Halloween and Bonfire Night Events

River of Light

Liverpool, River of Light Festival

25th October - 5th November

If you've not made plans for Halloween or Bonfire Night (or both) this year, then why not head to Liverpool? The city's vibrant waterfront will welcome 12 resplendent installations set to transform the city, illuminating the night skies. Free to enter and great fun for the whole family, the display follows a 3 km waterfront trail, perfect for an evening of exploring. With Diwali falling in the middle of the festival, there is plenty to discover on 1st November. Head to Rangoli Mirrored Cosmos – an Indian-inspired three-dimensional installation by the artist Murugiah, originally commissioned by Greenwich Peninsula for Diwali – it represents the interconnectivity of existence. Drop in to one of three live sets of music and dance by Europe's leading Indian brass band Bombay Baja performed around the art installation or listen to beautiful Bollywood melodies by the talented Piano with Bhav, taking you on a musical journey.

Whatever part of the River of Light festival you chose, you will witness the event space enveloped with the light and sound. Happy Diwali!

Find out more about the River of Light festival here.

London to Liverpool - 2 hours 21 minutes

Scarefest at Alton Towers

Alton Towers Resort, Stoke-on-Trent

11th October – 3rd November

Alton Towers Resort has pulled all the tricks (and treats!) out! Welcome to the home of Halloween with its spine-chilling attractions in the dark and hair-raising rides - check out all the new Nemesis Reborn, Wicker Man and The Smiler if you dare! It’s not just a nighttime affair - families are welcome during the day, too (age limits apply for some rides and scare mazes), where traditional trick or treat walkthroughs and rides in the dusk might be just the right level of scary.

Or follow the friendly spirits to the colourful Dia de los Muertos celebration and step across into the afterlife. To earn your passage to the world of living, huddle with the family to solve mysteries thrown in by the mischievous characters you encounter along the way..

We are dying to go!

Stoke-on-Trent train station is 15 miles from Alton Towers Resort and a local taxi would take around 25 minutes to the resort.

Manchester to Stoke-on-Trent – 37 minutes

London to Stoke-on-Trent – 1 hour 29 minutes

Penny's Pumpkin Problem

Coventry, St Mary's Guildhall

26th October -31st October

Pumpkin Penny is in a pickle! Can you help her out by uncovering the pesky pest that is causing problems in her pumpkin patch? Follow the clues around St Mary's Guildhall this Halloween October half term to find out who has been eating Penny’s pumpkins. Meet Penny in the Great Hall to make a mini scarecrow and help her solve her problem. Dare to enter the medieval kitchen to unearth Tudor medicine and superstitions, make your own plague charm and meet ‘WhatsIt’ the ghost owl.

To find out more and book tickets, click here. Pumpkin Penny will be available between 10.00-1200 and 13.00-15.00. If you are a local, snap up discounted entry rates with a valid GOCV card.

London to Coventry – 54 minutes

Birmingham New Street to Coventry – 21 minutes

Milton Keynes to Coventry – 31 minutes

Fireworks Show & a Friendly Witch

Blackpool

5th November

As a location of World Firework Championships earlier this month, Blackpool has seen it all! Where else would you head for a Bonefire night like no other than Blackpool and experience the most dazzling of nights? There are awesome attractions and rides at the Blackpool Pleasure Beach too if the swishes and bangs are not quite enough.

Looking for something more spook-tacular? Take your kids to the Clubhouse Halloween – a spooky-themed dance party where you can dance along to some family-favourite songs and meet the Witch from The Room on The Broom. Here – all the ingredients for an explosive day out!

London to Blackpool – 2 hours 44 minutes

Preston to Blackpool – 25 minutes

Warrington to Blackpool- 46 mins

El Dia of the Dead

The London Cabaret Club, London

31st October – 2nd November

The London Cabaret Club’s spine-tingling Halloween show is the El Dia Of The Dead – a dark love story promising to keep you at the edge of your seat all night! Think ‘Romeo and Juliet’ style family feud, but just as El Dia, set in rural Mexico. The storyline follows two familial rivals embark on a doomed mission to destroy each other to win the heart of their lover. Add some political history and you have yourself a heady, fast-paced thrilling spectacle that'll take the audience on a journey through the shadows, madness and consequences of infatuation. A romantic take on the spooky holiday and you can even add a dinner to your booking!

Manchester to London – 2 hours 6 mins

Birmingham New Street to London – 1 hour 23 mins

Rugby to London – 1 hour 34 mins

Nos Galan Gaeaf

Hawarden Estate, Chester

31st October

Don't care for creeps and beasts? You might just love this traditional feast. Nos Galan Gaeaf, also known as The Welsh Halloween and at the Hawarden Estate, it means a spirit night celebration – where the veil to the spirit world is at its thinnest. Gather round a bonfire for fantastic food, lively entertainment and lots of good vibes. Expect a chef cooked meal served on a Halloween inspired tablescape with pumpkins, Welsh cake, pears, mushrooms and other seasonal treats.

London to Chester – 1 hour 57 minutes

Crewe to Chester – 20 minutes

Bangor to Chester - 1 hour 3 minutes