It’s time to crack out the fancy dress and scoff everything pumpkin spice flavour because Halloween is fast approaching. Yes the 31st October – a Tuesday this year – is the big day but you don’t need to wait until then to open the fake blood and skeleton outfit because there are a ton of terrifying Halloween events in London throughout October. From a SAW-themed escape room to late-night ghost tours at a haunted theatre, here’s how to make your Halloween in London spook-tacular rather than a total nightmare.
SAW: Escape Experience London After Dark
If the regular SAW-themed escape experience wasn’t terrifying enough for you, you can take on Jigsaw’s games after dark with three nights of after-dark openings. On 21st and 28th October, you can try and escape as late as 10.40pm and then head to The Traproom bar for a Halloween party, going until 3am, and on Halloween itself, you can play as late as 8.40pm and then party until half past midnight – and spooky fancy dress is encouraged.
Sat 21st, Sat 28th & Tues 31st October 2023
1 America Square, London, EC3N 2LS
sawtheexperience.com
Jack the Ripper Tour at Discount Suit Company
Cocktail bar Discount Suit Company have teamed up with The Jack Ripper Tour to bring a one-off walk for Halloween. Starting at DSC, you’ll get some hot punch before heading off on a spine-tingling tour of Whitechapel and Spitalfields, the infamous stalking grounds of Jack the Ripper. The tour will end back at DSC where guests who’ve booked a table will get an exclusive 20% discount off their entire bill – so there’ll be no scares there.
Tues 31st October 2023, 6.30pm & 8.30pm
29A Wentworth St, London E1 7TB
theumbrellaproject.co.uk
Late-Night Tours at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
This Halloween, take an especially spooky tour of Theatre Royal Drury Lane, one of the world’s most haunted theatres. You’ll be told hidden tales of scandal, conspiracy and ghostly figures – and you may even catch a glimpse of The Lane’s famous Man in Grey. Luckily, you’ll be able to summon up some courage with a cocktail in the Cecil Beaton Bar before setting off.
Fri 13th – Tues 31st October 2023
Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine Street, London WC2B 5JF
thelane.co.uk
Urban Pumpkin Patch at Cowcross Yards
Pick your own pumpkin to carve for Halloween at the Urban Pumpkin Patch at Cowcross Yards. It’s gonna be a slice of the countryside right here in the city with white picket fencing, hay bales and pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. And if you head down there early on 25th October, you can pimp your mini pumpkin by bagging one of the 50 free spray-painted ones from the Graffiti Kings.
Wed 25th & Thurs 26th October 2023
Cowcross Yards, London, EC1M 6DR
cowcrossyards.co.uk
Ghost in the Machine at Hijingo
Things are getting scary this Halloween at Hijingo with the new dystopian immersive bingo experience Ghost in the Machine, where the Hijingobots have been hacked and can no longer be controlled. There’ll be six rounds of games, meaning six chances to win prizes like cash and a European holiday, but you’ll have to survive the surprises first.
Fri 20th – Tues 31st October 2023
90 Worship Street, London, EC2A 2BA
hijingo.com
What We Do in The Shadows at Four Quarters
If you’re a fan of What We Do In The Shadows, the comedy horror series about vampire housemates living in Staten Island, then you’ll wanna get down to Four Quarters this Halloween. As well as all the retro arcade games to play, the Elephant & Castle bar will be screening the series, serving up spesh themed cocktails like the Burial and the Updog, and giving prizes for the best-dressed characters from the show.
Fri 27th & Sat 28th October 2023
20 Ash Avenue, Elephant Park, London, SE17 1GQ
fourquarters.bar
Hallowed Peak: The Lunar Festival
Phantom Peak, the 30,000 sq ft steampunk town, is back with a new Hallowed Peak immersive experience for 2023. Spirits are beginning to rise during the lunar festival causing ghouls and spectres to take over the town. There’ll also be new trails to explore, an election battle to get involved in, a spooky séance where you can commune with the dead in an abandoned lab, a costume competition, and plenty of Halloween-themed food and drink to enjoy along your adventure.
Weds 11th – Tues 31st October 2023
Canada St & Surrey Quays Rd, London SE16 7PJ
phantompeak.com