Best Halloween Events in the UK

Every October, we all find ourselves searching frantically for the best Halloween events the UK has to offer. Whether you’re desperate for half-term activities with the kids or simply want to celebrate the most frightful time of the year in a big way. Fear not – there are countless ways to indulge this spooky season. Join CrossCountry as we explore the very best experiences happening around the UK this Halloween.

Edinburgh Halloween Ghost Tour

Immerse yourself in real-life horror stories with one of Edinburgh’s famous ghost tours. For spine-tingling tales of treason, torture, and betrayal, book yourself on a special Halloween tour around Edinburgh’s old town to truly get yourself in the mood for the spookiest night of the year. Warning - this eerie event is sure to frighten even grown-ups with dark and adult content, so don’t bring the kids!

There are lots of ghost walks around the UK to experience throughout the year. How about visiting some of the spookiest cities to experience one this Halloween? We service trains throughout the UK, including  Edinburgh Waverley, Birmingham New Street, and Manchester Piccadilly.

Alton Towers Scarefest

If you’re looking for one of the best haunted house events in the UK, look no further than the biggest and one of the best theme parks in the UK. The Alton Towers Scarefest event runs annually through October, and with easy access from Stoke-On-Trent station, you’ve got every opportunity to get in on the fun. Ride the scariest rides in the dead of night, find your way through mega mazes, tremble with fear in the haunted houses, and feel the adrenaline pumping as you encounter ghouls and ghosts aplenty.

Halloweden at The Eden Project

Visit the Eden Project by twilight… if you dare! The Eden Project in Cornwall has long been one of the UK’s favourite destinations for family days out and interesting learning opportunities. It’s no surprise that their Halloweden event is sure to be extra thrilling with an educational spin. With pumpkin displays to match their horticultural focus, fireside storytelling, weave-a-web workshops, as well as a torchlit trail through the rainforest, this is a Halloween experience you won’t find anywhere else in the UK.

The York Dungeon

The York Dungeon houses 2000 years of the city’s history, from witches and highwaymen to torturers, and Vikings. York is known for its ancient winding alleyways, looming Tudor buildings, and ghostly tales, so a visit to one of its most ghastly sites for a fright makes perfect sense. During Halloween, York Dungeon always pulls out all the stops. Book your place on The Little Peasants Walking Tour, for an hour of spooky adventure and education across the city’s top sights. This attraction is perfect for families with little ones who may be too scared to enter the dungeons.

For a real scare, return for Dungeon Lates, featuring terrifying live theatre and spooky special effects. These exclusive events are only for those aged 18 and over.

Getting to York Dungeon by train is no trouble when you travel with CrossCountry. Just hop on a train from multiple places across the UK, including Darlington, Leeds, and Sheffield, and the dungeons are a twenty-minute walk from York station.

GlasGLOW

GlasGLOW is unveiling ten unique universes to explore in the Glasgow Botanical Gardens this spooky season. Since 2018, the event has been wowing guests with spectacular themed light and sound shows, delicious local food stalls, and imaginative storytelling. Families can get a fright in the Haunted House, explore the House of Mirrors, or chuckle at The Patch's charming pumpkin faces. There are a few scarier events too, like Clowntown, which can be skipped if you’re not after anything too terrifying.

GlasGLOW is a fantastic initiative, boosting the city during a quieter period in the year and supporting a range of local charities, hospitals, and organisations. The itison Pumpkin Fund was created in 2019 and has already contributed towards a range of worthy causes. The show is also committed to sustainability, with the event being entirely powered by HVO.

Glasgow Botanic Gardens is around twenty-five minutes by bus from Glasgow Central. You can also catch the subway from St. Enoch to Hillhead, and it’s an eight-minute walk from there.

Cardiff Halloween Festival

Cardiff Halloween Festival has something for everyone all day and throughout the evening. Head to the Daytime Festival for a bonanza of pumpkin picking, disco dancing, scavenger hunting, and circus skills workshops. There are also live stage shows, axe throwing, and even lessons in becoming a witch or wizard.

As the sun sets, visitors can enjoy toasting marshmallows and an epic fire show. But watch out for the spooky performers set to give you a fright throughout the park. For those brave enough, and aged 14+, Scare Fest is the place to be on Halloween night, with three live-action mazes filled with horrifying characters, thrill rides, tarot reading, and delicious street food.

There are buses to Dyffryn Springs from Cardiff Central that will take you to the Halloween Festival in around forty-five minutes.

If you’re planning to attend some fright-filled Halloween events, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.