Halloween

October is a great month for events in Nottinghamshire - and you’re sure to feel a shiver run down your spine with these frighteningly fun festivities happening at Halloween. There’s no better place to be as ghosts, ghouls and all things ghastly emerge from their hidey holes and the dark tales of the city's history are revealed. So get ready to scare yourself witless while discovering haunted hotspots, exploring creepy caves, and hearing terrifying tales of murder and mischief.

Coronavirus: At the time of publication, all events listed are going ahead as planned, but we recommend planning ahead and checking on the websites or social media accounts of individual attractions for changes to opening times, advance booking requirements and available facilities before you travel. Remember that group numbers are limited to no more than six people. Please postpone your trip if you’re feeling unwell, wash/sanitise your hands regularly, wear a face covering when required, pay attention to one-way routes and practice social distancing to ensure everyone can enjoy a spooky but safe Halloween!

City Centre Capers
 

The National Justice Museum have several frighteningly good events happening this year. Budding ghostbusters will adore the Kids Ghost Hunter Tours taking place on various dates from Friday 23 to Saturday 31 October, where the bravest souls can help the Ghost Hunter catch the pesky ghosts causing mischief and mayhem throughout the museum. Those who can handle bigger scares should book tickets for the spine-tingling Condemned tour (over 18s only) where you'll be following in the footsteps of those who were condemned at Nottingham's county gaol, hearing twisted tales and horrible histories along the way. 

No Halloween would ever be the same without watching at least one scary film. Get yourself tickets to Mayhem Film Festival 2020 at Nottingham's finest indie cinema Broadway taking place this year between 15 - 18 October which showcases the best in horror, sci-fi and cult cinema, through feature films, short films and special events.

Why not try something different this year and book your place on the What's at Stake? Writing Vampire and Zombie Fiction short course at Nottingham Trent University on Saturday 24 October, 10am - 4pm? This one-day workshop will help you understand the horror genre and how to create fiction that gets noticed. This day is comprised of short lectures, group discussions and practical writing exercises.
 

Creepy Castles & Macabre Mansions
 

The county’s castles and grand stately homes may be beautiful and peaceful by day, but they take on an altogether creepier atmosphere at night. Even the bravest of sceptics will be feeling the fear as they encounter the exciting events happening over Halloween.

Why not try Halloween Outdoor Cinema at Wollaton Hall? Batman's mansion is the perfect spooky setting for a night of socially distanced scary film-watching. Showings include The Shining on Friday 30 October, Hocus Pocus and The Lost Boys on Saturday 31 October, and Ghostbusters on Sunday 1 November.

Children will love Halloween at Belvoir Castle from Sunday 18 to Saturday 31 October 2020 - climb the haunted hill to the Castle, dare to join the Vampire quest and explore the darker side of history at Belvoir Castle. Enter the Castle dooms, meet frightful guides in disguise, solve spooktacular mysteries and carve pumpkins in the old kitchens.

Are you brave enough to visit Spooky Bolsover Castle, said to be one of the country's most haunted castles? From Saturday 24 October - Sunday 1 November (daily 11am - 4pm) you can enjoy a ghoulishly good day out this half term. Follow the trail to solve creepy clues and gather round to listen to spooky stories. There’s even a frighteningly fun fancy dress competition every day!

Terrifying Tours & Tales

If you dare, why not book onto one of the Ghost Hunts taking place at some of Nottinghamshire's oldest and most haunted attractions, and embark on a quest to discover some paranormal activity? Starting at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, The Original Nottingham Ghost Walk is one of the city’s most popular experiences and you are bound to be entranced by the rich tales of Nottingham's haunted history. From one spooky walk to another, join Nottingham’s ghost ‘Ezekial Bone’ as he haunts the cobbled streets of the atmospheric Lace Market, telling frightful tales of Guts & Gore.

Frightful family fun

Little ones will love the Frights of Abraham (24 October - 1 November, 10am - 4:30pm) at the Heights of Abraham. Carve a pumpkin in the craft tent, set out on a ghost hunt and hear the family-friendly spooky stories at five locations across the site.

Hold on to your witches and wizards hats and get ready for some swashbuckling family fun with The Wizarding Adventure with Rusticus at Thoresby Park on Saturday 31 October. Take a spooky journey into the woods to find where the wild wizards dwell, trying broomstick flying, wand-making and magical spells on the way.

Why not take your tiny terrors along for some Halloween fun at the Tropical Butterfly House this October? From Saturday 3 - Saturday 31 October (every weekend and throughout the half term holiday) you can bring your Little Monsters to explore the Monster Hunt trail to claim a spooky sweet reward! Wander the eerie woodland walk to the witches cabin and take a seat on the Skeleton Selfie Seat if you dare!

Taking place at the National Justice Museum this October is the Where's Wally? Spooky Museum Search, which will see little explorers tracking down the ever elusive stripey character within the ancient walls of the museum.

October Half Term Fun at Conkers promises two weeks of Halloween themed holiday fun at everyone's favourite family adventure park, with activities including Beasts from the Deep pond dipping, Devils wood Bush craft, Mythical Tracks and Trails, various creative Halloween crafts, a Halloween scavenger hunt and much more!

There's also plenty of exciting happenings in spooky Sherwood Forest this October, with their Halloween Half Term Fun events (including a Halloween Family Trail and a Spooky Sherwood Detective Pack) as well as a Halloween Family Potion Trail.

With so many creepy events taking place in Nottinghamshire this Halloween, you’re sure to be quaking with fear and excitement, as the Halloween in Nottingham fun reaches a bone chilling climax.

For even more Halloween events in Nottinghamshire please see the list of events below.