While Halloween is less prominent in England than it is in the U.S., celebrating Halloween in London doesn’t have to be boring!
I’ve put this guide together uncovering where to go and what to do in London for Halloween, including a FREE map that you can use to hunt Halloween decorations, parties, experiences, and pumpkin farms and patches this October!
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Is Halloween a big deal in England?
Halloween is definitely much less-prominent in England than it is in the U.S., though London is a big multicultural city and it is much easier to find ways to celebrate Halloween here.
Yes, you can see Halloween decorations in London throughout October, and trick-or-treating is a thing is some streets and neighbourhoods! However, bear in mind that you likely won’t see people dressed in costumes during the day.
You can even indulge in a Halloween-themed afternoon tea and spooky attractions, or attend a Halloween party. Additionally, there are quite a few good pumpkin patches and fields near the city to pick your own pumpkins.
When to see Halloween decorations in London?
Usually, various shops start displaying Halloween decorations in their windows and façades around early- to mid-October. Annabel’s, one of the most-anticipated Halloween façades in London, usually reveal theirs around the third week of October.
Most private houses in residential neighbourhoods tend to have their decorations up around the weekend before Halloween.
Tip: Check all of London’s locations for Halloween decorations on my free map here.
Do people in London trick or treat?
Yes, trick-or-treating does happen in London!
However, it is much more understated than across the pond. The tradition for trick-or-treating in the UK is usually reserved for young children in the evening, and not in all streets or neighbourhoods.
The unspoken rule is that houses with Halloween decorations (or even just a pumpkin at the door), welcome trick-or-treaters to knock. If a house doesn’t have any decorations up, it means that they don’t wish to participate.
Where is the best place to trick or treat in London?
Some London streets and neighbourhoods embrace trick-or-treating a lot more than others (some don’t at all).
Areas that are known for participating in trick-or-treating include Hampstead Heath, Clapham, St John’s Wood, Dulwich, Kensington, and Chelsea – though, it is more common for people to take young children trick-or-treating in their local area.
Trick-or-treating in London is far more common in streets with houses rather than flats, as it is unlikely that people will climb down to hand out sweets.
Are there pumpkin patches in London?
While you must venture outside London’s city centre to find most pumpkin patches and farms, the closest one to the city is Hobbledown Heath. Find all pumpkin patch and farm locations on my free map here.
Usually, these are private farms that open their fields to the public for a fee and sell food, pumpkins, and other products. Many have props and photo ops in the fields for cute photos, and some farms also allow you to pick your own pumpkins to bring home.
Where to see Halloween decorations in London?
Many shops and businesses return year after year with impressive Halloween decorations. In residential neighbourhoods, many houses also put some seriously-creative effort into their own Halloween decorations during October.
While it’s not the same houses putting up decorations each year, there are residential streets in Chelsea, Kensington, and Notting Hill that are well-known for their yearly spooky decorations!
I have created the below map with all the London Halloween decoration locations, as well as pumpkin patches and fields near the city!
Halloween experiences in London
Don’t know what to do for Halloween in London? If you’re keen to take on some spooky experiences with friends and family, there’s plenty to choose from!
If you’re looking for family-friendly activities, then Halloween is a great time to visit the Harry Potter Studios, as this is when you can experience the yearly Dark Arts theme. Older kids might also enjoy watching Stranger Things: The First Shadow, in London’s West End.
The best spooky Halloween activities in London:
The London Dungeon
Jack the Ripper walking tour
Jack the Ripper Murder Mystery Tour
London Ghost Bus Tour
London’s Ghost, Ghouls & Gallows Tour
The Haunted Pubs of Old London Tour
Hexmoor: Wizarding Prison
Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Halloween at Harry Potter Studios
Halloween at Kew Gardens
Halloween at Eltham Palace (TBC)
Halloween at Kenwood (TBC)
Peppa Pig Halloween London Bus
Witches and History Walking Tour
The best Halloween Afternoon Teas in London:
London Halloween Afternoon Tea Bus
Brigit’s Bakery Halloween Bus Tour
Blakemore Hyde Park (TBC)
The Milestone Hotel (TBC)
Vintry and Mercer
Roast Restaurant
Georgian House Hotel
Royal Lancaster London (TBC)
Best Halloween parties in London
If you’re looking to dress up, let your hair down, and have fun at a Halloween party, then London also has a few of those!
While most of us aren’t lucky enough to be invited to brush shoulders with celebrities at the Annabel’s annual Halloween party, there’s good news for party-goers, as Halloween falls on a Friday this year. No need to dread the morning after at work!
If you want a casual plan with friends, why not hop on a Halloween Pub Crawl? More events will reveal themselves closer to the date.
Tickets for The Ghost Ship boat party seem to sell out months ahead, but there will be others over the weekend. You can also attend Halloween cabaret shows.
Final thoughts
I hope this guide is helpful for celebrating Halloween in London this season!
If you’re not around London this October, don’t worry! Every season in London has opportunities for photo ops, experiences, and plenty of activities for everyone!
Check out some of my other London seasonal guides:
Planning to visit London during Halloween? Pin this post to save it for later!
