From bats to balls, here’s how to celebrate Halloween in London.
Scare yourself silly with Halloween in London. There are fun activities for anyone who dares to venture into the city on the spookiest night of the year. Whether you’re looking to dine out, dress up, Halloween in London looks set to be a wild night out. The Monster Mash is optional.
Boo at the Zoo at London Zoo
Get ready for family-friendly fun at London Zoo. Pumpkin patches, UV discos and marshmallow-toasting stations are just some of the after-dark delights. Check out the furry inhabitants at Boo at the Zoo. Pick and paint the perfect orange gourd, make a flapping bat in craft workshops and join a silent disco. Plus, you can find out about the zoo’s nocturnal animals and listen to expert talks.
GO: Visit www.londonzoo.org for more information.
Fright at the Natural History Museum
Spend Halloween amongst creepy artefacts this October, at the Natural History Museum for its adults-only fright night. There’ll be a live band, a silent disco and a vampire ball. Plus, scientists around to talk about the beasts on display. Head on over for a chance to explore the museum’s collection of jarred pickled creatures and more.
GO: Visit www.nhm.ac.uk for more information.
Halloween at Kew at Kew Gardens
After a highly successful debut last year, Kew Gardens is bringing back its Halloween lights trail through its beloved botanical gardens. Guests can expect illuminated trees, spooky installations, fire performers, and actors to keep up the scary atmosphere. There will be three time slots: Daylight sessions during the daytime, for younger audiences, twilight slots between 6pm and 7.30pm, and moonlight slots after 7.30pm.
GO: Visit www.kew.org for more information.
Halloween Silent Disco at Battersea Power Station
Battersea Power Station has provided the spooky setting for many movies, and now it is the place to be for Halloween in London. Control Room B in the heart of the station comes alive for a one-night-only with The Silent Disco. On 31 October, guests can step into the shadows of the once-deserted turbine halls and pop on a three-channel headset, killer cocktails, and dance beside the original control panels. Tickets start from £25 per person and include a welcome cocktail.
GO: Visit https://batterseapowerstation.co.uk for more information.
HorrOctober at The Prince Charles Cinema
The iconic Prince Charles Cinema will feature an especially spooky lineup of films this season. Featuring almost 100 titles, it covers everything from horror classics to all-night marathons, not forgetting its renowned sing-along A Rocky Horror Picture Show. Films to note include: the original 1977 Suspiria (running from 4 October to 1 November), The Night of the Living Dead (on 26 October) and the original 1922 Nosferatu performed with a live score (from 6 to 31 October). Various all-night marathons will run, including all six Final Destination films (25 October). There will also be several screenings on 35mm, including The Exorcist (from 11 to 31 October), The Shining (10 October to 6 November) and Texas Chainsaw Massacre (from 13 to 31 October).
GO: Visit https://princecharlescinema.com for more information.
JOIA, art’otel Battersea Power Station
Running from 29 October to 2 November, JOIA Restaurant and Rooftop at the art’otel, Battersea Power Station, is hosting a Halloween movie pop-up and dinner. For its second edition, JOIA will put on fan favourite Halloween movies paired with a hot toddy and popcorn, to be enjoyed on their gorgeous rooftop. The films screened include The Lost Boys on 29 October, Ghostbusters on 30 October, and Hocus Pocus on 2 November. Tickets are £80 per person for chairs and £90 per person for a sofa. Admission includes dinner at JOIA, admission to the film and JOIA’s homemade popcorn.
GO: Visit www.joiabattersea.co.uk for more information.
The London Halloween Ball at Electric Brixton
After selling out every year since 2018, Electric Brixton’s Halloween Ball is back with a bang. Guests can expect stage shows from dancers and circus performers, scare actors, a trick or treat station, a murder mystery photobooth and themed cocktails, plus DJs until 4am. Last year’s party even saw a live FreakShow on a bed of nails, a Cyr wheel show and an aerial performance.
GO: Visit www.electricbrixton.uk.com for more information.
A Halloween Costume Ball at Fulham Palace
Get involved in some old-school flapper dancing at Fulham Palace’s Roaring Twenties-themed Halloween Ball. The event takes place on 31 October in the iconic Bishop Howley’s room at Fulham Palace. The costume party will start with a 30-minute dance lesson in which guests can learn groovy twenties dances like the Charleston or the tango, and after, a jazz band will provide the tunes to your moves. Plus, there will be themed cocktails and ghoulish characters.
GO: Visit www.fulhampalace.org for more information.
Rowdy Halloween at Thirteen LDN
If 13 is your lucky number, then head to Thirteen LDN at Chateau Denmark in Soho. On 31 October, guests can enjoy live cabaret, circus, and music. The night kicks off to the beats of the resident DJ Jamie Moon. Guests can look forward to the burlesque performer, Turkish Delight. The line-up includes the hula hoop sensation, Storm Hooper, and Australia’s showgirl, J’aiMime.
GO: Visit www.chateaudenmark.com for more information.
Saints and Sinners at The Standard, London
On the night of Friday 31 October, guests are invited to The Standard, London, as it will reimagine Sweeties and Townhouse 9 for a two-level world of opposing realms. Sweeties becomes Heaven for a high-energy club led by Lagoon with Drybabe + LEXII + Rabz + Sippin' T + Egypt. Alternatively, walk down to Townhouse 9, which becomes Hell for a night of genre-blending tunes by Nikki Nair, NYX, and Ikonika.
GO: Visit www.standardhotels.com for more information.
Scary Fish Inferno at Sexy Fish
In the glorious Mayfair, renowned restaurant Sexy Fish is presenting Scary Fish Inferno in collaboration with Don Julio 1942 on 31 October. For one night only, the space will transform into a deep-sea and volcanic fantasy. International DJ Martin 2 Smoove will play the soundtrack to the evening, accompanied by live performances - both above and underwater.
GO: Visit https://sexyfish.com for more information.
