Halloween continues to grow year on year in Britain and this is reflected in the ever increasing number of Halloween events in the UK. In our opinion, the best places to celebrate Halloween are theme parks. Many theme park fans located in the UK plan their trips to Orlando around Universal Studios incredible Halloween Horror Nights event, but with travel from the UK to the USA still difficult we want to give you 4 great alternatives to try and fill that spooky space in your heart during the Halloween season this year.
4. Howl ‘o’ ween at Chessington World of Adventures
Howl ‘o’ ween at Chessington World of Adventures is a very family friendly event which offers a variety of Halloween offerings from shows to child friendly, highly themed walkthrough experiences. Despite this being a more child oriented event, we have chosen to include this event in our list for one reason- Creepy Caves: Resurgence. Creepy Caves: Resurgence is the only horror house at the event but, in our opinion, it’s the best one in the UK. This house is frightening, highly themed and includes a variety of impressive special effects we have rarely seen utilised in any horror house we have experienced.
3. Journey to Hell Freak Nights at Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Journey To Hell Freak Nights at Blackpool Pleasure Beach is a terrifying, experience led event through nine scare zones in Blackpool Pleasure Beach after the park has closed. Tickets for the event start from £32 per person and should be booked online in-advance. The event takes place on the 8th, 15th, 16th, 22nd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th and 31st of October. Click the link to find a full review of the 2019 version of Journey to Hell Freak Nights.
2. Scarefest at Alton Towers
Alton Towers award-winning Scarefest returns again for 2021 and as always will offer both family friendly entertainment and terrifying horror experiences. There are 4 horror houses at Scarefest; Freak Show: Toxic Junkyard, The Attic: Terror of the Towers, Altonville Mine Tours and Darkest Depths. Entry into these houses must be bought separately and is not included in your general admission ticket. The Alton Ancestors will again be roaming the park, waiting to scare unsuspecting guests. The Garden Lights Walk: Whispering Souls is also returning this year. Located in the Gardens, this Spooktacular light experience gives you an opportunity to enjoy the gardens in a whole new way.
Scarefest also offers a variety of different experiences suitable for the whole family. The Freaky Fun Zone, located on the front lawns , gives guests the opportunity to join the parks super-freaky Halloween characters and enjoy spooky shows, meet and greets and more. CBeebies Land also lays host to the Monster Ball where the little ones can dress up and join their favourite CBeebies characters live in Big Fun ShowTime as they dance, play games and learn all about spooky things.
Scarefest also gives you the opportunity to ride all of the parks biggest coasters in the dark. For 2021, Scarefest operates from the 8th – 10th October and the 15th – 31st October. Out of all the Halloween events in the UK we have experienced, Alton Towers Scarefest is our favourite.
1. Fright Nights at Thorpe Park
Fright Nights at Thorpe Park is the biggest out of all the Halloween events in the UK. Fright Nights has been terrifying guests for 20 years. At this year’s event, Thorpe Park are operating 3 horror houses; Platform 15: End of the Line, Creek Freak Massacre and the brand new Trailers. Entry to each house costs an additional £10 or you can buy a ticket for all 3 houses at a cost of £27. Several scare zones are located throughout the park and to help celebrate the events 20th anniversary you are invited to Hattie and Hugo’s birthday bash. These experiences are included in your day ticket. Another new offering for this year’s event is Legacy, a Halloween fright and light show. Fright Nights also gives you an opportunity to ride the parks best coasters, including The Swarm and Stealth, in the dark. For 2021, Fright Nights operates from the 8th – 10th October and the 15th – 31st October.
Which of these Halloween events in the UK are you planning on experiencing this year?
