Halloween

Planning to celebrate Halloween in Nottingham? With a whole host of spooktacular events taking place across the city, you're sure to have a frighteningly good time! 

October is a great month for events in Nottinghamshire - especially in the run-up to Halloween. With so much gruesome history here, there’s no better place to be as ghosts, ghouls and all things ghastly emerge from their hidey holes.

As the dark tales of the city's history are revealed, get ready to scare yourself witless as you discover haunted hotspots, explore creepy caves, and hear terrifying tales of murder and mischief.

Pumpkin Picking

Pumpkin picking has to be one of the most sought after activities in the run up to Halloween. Luckily, we've found a fabulous spot to ensure you pick the finest, most impressive pumpkin around! 

To find the perfect pick, stop by Nottinghamshire ‘Pick Your Own’ Pumpkins this October. Set in the rolling countryside, a few miles north of Nottingham, this family-run site has thousands of pumpkins and squash for you to choose from. With all sorts of varieties and colours on offer, you will have loads of fun picking the perfect pumpkin -  just don't forget to document your experience with a family selfie in the patch!

With all sorts of other seasonal activities on offer, you can easily spend a full day here, soaking up the autumn vibes. There is no need to book for pumpkin picking and it's free entry - you just pay for what you pick.

From Saturday 3 October, Twinlakes and Wheelgate Park will be offering free pumpkin picking with any entry ticket to the park. Bring the family along for a full day of spooky fun, and don’t forget to choose your perfect pumpkin to take home - all included in the price of admission.

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Nightmare on Notts Street
 

If you're a fan of horror films, look no further than The Mayhem Film Festival. Returning for its 21st year at Broadway Cinema, this epic movie fest will run from 15 - 18 October. With a mix of premieres, previews, classics and Q&As, there is something for every fan of horror, sci-fi and cult cinema in this year's programme.

For a Halloween treat like no other, enjoy an unforgettable outdoor cinema experience at Wollaton Park, who will be screening Halloween classics Scream, Hocus Pocus and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Get your popcorn at the ready and bring a blanket to hide under - and muffle your screams – and who know, this halloween night might just put a spell on you!

Terrifying Tours & Tales

If you're feeling brave, why not embark on a paranormal adventure? From the grounds of the medieval castle to the network of underground caves, Nottingham is full of haunted locations. If you want to explore more of these spooktacular spots, there are all sorts of ghost tours you can take part in. Taking you to some of the city's oldest and most haunted attractions, these after-dark experiences will have you quaking in your boots.

Starting at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, The Original Nottingham Ghost Walk is one of the city’s most popular paranormal experiences. As you embark on a storytelling tour around the Castle Quarter, you are bound to be entranced by the rich tales of Nottingham's haunted history. From the Cursed Galleon of Ye Olde Trip to the disturbing tale of the Human Pin Cushion, this guided tour is full of gory ghost stories. As you make your way up Castle Road, listen out for Queen Isabella's screams, and look out for the mysterious Lady in the Light...

For more Nottingham spooks, visit the National Justice Museum. Voted as one of the most haunted buildings in the UK, this ancient gaol is riddled with terrifying tales. Taking place after dark, the Ghosts of the Gaol tour will give you a chance to discover whether the troubled souls once incarcerated here still reside in their cells. Full of eerie, unexplained tales, this fascinating tour will allow you to retrace the steps of the prisoners and learn of the many paranormal experiences reported within this historic building...

Back by popular demand, uncover the sinister secrets buried in the shadows of city with the Nottingham: The Dark Side - Halloween Walking Tour. Follow in the footsteps of Luddites, rioters, body snatchers and condemned prisoners as local guide Sam brings Nottingham's darker history to life.

If you want to create your own ghost walk, why not visit some of Nottinghamshire's Haunted Hot Spots? We've rounded up 10 of the most haunted places across the county, so you can explore at your own pace - and control the scare factor! 

When Haunted Magazine visited Nottinghamshire a few years ago, they found even more haunted hot spots. To check out their recommendations, head to our dedicated blog post. 

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Frightful Family Fun
 

If you're looking for more child-friendly frights, family fun awaits at Twinlakes Family Scream Park. To celebrate spooky season, this epic theme park will be transforming into a Halloween haven. The annual Family Scream Event here will feature a programe of family activities ranging from 'Mummy Hunts' to fancy dress competitions. For the ultimate Halloween dance party, don’t miss their Family Rave. Taking place from 21 - 25 October, DJ Dracula will be spinning all the latest hits so you can hit the dance floor and party the spooks away.

If ghosts are a no-no, you can always get creative with the kids at the Tim Burton Creepy workshops at Lakeside Arts this October. This hands-on experience will give you the opportunity to design your own spooky monster badges and magnets, full of wobbly lines, eerie expressions, and weirdly wonderful details.

Who you gonna call? Ghost Busters! Join the Kids' Ghost Hunter Tours at National Justice Museum for a less frightening adventure and help the over-worked Ghost Hunter catch the pesky ghosts which are causing mayhem throughout the museum. 

If you’re ready for some spooky surprises and mystical mayhem, take the kids to the Tropical Butterfly House Witches and Wizards Halloween trail where spells, scales and monstrous fun await! Or follow the Halloween Trail at Thoresby Park and keep your eyes peeled as you search the park for spooky characters.

If you've got slightly older children comfortable with a gentle scare, The Original Nottingham Ghost Walk will be hosting a special family-friendly edition of their award-winning tour. Taking you through the winding streets of historic Nottingham, this light-hearted ghost walk has been specifically designed for younger audiences to enjoy. You'll still get to hear some of the city's spookiest tales, but rest assured they will be told with a playful twist - inducing just the right amount of goosebumps. 

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Fright Night Frenzy
 

For the ultimate fright night, head to the National Justice Museum if you dare to enter the Goal after dark. This intense and immersive horror experience will take you back to an 1844 courtroom to witness the chilling conclusion of the murder trial of the century. But justice is only the beginning… This event is, of course, adults only.

If you’re up for a good scare and dare to enter the shadows of Sherwood Forest after dark this ones for you. On Friday 30 October the interactive Halloween Experience ‘Sinister Scares’ takes over the forest. Armed with only your wits, a lantern, and a collection of mysterious clues, you'll venture deep into the darkness on an immersive Halloween adventure packed with puzzles, riddles, surprises, and scares – have you gathered enough courage to take on the challenge?

Or dare you take on a frightening challenge? Thrills, suspense, mystery and horror awaits at Escapologic's terryfying horror escape rooms of Violet, Howitz or the infamous Butcher's lair! Work together as a team to solve clues and break out of the amazingly realistic, detailed environments. With an hour on the clock and time ticking, you’ll need to navigate operational machines, crack codes and find hidden switches - but will you get to the answers in time. 

If you like your frights with a side of fun, Xtreme Scream at Twinlakes also promises an unforgettable experience for adults this Halloween. With a brand-new attraction debuting this year, guests are invited to immerse themselves in the ultimate horror experience. Featuring seven spine-chilling scare mazes and haunts, this event is designed to test your bravery - and thrill your senses!

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For a full rundown of Halloween events in Nottinghamshire, head to our Whats On page.