Halloween lands at the start of a weekend this year, meaning that you have three days (or nights) to make the most of the spooky festivities. At Digital Spy, we've rounded up the best family-friendly events from across the UK, so there's something to tickle everyone's bones on Friday, 31 October.
If you're looking for some festive-filled fun instead, the Digital Spy team has plenty of other enjoyable recommendations – from the best film and TV tours and even where to find cheap cinema tickets.
Merlin, home to Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Legoland, SEA LIFE and more, offers an annual pass allowing guests to unlock a year of fun. Thrill-seekers can grab a bargain with their annual pass from as little as £99, giving them entry and exclusive discounts at the best Merlin attractions across the UK.
Those looking for a fun-filled day out can purchase a Merlin Platinum Pass (£299), which also gives you great benefits such as free parking at theme park resorts, less restricted access to the attractions during peak periods and money off a limited number of fast-track vouchers.
Alton Towers Scarefest
Alton Towers Scarefest is back for 2025 and promises over a month of spooks and frights.
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Thrillseekers of all ages can tiptoe around Alton Towers Resort, experiencing exhilarating rides like The Smiler, take a plunge into the unknown on Oblivion or experience the spinning thrills of newly-opened ride Toxicator. Visiting hours have been extended from 10am into the darkness of 9pm.
If rides aren't your thing or you prefer the thrill of a jump scare, Alton Towers has launched a brand new Scare Maze for 2025 called Edge of the Forest.
Set in the deep dark woods of the Dark Forest, those brave enough to enter are stalked by horrifying tree-like creatures and plagued by a mysterious presence. Beware of the Leshwall, a spirit which is believed to twist the trees and infiltrate minds. We'd say it's enough to scare Tyson Fury, so be warned!
There are two additional scare mazes for those who dare: Compound and Altonville Mine Tours – Tiny's Revenge.
The Towers have also introduced an additional scare zone for 2025 Dark Hollow – part of the TH13TEEN-verse at Alton Towers. Step into the eerie Dark Forest while a chilling presence watches from the shadows, luring adventurers deeper into its grasp. There's also a second scare zone, Burial Grounds – both are included in the price of the general admissions ticket.
If you don't find that scary enough, Alton Towers is turning up the shockers with a VIP Ghost Tour – a spine-chilling 90-minute experience exploring the ghostly halls after dark, complete with professional paranormal detection equipment. This experience is recommended for guests aged 12 and above.
For the little pumpkins in the family, grab your Halloween-themed costumes and dance to the spooky beats at the CBeebies Land Monster Ball, where your favourite characters Bluey and Bingo, Teletubbies and Peter Rabbit dress up in their Halloween best.
Bring your goblins and Witchlings down to the Courtyard Arena for spooktacular shows, meet and greets and more. If that's not enough, little ones can take a trip to Trick O' Treat Town with Haribo and MAOAM, or experience the magic of the Amigos in the Afterlife – both are perfect for those who aren't quite ready for the full-on frights!
If you're still obsessed with the mystical story of the Phalanx, head for the VIP Compound Behind the scenes tour, which uncovers the secrets of the elusive Phalanx on a guided tour, allowing guests to experience a previously unseen view of the multi-route care maze. Those who make it to the end of the tour can get an exclusive behind-the-scenes VIP pin badge
Alton Towers Scarefest is running until Sunday, 2 November, 10am-9pm. Tickets to Alton Towers start from £34 per person. Fast track tickets start from £35, and Scare Maze entry tickets start from £10 per maze.
Buy Tickets to Alton Towers Scarefest
Hercules
For one night only at Disney's Hercules show, Hades will take over Theatre Royal Drury Lane's entrance hall with a trail of spooky music, mayhem, pre-show photo opportunities and a surprise third act.
Leave the gowns at home and transform into ghouls for this fancy-dress approved show (double points if you turn up as a Disney villain) – remember to remove any hats or horns once the show begins.
If that's not enough, there will be giveaways and special prizes – and for the adults in the room, there will be ghastly cocktails behind the bar.
This Halloween-inspired Hercules event takes place on Friday, 31 October. Tickets start at £29.50.
Thorpe Park Fright Nights
Thorpe Park's Fright Nights are back for 2025. Guests can run around a playground of fear with a twisted lineup of scare mazes, live entertainment and scare zones designed to test guests to their darkest limits.
Guests can take to the horrifying nighttime skies on the recent addition Hyperia, or ride the classic coasters like Colossus, Stealth and Saw the Ride into the night.
The devil himself will throw a petrifying party at scare maze Lucifer's Lair. Step into the cursed village of Mawkin Meadow, where the notorious Crows perch waiting patiently for their next victim.
The toymaker returns with twisted toys and nightmarish dolls that come to life in Scare Maze Stitches. Or take a trip to a cinema like no other at Trailers, where two new nostalgia-filled horrors make their debut.
This year will also see the return of Survival Games, where guests will fight tooth and nail as murderers lurk in the shadows and merciless traps snap shut without warning.
Thorpe Park Fright Nights takes place on selected dates from 3 October – 2 November, 10am-9pm. Guests can book a Fearsome Four package from £70 including park entry, or from £36 per person when added to an existing booking. Park entry costs £36 per person online.
Buy Tickets to Thorpe Park Fright Nights
Legoland Windsor Resort
Step into the spooky season at Legoland Windsor Resort with the return of its Brick or Treat extravaganza! Little ones can dance their bones off at Lord Vampyre's House Party or boo-gie down to monstrous music at Harbour Show and enjoy a fun-filled disco over on The Dragon ride.
There's a brand new Trick or Treat trail where little goblins can meet a crew of ghoulish characters, including Skeleton Guy, Monster Rocker, and Mummy. Brick or Treat's new themed shows, exclusive LEGO character meet and greets, build activities, and themed photo opportunities will be running to guarantee a fearsome event for every monster in the making. Tasty Halloween treats will also be available from a selection of restaurants across the resort.
Brick or Treat is running on selected dates between 4/5, 11/12, 18/19 October and from 31 October to 1 November. Tickets for Legoland Windsor Resort start from £34 per person, and children under 90cm go free.
Buy Tickets to Legoland Windsor's Brick or Treat
Chessington World of Adventures
Chessington World of Adventures has revealed its Howl'o'ween line-up for 2025, including rollercoaster rides at dusk, fancy dress contests, spooky shows and more.
Get ready to dance the night away at Barnyard Boogie or watch witches and wizards reverse an accidental spell at Spectacular. Fearless souls can enter scare zone Stone Watchers: The Vampire Lair – but beware of the gargoyle statues coming to life and chasing away intruders.
Those looking to fill their treat boxes can take a trip to Enchanted Hollow: Trick or Treat, where kids and grown-ups are invited to knock on doors in the whimsical town populated by animal residents and be rewarded with sweet treats and a trick or two.
Tickets for Chessington's Howl'o'ween start at £32 per person. Entry to Enchanted Hollow: Trick or Treat is an optional extra and starts at £8 per person. Howl'o'ween takes place on 4/5, 11/12 October and daily from 18 October – 2 November 2025.
Buy Tickets to Chessington World of Adventures Howl'o'ween
Southend Halloween Parade & fireworks
Every year, the Essex city puts on a family-friendly Halloween Parade taking place by the seafront. Expect to see local charities and organisations put on their best Halloween-themed parade and music.
For those wanting more thrills, Adventure Island – Southend's theme park – is open daily during each event between 11am-8pm/10pm, but do check opening times on their website.
Southend has also announced the Seafront Fireworks return for 2025 – expect a dazzling display of fireworks. Each display lasts around 10 minutes and can be viewed from most areas along the seafront.
Southend's Seafront Fireworks event takes place every Saturday at 8pm between Saturday 27 September – Saturday 25 October, and at 7.30pm between Saturday 1 November – Saturday 15 November. All Seafront Fireworks events are free to attend. Southend's Halloween Parade takes place on Saturday 25 October.
