Halloween in London is an annual holiday, celebrated each year on October 31st. In 2019, Halloween will fall on Thursday 31st October.
Though it was originally for lighting bonfires and wearing scary costumes to ward off ghosts, in modern-day, Halloween has evolved into a candy-centric, party celebration. Activities such as trick-or-treating for sweets, carving jack-o-lanterns and partying in spooky ghost outfits, now make up the bulk of the celebration.
With the dungeons, haunted houses and London’s overall ghoulish and gory history, it makes it the perfect city to explore in October with all of its spooky happenings.
So, here’s our pick of the best events to celebrate Halloween in London.
1. Attend a Halloween Ball
There are lots of great Halloween balls in London to choose from, though two events that are destined to be pretty spook-tacular include:
The Candlelight Club
Where? A secret location revealed to ticket holders a few days before the event
When? Saturday 26th October 2019, 7:00 PM to 11:59 PM
Why go? To dance the night away at a divinely decadent Halloween bash
How much? £25, tickets here
Celebrate Halloween, Gatsby style at the Candlelight Club’s annual Halloween Ball. For spooky fun with elegant style, experience the 1920’s at this themed ball in a long-forgotten east London hall, lit by candelabra and jack-o-lanterns.
Image courtesy of Candlelight Club
Halloween Ball @ The Mansion London
Where? A mystery location – address will be be sent 48h before the event to ticket holders (venue is easy access)
When? Saturday 26th October 2019, 9:00 PM to 4:00 AM
Why go? Private quirky & unusual venue with 3 dancefloors, 1 art room, VIP areas, 2 lounges to socialize and be entertained, with live DJs, food available and more
How much? from £30, tickets here
Ranked the #1 Halloween party in the UK by the Telegraph, The Mansion London’s Halloween Ball is not to be missed. With fantastically spooky fancy dress (and prizes for the best costume!) along with first-class entertainment including 3 dancefloors, live performances, fire shows and dancers – there’s something for everybody. A great selection of street food and drinks will be available with 2-for-1 on drinks before 10pm – so make sure you get there early!
Image courtesy of The Mansion London, Design My Night
2. Go on a Horroctober Cinema Date
If horror movies are your thing, we’ve got a couple of events you won’t want to miss…
Halloween Movie Nights @ The Clapham Grand
Where? The Clapham Grand, 21-25 St John’s Hill, Clapham Junction, SW11 1TT
When? 29th-30th October: Hocus Pocus, 1st-2nd November: The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Why go? To watch your favourite Halloween hits on the big screen
How much? £10, Hocus Pocus tickets here, The Rocky Horror Picture Show tickets here
Watch your favourite Halloween hits on the Clapham Grand’s 25ft big screen as the 120-year-old venue is transformed into a Haunted Theatre for their Halloween Movie Nights – this year showing Hocus Pocus & The Rocky Horror Picture Show. There’s a whole lot more Halloween fun in store before and after the film showings with The Grand’s live hosts and show team, a Halloween themed photo booth, and refreshments including tasty Halloween delights and ghoulish cocktails and slushies.
Image courtesy of The Clapham Grand, Design My Night
Horror Movie Marathons @ The Prince Charles Cinema
Where? The Prince Charles Cinema, 7 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BY
When? Saturday 19th & Saturday 26th October 2018
Why go? To see all your favourite horror flicks in one gruelling sitting
How much? £20, tickets here
If you’re a horror movie fanatic, then this is the London Halloween event for you. Movie watching stamina is a must for these ultimate horror movie marathons held in Leicester Square’s legendary Prince Charles Cinema, as you’ll be settling in for up to 12 hours of classic horror flicks. Choose from their Classic Horror Marathon, the Teen Horror Marathon or the Modern Horror Marathon and scare yourself silly watching Halloween favourites in this unique cinematic experience.
Images courtesy of The Prince Charles Cinema
3. Clink78 Halloween Bash
Where? ClashBAR @ Clink78, King’s Cross Road, WC1X 9QG
When? 31st October 2019
Why go? To get into the Halloween spirit with your fellow Clink travellers!
How much? FREE
If you’re staying with us at Clink78 or Clink261 join us for our annual ClashBAR Halloween Party! Our resident DJ will be spinning all the spookiest dance floor classics to get you in the Halloween mood, there’ll be apple bobbing amongst other classic Halloween party games and of course our infamous Trick or Treat roulette shot sharer. There will also be prizes on offer for the best fancy dress too, so make sure to bring your A-game.
ClashBAR at Clink78
Looking for other ClashBAR events to enjoy during your stay? Check out our events schedule here.
4. Halloween at The London Dungeons
Where? Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, SE1 7PB
When? Throughout October 2019
Why go? Experience London’s gory history at ‘The Home of Halloween’
How much? From £24, tickets here
Come face-to-face with London’s most notorious and scary characters including Jack the Ripper and Sweeney Todd at The London Dungeon with nineteen haunting tales and two thrilling rides. As well as the thrill of the Dungeons, experience the exclusive Halloween show – new for 2019! Make sure to get your tickets booked to avoid disappointment as the Halloween period gets super busy.
Image courtesy of The London Dungeon
5. Halloween Dog Walk & Show
Where? The Spaniards Inn, Spaniards Road, Hampstead, London, NW3 7JJ
When? Sunday 27th October 2019, 11 AM – 3 PM
Why go? To support a great cause, helping to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome dogs in and around London.
How much? Free, event details here
All Dogs Matter are hosting a Halloween themed ‘dog walk’ to raise awareness and money for the work they do to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome dogs in London. Head on down to The Spaniards Inn for some cute canine Halloween fun – all for a good cause!
Image courtesy of The Dogvine
6. The Dark Circus Halloween Party
Where? EartH Hackney, 13 Stoke Newington Road, London N16 8BH
When? Saturday 2nd November 2019, 9:00 PM – 3:00 AM
Why go? For an outlandish and immersive Halloween party that’ll leave you spinning and starry-eyed
How much? £35, tickets here
For one night only, you’re welcomed to the abandoned circus to immerse yourself in the intoxicating world of The Dark Circus. With ghoulish performances, freakish fire-breathers and treacherous trapeze acts you’ll soon feel a part of the dark circus underworld. Renowned purveyors of boozy brunches Bourne and Hollingsworth are organising the event which means that cocktails will take centre stage with delectable delights such as the Ringmaster’s Poison and Circus Royale on offer.
Image courtesy of Dark Circus Party
7. Halloween on Ice
Where? Skylight London, Tobacco Dock, Pennington St entrance, St Katharine’s & Wapping, E1W 2SF
When? 31st October 2019, 5:00-11:30 PM
Why go? Celebrate the opening of Europe’s only real rooftop ice rink in spooky style
How much? £5-£10, tickets here
Skylight are celebrating the return of their rooftop ice rink with a ghoulish, boozy ice skating event. Expect two Halloween-themed ice performances, a free drink on arrival, DJ all night long and prizes for the best fancy dress.
Image courtesy of Design My Night
8. The London Ghost Bus Tours
Where? Tours depart from 8 Northumberland Avenue (outside the Grand Hotel, opposite the Sherlock Holmes pub)
When? Sunday-Thursday: 7:30 PM & 9:00 PM, Friday: 6:00 PM, 7:30 PM & 9:00 PM, Saturday: 6:00 PM, 7:30 PM, 7:45 PM, 9:00 PM & 9:15 PM
Why go? Learn about London’s haunted history on this unique tour experience
How much? Adult tickets £24, tickets here
Board the London Ghost Tour Bus this Halloween for a night-time sightseeing trip with a spooky difference. Lasting around 1 hour 15 minutes, you’ll visit the most famous London landmarks including The Houses of Parliament, London Bridge & The Tower of London to learn all about their haunted history.
Image courtesy of The Ghost Bus Tours
From extravagant parties and horrible histories to movie marathons, Halloween in London is celebrated widely so make sure to check out the many events taking place. Whether you’re a true thrill-seeker or just looking for some lighthearted Halloween fun, with so many events to celebrate Halloween in London you’re sure to find something that takes your fancy.
