Every October, the UK comes to life with Halloween activities and events. Whether you’re looking to make the most of a half-term break with the kids or simply want to enjoy the spooky season, there are plenty of different ways to get into the spirit of Halloween.
From haunted underground vaults and historic cities to theme parks and farms, we’ve rounded up some of the best Halloween events in the UK. So, get your costumes ready, gather your bravest friends, and join CrossCountry as we explore experiences full of frights and fun.
Edinburgh Halloween Ghost Tours
Edinburgh’s Old Town is rich in history, and some of its darkest tales lie beneath the very streets you walk upon. Immerse yourself in real-life horror stories with a ghastly ghost tour through some of the most haunted vaults in Edinburgh.
Mercat Tours offers spooky experiences year-round for ages five and up. Family-friendly options delight younger visitors with tales of witches and ghouls, while experiences like Doomed, Dead & Buried feature mature themes strictly for adults. To find the best tour for your little ones, check their website directly before booking.
Why not visit Edinburgh for a ghost walk this Halloween? CrossCountry runs services to Edinburgh Waverley from across the UK, including from Birmingham New Street and Leeds.
Alton Towers Scarefest
If you are looking for an adrenaline rush this Halloween, then Alton Towers Scarefest is a great choice. One of the best theme parks in the UK is bringing a new spooky atmosphere to life with scare mazes and scare zones to get lost in. Don’t forget the thrill of experiencing heart-racing rollercoasters in the dark.
With the introduction of the new Dine with the Dead experience (suitable for ages 14+), Alton Towers has arranged a three-course meal with plenty of live, spooky entertainment. Here you’ll meet the Vile family, joining them on a night of unexpected twists and eerie encounters. Taking part in this dinner party means you’re no longer simply a guest; you’re part of a chilling family tradition that will keep you on your toes.
Halloweden at The Eden Project
Cornwall’s Eden Project reimagines Halloween with its annual Halloweden celebration. As autumn settles in, explore the gardens with spooky surprises and eerie sights awaiting around every corner.
This experience is great for kids on half-term break looking for a Halloween activity that is a little less jumpy. Here, you’ll have the freedom to get creative with Halloween costumes and exciting workshops. Wrap up your day with a spin around the ice rink, the perfect seasonal treat before heading home.
Catching a train to the Eden Project is easy. Located in a former clay pit in Bodelva, you can follow the CrossCountry route through Cornwall to St Austell station, followed by a short taxi ride over to the Eden Project. Don’t miss out on the chance to experience pumpkin displays, beautiful greenery, and plenty of fun, family-friendly frights.
The York Dungeon
The York Dungeon houses 2000 years of the city’s history, from witches and highwaymen to torturers and Vikings. Plus, York itself is famous for its fascinating history, and a number of other attractions in York have spooky stories to tell.
At The York Dungeon, you get to experience the ghostly history of the city with theatrical actors, special effects, and plenty of stages and scenes. Expect plenty of dark spaces, booming noises, and the occasional jump scare as you make your way through the dungeons.
Traverse plague-infested streets and come face-to-face with the city’s ghosts that have haunted the lands for years. If you’re looking for a bit more grit, then make sure you pay attention when you meet the infamous torturer of York Castle – he’s been known to be less forgiving to visitors.
Getting to The York Dungeon by train is no trouble when you travel with CrossCountry. Jump on a train from multiple places around the UK, including Darlington, Leeds, and Sheffield, and the attraction is about a ten-minute walk from York station.
GlasGLOW
Looking for something a little different for Halloween? Head to Glasgow for GlasGLOW. In 2026, the Botanic Gardens will transform into a Zombie Zoo with a state-of-the-art zombie containment and conservation facility.
This experience is an immersive light and sound trail that is suitable for the whole family to enjoy together. As you make your way through the gardens, you’ll experience one of Glasgow’s most famous pumpkin patches alongside plenty of opportunities for family-friendly fun. Plus, with a lively food village available too, you can grab a quick refresh whenever you need.
Along the way, you can learn more about the facility through live feeding demonstrations and observation labs, with plenty of dead-friendly zombies making an appearance. With only a few subtle frights, this experience is designed to be enjoyed by the whole family so make sure you bring the kids along too.
After you have had your fun exploring the world’s first zombie zoo, make sure to head over to Marshmallowland where you can wrap up the night by toasting marshmallows in front of a fire with the kids.
Glasgow Botanic Gardens are 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.
Harvest of Horror at Clearwell Farm
Between Cardiff and Newport there is an undeniably terrifying experience at Clearwell Farm where the Harvest of Horror takes over. This immersive experience brings to life four different nightmare realms for you to test your courage in. Expect plenty of frights, dark twists, and tons of jump scares.
The experience begins in The Village, where abandoned cobbled streets and cobwebbed shadows create an eerie setting to explore. Things then get even stranger in The Circus, where twisted clowns and unsettling illusions start to play on your senses so make sure you keep your eyes peeled!
Then comes the Terror Tunnel, a pitch-black passageway filled with fog and spine-chilling echoes. If you’re not great with tight spaces, it’s worth approaching this one with a little extra caution.
Finally, make your way into Pump-King's Barn, where the darker side of the harvest comes to life. The mysterious Pump-King awaiting inside, combined with restless souls and carved pumpkins, brings the experience to an unsettling finale.
This event is strictly intended for visitors aged 16 and over and features theatrical fog, intense actors, and claustrophobic soundscapes, so make sure you’re up for the challenge.
The Harvest of Horror takes place at Clearwell Farm, which is open for pumpkin picking throughout October. You can travel there with CrossCountry; just catch a train to Newport station and the farm is only a twenty-minute taxi ride away.
If you’re planning a spooky Halloween activity, 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.
Info
At the time of publishing, all information given is correct. Details of events, businesses, and locations included may be subject to change by third parties. Please make sure to check any details with organisers before you travel.
