Nottingham Halloween Festival

About

Monday 26 October - Sunday 1 November 2026
Nottingham City Centre

This October half-term, from Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, the larger-than-life creatures and a brand-new Halloween Parade will bring frightful fun to Nottingham city centre!  

This year’s festival highlights – for all ages – include: 

Monsters on buildings  

This year’s inflatable monsters will be lurking on rooftops across Nottingham city centre in locations where they are sure to wow shoppers and people travelling into the city.  Look out for old favourites like Howler and Snapper which return with a makeover, and the Rombald Rock Giant; a brand-new monster for 2026  

To discover this year’s monster locations, pick up a Nottingham Halloween Festival map from the Tourism Centre on Smithy Row or download one from the It’s in Nottingham website. 

A special spooky bus tour 

This event is now sold out, but don't worry, you can still pick up a map from the Tourism Centre and take yourself on an adventure to spot giant monsters around the city! Find these mischievous monsters from Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November. 

Halloween Festival Map

This is packed full of Halloween fun and everything you need to know about monsters on buildings and the parade! From mid-October, you can pick up a Halloween Festival Map from the Nottingham Tourism Centre, or download a digital version here. 

Nottingham Halloween Parade presents the Family of Phantoms 

Join the spooky celebrations throughout Nottingham City Centre as this troupe of ghosts, draped in illuminated and flowing capes, pursue the Ghost Rider. 

Prepare for ethereal music and an enchanting procession as the Phantoms haunt the streets of Nottingham. 

How much: Completely FREE! 
When: Wednesday 28 October, at 1pm, 3pm and 5pm  
Where: Starting at Nottingham Central Library

The parade then drifts up Lister Gate, through St Peter’s Square, down Bridlesmith Gate and Low Pavement, to finish again at the library. 

This delightfully creepy and enchanting theatrical procession produced by Walk the Plank features performers from Nottingham College and FSD Dance, and ethereal music as the Phantoms haunt the streets of Nottingham. 

Creepy Crafts 

Nottingham Central Library will be hosting creepy craft sessions in preparation for the Halloween parade. From 3 to 5pm on Tuesday 27 October, and all day on Wednesday 28 October. Simply pop in to make your own ghostly spooky stick puppet to wave as you watch the parade.  

You'll also be able to find these Creepy Craft sessions in libraries across Nottingham. Find one near you here!

It's going to be a spook-tacular week. 

If you’re looking for places to eat, drink, and shop when you’re out spotting monsters and phantoms, download the It’s in Nottingham App to find frightfully good spots. 

Images: TOM PLATINUM MORLEY