halloween Archives - A Long November

London, with its rich history and atmospheric settings, is the perfect place to celebrate Halloween. This year, the city has an array of thrilling, eerie, and fun-filled activities to offer for people of all ages. Whether you’re looking to be scared out of your wits, enjoy an immersive historical experience, or partake in a family-friendly event, London’s got you covered. Below are some of the best Halloween events happening in the city for 2024.

1. Halloween Candlelight Concerts

For those who prefer a more refined, yet spine-chilling Halloween experience, the Halloween Candlelight Concerts offer a magical evening of hauntingly beautiful music. Imagine listening to iconic soundtracks from classic horror movies like Psycho, The Addams Family, and The Nightmare Before Christmas, all performed by a talented string quartet or piano soloist.

Set in some of London’s most atmospheric venues—think grand churches, historic buildings, and intimate concert halls—these concerts are a spellbinding experience. The venues are lit entirely by flickering candles, creating a ghostly ambiance that enhances the thrill of the music. This event is perfect for those looking to enjoy the more elegant side of Halloween. With multiple locations across the city, these concerts provide a peaceful yet eerie escape from the louder, jump-scare-based festivities.

2. Belgravia’s Pumpkin Trail

If you’re after a family-friendly way to celebrate Halloween, look no further than Belgravia’s Pumpkin Trail. This charming neighbourhood has been transformed into a Halloween wonderland for 2024, with homes, shops, and public spaces adorned with pumpkins, autumnal decorations, and spooky displays. Kids and adults alike can follow the pumpkin trail, discovering hidden surprises along the way.

The pumpkin trail features elaborately carved pumpkins, offering the perfect photo opportunities for families. Along the route, you’ll also find pop-up stalls selling delicious seasonal treats like pumpkin spice lattes, candy apples, and warm pastries. The event also hosts pumpkin carving workshops, face painting stations, and Halloween crafts for children. While this may not be a scarefest, it’s a charming, picturesque celebration of the season, perfect for families or those who prefer a more laid-back approach to Halloween.

3. Dreadflix at London Bridge Experience

For the brave souls seeking a truly terrifying Halloween event, Dreadflix at the London Bridge Experience is the place to be. In collaboration with some of the most iconic horror films ever made, the London Bridge Experience is bringing a unique cinema and immersive horror experience to life. Dreadflix, inspired by popular streaming platforms, brings cult horror classics to the big screen in one of London’s scariest settings.

But it’s not just about watching films. Before the screenings, attendees are led through the London Bridge Experience, a gruesome attraction known for its terrifying live actors, immersive sets, and shocking jump scares. As you make your way through, you’ll encounter London’s bloody history, including gory tales of Jack the Ripper and the infamous traitors’ executions at the Tower of London. After you’ve survived the haunted maze, you can settle in for a horror movie screening, surrounded by the creepy atmosphere of the underground vaults. It’s an adrenaline-pumping Halloween experience that’s guaranteed to haunt your dreams.

4. Halloween at Hampton Court Palace

Step back in time for a spooky journey through one of England’s most haunted royal residences—Hampton Court Palace. Known for its connections to King Henry VIII, this iconic palace has a storied past filled with intrigue, betrayal, and ghostly sightings. This Halloween, Hampton Court opens its gates for a special after-dark event, inviting visitors to explore its shadowy halls and eerie chambers.

On the Halloween tours, expert guides will lead you through the palace’s most haunted rooms, sharing spine-tingling stories of its former residents. Look out for the ghost of Catherine Howard, Henry VIII’s fifth wife, who is said to roam the galleries, crying out for mercy before her execution. The Halloween experience at Hampton Court Palace is both historical and atmospheric, giving visitors a taste of royal life—and death—from centuries ago. After your tour, there’s time to explore the gardens and courtyards under the moonlight, making it a perfect date night or group outing for history buffs and ghost hunters alike.

5. The London Tombs

Often voted as one of the scariest attractions in the UK, The London Tombs is the ultimate destination for fear-seekers this Halloween. Located beneath London Bridge, this horror maze offers a terrifying journey through dark, confined spaces filled with live actors, gruesome special effects, and countless jump scares.

The London Tombs take you through a series of nightmarish scenes, where you’ll encounter everything from crazed clowns to tortured souls, zombies, and other horrifying characters. The Tombs have been designed to test the limits of your courage, so it’s not for the faint-hearted. With professional actors trained to scare, you can expect an interactive experience that will leave you looking over your shoulder long after you’ve exited the attraction. For 2024, the London Tombs promises new characters, expanded sections, and more horror than ever before.

6. The London Dungeon

Another must-visit for Halloween is the London Dungeon. Famous for bringing 1,000 years of London’s dark history to life, this iconic attraction ramps up the fear factor during the Halloween season. The Dungeon’s interactive experience combines theatrical storytelling, live actors, and thrilling rides, taking visitors on a journey through London’s most notorious historical events.

For Halloween, the London Dungeon adds special seasonal shows and even more scares. Guests can expect to meet Jack the Ripper, Sweeney Todd, and other famous figures from London’s grim past. The Dungeon’s dark, atmospheric corridors are the perfect setting for a Halloween fright, and for 2024, they’ve introduced new features, including a revamped ‘Plague Doctor’ experience and even scarier sound effects. The London Dungeon is a thrilling mix of history, horror, and fun, making it one of the top destinations for Halloween enthusiasts of all ages.

Final Thoughts

From eerie candlelit concerts to haunted palaces and terrifying scare mazes, London has no shortage of Halloween events for 2024. Whether you’re a horror aficionado, a history buff, or a family looking for festive fun, the city’s Halloween celebrations have something for everyone. So don your costume, grab your tickets, and prepare for a night (or day) filled with chills, thrills, and unforgettable memories.

Halloween is just around the corner, and if you’re anything like me, you’re probably getting that giddy, mischievous feeling inside, ready to transform your home into something gloriously ghoulish! Whether you’re going for spine-tingling scares or playful, pumpkin-filled fun, it’s time to embrace your inner witch or wizard and give your house the Halloween makeover it deserves.

Ready to cast your decorating spell? Here are some wickedly fun ideas to help you turn your house into the talk of the neighbourhood!

1. Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere!

What’s Halloween without pumpkins? Absolutely nothing! Whether you’re a carving enthusiast or prefer to keep things simple with painted pumpkins, they’re a must for your spooky set-up. Grab a variety of sizes and colours — the classic orange, of course, but don’t forget the ghostly white ones and even the slightly creepy warty ones. If you’re short on time, stick on some fun decals or let the kids go wild with a bit of paint.

And don’t just leave them at the front door! Scatter pumpkins around the garden, along pathways, or even inside your home to keep the Halloween vibes going from room to room.

2. Wicked Window Displays

Want to give your neighbours a proper fright (or maybe just a giggle) without opening the front door? Deck out your windows! Silhouette cut-outs are perfect for this — think witches on broomsticks, grinning skeletons, or monstrous shadows lurking behind the curtains. All you need is black paper, scissors, and some Blu Tack, and you’re good to go!

For extra atmosphere, add some flickering LED candles or soft orange fairy lights to give off that eerie glow when the sun sets. Bonus points if you make a ‘ghost’ peering out of one window — nothing says “creepy” like a set of eyes following you as you walk by!

3. Create a Haunted Garden

If you’re lucky enough to have a garden or a front lawn, it’s time to turn it into a proper haunted hideaway! Cobwebs are your new best friend – they’re easy to find and incredibly effective at making your bushes and hedges look abandoned and spooky.

Add in some plastic spiders, maybe even a few bats hanging from the trees, and boom – instant fright zone! And for that finishing touch, plant a few tombstones (you can make these from cardboard or pick them up at a supermarket). Get creative with the inscriptions too! “Here Lies Mr Bones, He Lost His Marrow” is a classic, or something suitably punny for a bit of fun.

4. Frightening Front Door

Your front door is the first thing trick-or-treaters will see, so make sure it’s terrifyingly terrific! Start by hanging a creepy wreath – one with black roses, spiders, or even faux skeleton hands will set the tone nicely.

You could also drape your door with ‘bloody’ handprints or crime scene tape for a scarier effect or keep it playful with big googly eyes and a set of cardboard fangs to make your door look like a hungry monster. Add a cauldron with a few sweets (or a trick!) for the brave souls daring enough to knock.

5. Light It Up (Spookily!)

Lighting is key for setting that eerie Halloween mood. Swap out your usual bulbs for orange or purple ones to give off a magical, spooky glow. You could also use solar-powered lanterns or jack-o’-lanterns to light the path to your front door.

Fairy lights, too, are perfect for wrapping around trees, draping over your porch, or adding a whimsical touch indoors. If you’re feeling extra spooky, pick up a few glow-in-the-dark decorations or strategically place battery-powered candles in your windows to create that chilling, haunted-house vibe.

6. Indoor Spooks and Surprises

Halloween potion, skull and book on display

Don’t forget to bring the Halloween spirit inside! Drape black cloth or cobwebs over your furniture, swap out your usual cushions for Halloween-themed ones, and fill glass jars with ‘potion ingredients’ (a bit of food colouring in water with some plastic eyeballs works wonders).

Skulls, witches’ hats, and black cat ornaments can be dotted around the house to keep things spooky yet stylish. If you’re having a Halloween party or just want to keep things fun for the family, hide little plastic spiders or bugs around the house for people to ‘discover’ – it’ll either cause a giggle or a shriek!

7. Don’t Forget the Sweets!

The best part of Halloween (apart from the decorations, obviously) is the sweets! Whether you’re giving out treats to trick-or-treaters or just having them ready for your own enjoyment, make sure you’ve got a spooky sweet station set up. A cauldron brimming with chocolate, gummy worms, and jelly eyeballs will always do the trick (pun intended).

You could even create a little ‘pick and mix’ bar inside with different types of sweets, spooky-themed cupcakes, and popcorn – perfect if you’re hosting a Halloween movie night.

8. Go Big or Gory!

Feeling ambitious? Why not add some life-size characters to your display! A scarecrow made from old clothes stuffed with straw can stand guard by your front door, or if you’re feeling particularly devilish, create a DIY ‘zombie’ crawling out of the ground using a pair of rubber gloves and some fake blood.

If you’re a fan of the gore, fake blood is your friend. Use it sparingly (or not-so-sparingly) to create handprints on your windows or trickle it down pumpkins for a dramatic effect. Remember, Halloween is all about fun, so whether you’re going for creepy or cute, let your imagination run wild!

Happy Haunting!

Decorating for Halloween is all about having fun and embracing the spooky spirit. Whether you’re going for full-on haunted house vibes or just adding a few playful touches, make sure to enjoy the process and get creative. So, gather your witches’ hats, plastic spiders, and bags of sweets – and let’s make this Halloween your best one yet!

Tag: halloween

Top Halloween Events for 2024: Spooky London

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