London is going all inĀ on Halloween. š Whether your kids want pumpkins and cute creepy crawlies, magical trails and spooky stories, or theyāre old enough to actively seek out things designed to make them scream, thereās plenty happening in and around London this October. And because Halloween falls right in the middle of October half term this year, you can pretty much forget having a quiet week. š
So grab the costumes, embrace the questionable face paint and get ready for our pick of the best Halloween activities for kids in London in 2026Ā ā from glowing gardens and haunted palaces to animals, pumpkins, LEGO monsters and a few things that are considerably more terrifying.
š Kew Gardens ā Halloween at Kew
š Richmond, West Londonš 16 October ā 1 November 2026
Kew Gardens is once again turning into a rather spectacular Halloween wonderland, with an illuminated trail winding through the gardens after dark. This year there are some seriously spooky additions, including Draculaās Lair, a Cursed Tomb, a Medieval Dungeon, a Forest Ritual and a Monster Disco, alongside live actors, fire performers and the return of the Headless Horseman. The clever bit for families is that you can choose your level of spooky. Daylight sessions are best for younger children, Twilight gets a little scarier and Moonlight is the spookiest option.Ā So you don't have to throw your five-year-old straight into the darkness and discover they've developed the lungs of an opera singer.
Halloween at Kew runs from 16 October to 1 November, with timed entry and limited capacity, so this is one to book ahead for.
š“ Hopefield Animal Sanctuary ā Halloween Festival
š Brentwood, Essexš 24 October ā 1 November 2026 | 10amā3pm
If your kids like Halloween but aren't quite ready for people jumping out of bushes at them, Hopefield's Halloween FestivalĀ is a brilliant option. The Essex animal sanctuary is going all out for a week of family-friendly spooky fun, with a Pirate Treasure Trail, spooky barn, indoor pumpkin picking, Halloween arts and crafts, creepy crawlies and fangtastic character walkarounds.
And yes, every paying child gets their own free pumpkinĀ to take home, plus a goodie bag containing a free return voucher. š
There are both indoor and outdoor activities, so the fun continues even if British weather decides to do its traditional Halloween trick of throwing rain at you. Best of all, you can combine all the spooky stuff with a day meeting Hopefield's rescued animals ā and your visit helps support the sanctuary and the animals in its care.
There's also a Fright-Free ZoneĀ for children who'd rather enjoy Halloween without the actual frightening bit. Honestly, we approve.
š§ Eltham Palace ā Halloween Half Term
š Eltham, South East Londonš 24 October ā 1 November 2026 | 10amā4pm
Eltham Palace is getting into the Halloween spirit with its Great Pumpkin Party, and this one looks particularly good for younger children. Expect interactive storytelling, spooky games, a devilish disco, themed trails and seasonal selfie spots around the palace. Kids can also get dressed up and enter the daily fancy dress competition. It's included with standard admission, so if you've never visited Eltham Palace before, Halloween is a pretty good excuse to discover this slightly bonkers combination of medieval palace and glamorous 1930s Art Deco mansion.
Basically, Henry VIII meets Halloween disco. We're in.
š§± LEGOLAND Windsor ā Brick or Treat
š Windsorš 10ā11 October and 17 October ā 1 November 2026
Halloween + LEGO + rides = a fairly foolproof combination for children. Brick or Treat transforms LEGOLAND Windsor into a giant Halloween party, with LEGO Monsters, spooky models, entertainment and plenty of opportunities for little monsters to get involved. The whole resort gets the Halloween treatment, but this is firmly on the family-friendly rather than genuinely terrifyingĀ end of the scale ā making it a good option if your children want Halloween without spending the afternoon hiding behind your coat.
And obviously, if your children are LEGO obsessed, the answer is probably yes before you've even finished reading this paragraph.
šÆ Chessington World of Adventures ā Howlāoāween
š Chessington, Surreyš Selected dates from 3 October ā 1 November 2026
Chessington is back with Howlāoāween, bringing Halloween fun to the rides and zoo.
Expect spooky entertainment, Halloween-themed activities and plenty of opportunities to get your adrenaline fix while the park gets a suitably creepy makeover.
It's a good middle ground for families with children who have outgrown the pumpkin-and-crafts stage but aren't quite ready for full-on horror. And obviously, the fact there are animals involved makes it automatically more interesting to us.
š§ Warner Bros. Studio Tour London ā Dark Arts
š Leavesden, Hertfordshireš 16 September ā 8 November 2026
Harry Potter fans, this one is basically compulsory. The Dark ArtsĀ feature returns to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, with the Great Hall filled with more than 100 floating pumpkins and the darker side of Hogwarts taking over the studios. You'll encounter Death Eaters and Dementors, see them performing the sinister choreography from the films, and discover the sets, props and costumes from the wizarding world in a suitably spooky atmosphere.
It's not a traditional Halloween event as such, but if you've got a Harry Potter obsessed child, this is a pretty magical way to spend October half term.
š SEA LIFE London Aquarium ā Creepy Creatures
š South Bankš 22ā31 October 2026
Things get a little creepy beneath the surface at SEA LIFE London Aquarium this Halloween.
The Creepy CreaturesĀ experience takes families into the rainforest to meet some of the creatures that tend to make people say āNOPEā ā including tarantulas, leafcutter ants, crocodiles and piranhas.
You'll meet the Rainforest Ranger, learn more about some of the rainforest's creepiest inhabitants and get a much better appreciation of the fact that spiders are considerably less scary when they're behind glass.
A good choice for curious kids who prefer their Halloween with a healthy dose of āOMG, DID YOU SEE THAT?āĀ rather than actual jump scares.
š° Tower of London ā Halloween at the Tower
š Tower Hill, Central Londonš 24 October ā 1 November 2026
If your children like their Halloween with a side order of actual history, head to the Tower of London. For October half term, the Tower's notorious history gets a spooky makeover with chilling tales, mysterious happenings and plenty of atmospheric places to explore.
Look out for the Haunted Forge, Enchanted Wishing Well and Raven's ObservatoryĀ as you explore one of London's most famous historic landmarks.
And let's be honest, the Tower doesn't exactly need much help becoming creepy. It has had centuries to perfect it.
š» Hampton Court Palace ā Halloween
š East Molesey, Surreyš 24 October ā 1 November 2026
Henry VIII's old stomping ground is leaning heavily into its haunted reputation this Halloween.
Hampton Court Palace will be transformed with atmospheric projections, eerie sound effects, magical spells and ghostly figures ā plus a Halloween trail through the Wilderness featuring pumpkins, scarecrows and seasonal surprises.
There are also Halloween storytelling sessions every day during half term, with stories taking place in the King's Guard Chamber.
It's family-friendly, but there are some things to be aware of: the palace warns that visitors may encounter darkness, loud noises, flashing lights and occasional jump scares. So perhaps don't bring the child who considers a slightly unexpected noise a personal attack. š
šø WWT London Wetland Centre ā SUPER Natural Half Term
š Barnes, South West Londonš 24 October ā 1 November 2026
Prefer your Halloween with considerably less screaming? The WWT London Wetland Centre is going SUPER NaturalĀ this October half term with a magical, scare-free Halloween adventure aimed particularly at younger children.
Kids can make willow wands, mix marshland potions, explore fungi, investigate owl pellets, discover wetland wildlife and get involved with seasonal outdoor activities.
There'll also be pumpkin carving, cryptid discoveries and other magical activities throughout the event.
It's basically Halloween for children who would like a bit of magic but would strongly prefer not to encounter a man dressed as a demon in a dark alley.
š¢ Thorpe Park ā Fright Nights
š Chertsey, Surreyš 2ā4 & 9ā11 October, 15 October ā 1 November 2026
Now we're moving firmly into āyour children are probably going to enjoy this more than youāĀ territory. Thorpe Park's Fright Nights is back for 2026, celebrating 25 Years of FearĀ with scare mazes, scare zones, shows and rides in the dark.
There are new and returning scare attractions, plus the chance to ride some of the UK's biggest coasters after dark.
Important:Ā Thorpe Park recommends the scare attractions for ages 13+, so this is one for older kids and teenagers rather than your six-year-old who still sleeps with a night light.
š Go pumpkin picking
Because Halloween isn't complete until you've brought home a pumpkin considerably larger than the child who selected it. We've got a whole gourdeous guide to the best pumpkin patches around LondonĀ to bring your little squishy squashes to.
Expect pumpkins, autumnal photos, muddy shoes and at least one child insisting they absolutely need the largest pumpkin in the entire field. And yes, you are absolutely allowed to judge people by the size of their pumpkin. It's basically the law.
š» More Halloween ideas coming soon...
We're keeping an eye on London's Halloween events and will be adding more 2026 family-friendly Halloween activitiesĀ as they're announced, so bookmark this guide and check back before half term. Because let's face it, once the kids are off school, you're going to need a plan.
Or at least the appearance of one.
š Final thoughts
Halloween in London is looking pretty damn good for 2026. Whether your children want glowing trails and pumpkins, magical palaces, creepy creatures and rescued animals, or they're old enough to actively seek out rollercoasters in the dark and people dressed as terrifying monsters, there is something to suit pretty much every level of bravery.
Our advice? Know your child's scare limit before you book.Ā Some of these events are genuinely family-friendly, while others are aimed at older children and teenagers. And if in doubt, choose the pumpkin. The pumpkin is rarely terrifying.
Happy Halloween, London. š·ļøšš»
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