Prepare for a night of terror and excitement in Canterbury with our meticulously researched Halloween guide, showcasing the most hair-raising events and ghostly encounters. Brave Canterbury's bone-chilling attractions with our guide, designed for hometown horrors and visiting vampires.
One notable event is the Dover Castle Halloween Quest, where visitors embark on a thrilling journey through the historic grounds, solving spooky riddles and engaging in frightful activities. Hever Castle Halloween introduces enchanted storytelling sessions set against the backdrop of its beautiful gardens. And definitely don't forget Fort Amherst’s Halloween Horrors, an experience filled with eerie tunnels and terrifying live actors. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around Canterbury
- Fort Amherst’s Halloween Horrors (Chatham)
- Big Fish Little Fish CANTERBURY Halloween Family Rave
- Hever Castle Halloween (Edenbridge)
- Dover Castle Halloween Quest (Dover)
- The Historic Dockyard Chatham YuckYard (Chatham)
- With Ibby… Halloween Disco
- Chiddingstone Castle Halloween (Edenbridge)
- Deal Castle Ghost Stories (Deal)
- Halloween Family Fun at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve (Sevenoaks)
- Walmer Castle Ghost-Hunting Walk (Walmer)
See these and even more events listed below!
Canterbury Area Haunted Experiences
Deal Castle Ghost Stories
What to Expect:
A guided ghost tour that delves into the castle's dark history and supernatural legends.
Description:
Explore Deal Castle in the dark this Halloween with English Heritage's Ghost Tales event. Join storytellers as they guide you through the past, uncovering tales of smugglers and supernatural sightings along the coastline near the deadly Goodwin Sands. This spooky journey is suitable for adults and promises to be a thrilling experience.
Where: Deal | More Info: Deal Castle Ghost Stories
Chiddingstone Castle Halloween
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration featuring ghostly guides and themed activities within a historic castle setting.
Description:
Chiddingstone Castle invites you to a spooky Halloween celebration with ghostly guides leading you through mysterious storytelling. Explore the castle's fascinating collections, including Japanese, Stuart, Jacobite, and Ancient Egyptian artifacts. Enjoy a themed menu at the tea room and participate in various activities like a Japanese Ghosts and Spirits Tour. This Halloween event offers a unique blend of history and spooky fun.
Where: Edenbridge | More Info: Chiddingstone Castle Halloween
Halloween Show - The Midnight Carnival
What to Expect:
A heartwarming tale of friendship and bravery set in a spooky haunted castle.
Description:
Join Vic the Vegetarian Vampire and his friends Bob and Babs for a spooky adventure at the Midnight Carnival. A mysterious letter invites them to the carnival, where they find themselves in a thrilling, heartwarming tale of friendship and bravery. With ghostly games and unexpected surprises, they'll learn that sometimes, the family you choose is more important than the one you're born into.
Where: Orpington | More Info: Halloween Show - The Midnight Carnival
Walmer Castle Ghost-Hunting Walk
What to Expect:
A family-friendly ghost-hunting walk through the shadowy gardens of Walmer Castle.
Description:
Join ghost-hunting storytellers on a family-friendly walk through the shadowy gardens of Walmer Castle. This light-hearted Halloween tour is perfect for children aged 5-10, featuring well-told tales of strange and spooky goings-on. The event is an outdoor, early evening tour that requires suitable shoes and dress for the weather.
Where: Walmer | More Info: Walmer Castle Ghost-Hunting Walk
Fort Amherst’s Halloween Horrors
What to Expect:
An immersive and interactive scare experience with live actors and realistic scares.
Description:
Fort Amherst’s Halloween Horrors is the UK's longest-running award-winning scare attraction, celebrating its 41st year. This extreme Halloween event features realistic scares, live actors, and immersive experiences. Teen and adult tours run every 10 minutes from 6 PM to 10 PM, while children's tours run every 20 minutes from 11 AM to 2 PM. The event includes additional attractions like a fully licensed bar, hot food vendors, and interactive activities.
Where: Chatham | More Info: Fort Amherst’s Halloween Horrors
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Canterbury
Dover Castle Halloween Quest
What to Expect:
Follow the quest to solve creepy clues and gather round to listen to spooky stories.
Description:
Gather your little monsters for a ghoulishly good day out at Dover Castle this half term. Meet our spooktacular characters, including a dragon, grim reaper, and comedy castle rat. Follow the quest to solve creepy clues and gather round to listen to spooky stories.
Where: Dover | More Info: Dover Castle Halloween Quest
Hever Castle Halloween
What to Expect:
A variety of Halloween-themed activities for families to enjoy together.
Description:
Treat your little ones to a spine-tingling visit to Hever Castle over the Half Term break. Explore the castle grounds filled with spooky pumpkins and put your detective skills to the test with a Halloween-themed word puzzle. Don’t be too startled if you come face to face with some of Halloween’s most infamous characters. You might encounter Dr. Frankenstein himself For those who want to get hands-on with Halloween, the themed craft sessions are the perfect opportunity to unleash your creativity.
Where: Edenbridge | More Info: Hever Castle Halloween
Big Fish Little Fish CANTERBURY Halloween Family Rave
What to Expect:
An afternoon of non-stop jungle and drum and bass beats by DJ 2 Bad Mice, perfect for families with children aged 0-8 years.
Description:
Join Big Fish Little Fish for an unforgettable Halloween family rave in Canterbury DJ 2 Bad Mice will set the stage ablaze with jungle and drum and bass beats, creating a swashbuckling good time for all ages. Enjoy an afternoon filled with bubbles, foam, balloons, and spooky crafts. This award-winning event promises to be a magical experience for families with children aged 0-8 years.
Where: Canterbury | More Info: Big Fish Little Fish CANTERBURY Halloween Family Rave
The Historic Dockyard Chatham YuckYard
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween experience that explores the darker side of naval history through interactive activities and gruesome tales.
Description:
This Halloween half-term, The Historic Dockyard Chatham presents Yuck Yard, a family-friendly activity that delves into the darker side of naval history. Explore gruesome tales, historic diseases, and revolting cures. Meet characters like Widow Wink and Assistant Surgeon George Bass, and participate in activities like the Ratcatchers Trail and Gallery Goo. This event is included in your Dockyard entry ticket and promises to make your skin crawl with its sickening stories and disgusting cures.
Where: Chatham | More Info: The Historic Dockyard Chatham YuckYard
With Ibby… Halloween Disco
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration featuring a children's disco, party games, and a fancy dress competition.
Description:
With Ibby… Halloween Disco is a spooktacular celebration designed for children and families. The event features a children's disco, engaging party games, and a fancy dress competition. Parents enjoy free entry, and the entrance fee includes a hotdog and drink. This festive gathering promises a fun-filled evening with music and dancing, making it an unforgettable Halloween experience.
Where: Canterbury | More Info: With Ibby… Halloween Disco
Rare Breeds Centre Halloween
What to Expect:
A magical Halloween celebration featuring Effel Fartwaffer's potion shows and various spooky activities.
Description:
Join us at the Rare Breeds Centre for a spooktacular Halloween celebration from October 26th to November 3rd. Effel Fartwaffer and friends will keep you entertained with kooky antics, potion shows, and spooky activities. Enjoy face painting, a fancy dress competition, and the Spooks Trail, all while exploring the farm's usual attractions like tractor rides and playparks.
Where: Ashford | More Info: Rare Breeds Centre Halloween
Halloween Family Fun at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
What to Expect:
A family-friendly event featuring autumnal wildlife craft activities and a warming hot chocolate session amidst the trees.
Description:
Join Kent Wildlife Trust's Education Team for Halloween Family Fun at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve. Enjoy seasonal wildlife crafts, a spooky game, and warming hot chocolate while listening to a seasonal story. Learn about bats, spiders, and owls, and explore the reserve amidst the changing colors of the trees.
Where: Sevenoaks | More Info: Halloween Family Fun at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
Prittlewell Pumpkin Patch
What to Expect:
Interactive music and storytelling sessions with a medieval twist.
Description:
Experience a festive Halloween celebration at Prittlewell Priory with a specially created pumpkin patch. Enjoy face painting, a children's trail, and interactive music and storytelling sessions. Complete a scavenger hunt to help prepare for the All Hallows' Eve feast and learn about autumn traditions at the priory.
Where: Southend-on-Sea | More Info: Prittlewell Pumpkin Patch
Halloween Family Fun at West Blean and Thornden Woods
What to Expect:
The opportunity to explore the woodland and learn about wildlife while participating in seasonal craft activities and enjoying hot chocolate.
Description:
Join Kent Wildlife Trust's Education Team for a spooky yet fun-filled Halloween event at West Blean and Thornden Woods. Enjoy autumnal wildlife craft activities, a spooky game, and warming hot chocolate while listening to a seasonal story. Learn about bats, spiders, and owls, and explore the woodland by following the Wildart Trail. Don't miss the chance to spot the family of bison amidst the changing colors of the trees and crunch through fallen leaves.
Where: West Blean and Thornden Woods | More Info: Halloween Family Fun at West Blean and Thornden Woods
Hallelujah Party - A Healthy Halloween Alternative
What to Expect:
A wholesome Halloween celebration with activities and games centered around Christian values.
Description:
Join the Hallelujah Party, a fun and healthy Halloween alternative for kids aged 5 to 10. This event at Lighthouse Christian Centre in Maidstone features a wholesome celebration of the season with activities and games that inspire, motivate, and empower children to live a more fulfilled and enriched life.
Where: Maidstone | More Info: Hallelujah Party - A Healthy Halloween Alternative
- Canterbury's Cooking Food & Drink Festival 2024
What to Expect:
A diverse festival offering a wide range of culinary experiences and family-friendly activities.
Description:
Canterbury's Cooking Food & Drink Festival 2024 is a three-day celebration of food, drink, and family fun. The event takes place at Dane John Gardens from September 20 to 22, featuring kitchen theatre, children's entertainment, workshops, live music, street foods, and an eclectic food and craft market with local, national, and international stalls.
Where: Canterbury | More Info: - Canterbury's Cooking Food & Drink Festival 2024
Halloween Trail 2024
What to Expect:
Spooky storytelling and clue-solving activities in a historic setting.
Description:
Gather your little monsters for a ghoulishly good day out at Eltham Palace this Halloween half term. Lady Harrington Harrington is back with a new ghost to find Enjoy spooky stories and solve creepy clues in a setting that combines ancient and modern architecture.
Where: Sidcup | More Info: Halloween Trail 2024
Halloween Fun Day
What to Expect:
Enjoy spooky dance lessons with Wednesday Adams and a Halloween trail with Cinderella.
Description:
Celebrate Halloween at The Elvetham with spooky dance lessons, a Halloween trail with Cinderella, and a children’s spooky-themed BBQ. Enjoy tea, coffee, and cake while encouraging Halloween costumes. This event is perfect for children aged 3-11, with a maximum of one adult per two children.
Where: Hartley Wintney | More Info: Halloween Fun Day
- Westgate Hall Makers Market September
What to Expect:
A vibrant marketplace showcasing local talent under one roof.
Description:
Discover talented Kent makers, artists, craftspeople, and producers at Westgate Hall's popular market in Canterbury city centre. Find dozens of stalls offering hundreds of locally-made products, including the best in Kent produce, crafts, homewares, and jewelry.