10 Of The Best Halloween Events For Kids In London 2026

Pumpkin patches, trick-or-treat trails, Kew after dark and proper scares for teenagers: the Halloween days out worth booking in London this half term.

Halloween falls at the tail end of half term this year, and London has gone all in. Think haunted palaces, illuminated gardens and a family rave, plus the inevitable last-minute costume scramble. You don’t need a big budget, either.

These are our ten favourites, from free outings and gentle fun for little ones to a couple of properly spooky picks for older children. Book early where you can.

1. Halloween Happenings, High Street Kensington & Holland Park

Best for: All ages | 24–31 October | Free

One of the best budget outings in west London. High Street Kensington gets a half-term Halloween makeover, with a family trail, themed workshops, seasonal treats and a few spooky surprises.

On Halloween itself, Holland Park becomes a theatrical playground from 4pm to 7pm, with costumed characters, immersive installations, interactive games and live entertainment.

2. Halloween Trick Or Treat Trail, Covent Garden

Best for: Younger children | 31 October | Ticketed

If your children's main goal is a full bucket of sweets, this is the one. The long-running trail starts at the hidden Phoenix Garden, then sends families around Covent Garden, the Piazza and Seven Dials on a Halloween quest, with fun facts to learn and treats to collect along the way. Back at the garden, there are crafts and unlimited hot and cold soft drinks.

3. Day Of The Dead Family Festival, Horniman Museum, Forest Hill

Best for: All ages | 31 October | Ticketed

More colourful than scary. The Horniman marks Día de Muertos, the Mexican festival honouring those who have died, with a family festival from 11am to 4pm. Expect live music and dance, face painting, Mexican food stalls and a Mexican market. It's ticketed, so book ahead.

4. Halloween At Kew, Kew Gardens

Best for: 4+ | 16 October–1 November | Ticketed

Kew after dark is magical at the best of times. Add Halloween and it becomes one of half term's most atmospheric family outings.

An illuminated trail winds through the gardens, past eerie trees, ghoulish installations and fire performers, with actors bringing the spooky storyline to life. It's spooky rather than terrifying, though we'd book an earlier slot with very little ones.

5. Go Pumpkin Picking (LONDON & uk wide)

Best for: 2+ | Throughout October | Budget-friendly

Sometimes the simplest plans win. Head out of the city to a farm or pumpkin patch and let the children choose the pumpkin that will end up on your doorstep.

By late October, many farms swap pick-your-own for displays of pumpkins already harvested from the fields, often with extra half-term activities alongside. Either way, it's an easy autumn outing for toddlers and primary-schoolers who aren't ready for anything scary.

6. Big Fish Little Fish Halloween Spooktacular Family Rave, Hackney

Best for: 0–8 | 31 October | Ticketed

Halloween, but make it a rave. Big Fish Little Fish brings its family clubbing formula to Night Tales in Hackney, with a two-hour DJ set spanning acid house and jungle, plus bubbles, foam, giant balloons and the obligatory parachute dance.

There are craft tables, face painting, photography and a soft-play area for smaller children and, importantly, a licensed bar for parents.

7. Halloween At The Paddington Bear Experience, South Bank

Best for: 2–8 | 17 October–1 November | Ticketed + optional £15 Trick-or-Treat upgrade

A good pick if your children like the idea of Halloween but not the scary bit. The Paddington Bear Experience gets a seasonal makeover for half term, with Windsor Gardens joining in the celebrations.

For an extra £15, children can trick-or-treat their way through the experience, collecting sweet treats in a souvenir pumpkin bucket and taking home an exclusive pair of Paddington Bear ears.

8. Halloween At Hampton Court Palace

Best for: 5+ | 24 October–1 November | Included with palace admission

Henry VIII's 500-year-old palace needs no help in the atmosphere department, but over half term it leans fully into its haunted history.

Families can explore the palace and grounds while meeting ghostly figures, hearing spooky storytelling and encountering plenty of mild peril along the way. This year's action centres on the Halloween trail in the Wilderness, while spectres roam the palace itself.

9. Halloween At The Tower Of London

Best for: 6+ | 24 October–1 November | Included with palace admission

With almost 1,000 years of executions, prisoners and ghost stories behind it, the Tower of London makes a fairly convincing Halloween backdrop.

This half term, families can follow a spooky trail around the fortress, looking out for medieval queens, Roman soldiers, wizards and even a ghost bear. The activities sit alongside the Tower's permanent attractions, so it's a good option if you've been meaning to take the children anyway.

10. The London Dungeon: Curse Of The Mummy, South Bank

Best for: 12+ | 17 October–1 November | Ticketed

Finally, one for older children who have outgrown pumpkin trails and would quite like to be properly scared.

The London Dungeon's Halloween show, Curse of the Mummy, takes visitors back to 1880s London across three theatrical shows, with actors playing real historical characters. The age advice is 12+, so save this one for teenagers and braver older children rather than a whole-family outing.