We’re sorry to say that autumn is underway. Just because the sun’s setting earlier, temperatures are dropping, and everyone’s cosying up, doesn’t mean that there isn’t any fun to be had in Bristol, however. We’ve found an incredible amount of Halloween events happening this October, alongside plenty more to prove it’s not all about the spooky season either. So check our guide to the best things to do in Bristol to make for an epic October!
1. Have the fright of your life at this scream park
There are a lot of wicked Halloween events taking place in Bristol this October. But the pick of the bunch has to be the UK’s scariest scream park returning to Avon Valley for many a terrifying night this Halloween. With its mix of immersive horror theatre and classic fun-fair thrills officially opening on October 10, FEAR invites you to check out: 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!
2. Listen to a haunting candlelight concert
Candlelight brings spine-chilling melodies and ghostly magic to Halloween nights this October. Church of All Saints transforms into a frightening setting for the spectral string renditions of Halloween classics, like Night on Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorgsky, Ghostbusters (Theme) by Ray Parker Jr., and Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saëns on October 31—all set against a backdrop of thousands of flickering candles! To get your tickets to Candlelight: Halloween Classics, head here.
3. Run away with the circus this October
Always wanted to run away with the circus growing up? Here’s your chance! Circus City celebrates Bristol as “the UK’s city of circus” from October 9–30 with a mix of bold physical theatre performances and workshops. To learn more about Circus City, head here. Meanwhile, Circus Extreme lands in Bristol from September 26 to October 19, for a string of high-octane performances—with a fusion of live rock music and world-class circus stunts!
4. Experience nature in a whole new light
Stick around after dark at WWT Slimbridge and see the wonderful wetland creatures light up this October. The Mystical Marsh Lantern Experience is a wildlife-packed lantern trail full of larger-than-life birds, luminous bugs, and interactive bat puppets (October 17, 18, 24 to November 1). And you can even get creative and make your own lantern!
5. See ‘the funniest musical of all time’
From the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, comes ‘the best musical of this century’ (or so says The New York Times). Everybody’s heard of The Book of Mormon. This October is your chance to catch the outrageous musical comedy at Bristol Hippodrome (October 21-November 8). Both laugh-out-loud funny and insanely catchy, you will be humming these tunes ’til Christmas! To learn more, head here.
6. Watch scary films in the former Bristol IMAX
Forbidden Worlds Film Festival will take over the former Bristol IMAX for the big screams on a big 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!
7. Go pumpkin picking for jack-o-lanterns
Halloween welcomes the return of one of the South West’s most loved seasonal traditions: the Avon Valley Pumpkin Patch. This year, the experience is being split into two events: family-friendly Pumpkin Patch Days and the more atmospheric Pumpkin Patch Nights. With thousands of pumpkins, seasonal entertainment, quirky autumn games and even a pop-up pub, there’s something for everyone!
8. Watch a huge floating sun fill Bristol Cathedral
Not literally, obviously. Luke Jerram is back in Bristol with his new floating model of the Sun, Helios. The impressive installation will hit Bristol Cathedral from October 6 – 8. The installation, at an approximate scale of 1:200 million, is a fusion of solar imagery, sunlight and a specially created surround sound composition. Helios provides a safe opportunity for the public to get up close to and inspect the sun’s detailed surface for the very first time in Bristol. Get your tickets here.
9. Go ghost hunting around Bristol
Bristol’s a creepy place with more than its fair share of haunted locations. But if you’re planning to go ghost-hunting, you may want to consider hiring an expert. On this fully guided, costumed tour, you’ll explore chilling tales, thrilling crowd interactions, and an unforgettable journey through the underbelly of Bristol at The Hatchet Inn, Christmas Steps and more spooky spots. To get your tickets head here.
10. Cosy up or cower with one of these spine-tingling movies
Halloween celebrations are always best outside of the house, but there’s always space for some spooky films and popcorn. But, whether you’re going out or staying in on October 31, there’s plenty of time to squeeze in a few of these fantastic films. Check out our picks for scary movies, then bust out those skull-shaped sweets you bought on a whim from the supermarket and start chomping! For some local scares, however, check out these Bristol-based horror movies.
11. Watch these monster fireworks light up the night sky
Head to North Somerset Show Ground (between Long Ashton and Nailsea) for an unforgettable night of fireworks, funfair rides, and a spectacular laser show! With over 200 metres of thrilling attractions and TWO fireworks displays (with some of the biggest fireworks available in the UK), this incredible night shouldn’t be missed on October 25. Get your tickets here.
12. Learn how Black Bristolians shaped the city
Nobody can deny the influence Bristol has had on black history in the UK or the influence of black communities on the city. The Bristol Bus Boycott was a watershed moment in the UK that paved the way for the Race Relations Acts of 1965 and 1968, banning discrimination in employment, housing and public places—organised by the local African Caribbean community.
Bristol’s links to the transatlantic slave trade shouldn’t be overlooked either, with Edward COlston’s statue now on permanent display in the M Shed. This Black History Month, take the time to educate yourself on Bristol’s history by heading here. Or see what related events are happening in Bristol by going here.
13. Party at Motion 2.0
Motion had ‘The Last Dance’ only on July 19, but has already found a new space in St Phillips this October. The Victoria Terrace space will also host a new event series “championing local artists and independent brands.” The new club night will kick off on October 18, 2025, with Bradley Zero, founder of Rhythm Section, Berlin-based Gabrielle Kwarteng, and the soulful UK twist of Wallace.
14. Jump on one last ferry to this riverside pub
‘Bristol’s best-kept secret’ is closing at the end of October, which means summer is definitely, definitely over. Until then, we’ll be regularly seen down the riverside pub Beeses. Its tranquil setting is what sunny days were made for! Pop down on Fridays for live music playing, or stop by on Sundays for a cracking roast dinner. How do you get to Beeses, you ask? Off the beaten track, you could try by taxi, bike, or bus, but we like to travel by ferry!
15. Catch creepy movies in scary locations
This October, are you feeling brave? You can watch the scariest movies in some pretty spooky places in the city with the Bristol Film Festival. The most twisted among you might 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. To check out all the movies screening this Halloween head here.