The leaves are changing color and the winds are picking up; there’s a chill in the air, and it’s autumn in London. That means sweater weather, cinnamon spice everything, and, of course, the long-awaited return of “spooky season!” While Halloween isn’t as widely celebrated in the United Kingdom as it is in the United States, it’s been catching on in Britain in recent years, and there are plenty of places in London to get your Halloween fix.
But does that mean dressing up? Attending a Halloween party? Horror movies or tick-or-treating? Well, while the opportunities to enjoy Halloween in London may not be the same as what you’re used to stateside, there are plenty of them, and in all the varieties you can imagine.
Take a look at some of the best ways to celebrate Halloween in London:
Forget the tricks, and try these treats
It wouldn’t be Halloween without sweet treats, preferably of the spooky persuasion. Some of the major grocery chains in London have been upping their Halloween game to reflect this, with a particular standout being Marks and Spencer, where you can get your hands (or werewolf paws, monster claws, etc.) on their 2025 Halloween food range, which includes light-up pumpkin-shaped cookie jars, ghost-shaped cheesy tortilla chips, mini cupcakes adorned with eyeballs, and more.
On the other hand, to combine classic Halloween sweetness with proper London tradition, you can try a Halloween afternoon tea. Several bakeries and hotels are offering Halloween-inspired afternoon teas for 2025, including everything from B Bakery’s combination sight-seeing tour and Halloween tea on their iconic double-decker bus, to Roast Restaurant’s high-end Halloween tea menu, which includes optional haunted cocktail pairings.
Get dolled Up in your fearsome finest
Candy is great, but a major part of the fun of Halloween is choosing a costume and finding any and all reasons to wear it. In London, finding costumes and giving yourself the chance to wear them is a treat—and can even be environmentally sustainable!
That’s because London is home to some of the best secondhand and vintage shopping in the world, and you can save money on a costume, while putting together a totally unique look. Some of the most popular places to scope out unique vintage fashion items, including pieces that are over a hundred years old, include Portobello Road Market on Fridays and Saturdays, and the antique market at Spitalfields held every Tuesday.
For the truly unique, though, head to Waterloo for a look into Academy Costumes. Part vintage store, part cinephile’s dream, all clothing sold here was originally used for film, television, or stage shows. So you can not only dress up like a movie character this Halloween, you can wear their actual costume!
Hit up a Halloween party
Ready to get your Monster Mash on? Even if you’re not hosting one yourself or planning one with friends, London has plenty of Halloween parties, ranging from theatrical adventures in Shoreditch to a Dia de los Muertos extravaganza in Shoreditch. It should be noted that many of these events do have an admission charge, but it’s usually under £30, and often includes a welcome drink or light bites.
It’s also important to be aware that many London “Halloween” events aren’t actually held on October 31. This is just to coordinate the party with the nearest weekend, and doesn’t mean the event will have any less Halloween spirit!
Explore the haunted history of the city
There’s no way to avoid the truth of it: London is spooky. At the end of the day, this is a city that has seen plagues, fires, monarchs beheaded, serial killers and more. With that in mind, what better way to celebrate a haunted holiday than by checking out the scary side of the Big Smoke?
Ghost tours are popular in cities around the world, and London is no exception. Particularly popular variations include Jack the Ripper tours, which trace the path of the notorious Whitechapel serial killer and his victims. The Tower of London is also home to ghost tours, which makes perfect sense, as the Tower was the site of numerous executions, and has been rumored for centuries to be haunted.
For a more lighthearted look at London’s haunted history, the London Dungeons is a popular immersive experience, where guests can explore recreations of some of London’s most infamous historical moments, including not only the Ripper murders and Henry VIII’s wife-killing ways, but witch trials and the Great Fire which burned London to the ground in the 1600s. Live actors are there portraying the gruesome and ghoulish of history, and guests can expect to be pulled into interactive moments.
Remember, whether you choose to celebrate is silly, spooky, or sweet fashion (or a combination of all three!), be sure that you and your family stay safe this Halloween. And if your British friends have never celebrated, why not invite them to get in on the fun?
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Read more about London here in Dispatches’ archives.
Ellery Weil
Dr. Ellery Weil is a writer and historian based in London. She was born in Washington, DC, raised in Maryland, and attended undergrad in Ann Arbor, Michigan, before moving to the UK to attend grad school at University College London, where she earned her PhD in History. She lives in London with her husband, where you can find her writing, reading, petting dogs in Regent's Park, and exploring the city's antique markets.
