It’s cosy season in Britain. From haunting walks to fireworks festivals, autumn brings a whole host of festive experiences. Get spooked on a Halloween trail, or start November off with a bang at London’s Alexandra Palace to mark Bonfire Night.
Whether you go searching for poltergeists or watch our skies come alive with vibrant firework displays, join Britain’s Halloween and Bonfire Night celebrations for timeless traditions, fun and revelry.
23 October – 2 November 2025
The spooky trail at Blenheim Palace takes visitors on an eerie walking tour from dusk into darkness. Come face to face with all your Halloween favourites, from the King of the Pumpkins to Frankenstein, with all the special touches you’d expect from Blenheim Palace. Keep warm with autumnal treats like hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows.
8 – 9 November 2025
Leeds Castle bursts into colour with its annual bonfire night celebrations. Spend the day at the castle enjoying the festivities with live music and street food, before the display kicks off at 5:30. The fireworks combine with lights, lasers and projections to create an unforgettable spectacle.
23 October - 2 November 2025
Blenheim Palace’s spooktacular dusk to darkness Halloween trail offers fun for all the family. Pass the spider tunnel, marvel at fire performers and look out for the faceless horseman. Pick up sweet treats and enjoy a hot toddy or hot chocolate along the way.
4 October - 2 November 2025
Fun for all the family, enjoy wild rides and spooky stays for little ones, plus the Vampire and Dragon’s Fury rides in the evening for the bravest of adventurers at Chessington World of Adventures. Explore the underground town of Enchanted Hollow and meet its resident animals.
27 September - 2 November 2025
For some adrenaline fuelled spine tingling moments look no further than Scarefest. Dare to ride the Wicker Man in the dark and plunge into the abyss of Oblivion. Choose to escape from creepy live characters or opt for family friendly activities that bring Halloween to life.
October - November 2025
It’s all-out terror at Thorpe Park’s Fright Nights, with Scare Mazes, Scare Zone and spooky live shows. To up the exhilaration, take to the rides at night and experience the rollercoasters like never before. Can you make it out of the Survival Games, or escape the creepy maze?
9 October - 2 November 2025
With the eerie Welsh woodlands as your backdrop get ready to be scared at Zip World Betws-Y-Coed. Trundle through the maze of net walkways as creepy clowns stalk you, or stand atop a trapdoor that’s set to plunge you into darkness.
25 October - 2 November 2025
For a haunting time, Muncaster Castle – said to be one of the most haunted castles in England – has a spooktacular line up for all ages. Details of the Halloween Family Festival will be announced soon, with previous years including arts and crafts, spooky woodland walks, and nighttime owl shows. For those aged sixteen and over, the late night Scarecaster promises to bring spine-tingling chills.
October 2025
For a spooktacular family-friendly time, head to Halloween at Tatton Park. Pick a pumpkin at the farm and head into the gardens hunting for skeletons on the Skellies and Wellies trail. Previous years also involved broom stick flying at the Old Hall, which once featured on the television show ‘Most haunted’.
4 October - 1 November 2025
Prepare for a spooky takeover of LEGOLAND with the Monster Party. Celebrate the festivities of Halloween with a Monster Jam show and Monster Street – exclusively for the brave! From live shows to thrilling rides, explore Halloween at LEGOLAND.
October - November 2025
With it’s dark history of dungeons, torture and strange goings on, you’ll find a generous helping of Halloween experiences in London. Try the Belgravia Pumpkin Trail, London Ghost Bus Tour and The London Potion Making experience. And we’ve not even started on the city’s most haunted landmarks (we’re looking at you Tower of London…).
25 - 31 October 2025
Any good at monster spotting? Keep your eyes peels for hundreds of ghoulish eyes dotted around this Halloween in Manchester. Opt for sweet treats and crafts at the Halloween Market, rock out at a monster music festival, and dance your socks off at the family-friendly Rave-Yard.
17 October - 2 November 2025
Once the sun has set, make your way down the eerie light trail at Kew Gardens this Halloween. Surrounded by illuminated trees, look out for the forgotten fairground, Frankenstein’s laboratory and creepy goings on as you weave your way through the gardens. How about some hot chocolate with monster marshmallows or a hot toddie? Yes please.
2025 TBC
It goes off with a bang at Alexandra Palace’s firework extravaganza in London. Expect live music, tasty street food, a bonfire, and all-out fireworks. Last year’s event included a German Bier Festival with its very own Oompah band.
In the Tower Vaults under the Tower of London, uncover the story of the Gunpower Plot. Ignite your senses as live actors and virtual reality scenes transport you back to London in 1605. From tales of rebels and smuggling to escaping the tower, there’s only one question…who can be trusted?
2nd November 2024 (2025 TBC)
In Warwickshire, the historic grounds of Kenilworth Castle glow with fireworks. Wander round stalls, pick up warming food and enjoy music as you explore this unique setting and its Elizabethan gardens.
2nd-3rd November 2024 (2025 TBC)
See the skies of south London come alive with bursting lights and plenty of ‘oohs and aahs’ as Battersea Park celebrates Bonfire Night. Plus, there’s warming winter food and drink on offer, too.
8 – 9 November 2025
It’s all out entertainment at the historic Leeds castle in Kent. Expect live music, adventure golf, street food and a firework extravaganza equipped with dazzling lasers and projections. A celebration for all the family, just remember to wrap up warm!
2 November 2025
Discover a fusion of Halloween and Bonfire Night celebrations at the Fawkes Festival in Edinburgh. Get spooky and look up in awe as the skies light up for an extravagant firework display, alongside music and lights displays.
31 October – 1 November 2025
One for all the family, Chatsworth House in the Peak District hosts a bonfire and firework display, coupled with festive entertainment. Tuck into a hog roast and sip on winter warmers, including mulled wine.
Bonfire Night is a celebration of a failed plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. Back in 1605, a group of plotters had planned to destroy the buildings, with members of parliament and King James I inside. Their plan was thwarted when one of the plotters, Guy Fawkes, was discovered in a cellar beneath the Palace of Westminster, alongside 36 barrels of gunpowder. Fawkes was promptly arrested and tortured until he gave up the names of his co-conspirators. He was then tried for treason and sentenced to death.
Bonfire Night is celebrated on 5 November each year to mark the anniversary of the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. A popular children’s nursery rhyme, also commemorates the event:
“Remember, remember the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason, and plot.
I see no reason,
Why gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot…”
Bonfire Night is usually celebrated with fireworks, bonfires, and sparklers. Traditionally, a dummy person is placed on top of a bonfire to represent Guy Fawkes. However, the practice is also thought to date back to the 13th century when it was seen as a way of driving away evil spirits.
The Yeoman of the Guard still search the cellars of the Houses of Parliament before it opens each November, a tradition dating back more than 400 years. One of the biggest bonfire celebrations is in the Sussex town of Lewes. However, one of the most spectacular events takes place in Ottery St Mary, in Devon, where village folk race around its narrow streets carrying flaming barrels of tar.
Bonfire Night is sometimes referred to as Guy Fawkes Night, taking the name of one of the plotters who attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605.
There are many ways to celebrate Bonfire Night in Britain. You can find firework shows and bonfire displays across the country, from larger festivals to local events. Celebrations are mostly outside so it is best to wrap up warm with hats, scarves, and gloves. Pick up a delicious hot chocolate or choose to toast marshmallows for a tasty way to stay warm.
