Something Spooky for Everyone
For younger children, Halloween can be all about imagination rather than scares. Across the local area, the season brings plenty of opportunities to dress up, get creative and explore the outdoors.
At Hartbeeps' Halloween Party at George IV inChiswick on 25 October, little ones can dance along to favourite tunes, explore autumnal sensory zones and enjoy Halloween-themed puppets and activities. For something quieter, Spooky Storytime and Craft Session at Chiswick Community Hub and Library on 29 October combines seasonal stories with Halloween colouring and crafts.
The October half term is also a chance to head out on a seasonal adventure. The Halloween Train at the London Museum of Water & Steam in Brentford runs from 26 to 30 October, offering a family-friendly alternative to the museum's much scarier Zombie Train later in the week. At Gunnersbury Park, the Creepy Creatures Nature Trail runs throughout half term, inviting families to meet Sid the Spider and his spooky friends while discovering fascinating facts about the natural world.
For a classic autumn day out, Hobbledown Heath's Pumpkin Patch continues until 1 November, with pumpkin picking, games, rides and seasonal entertainment. And as the evenings get darker, Halloween at Kew transforms the Gardens with an illuminated trail running from 16 October to 1 November, bringing a little extra magic and mystery to the landscape.
Plenty of opportunities also let you combine Halloween witha little history. At Osterley Park, the Family Halloween Trail explores the origins and traditions behind the season, while Hampton Court Palace takes a more theatrical approach with eerie projections, ghostly figures and supernatural stories bringing its historic surroundings to life.
For children who aren't afraid of creepy crawlies, Fulham Pier's Creepy Crawly Encounters on 27 October offers the chance to get up close to fascinating creatures including tarantulas, scorpions and giant millipedes. And on Halloween itself, the Big Fish Little Fish Halloween Spooktacular Family Rave promises dancing, crafting and a proper party atmosphere for little ravers and their grown-ups.
Half-Term With a Difference
Halloween is also an excuse to try something a little different during the school holidays. Gunnersbury Park Museum is holding a Relaxed Spooky Season session on 26 October, designed for neurodivergent children and young people and their families, with object handling, games and a creepy creatures trail in a more relaxed setting.
For something more energetic, The Little Gym Chiswick is getting into the Halloween spirit with themed half-term camps and activities, giving children the chance to stay active while enjoying some seasonal fun.
And if you're happy to venture slightly further afield, Odds Farm Park's Pumpkin Festival brings pumpkin picking and autumn activities together with special family nights and half-term experiences throughout October.
When Halloween Gets a Little Scarier
For older children, teenagers and grown-ups who enjoy their Halloween with a little more adrenaline, there are darker options.
The Zombie Train at the London Museum of Water & Steam returns on 29 and 30 October for an evening of scare actors, an immersive train ride, music and an apocalyptic storyline. It's a significant step up from the daytime Halloween Train, with the museum taking on a completely different character after dark.
Theatre offers another way to embrace the season's darkerside. At Boston Manor House, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde runs from 14 October to 1 November, bringing Stevenson's classic tale of respectable appearances and darker impulses into the atmospheric setting of the historic house.
Meanwhile, Richmond Theatre welcomes Agatha Christie's The Hollow from 27 to 31 October. Set in an elegant country estate where old rivalries and secrets quickly turn deadly, it offers a more traditional kind of Halloween suspense - one where the biggest question is simply who did it?
For younger audiences, the Lyric Hammersmith's FRANKY offersa more playful take on the Frankenstein story, following Prof Frankenstein and her robot Igor as their attempt to create a little companion becomes increasingly chaotic.
Halloween After Dark
There is something particularly atmospheric about watching a spooky film in a historic setting. This year, West London has embraced the idea with a selection of seasonal screenings.
At Gunnersbury Park, Halloween cinema includes The Addams Family in the afternoon on 30 October, followed by The Rocky Horror Picture Show that evening, giving audiences the choice between family-friendly fun and a much more outrageous cult classic.
Osterley Park is also getting into the spirit with outdoor screenings of Hocus Pocus and The Lost Boys on 25 October. With the historic surroundings, autumn air and the films beginning after dark, these offer a suitably atmospheric alternative to a trip to the cinema. Fancy dress and picnics are encouraged, so bring a blanket and settle in for the evening.
Halloween for Grown-Ups
Once the children are in bed, Halloween takes on a ratherdifferent character.
George IV in Chiswick is hosting its Halloween Party on 31 October, with live music, themed drinks and a late-night party atmosphere until 1 am. Costumes are encouraged, making it a good excuse to go beyond the usual witch's hat and really commit to the outfit.
Across Chiswick, Kew and Richmond, local pubs, bars and venues will also be marking Halloween with their own parties, live music and themed nights. If you want to make an evening of it, check individual venues and book ahead, especially for Halloween night itself.
Whether your perfect Halloween involves a pumpkin patch, a spooky story, a murder mystery, a classic horror film or a night spent dodging zombies, West London has plenty of ways to make the most of the season. You don't have to be a dedicated horror fan either - sometimes all it takes is a little darkness, a good story and the right atmosphere to make an ordinary October evening feel wonderfully mysterious.
See events' details below:
Family Events
Halloween at Kew
16 October – 1 November 2026
Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, London TW9 3AE
When darkness falls, Kew Gardens takes on a magical and mysterious atmosphere with its illuminated Halloween trail. Expect eerie encounters, hidden surprises and spooky moments along the way. With different experiences throughout the evening, it is a great option for families, older children and brave grown-ups alike.
Family Halloween Trail: Origins and Legends of Halloween
24 October – 1 November 2026, 10am–4pm
Osterley Park and House, Jersey Road, Isleworth TW7 4RB
Discover the stories and traditions behind Halloween as you explore activity points around the gardens. Find out where Halloween came from,why we carve pumpkins and how witches became such a familiar part of the spooky season. Normal admission applies.
Halloween at Hampton Court Palace
24 October – 1 November 2026
Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU
Step into one of the country's most atmospheric palaces as it gets a Halloween make over. Eerie projections, sound effects, magical spells and ghostly figures bring the palace's haunted history to life during the October half-term.
Creepy Creatures Nature Trail
24 October – 1 November 2026
Gunnersbury Park & Museum
Follow a creepy trail through Gunnersbury's beautifulparkland and meet Sid the Spider and seven spooky creature friends. Along the way, discover fascinating facts and learn why some of nature's most misunderstood creatures aren't nearly as frightening as they seem.
Hartbeeps Halloween Party
Sunday 25 October 2026, 2pm - 3.45pm
George IV, 185 Chiswick High Road, London W4
Little ones can join Hartbeeps for a fun-filled Halloweenparty featuring favourite tunes and puppets, autumnal sensory zones, a specialHalloween session and plenty of dancing. Costumes are encouraged!
Hobbledown Heath Pumpkin Patch
25 September – 1 November 2026
Hobbledown Heath, Staines Road, Hounslow, London TW14 0HH
Make the most of the autumn season with pumpkin picking, seasonal games, magical photo opportunities, fair ground rides and live entertainment. There are also autumnal food and drink options to enjoy during your visit.
Halloween Train
Monday 26 – Friday 30 October 2026
London Museum of Water & Steam, Green Dragon Lane, Brentford TW8 0EN
Hop aboard the Halloween Train for a family-friendly half-term adventure at the London Museum of Water & Steam. Expect plenty of Halloween fun, exploration, laughs and seasonal activities without the full-on scares of the evening Zombie Train.
Relaxed Sessions: Spooky Season
Monday 26 October 2026, 10am–12pm
Gunnersbury Park Museum, Gunnersbury Park House, Popes Lane, London W5 4NH
A dedicated relaxed museum opening for children and young people aged 5–25 who are neurodivergent or have additional needs, and their families. The session includes museum object handling, giant games, a creepy creatures trail and opportunities to discover some of the more unusual aspects of local history in a relaxed setting.
Creepy Crawly Encounters
Tuesday 27 October 2026, 1–4pm
Fulham Pier, Stevenage Road, Fulham SW6 6HH
Brave enough to get hands-on? Meet scorpions, giant millipedes, tarantulas and other fascinating creatures in this interactive Zoo Lab workshop. The animal line-up may vary on the day.
Spooky Storytime and Craft Session
Thursday 29 October 2026, 11am–12pm
Chiswick Community Hub and Library, Duke’s Avenue, Chiswick W4 2AB
A lovely, low-key Halloween activity for younger children. Settle in for spooky Halloween-themed stories before getting creative with Halloween colouring and crafts.
Zombie Train
29–30 October 2026, 6.30–9.30pm
London Museum of Water & Steam, Green Dragon Lane, Brentford TW8 0EN
For those who prefer their Halloween with a serious dose off right, the Zombie Train promises an immersive evening of scares. Outrun zombies, survive the apocalypse and explore the museum after dark, with scare actors, an immersive train ride, a bar and music. The event is aimed at adults, although accompanied under-18s are welcome if they don't mind being spooked.
Big Fish Little Fish Halloween Spooktacular Family Rave
Saturday 31 October 2026, 2–4pm
Fulham Pier, Stevenage Road, Fulham SW6 6HH
Halloween gets a family-friendly rave makeover as Big Fish Little Fish bring dancing, crafting and festival energy to Fulham Pier. DJ Ben Archbold will provide a soundtrack of house, techno, acid house and drum 'n' bass for little ravers and their grown-ups.
The Little Gym Halloween Half-Term
October half term 2026
The Little Gym Chiswick
The Little Gym Chiswick is getting into the Halloween spirit with themed holiday camps and special events during the school holidays. Expectactive, playful sessions designed to keep children moving, entertained and learning while regular classes take a short break.
Pumpkin Festival
October 2026
Odds Farm Park, Wooburn Common, High Wycombe HP10 0LX
For a day out beyond West London, Odds Farm's Pumpkin Festival offers pumpkin picking alongside seasonal family activities, with Pumpkin Weekends, Family Nights and October Half Term experiences.
Theatre And Cinema
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
14 October – 1 November 2026, 2–6pm
Boston Manor House, Boston Manor Road, Brentford TW8 9JX
Step inside Boston Manor House for a gripping new gothic adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic. As Dr Jekyll's respectable world begins to unravel following a series of disturbing crimes, his darkerside starts to emerge.
Halloween Outdoor Cinema: The Lost Boys
Sunday 25 October 2026, 7–10pm
Osterley Park and House, Jersey Road, Isleworth TW7 4RB
Settle in under the stars for a screening of the 1987 vampire classic The Lost Boys. Gates open at 7pm, with the screening starting at 8.15pm. Fancy dress is encouraged and picnics are welcome.
Agatha Christie's The Hollow
27–31 October 2026
Richmond Theatre, The Green, Richmond TW9 1QJ
Head to an elegant country estate where old passions and dangerous rivalries are simmering beneath the surface. Then a shot rings out and everyone becomes a suspect. A perfect choice for fans of classic murder mysteries.
FRANKY
27–31 October 2026
Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King St, London W6 0QL
Prof Frankenstein creates a little companion with the help of her robot Igor, but things quickly become wonderfully chaotic. A playful, monstrously fun Halloween adventure for younger audiences.
Spooky Cinema: The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Friday 30 October 2026, 7–9pm
Gunnersbury Park House, Popes Lane, London W5 4NH
Get ready for a cult Halloween favourite. When Brad and Janet take a wrong turn after their car breaks down, they find themselves at the home of the unforgettable Dr Frank-N-Furter. Expect horror, comedy, science fiction and plenty of iconic moments.
Spooky Cinema: The Addams Family
Friday 30 October 2026, 2–4pm
Gunnersbury Park & Museum, Gunnersbury Park House, Popes Lane, London W54NH
Join Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday and Pugsley for a Halloween afternoon with everyone's favourite unconventional family. This animated comedy is a fun choice for a family cinema trip during half term.
Hocus Pocus
Sunday 25 October 2026, 5–7pm
Osterley Park and House, Jersey Road, Isleworth TW7 4RB
Enjoy a Halloween classic in the atmospheric surroundings of Osterley Park. Gates open at 4pm, with the film beginning at 5pm and finishing at around 6.45pm. Fancy dress is encouraged and picnics are welcome.
Halloween For Grown-Ups
Halloween Party!
Saturday 31 October 2026, 8pm–1am
George IV, 185 Chiswick High Road, London W4
Head to George IV for a Halloween night out with live music from 9pm, themed drinks and plenty of spooky atmosphere. Costumes are encouraged, so go all out.
