Halloween in Bristol 2024: 26 spook-tacular ways to spend this Halloween Half-Term

The spooky season is just around the corner and it's time for the pumpkins and monsters to slowly creep into shops and our front windows and doors.

From haunted tours to scream parks and spook-tacular exhibitions, Bristol is bursting with different Halloween events taking place across the whole city and catering for different ages.

Here are 15 events in and near Bristol to show off your spooky attire this Halloween Half-Term:

Ghoulish family fun at Brunel’s SS Great Britain

'Woeful Wounds' will return to SS Great Britain from October 26 to November 3 with a botanical twist to continue the ship’s ‘Plants Crossing Continents’ theme for 2024. Special effects makeup artists from SGS College will be recreating realistic cuts, rashes, and blisters for brave young sailors to show off to their families and friends. Glowing turnips will also lead visitors around the dockyard and ship, each revealing fascinating facts about Victorian Halloween tradition as part of the family trail 'Terrifying Turnips'. There will also be a new spine-chilling storytelling experience on board, where a costumed Victorian will share ghostly tales with those who dare to listen.

American Halloween at American Museum & Gardens, Bath

From October 26 to November 3 join in exciting outdoor and indoor trails, with fun activities every day at the American Museum & Gardens in Bath. There will be a Halloween Creature garden trail, a museum bat search, and family activities indoors in the Stables, including a reading corner, colouring, crafts or puzzles and seasonal treats at the American Garden Deli. On Halloween Day (October 31), there will be a Trick or Treat event in the gardens from 11am to 1pm, a gog costume competition at 12.30pm and a kids' costume parade at 2pm. There will be two Halloween Evening Theatres on October 28 (A Pandemonium of Poe) and November 3 (Sinister States). There will be pumpkin painting from November 1 to 3.

Halloween at The Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare

Enjoy a spook-tacular day out at the Grand Pier from October 26 to November 3. Take a broomstick flying lesson, have your face painted, enjoy a free train ride and meet the Wicked Witch of Weston.

FEAR Scream Park at Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park

The "best scream park in the UK", FEAR Scream Park will be returning to Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park from October 11 for 11 nights. The multi-award winning line-up will include X4, VITA NOVA, Malefica, House of Clowns and The Core, as well as the infamous fire show, thrilling funfair rides and iconic street entertainment. FEARless, which is created for under 16s and those "too scared to get their full fear on", will be returning on October 21 and 28 to FEAR Avon Valley Scream Park. This family-friendly immersive attraction lets you navigate 4 of our scare attractions which are tamed down for the afternoon with no major scares but a few frights along the way. There will be epic fire shows, spooky street performers, fairground rides and side stalls. 

The Pumpkin Patch will also be open on October 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 from 10 am to 5pm. There will be theatrical performers, fire shows, and games like Pumpkin Paintball, Seasonal Slingshot and Fire an Apple Cannon as well as photo opportunities and a funfair.

Halloween Family Fun Day at the Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare

Watch live giant bubble shows in the indoor arena, meet the costumed characters on the prowl and explore the haunted graveyard on October 28 at the Helicopter Museum. There will also be opportunities to climb into the pilot's seat of some of the helicopters and try on a pilot's helmet, meet Frankenstein's Monster and his younger brother 'Frank', have your photograph taken in the stocks, have your face painted, enjoy charity stalls and Halloween themed menu at the café.

Halloween Potion Making Class at The Manor Hall, Coalpit Heath

Learn how to make potions at The Manor Hall's Halloween Potion Making Class. Guess will have the opportunity to make one drinkable and one edible potion in the fully immersive experience. The Singing Pumpkins will also be returning and visitors can also visit the Magic Creatures room where they can interact with snakes, lizards and other reptiles.

Go on a Haunted and Hidden Walking Tour

Haunted and Hidden Walking tour runs every Friday from 8pm from Bristol Cathedral, College Green. The route of the tour takes in some of Bristol’s darker and creepier historical locations along with film and TV locations and your host who has a wealth of local knowledge, delivers historical facts alongside TV and film trivia with a good dose of humour. Tickets cost £7 per adult, £5 for Concessions and £4 for children can be booked by emailing [email protected] or calling +44 (0) 776 6258407.

Howl-oween Myths & Legends at Bristol Zoo Project

Howl-oween at Bristol Zoo Project from October 25 to November 3 is included with the general admission ticket. Explore the site in all its ‘gory’ and learn about animal bones, skulls and x-rays. Step inside the Cauldron of Creation where a ‘trick and treat’ surprise awaits! Will you dare to reach inside the mystery box? Plus, join in our fun art activities where you can create your very own mythical beast! At the end of the trail, there’s a little ‘trick or treat’ surprise! On October 31, create your own ceramic tile in a spook-tacular art session led by the creative team at Let’s Make Art.

Halloween Party with Wednesday & Weird Barbie at Kingswood Community Association & Social Club

Put on your best dress or spookiest costume and Join Wednesday and Barbie at their Halloween Ball at Kingswood Community Association & Social Club on October 26. There will be performances, dancing, games, bubbles and Halloween-themed fun aimed at ages 3 to 8.

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Wednesday Adams Halloween SPOOKTACULAR Dance Party at Zion Bristol - Community Café & Wedding Venue

Join Wednesday Adams this Halloween for a spooktacular dance party on Halloween at Zion Bristol from 2pm to 3pm. There will be dances, games, Meet & Greet and photo opportunities.

Mary Shelly’s House of Frankenstein, Bath

Step into the gruesome world of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein at Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein. Encounter immersive multi-sensory settings that will send shivers down your spine and confront the replica of Frankenstein's monster at the museum.

Pop Confessional Pres: The Barbie Halloween Party at Thekla

Come and dance the night away at the ultimate Barbie Party at Thekla on October 28. Expect dancers and hosts, immersive Barbie décor, prizes, giveaways and Barbie photo booth fun.

Kids Halloween Party at IKEA Bristol

Celebrate Halloween at IKEA's free kids Halloween Party on October 31 from 5pm to 7pm. There will be a lot of party games and a trick or treat.

Latino Fest Halloween Special at Cloak Factory

Enjoy a one-of-a-kind celebration that blends the vibrant spirit of Latin culture with the enchantment of Halloween at the Clock Factory on November 1 from 10pm. There will be Reggaeton, Dembow, Latin Pop and Baile Funk in Room 1 and Bachata, Salsa and Merengue in Room 2.

Horfield Common Halloween Costume Parade Party & Fundraiser! at The Ardagh

The annual Halloween event and fundraiser will return on October 26 from 2pm to 8pm. Expect great food, an open bar and entertainment. There will be a costume parade with prizes for different age groups.

Spookfest at Tobacco Factory

Join Tobacco Factory Yard for Family Friendly Fun from 3pm to 10pm on October 31. Expect spooky face painting, kids craft a silent disco and a variety of ciders, beers and mulled drinks.

Storytale Festival at M Shed

The festival will return on October 26 with over 15 events, including interactive readings, workshops and craft sessions.

It's a Hoot! at Avon Valley Railway Station

Go on a steam-hauled train ride and be entertained by Gizmo the Magic Wizard on October 26 and 17. See birds of prey from Pitcombe Rock Falconry and enjoy the autumnal trail around the station. The best part? Children in Halloween fancy dress will travel free of charge.

Spooktacular Family Dance Party at Bristol Beacon

Enjoy a spellbinding family dance party on October 31 from 10am to 11am or 11.30 to 12.30pm. DJ Quest and Lotte Nørgaard will lead the high energy session of music, dance and movement games, with props, lights and fun by the cauldron-load. Tickets can be booked here.

Gaia: Our Home Planet at Bristol Cathedral

Explore the immersive exhibition about the beauty and fragility of Earth until November 9. There is a special family trail with a printed guide and interactive sections designed to engage children, encouraging them to explore and learn more about our planet in a creative way. No booking is required.

Deep and Deadly at Bristol Aquarium

From October 24 to November 3, learn all the different ways that aquatic animals can be deadly, from poison to pincers, barbed stingers to gnashing jaws. There will be a trail of the deadliest creatures across the seven different habitat zones as well as a real squid dissection at Deadly Discoveries in the Learning Lab. On October 29, explore the aquarium after dark and learn about Captain Blackbeard and 'why his spirit has reappeared at Bristol Aquarium' at Freaky Family Tours: Blackbeard's Return. There will also be an Erie Adults Evening (18+) on October 30.

Hidden Story of Christmas Steps

Enjoy a free live immersive re-enactment of true historical tales with an Invisible Circus-infused theatrical twist performed by characters you will come across at different spots up and down Bristol’s iconic Christmas Steps on November 2 from 2pm to 6.30pm. Performances take place in repeated cycles so you do not need to arrive for a specific start time, simply come along during the running time window and take a journey through the steps – and through time.

Lunchtime Lecture: Dracula and Frankenstein: origins and influence at Bristol Central Library

Join the award-winning author of the Gothics Undead series, Richard Gadz on October 31 from 12.30pm to 1.20pm to learn about the influences that culminated in the famous novels by Mary Shelley and Bram Stoker, and explore how the stage and film depictions of these characters, which are still prevalent today, came to life. Tickets for the free event can be booked here.

Museum at Night at Kingswood Heritage Museum

Explore the museum after hours by torch light and fairy lights on October 27 from 6pm to 9pm, and discover the history of Bristol in a whole new light as you wander through the exhibits and displays. Tickets include a free glass of wine or juice for adults and a free quiz and treat for kids and can be booked here.

HALLOWEEN PARTY 2024 at Memorial Stadium

The annual party will be held on October 31 from 7pm to 8.30pm. Children are invited to join in an evening of dancing, games and all-round Spooktacular fun. Fancy dress is optional and tickets can be booked here.

Expect a day filled with spooky treats, tea, cake and fun on October 31. There will also be face painting, games and competitions at the Hub. Fancy dress is encouraged.