5 Ways to Celebrate Halloween in London

By Tanya Howard | Founder, The Live Review London · @glamglitzlondon

Halloween is one of my favourite times of year, second only to my birthday. Yes, I’m the girl who loves Halloween more than Christmas! Getting dressed up, getting stuck into something spooky, and having another great excuse for cocktails and good food. What’s not to love? And whilst you can absolutely stay home, stick on a horror and hand out sweets to trick and treaters, London has plenty going on if you fancy making the most of it.

From terrifying escape rooms and cursed afternoon tea to pumpkin carving, bottomless brunches and cabarets with a darker side, there’s something for every kind of Halloween girlie. I’m celebrating abroad for the first time this year, but I couldn’t leave my London loves hanging! I’ve been to all five of these in the past, so there’s are just any recommendations. These are my tried and tested Halloween pics for a frightfully good time.

1. GET YOURSELF LOCKED IN A ROOM FULL OF NIGHTMARES WITH NO ESCAPE

If you like your Halloween with a side of actual terror, No Escape should be right up your street. Nine horror themed escape rooms, across four London venues, from 23 October to 1 November. We’re talking haunted toys, murderous dentists, demonic forces and serial killers. They’re taking no prisoners here… unless you don’t escape in time that is.

I did The Witches Curse last year, and let’s just say some people handle the supernatural better than others. A certain friend of mine spent a fair bit of time terrified to move into the next room once she realised what was inside. No spoilers, my loves. But if you’d rather pair your fear with theatrical cocktails and gothic interiors, The Gates of Hell inside No Escape’s Purgatory Bar in Victoria is another great option.

Perfect for a group of friends who fancy doing something a little different this Halloween, although choose your teammates wisely. You don’t want to discover that your mate is absolutely useless at solving clues when you’re all about to meet your doom. It’s giving ruin your own day in the name of fun, and honestly, isn’t that what Halloween is all about?

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2. SWAP YOUR USUAL AFTERNOON TEA FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE WICKED

Afternoon Tea is always a good idea in my book. But give it a Halloween makeover and add bottomless drinks into the mix, and I’m front of the queue. ROAST at Borough Market is transforming their Butterfly Meadow into The Witching Hour from 1 October to 1 November. Picture flickering candlelight, mysterious potions and dark creatures.

Tuck into treats like The Midnight Bat, a dark chocolate tart, black cocoa sweet pastry and dark chocolate mousse. And the Red Velvet Curse, a red velvet cupcake with whipped oats and raspberry. And the savoury dishes are elite here; Roast Signature Pork & Sage Scotch Egg, Braised Beef Croquette, and Pork & Chorizo Sausage Roll. Available from 11:45AM to 5:30PM, there’s plenty of time to squeeze in a little Halloween magic.

Whether you’re gathering your coven for a catch up, planning a girls’ day out or simply looking for an afternoon tea with a little more atmosphere, this sounds like a fun way to celebrate without having to spend the evening being chased around a haunted building. Or perhaps it’s the perfect warm up for one, wink wink!

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3. CARVE A PUMPKIN, SIP PROSECCO AND CALL IT A BRUNCH DATE

You didn’t think I’d get through a list of things to do in London without mentioning bottomless brunch, did you? The Rosy Hue is bringing the Halloween spirit with its Pumpkin and Prosecco Brunch from 26 to 31 October 2026. A pumpkin carver in one hand and a Prosecco in the other? It just works!

For £48.60, you get one brunch dish, a Halloween cocktail of your choice, 90 minutes of bottomless refills and everything you need to carve a pumpkin. There’s also a £22 option without the bottomless drinks, but you know me, I’m going for the unlimited option every time. Plus, Prosecco makes dealing with pumpkin guts a whole lot easier.

As it happens, I have a bit of a hidden talent for pumpkin carving, much to the chagrin of my less artistically gifted friend. So, if you’re heading with your bestie, prepare for some friendly competition. Just don’t blame the bubbles if your pumpkin ends up looking more possessed than Pinterest worthy. Not everyone can be an artist, babes!

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4. GET YOUR THEATRE FIX WITH A DARKER TAKE ON YOUR FAVOURITE SHOW TUNES

If you’re more of a theatre fan than horror, The Haunted Cabaret at Phoenix Arts Club could be just the ticket. On 27 October, this Halloween special brings musical theatre favourites from Broadway and the West End into a darker world of haunting ballads and live vocals. Think familiar theatrical magic with a spooky twist, perfect for anyone who wants to get into the Halloween spirit without being subjected to quite so many nightmares.

Tickets start from £16.80, making it a lovely option if you want a night out without having to hide behind your hands all evening.  If you can stretch to it, though, I’d recommend treating yourself to the best seats in the house for £28. There’s nothing quite like a front row view when the performers are giving it their all, although the Phoenix Arts Club has plenty of character wherever you end up sitting.

Sometimes you just want to get dressed up, settle in with a drink and enjoy some seriously good singing while someone else does the entertaining. Add a suitably spooky atmosphere and some musical theatre favourites, and you’ve got yourself a Halloween evening that’s a little more glamorous than your average fright night.

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5. DRESS UP AS YOUR FAVOURITE DISNEY VILLAIN AND TAKE OVER SHOREDITCH

Fancy a Halloween night out with a little more mischief? The Deadly Disney Halloween Pub Crawl is returning to Shoreditch on 30 and 31 October 2026. The idea is simple: take your favourite Disney character, give them a darker makeover, then head out for a night of bars, clubs and questionable decisions.

As someone who celebrated their 30th with a Disney themed fancy dress party, I can confirm this is very much my kind of heaven. I went as Ariel, which I’ve also reused on Halloween with a darker twist, and last year I was rocking a dead Minnie Mouse look. So, if you’re stuck for costume inspiration, I’m absolutely your girl. Disney characters are perfect for Halloween because there are so many ways to put your own spin on them, whether you go full villain or give a much loved character a decidedly creepy makeover.

Starting at The Star in Shoreditch, tickets range from £19 to £39. Your ticket includes entry to each venue, free shots, drink discounts and a photographer to capture the night. Basically, you get to dress up, bar hop and cause a little chaos with your fellow Disney villains. If you do go, I want to see those outfits! Tag me in your photos because I need to know who understood the assignment.

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IT’S HALLOWEEN! TIME TO EAT, DRINK AND BE SCARY

So, whether you’re in the mood for proper scares, themed food, or an excuse to unleash your inner villain, London has Halloween plans for every mood. You can go full horror, keep things cute and witchy, or spend the evening belting out show tunes in a spooky setting. Personally, I think Halloween is the perfect excuse to do something a little different, get dressed up and make a whole occasion of it.

And remember, you don’t have to squeeze all your fun into 31 October. One year, Halloween fell on a Wednesday, so I booked the whole week off. Because why limit yourself to one day when there’s a whole week of spooky fun to be had? It’s avidly known that I don’t work Halloween because there’s no such thing as too much spooky season, is there?