Unleash your inner ghoul in Washington with our Halloween event planner. Navigate Washington's supernatural scene with our inclusive guide.
Among the popular events this season is The London Dungeon, where spine-tingling tales of the city's dark history come to life through immersive experiences. Featuring live actors and thrilling rides, Thorpe Park Fright Nights promises intense scares that keep you on the edge of your seat. And the Alton Towers Scarefest is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a blend of eerie attractions and thrilling roller coasters that are sure to please. Check out the rest of the page for more details on these and other fun events and activities!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around Washington
- The London Dungeon (London)
- Alton Towers Scarefest (Staffordshire)
- Thorpe Park Fright Nights (Surrey)
- Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon (Mount Vernon, VA)
- Screamfest at Tulleys Farm (Crawley)
- Nile Nightmares Haunted House (Mountlake Terrace)
- Georgetown Morgue (Seattle)
- Scare Kingdom Scream Park (Lancashire)
- Leechwoods Haunted Trail (Damascus)
- Farmageddon (Lancashire)
See these and even more events listed below!
Washington Area Haunted Experiences
Thorpe Park Fright Nights
What to Expect:
Immersive Halloween experience with award-winning scare mazes and live entertainment.
Description:
Experience the UK's premier Halloween event at Thorpe Park's Fright Nights 2024. Ride thrilling coasters at night, take on award-winning live action scare mazes, and explore blood-chilling scare zones. The event features new attractions like Hyperia in the Dark and the DeadBeat scare maze, offering an unforgettable night of terror.
Where: Surrey | More Info: Thorpe Park Fright Nights
Alton Towers Scarefest
What to Expect:
Immersive Halloween experience with a variety of scare attractions and family-friendly activities.
Description:
Alton Towers Scarefest is an award-winning Halloween event that transforms the resort into a spooktacular world of spine-tingling scare attractions, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities. Guests can experience thrilling rides in the dark, including Nemesis Reborn and Wicker Man, as well as interactive walkthroughs like Amigos in the Afterlife and COMPOUND, a new live-action scare maze. The event also features live shows, meet-and-greets, and themed areas like CBeebies Land Monster Ball.
Where: Staffordshire | More Info: Alton Towers Scarefest
Nile Nightmares Haunted House
What to Expect:
Immersive haunted trail with 6 themed houses and interactive escape rooms.
Description:
Nile Nightmares Haunted House is a thrilling attraction located in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. This haunted house features multiple indoor scenes on a haunted trail, including a covered queue line and concession area. The event boasts 6 haunted houses with different themes, such as a slaughterhouse and an insane asylum, along with artist and vendor booths in a spooky atmosphere. It also offers escape rooms like "Escape the Crypt" and "Fright Elevator" for an additional adrenaline rush.
Where: Mountlake Terrace | More Info: Nile Nightmares Haunted House
Screamfest at Tulleys Farm
What to Expect:
The unique feature of Tulleys Shocktober Fest is its immersive and terrifying haunts that offer an adrenaline-fueled adventure.
Description:
Tulleys Shocktober Fest is Europe's largest scream park, celebrating 28 years of adrenaline-fueled adventures. This Halloween event features award-winning attractions, great street food, a variety of bars, live music, DJs, and live shows all wrapped in a friendly festival atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy immersive scenery, live actors, and thrilling haunts that make for an unforgettable night.
Where: Crawley | More Info: Screamfest at Tulleys Farm
Leechwoods Haunted Trail
What to Expect:
An immersive 30-minute haunted trail experience with over 10 detailed walk-through structures and 50 professionally trained scarers.
Description:
Leech Woods offers a 30-minute immersive haunted trail experience in Damascus, Maryland. The trail features over 10 highly detailed walk-through structures and more than 50 professionally trained scarers. The event includes additional activities like axe throwing, bonfires, and fortune tellers, making it one of the scariest haunted trails in Maryland.
Where: Damascus | More Info: Leechwoods Haunted Trail
Scare Kingdom Scream Park
What to Expect:
Encounter more than 80 scare actors across 130 themed spaces in a world-class haunted attraction.
Description:
Scare Kingdom Scream Park is a world-class attraction that pushes the boundaries of fear. With over 80 scare actors and 130 themed spaces, it offers a pulse-pounding adventure through five scare mazes. This event is designed to test your courage and ignite your darkest fears with a new twist each year. It is recommended for children aged 13 and above when accompanied by an adult.
Where: Lancashire | More Info: Scare Kingdom Scream Park
Georgetown Morgue
What to Expect:
Unique feature is the combination of a haunted house with a dark maze, offering a terrifying experience in both light and darkness.
Description:
Georgetown Morgue is a premier haunted attraction in Seattle, featuring a terrifying haunted house and a dark maze. The haunted house is known for its intense sound and lighting effects, while the dark maze offers a pitch-black experience. This event is intended for those 12 years and older, making it a thrilling experience for horror enthusiasts.
Where: Seattle | More Info: Georgetown Morgue
My Morbid Mind Haunted House
What to Expect:
A detailed, story-driven haunted house experience with new props and special effects.
Description:
My Morbid Mind Haunted House is a spooky attraction located in an old barn in Lacey, Washington. Curated by "Master of the Macabre" Kevin Noah, this haunted house features multiple rooms filled with new props, animatronics, pneumatics, and special effects. It promises to be the best yet with its ever-growing following and detailed story-driven experience.
Where: Tacoma | More Info: My Morbid Mind Haunted House
Workhouse Haunt 2024: Twisted Tales of Terror
What to Expect:
A haunted trail experience where fairy tales turn into nightmares.
Description:
Workhouse Haunt 2024: Twisted Tales of Terror promises a heart-pounding journey through the eerie remnants of the historic Workhouse prison. Guests will encounter gruesome characters and nightmarish surprises as classic fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Pinocchio take a dark and twisted turn. The event features a mix of popular music, Halloween-themed drinks, and food truck treats, all set within a moonlit landscape filled with sinister shadows and macabre characters.
Where: Lorton | More Info: Workhouse Haunt 2024: Twisted Tales of Terror
Station 7 Terror Trail
What to Expect:
A family-friendly haunted trail with activities for both thrill seekers and younger children, supporting the local volunteer fire department.
Description:
Station 7 Terror Trail is a family-friendly haunted trail located in Gambrills, Maryland. The event supports the Arundel Volunteer Fire Department and offers two trails: the Terror Trail, recommended for those 8 years and older, and the Boo Loop Maze, geared towards younger children. The trail features a variety of scary and mildly spooky scenes, including a carnival setup and a scavenger hunt. Proceeds from the event go towards supporting the local volunteer fire department.
Where: Gambrills | More Info: Station 7 Terror Trail
**Illuminated Whitby Abbey**
What to Expect:
Immersive live theatre performances set against the backdrop of illuminated Whitby Abbey.
Description:
Experience the enchanting Illuminated Whitby Abbey this Halloween, where Bram Stoker's Dracula comes to life amidst the illuminated ruins. Enjoy immersive live theatre performances, sample local food and drink, and capture the magical atmosphere with your camera. The event promises a spooky yet family-friendly evening beneath the soaring lights of Whitby Abbey.
Where: Whitby Abbey | More Info: **Illuminated Whitby Abbey**
**Gruesome Anglo Saxons at Bamburgh Castle**
What to Expect:
A historical exploration of medieval medical practices with a focus on the health challenges faced by Anglo-Saxon individuals.
Description:
Explore the gruesome side of Anglo-Saxon life at Bamburgh Castle with "The Gruesome Anglo Saxon Doctor." This event delves into the darker aspects of medieval medicine, offering a unique glimpse into the health and hygiene practices of the time. Visitors will learn about the challenges faced by ancient healers and the conditions they treated.
Where: Bamburgh Castle | More Info: **Gruesome Anglo Saxons at Bamburgh Castle**
The London Dungeon
What to Expect:
Immersive historical storytelling with live actors and special effects.
Description:
The London Dungeon offers an immersive experience with 13 interactive shows, 20 live actors, and 1000 years of history. Visitors can explore 360-degree sets, enjoy state-of-the-art theming and special effects, and experience one thrilling ride. The attraction provides a unique blend of entertainment and historical storytelling.
Where: London | More Info: The London Dungeon
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Washington
Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon
What to Expect:
Celebrate Halloween with 18th-century entertainment and activities amidst the historic grounds of George Washington's Mount Vernon.
Description:
Experience an 18th-century Halloween at George Washington's Mount Vernon. Collect candy around the historic grounds, enjoy 18th-century entertainment and activities, and explore the historic area. Highlights include 18th-century magic shows, Punch & Judy puppet shows, and music of the Revolution.
Where: Mount Vernon, VA | More Info: Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon
**Pumpkin Floristry Workshop at Shipley Art Gallery**
What to Expect:
The event offers a fun, multi-generational Halloween activity where participants can design and make their own freestanding floral arrangements inside pre-carved pumpkins.
Description:
Join the Pumpkin Floristry Workshop at Shipley Art Gallery, where professional florist Hollie Summers-Stafford from Button Rose Floral Design will guide you in creating a unique and seasonal floral arrangement using fresh flowers and foliage. The workshop is suitable for ages 5 and up, and you can make your own arrangement to enjoy throughout Halloween.
Where: Shipley | More Info: **Pumpkin Floristry Workshop at Shipley Art Gallery**
**Family Arts Festival at Shipley Art Gallery**
What to Expect:
The event offers an array of enticing materials and examples to inspire creative Halloween decorations, allowing families to bring their own ideas and make the activities their own.
Description:
The Family Arts Festival at Shipley Art Gallery is a fun and family-friendly event perfect for the October half term. It features various spooky yet not-so-spooky crafting activities, including transforming paper plates into witches riding broomsticks, making 3-D paper bats, and creating haunted house windows with friendly ghosts. The event encourages creativity and independence, with friendly facilitators available to support families as they complete activities at their own pace.
Where: Shipley | More Info: **Family Arts Festival at Shipley Art Gallery**
Farmageddon
What to Expect:
Immersive gaming experience with themed activities and a relaxed atmosphere.
Description:
Farmaggedon 2024 is an annual game convention held in Farmer City, Illinois, featuring Pathfinder Society, Starfinder Society, and D&D Adventurers League. The event offers a relaxed atmosphere with a full kitchen and bar, and attendees can enjoy various gaming activities and entertainment.
Where: Lancashire | More Info: Farmageddon
Van Ness Main Street's Spooktacular
What to Expect:
A diverse lineup of family-friendly activities and live performances celebrating the community spirit.
Description:
Van Ness Main Street's Celebrate Van Ness Main Street is a vibrant community event featuring a variety of activities for all ages. Enjoy family-friendly clean-up at Forest Hills Park, Children's Day at Peirce Mill with Teatro La Bolsa, a Carpe Librum book sale, and live music performances by local artists. The event also includes an artisan market, a Latin dance party, and a movie night in the park.
Where: Washington, DC | More Info: Van Ness Main Street's Spooktacular
Haunted Museum - Wenatchee
What to Expect:
A blend of wellness, STEM education, and historical exploration activities.
Description:
The Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center offers a variety of events in September 2024. Highlights include Yoga Basics classes led by Dianne McCammon, the Robotics Afterschool Program for students aged 10-11, and Historic Wine Tours exploring downtown Wenatchee's history and architecture. These events cater to different interests, from wellness and STEM education to historical exploration and cultural experiences.
Where: Wenatchee | More Info: Haunted Museum - Wenatchee
**Spiderweb dream catcher at National Glass Centre**
What to Expect:
A hands-on craft activity where participants can create their own dream catchers.
Description:
At the Spiderweb Bad Dream Catcher event at National Glass Centre, participants aged 4 and above can create their own unique dream catchers using a variety of craft materials. This drop-in activity allows attendees to take home their creations and keep any unwanted dreams away.
Where: National Glass Centre | More Info: **Spiderweb dream catcher at National Glass Centre**
**Felt hand puppet at National Glass Centre**
What to Expect:
Interactive crafting experience where participants create and perform with their own felt puppets.
Description:
Join us at the National Glass Centre for a fun and creative workshop where you can bring colorful felt puppets to life using a range of different craft materials. Create your own unique character and enjoy the process of crafting and performing with your new creation.
Where: National Glass Centre | More Info: **Felt hand puppet at National Glass Centre**
**Pumpkin Festival at Spillman's Farm**
What to Expect:
Unique blend of pumpkin picking, live shows, and spooky activities in a family-friendly setting.
Description:
The Spillman's Pumpkin Festival is a family-friendly event featuring a vast pumpkin patch with over 125,000 pumpkins, live shows like the Wizfords Academy of Witches and Wizards, and spooky activities such as the corn cannon and spooky walk. The festival also includes a Halloween fancy dress disco, pumpkin washing facilities, and various photo opportunities around the farm.
Where: Spillman's Farm | More Info: **Pumpkin Festival at Spillman's Farm**
**Half Term Fun at Belsay Hall**
What to Expect:
A Spooky Victorian-themed garden walk with hidden nooks and mysterious corners.
Description:
Gather your little monsters for a ghoulishly good day out at Belsay Hall this half term. Follow the quest to solve creepy clues and gather round to listen to spooky stories. You'll also be able to join a Spooky Victorian-themed garden walk, discovering hidden nooks and mysterious corners.
Where: Belsay Hall | More Info: **Half Term Fun at Belsay Hall**
**Spooky Woodland Walk at Belsay Hall**
What to Expect:
An immersive family-friendly Halloween experience featuring ghost-hunting storytellers and the Vampire Sword School.
Description:
Join us for a family-friendly Spooky Woodland Walk at Belsay Hall, where ghost-hunting storytellers will guide you through the shadows of the castle grounds. Enjoy spine-chilling storytelling and immersive activities like the Vampire Sword School. This outdoor, early evening tour is perfect for children aged 5-10 and promises to get you into the Halloween spirit.
Where: Belsay Hall | More Info: **Spooky Woodland Walk at Belsay Hall**
**Outdoor Pumpkin Patch at Down At The Farm**
What to Expect:
A packed schedule of animal activities and indoor and outdoor play areas, making it a spooktacular day out for all ages.
Description:
Cockfields Farm Park offers a festive and family-friendly Pumpkin Patch experience from October 12 to 31, 2024. The event features a huge pumpkin patch with thousands of pumpkins in various shapes and sizes. Every ticket includes a pumpkin, and attendees can enjoy Instagram-worthy photo areas, animal activities, and indoor and outdoor play. The event is suitable for children of all ages and includes activities like haunted hayrides, spooky disco, Halloween games, and reptile shows.
Where: Down At The Farm | More Info: **Outdoor Pumpkin Patch at Down At The Farm**
**Pumpkin Patch at Holmside Park**
What to Expect:
The pumpkin patch offers free entry with All-Day Park Admission, making it a budget-friendly and enjoyable experience for families.
Description:
Experience the festive spirit at Holmside Park's Pumpkin Patch in County Durham this October. The patch is filled with dozens of future jack-o-lanterns, offering plenty of opportunities for photo shoots and pumpkin carving. Enjoy a variety of autumnal activities suitable for the whole family, all included with your All-Day Park Admission. No extra charge for entering the pumpkin patch, making it a fun and budget-friendly event for everyone.
Where: Holmside | More Info: **Pumpkin Patch at Holmside Park**
**Halloween Fun Day at Paxton House**
What to Expect:
A variety of spooky and family-friendly activities, including Victorian toys, Halloween arts and crafts, and an autumnal pond dipping experience.
Description:
Join us at Paxton House for a spooktacular Halloween Fun Day on October 27th, 2024. Enjoy Victorian toys and games, spooky music, Halloween arts and crafts, wand making, and an autumnal pond dipping activity. The event also features a special themed Halloween trail and spooky hot chocolate. Face painting is available for an additional charge. This family-friendly event is perfect for ages 3 and over, with tickets priced at £10 per child and £2 per adult, while babies under 2 years old are free.
Where: Paxton House | More Info: **Halloween Fun Day at Paxton House**
**Slime & Potions making at Paxton House**
What to Expect:
Hands-on potion brewing and wand creating activities for kids.
Description:
Join Paxton House for a fun and creative session where children can learn to make their own potions in a cauldron and craft a magic wand. Fancy dress is encouraged, and the event is suitable for children aged 7 and over. All children must be accompanied by an adult, and younger siblings are welcome at no extra charge.
Where: Paxton House | More Info: **Slime & Potions making at Paxton House**
**Halloween Craft Class at Cherry Hill Garden Centre**
What to Expect:
A fun and creative Halloween craft class designed for children.
Description:
Join us at our Halloween spooky craft class where each little monster will receive an age-appropriate fun-filled craft bag. This event is designed to be a fun and creative experience for children, perfect for the Halloween season.
Where: Cherry Hill | More Info: **Halloween Craft Class at Cherry Hill Garden Centre**
**Haunted house glass fusing at National Glass Centre**
What to Expect:
Unique feature is the hands-on creation of haunted house designs using various glass materials.
Description:
Create a petrifying haunted house design using coloured glass tiles, glass grains, and glass spaghetti. This hands-on workshop at the National Glass Centre guides participants through the process of crafting their own spooky glass art under the expert guidance of talented staff.
Where: National Glass Centre | More Info: **Haunted house glass fusing at National Glass Centre**
**Gruesome glass painting at National Glass Centre**
What to Expect:
A drop-in, no-booking-required activity where participants can design their own Halloween decorations.
Description:
Join the Gruesome Glass Painting event at National Glass Centre, where you can design your own Halloween hanging decoration to take home and display. This drop-in activity is perfect for children and young people aged 4+, and it's a great way to get creative and spooky for the holiday season.
Where: National Glass Centre | More Info: **Gruesome glass painting at National Glass Centre**
**Halloween Castle Critters at Bamburgh Castle**
What to Expect:
Interactive animal encounters in a historic setting.
Description:
Join ZooLab at Bamburgh Castle for an unforgettable Halloween experience. Meet and interact with a variety of fascinating animals, including snakes, tarantulas, and frogs. This event is perfect for families and animal lovers, offering an educational and entertaining experience in a historic setting. The drop-in sessions allow visitors to get up close and personal with the critters, making it a unique and memorable Halloween celebration.
Where: Bamburgh Castle | More Info: **Halloween Castle Critters at Bamburgh Castle**
**Fantastic Fusing at National Glass Centre**
What to Expect:
Participants learn to create intricate glass designs using various materials under the guidance of talented staff.
Description:
Fantastic Fusing at the National Glass Centre is a fun family workshop where participants learn to create amazing patterns and designs using colored glass tiles, glass grains, and glass spaghetti. The talented staff will guide you through the process, making it an enjoyable and creative experience for all.
Where: National Glass Centre | More Info: **Fantastic Fusing at National Glass Centre**
**Glass pumpkin demo at National Glass Centre**
What to Expect:
The opportunity to create a personalized glass pumpkin under the guidance of skilled studio glass blowers.
Description:
Witness the artistry of studio glass blowers as they create beautiful glass pumpkins at the National Glass Centre. This hands-on experience allows you to personalize your pumpkin by applying colored glass over 1100 degrees centigrade. Working closely with the Hot Glass Studio Team, you'll make your own unique pumpkin, choosing the color you desire and watching it come to life. Your pumpkin will be available for collection one week after the workshop or can be posted to you.
Where: National Glass Centre | More Info: **Glass pumpkin demo at National Glass Centre**
**Spooky Crafts at Paxton House**
What to Expect:
A fun and creative Halloween craft session for kids.
Description:
Join Paxton House for a spooky craft session where you can create scary Halloween decorations to take home. Suitable for children aged 5+, all materials are provided. Who will make the scariest mask or the spookiest decoration?
Where: Paxton House | More Info: **Spooky Crafts at Paxton House**
Other Halloween Activities Near Washington
**Grow your own pizza at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens**
What to Expect:
A meditative experience aligned with the autumn equinox.
Description:
Join the Lunar Meditation Autumn Equinox Balancing Circle at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens. This event is designed to help participants find balance and harmony during the autumn equinox. It is scheduled for September 24, 2024.