Best UK theme park Halloween events for 2023

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Go back in time with the spooky ancestors at Scarefest (Image: Getty)
Go back in time with the spooky ancestors at Scarefest (Image: Getty)

With the Halloween season almost upon us theme parks including Alton Towers, Legoland, Thorpe Park and Chessington are all ramping up the horror ready to offer visitors some chills and thrills to remember.

With a slurry of ghoulish events lined up, tickets are already on sale for all of the most popular attractions, and the late October half-term holiday is the perfect time to check out the freakish fun with the family. Test your metal in a terrifying escape room or beg for mercy in some incredible scare mazes if you dare.

This year there's something for everyone to enjoy, from pumpkin fun for little ones to full blown horrors for grown ups, and we've rounded up some of the best scarefests taking place this October.

Some activities may be restricted by age, and parents should always check the suitability of any event on the attraction website before they book.

Chessington World of Adventures

Best UK theme park Halloween events for 2023 qhidddirriqtxinvThe Wild Witches are back at Chessington for Halloween (Getty)

When: October 7 and 8 then October 14 to October 30

Two women in Halloween clown masks break into mum's home and douse her in bleachTwo women in Halloween clown masks break into mum's home and douse her in bleach

This family event will see some familiar 'vile villagers' return to Chessington to join visitors for Howl’o’ween. At dusk, the park comes alive with over 40 rides and attractions for visitors of all ages to enjoy, while the Wild Witches return for another year of live-show chaos.

Younger visitors can join Ali and friends for some fun and games with Witch from Room on the Broom, and Howl’o’ween’s lovable werewolf Wilf and Violet and the friendly Vampire Bat will be back to share the fun at the Mini Stage.

New for 2023 visitors to the park can meet the charming animal residents of Enchanted Hollow, who have only recently been discovered in their underground town complete with Mayor’s House, Post Office and Sweet Shop. This Halloween the locals are all ready to treat you … but beware, some do play cheeky tricks as well.

Tickets start from just £37 per person, with pre-booking essential. Children under the age of three go for free.

Find out more at Chessington World of Adventures.

Legoland – Brick or Treat

Best UK theme park Halloween events for 2023Lots of ghoulish goings on at Legoland Windsor this October (Getty)

When: September 28 to November 5

Back again for 2023, Legoland is going all out to entertain visitors of all ages with its popular Brick or Treat event.

This year the monsters are taking over the park with Square Foot, Monster Rocker, Wolf Guy, Tiger Lady and Zombie Cheerleader all in concert at the Halloween Harbour Show - Monster Jam.

Perfect for families with Lego lovers of all ages, Monster Street returns for anyone who is brave enough to step inside and there will be a Monster Party with dead good music where everyone to throw their best spooky shapes.

The park also offers Halloween-themed photo spots for Insta-perfect moments and 55 rides and attractions on offer.

Starbucks releases Halloween-inspired drinkware including glow-in-the-dark cupStarbucks releases Halloween-inspired drinkware including glow-in-the-dark cup

Brick or Treat tickets cost from £34 per person.

Find out more at legoland.co.uk.

Alton Towers Resort – Scarefest

Best UK theme park Halloween events for 2023Go back in time with the spooky ancestors at Scarefest (Getty)

When: October 7 to 8 and 13 to 31

Get ready for creepy scares, shocks and thrills as Scarefest returns to Alton Towers for its 16th year of terror.

The resort is inviting guests to take on its head-spinning, hair-raising rollercoasters in darkness with the rides open until 9pm every evening, while the terrifying scare attractions are back with even more horrifying creatures ready to eat, I mean meet you.

For the first time this year, Daz Games dares visitors to take on the first adrenaline-inducing escape room meets live-action scare maze for the ultimate horror experience, and The Alton Towers Dungeon is back for anyone brave enough to face it.

You can also get stuck into the scare mazes like The Invitation and Terror of the Towers and ghoul hunters can step out into the Burial Grounds shadowed by the mighty Wicker Man.

A Scarefest day pass costs £39 online and children under three go free.

Find out more at altontowers.com.

Thorpe Park - Fright Nights

Best UK theme park Halloween events for 2023Fright Night returns with some big-budget horrors (Getty)

When: October 6 to October 31

Halloween Fright Nights are back at Thorpe Park serving up an adrenaline-packed day for anyone brave enough to step inside.

When the sun goes down, the park transforms into a heart-stopping playground of horror, where the record-breaking rollercoasters will thrill you like never before.

Enter the bone-chilling Scare Zones, be captivated by the mind-blowing live shows, or brace yourself for the twisted Scare Mazes that will haunt your dreams forever.

New for 2023, a quaint toy shop hides a malevolent secret — an evil that awakens within the deranged toys when the lights go out. Navigate the eerie corridors of this malevolent toy factory and witness your cherished childhood companions morph into tormentors before your eyes. Enter 'Stitches' if you dare.

Tickets can be pre-booked with entry online costing £39, but entrance to the Scare Mazes costs extra.

Find out more at thorpepark.com.

Drayton Manor – Halloween at Drayton

Best UK theme park Halloween events for 2023Spooky times down at Drayton Manor (Drayton Manor)

When: October, 28 - October, 31

Drayton Manor is gearing up for plenty of spooky fun at its annual Pumpkin Smash bash. Packed full of spooktacular fun with live entertainment and terrific Halloween trails, this seasonal scare-fest is suitable for younger visitors and includes a trip to the Castle of Spooks.

This year slightly older guests can pit their wits in the Castle of Shadows, take a train ride to hell on The Haunted Express or visit the scare zones of Chaos Cove, The Haunting: Reclaimed and Vikings: Ragnarok.

There will also be a live DJ for some spooky dancing fun, lots of ghoulish characters and a spectacular fireworks finale at the end of every day.

The Haunted Manor costs £24 per person.

Find out more at draytonmanor.co.uk .

Blackpool Pleasure Beach – Journey to Hell

Best UK theme park Halloween events for 2023The characters go all out at Blackpool Pleasure Beach (Lancs Live)

When: October 13 to 30

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is so scary you must be 10 years or older to attend what is sure to be a terrifying day out.

Explore the Journey to Hell Freak Nights and get stuck into the new scare zones, including:

  • Twisted Tunnels
  • Possessed - The Legen Of The Cursed River Caves
  • The Ghost Train Vault of Shadows
  • Impossible Freak House
  • Carn-Evil
  • The Lost - Fear Will Find You

Famous for its incredibly high quality and therefore realistic and super scary attractions, Blackpool Pleasure Beach brings together scare zones, haunted ride areas and outrageous live entertainment.

A standard ticket to Journey to Hell starts from £39.

Find out more at blackpoolpleasurebeach.com.

Paulton’s Park – Halloween Breaks

Best UK theme park Halloween events for 2023Peppa and George can't wait for Halloween (Paultons Park)

When: October 14 to 31

A great choice for younger visitors, Peppa Pig World gets a spooky makeover just in time for Halloween.

The park will stay open until 7.30pm on October 25 and 26, and Peppa and George will be ready to welcome their friends all dressed up in their finest Halloween costumes.

There will also be exciting Halloween shows on selected dates and a trip back to the American midwest with Halloween at Tornado Springs, and all the usual delights of Paultons Park for Halloween fans to enjoy.

October half-term Halloween breaks cost from £206 for a family of four, and day passes start from £41.75

Find out more at paultonspark.co.uk.

Dress to impress with Amazon's best-selling Halloween costumes for 2023

No Halloween night out would be complete without some terrifying togs. Terrortastic costumes for mums, dads and the kids can all be found on Amazon, including these top sellers:

  • Stick lady fancy dress cartoon
  • Glow-in-the-dark skeleton costume
  • Girls spooky spider witch costume
  • Wednesday Addams costume with wig
  • Men's Grim Reaper four-piece set
  • The Purge LED mask and gloves set
  • Pumpkin hat and onesie
  • Unisex skeleton bones bodysuit

For anyone who doesn't fancy slipping into a full fancy dress costume for Halloween, Amazon also has some frightfully fantastic Halloween masks for an easy win

Laura Mckenna

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