It’s the spookiest, creepiest, scariest time of year (why do we celebrate this again!?) It’s time to dress up as brain-eating zombies, blood-thirsty vampires, cauldron-stewing witches and whatever the latest meme is… The Unknown!? Whether you’re spooking yourself at a scare park or watching a B-movie horror film in a scary location, there’s a splattering of harrowing Halloween events to choose from in Bristol.
1. Head out on one of the UK’s spookiest walks
Just over an hour from Bristol, a complex of ancient megalithic monuments dripping in history and folklore has been named among the UK’s spookiest walks. Legend says that when an Iron Age king met a witch in the Cotswolds, she promised to make him King of England if he could see Long Compton in “seven long strides.” But, mid-stride, a mound rose in front of the king, blocking his view of the nearby village, and she turned him, his knights and army into stone—creating the Rollright Stones.
2. Dance the Halloween night away at two Bristol museums
Bristol’s biggest silent disco ever is taking over two museums this Halloween. The 2-4-1 party filled with non-stop floor fillers from the 80s, 90s, and 00s will take you into underwater realms and science experiments at Bristol Aquarium and We The Curious. Enjoy interactive exhibits whilst dancing to killer tunes on Saturday, November 1! You can learn more here.
3. Pick your very own pumpkin
Before you do anything else on Halloween (even before dressing up!) you have to pick your own pumpkin to carve. Luckily, there are several local Bristol pumpkin patches nearby. Many of these are open to the public for the entire month of October, so there’s no excuse for not being prepared this year. We suggest maybe picking up a couple, however, just in case your jack-o’-lantern carving skills aren’t quite up to scratch!
Pick of the bunch has to be the Avon Valley Pumpkin Patch. This year, the experience is being split into two events: the family-friendly Pumpkin Patch Days and the more atmospheric Pumpkin Patch Nights. Swing by from the last weekend of September to the end of October for thousands of pumpkins in every colour, shape and size imaginable. Plus, roaming characters and fiery performances, quirky autumn games and a pop-up pub!
4. Discover the chilling universe of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
Meet the Queen of Horror herself with a trip to Bath this Halloween at Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein. The spine-tingling, immersive attraction not only plunges you into Shelley’s extraordinary life but lets you discover the enduring impact of her haunting masterpiece. You will encounter chilling artefacts, terrifying effects, and a colossal, eight-foot-tall animatronic creature in this 300-year-old townhouse. To learn more about Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein head here.
5. Listen to a haunting concert lit by candlelight
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of Halloween to life with a live, multi-sensory musical experience at Church of All Saints—performed under the gentle glow of candlelight. On Friday, October 31, a string quartet will perform classical renditions of everything from Michael Jackson’s Thriller to Ray Parker Jr.’s Ghostbusters (Theme) and Camille Saint-Saëns’ Danse Macabre. Get your tickets to Candlelight: Halloween Classics here.
6. Go on a ghost tour of Bristol
There are many incredible ghost tours of Bristol, but to single out just one, we’ll pick this one-of-a-kind ghostly adventure, Bristol Ghost Tours. On this fully guided, costumed tour, you will explore chilling tales, thrilling crowd interactions, and an unforgettable journey through the underbelly of Bristol – stopping at the likes of The Hatchet Inn,
Christmas Steps and more haunted spots.
7. Face your fears at this Scream Park
The South West’s award-winning scream park is back from Friday, October 10. FEAR Scream Park is made up of six themed shows each night across the site’s two zones, as well as immersive scare zones, fire and laser performances, aerialists, roaming characters, thrill rides, shock chairs and more surprises lurking around the corner!
On top, FEAR features two extra, unmissable experiences: A video-game-esque, live-action survival challenge, Lock + Load, and The Exorcism, which plunges visitors into a creepy and intimate performance. Meanwhile, younger Halloween fans (11-15 year olds) should check out FEARless, which offers a toned-down version of four mazes, no direct scares and a more playful, spooky tone.
8. Be blown away by these breathtaking fireworks
Just half an hour from Bristol, Chepstow Fireworks returns over Halloween weekend (November 1) bigger and brighter than ever! With two jaw-dropping fireworks displays, as well as live bands, street food, fairground rides, and a lively Bierhaus providing a true festival atmosphere, you’ll be blown away! Get your ticket to Chepstow Fireworks here.
9. Pick up a gory wound this Halloween
Back by popular demand, ‘Woeful Wounds’ returns with special effects makeup artists from SGS College recreating realistic cuts, rashes, and blisters for brave young sailors about the SS Great Britain. Meanwhile, from October 25 to November 2, check out the quirky yet terrifying turnip lantern trail around the dockyard and ship, while learning fun facts about Victorian Halloween traditions.
10. Watch these Bristol-based horror movies/shows
Yes, Bristol is colourful, but it’s also pretty creepy at times – just checking out all these haunted locations if you don’t believe me. But that makes it great for some terrifying horror movies and TV shows t00 – from psychological thriller Deadly Strangers (1975) to horror comedy Being Human (2008-2013). To see the horror films and TV shows set in Bristol, head here.
11. Explore the witchy depths of Wookey Hole
The nearby Wookey Hole was once the home of a witch. Anything that went wrong in the local village was blamed on her. That is, until, according to local legend, the people had had enough. The villagers asked for the help of a monk from Glastonbury, who turned her to stone in the caves with Holy Water, where she remains today. This year, from October 4 to November 2, visitors are invited to enter the caves if they dare, although we expect more treats than tricks at Wookey Hole.
Inside the caves, come face-to-face with the haunting legend of the Witch, sink your teeth into a brand-new Vampire Trail, pick your very own pumpkin and step into another dimension with a Halloween-themed 4D adventure. And the scares don’t end there! Discover everything from a Spooky Museum to a Vampire Circus, Monster Golf and more.
12. Grab something to read from this haunted bookshop
So we don’t think it’s actually haunted. That’s just what it’s called. The Haunted Bookshop. This horror-themed independent bookshop is a great addition to the literary scene of Bristol – thanks to a “carefully curated collection of horror, fantasy, and witchcraft books.”
13. Boogie down at this Halloween house party
Clifton Heights is transformed into a wild and wicked Halloween House Party on October 31. This fully immersive haunted night features nonstop music, spine-tingling decorations and an electrifying atmosphere!
14. Watch classic horror movies in Bristol’s scariest spot
You can watch the scariest movies in the spookiest place in the city with the Bristol Film Festival. The most twisted among you might even want to see the caving-expedition-gone-wrong horror, The Descent at Redcliffe Caves (on October 23 AND 26). But you can also catch The Thing, The Substance, Final Destination, A Quiet Place, and more this Halloween.
Horror film fans should also keep an eye out for the Forbidden Worlds Film Festival. Taking over the former Bristol IMAX for more big screams on an even bigger cinema screen this October 24 & 25, expect a selection of retro ‘popcorn horrors’ at the biggest screen in the South West—from cult classics to obscure genre films!
15. Listen to spooky stories by candlelight
The sell-out success returns to Bristol Old Vic (October 21 to 25) with four brand new spooky stories from award-winning writers, Florence Espeut-Nickless, Simon Longman, Anne Odeke and Rosa Torr. This year’s Ghost Stories by Candlelight will draw audiences into the secretive corners of the East and West of England, all by candlelight… Just don’t let the light go out!
16. Head to a Halloween rave
This Halloween, DnB monsters Hospitality returns to Bristol with [THE BLAST]‘s annual, massive sell-out party at Prospest (Saturday, October 25), the Halloween Carnival of the Dead. The lineup looks scarily good too, featuring Wilkinson, DJ Q, Mozey, Lens, Flava D, Fred V, Kanine and many more. Tickets start from £32 here.
17. Wander around this cemetery at night
Arnos Vale Cemetery is scary at the best of times. This Halloween, you’ve been invited to dig up the more unusual and outrageous stories buried here. Your ghostly guided tour will share stories of murder, rioting, adultery and more on an evening stroll between beautiful memorials. To learn more, head here.
18. Embark on a bloody tour of Bedminster
Bedminster’s older than Bristol, and the neighbourhood has plenty of gruesome stories of its own to tell. Grave robbers and body snatchers, concrete coffins and hanging judges, and even the missing millions from Britain’s biggest robbery, the Blood and Butchery in Bedminster Tour (every Thursday until November 6) takes you to extraordinary, forgotten places where amazing things happened. You will never see Bedminster the same way again.
19. Join the Zombie Outbreak Response Team
Could you survive a zombie apocalypse? Test your survival skills in archery, air rifles, and axe throwing at the Mendip Activity Centre. Those trying to join the Zombie Outbreak Response Team can claim a Trick or Treat reward for their efforts until November 3. There’s also a brand-new Hangar 51 for Nerf and Gel Battle parties in this Halloween haven.
20. Party with Dick and Dom in da Bungalow Haunted House
Calling all BIG kids! Dick and Dom are swapping their bungalow for a haunted house and bringing their huge rave to O2 Academy Bristol this Halloween. Expect non-stop 90s to 00s bangers and club classics, massive ghostly decor, laser light shows, and absolute insanity you know well from the duo. You can learn more here!
21. Wake The Tiger monster inside of you!
A costume-only event (no effort, no entry) sees a full takeover of The Guildhall at Wake The Tiger. From 10pm to 3am, on Saturday, November 1, Kick & Play will be throwing the craziest party. Plus, there are cash prizes for scariest, sexiest and best group/couple costumes, as well as best make-up. To get your ticket, head here.