Looking for all things Halloween in York for 2023? Spookily, you’ve come to the right place!
As the UK’s most haunted city, York gives good Halloween.
We’ve put together a guide to all the spooky shenanigans happening in York for the hair-raising holiday – such as frightening fun at Castle Howard and Flamingo Land, the return of Hallowscream and Hallowtween, Ghosts in the Garden from York BID, ghostly tours, family frights, and much more.
This guide will be continually updated. Are we missing an event? Let us know by dropping us a line at [email protected].
Featured frights
Castle Howard at Halloween
There are lots of spookily exciting things happening at Castle Howard this Halloween – don’t miss out!
Outdoor Adventure Cinema
27– 31 October
Castle Howard has a spook-tacular line up of Halloween films planned for October, including The Lost Boys, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Beetlejuice and Scream. Wrap up, bring a cosy blanket, and enjoy a frighteningly fun selection of Halloween classics. Age ratings of films range from U – 18.
Pumpkin Patch
30 September – 31 October
The Castle Howard Garden Centre Pumpkin Patch is back for the third year running! Explore the patch and choose your perfect pumpkin. Whether small, medium, or large, we’ve got varying sizes and colours for carving, decorating and making the most of the spooky season! Head to the Garden Centre when you arrive and follow the signs for PYO pumpkins.
Halloween adventures and activities at Skelf Island Adventure Playground
28 October – 5 November, 10am – 4pm
Castle Howard’s award-winning Adventure Playground, Skelf Island, is alive with spook-tastic Halloween adventures! Take part in Sword Fighting, Pirating and Broomstick Combat workshops lead by the mischievous Castle Howard Skelves (faerie-like creatures that inhabit the island), try out an Outdoor Escape Room trail with puzzles to solve, and whizz around the Hay Bale Obstacle Course. Free activities included in your Admissions tickets. The Pumpkin Carving workshop will be a small fee.
- Castle Howard, York, YO60 7DA
- 27 Oct – 5 Nov
- Multiple times
- More info
Halloween Half Term at Flamingo Land
Join Flamingo Land for some spooktacular family fun this Halloween. New for 2023 is Halloween themed drone swarm displays and pyromusical fireworks displays.
There’s also a Carnival of Horrors Live Production, Twilight Kids Rides, and Fancy Dress Competition.
Families can navigate their way through our mini maze before entering our Pumpkin Patch, pick up a wheelbarrow and pick their own pumpkin to take home. Why not call into our Pumpkin Carving Tent to do some creative carving with the assistance of our Zoo Education Team?
Explore the Trick or Treat Trail and get up close and personal with our Spooky & Scary Street Entertainers this Halloween!
Evening only tickets (from 4pm) are available on Halloween Extra dates for £10 per person which include access to the last hour of rides (until 5pm), a selection of Twilight Rides for Kids, access to our ‘CARNIVAL OF HORRORS’ Live Show and our Pyromusical Fireworks or Drone Swarm Displays.
The Theme Park is open from 10am until 5pm daily with park admission prices from £39 per person / £135 family ticket (when booked 7 days in advance) or £52.50 per person / £179 Family Tickets (on the day).
- Flamingo Land, Kirby Misperton, Malton, YO17 6UX
- 21 Oct – 5 Nov
- From 10am
- More info
Don’t miss
Hallowscream
Hallowscream at York Maze is a terrifyingly entertaining night of fear and fun with 5 separate live-action haunted house attractions and over 100 actors. But be warned the frights aren’t limited to the haunted houses, roving characters and live stage shows add to the atmosphere. The central entertainment zone is all undercover where you can watch the spell binding stage acts, get a shout out from our resident DJ and an alcoholic drink to calm your nerves!! The Food Court marquee offers a range of delicious street food.
- Elvington Lane, York, YO19 5LT
- 13 Oct – 4 Nov
- 6:30-11pm
- More info
Ghosts in the Garden
Ghosts In The Gardens are coming back… the unearthly monks, the noble knight, even a few ghastly animals – all in beautiful settings.
Cementing York’s reputation as one of the ghostliest cities in Europe, the York BID is bringing back Ghosts in The Gardens – and this year’s display promises to be the biggest yet as we are adding even more ghosts across the city.
- Various locations
- 23 Sep – 12 Nov
- 9am – 6pm
- More info
Ghost Week
Ghost Week, organised by The York Ghost Merchants, is back for 2023. It features a programme of spooky events such as ‘The Little York Ghost Hunt’, twilight walks, a ‘Spookeasy’ event from York Mansion House, children’s activities and more.
- Various locations
- 28 Oct – 5 Nov
- Various times
- More info
Family fun
Halloween at Burtree
An authentically traditional Halloween event suitable for adults and children, fancy dress essential. Take a ride in Satan’s Chariot or enter Dracula’s Den, dance at the Demons disco, decorate your Halloween Gingerbread, meet the ghouls in the gruesomely illuminated gardens, skeletons slide, swings and the beastly bouncy castle – and more.
- Burtree Country House, York Rd, Thirsk YO7 3AY
- 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 27 through to the 31 Oct
- From 10am
- More info
Halloween Adventure at Stockeld Park
Pumpkins, witches, massive mummified maze, zombie laser tag, a spooky panto and more adventure playgrounds than you can rattle a bone at… it’s the Halloween Adventure at Stockeld Park! And every child who visits the Park during October half term can choose a free pumpkin from the pumpkin field.
- The Adventure Park, Stockeld Park, Wetherby, LS22 4AN
- 21-22 Oct, 28 Oct – 5 Nov
- 9:30am – 5:30pm
- More info
Halloween Special Weekend at York Bird of Prey Centre
Come join us on 28th & 29th October for our Halloween Special. There’ll be lots of family fun including pumpkin carving, fancy dress, bird handling, bouncy castle, games, a spooky forest walk – and much more. YorkMix also currently have vouchers available for Half Price York Bird of Prey Centre Family Tickets.
- York Bird of Prey Centre, Burn Hall, Tollerton Road, Huby, YO61 1JB
- 28-29 Oct
- 10:30am – 6pm
- More info
Hallowtween
Calling all fearless 10-15 year olds, and adults of a more nervous disposition…Venture into a new dimension of spine tingling fun this Halloween, as we invite you to explore 4 of our farm’s most mysterious buildings, each with its own twisted history you will discover for yourself once you step inside…
PLUS there’s street theatre, LIVE stage acts and plenty more going on besides to keep the whole family entertained as you take a breather in-between the chilling scares…ENTER IF YOU DARE!
- Elvington Lane, York, YO19 5LT
- 28-31 Oct
- From 12:30pm
- More info
Mother Shipton’s Creepy Carnival
Come one, come all for a freakishly fun Halloween experience at Mother Shipton’s Creepy Carnival trail! Deep within our spooky forest a world of eerie enchantment awaits…Step right up and prepare to be thrilled and amazed by hauntingly captivating displays and spine-tingling surprises. Explore abandoned circus tents as they whisper ghostly secrets from their forgotten past and meet a host of creepy characters who are waiting to steal the show in our festival of frights.
- Mother Shipton’s Cave, Prophecy Lodge, High Bridge, Knaresborough, HG5 8DD
- 28 Oct – 5 Nov
- 10am – 4:30pm
- More info
Halloween Spooky Kids Disco
Looking for the perfectly spooky place to celebrate Halloween with your tots, teens or in-betweens? Look no further than Carlton Towers. Monster Mash your way through all the classic tunes, showing us your best dance moves! Come dress to impress in your Spooktacular outfits.
- Carlton Towers, Carlton, DN14 9LZ
- 29 Oct
- 5-7:30pm
- More info
William’s Spooky Adventures
Are you ready to get your half-term spook on? We’re brewing up all kinds of spooky fun and games for the October half-term. Explore East Yorkshire’s only immersive interactive Trick-or-Treat street, bring your most chilling moves to the Monster Mash Disco dancefloor, try not to lose your head in a round of Scarecrow Golf – and much more!
- William’s Den, Castle Farm, Wold Hill, North Cave, HU15 2LS
- 28-31 Oct
- 10am – 5pm
- More info
DIG After Dark: Ghosts in the Graveyard
Huddle around the campfire and listen to ghost stories this half term at DIG after Dark. DIG is housed in St Saviour’s Church which has stood on site since the 11th century and became a popular place to worship, before falling into decline at the turn of the 20th century. Come along to these interactive and immersive storytelling sessions to hear the tragic tales of the ghost of a Viking warrior and even the ghost hunter who yearned to witness him! Plus, you can discover more about folklore, ghost stories and the history of St Saviour’s Church. Kids can have fun cosying around the campfire with snacks and a hot drink, all included in the price.
- DIG, St Saviour’s Church, St Saviourgate, York, YO1 8NN
- 28-29 Oct
- 5:30pm & 7:30pm
- More info
Spooky shows
Candlelit Film Night with Halloween Twist
Get ready for an enchanting cinematic experience in the heart of York!
Join us for a breathtaking Candlelit Movie Night Concert, where the renowned Ebor Quartet will bring to life the iconic music of Hans Zimmer and John Williams! Immerse yourself in the mesmerising melodies that have accompanied your favourite films. And guess what? We have a magical treat for Halloween—a special Harry Potter medley to cast a spell on your senses!
- St Olave’s Church, 29 Marygate, York YO30 7BJ
- 28 Oct
- 8pm
- More info
Freida Nipples Presents…Timeless Tease
Freida Nipples’ Burlesque Revue is back after a sell-out first show in the York Theatre Royal Studio space in February with her Halloween Edition of Timeless Tease. Expect some of the UK’s finest Burlesque & Cabaret artists for an evening full of freaky fun.
Fancy dress welcome!
- Theatre@41, 41 Monkgate, York, YO31 7PB
- 28 Oct
- 4:30pm & 8pm
- More info
Do You Believe in Ghosts?
Do you believe in ghosts? Theatres are alive. They all have stories to tell when the lights go out. And they all have a theatre ghost. This is not the show you will be expecting, this is a brand-new concept: a haunting night at the theatre; an original play unlike anything you have seen, or experienced, before; a new way of ghost storytelling!
Settle in for a thrilling night of tales, mystery, murder – and ghosts – as our ‘paranormal experts’ tell the most fascinating ghost stories. But, nothing is what it seems, as time will tell throughout the evening…
- York Barbican, Paragon St, York, YO10 4AH
- 28 Oct
- 7:30pm
- More info
The Witches
The Groves Community Cinema returns to Theatre@41 for a Hallowe’en special with two films to deliver both family-friendly and grown-up sized chills! Based on the classic Roald Dahl novel, Robert Zemeckis’s visually innovative film tells the darkly humorous and heartwarming tale of a young orphaned boy who, in late 1967, goes to live with his loving Grandma in the rural Alabama town of Demopolis.
- Theatre@41, 41 Monkgate, York, YO31 7PB
- 29 Oct
- 2:30pm
- More info
Nosferatu: Live Silent Cinema
Join us on Halloween for a special screening of Nosferatu with a brand new live score! Nosferatu is arguably the film that gave birth to the horror genre. Notable as the first cinematic interpretation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, its combination of expressionistic acting and unforgettable images render it just as powerful and unsettling today as when it first thrilled cinema goers 100 years ago.
- Theatre@41, 41 Monkgate, York, YO31 7PB
- 31 Oct
- 7:30pm
- More info
Ghostly tours
Paranormal Research York Tours
Paranormal Research York have a whole host of ghost-hunting tours lined up for Halloween – in venues such as York Medical Society, York Mansion House, The Guildhall, Bedern Hall and more.
- Multiple locations
- Multiple dates
- Various times
- More info
The Deathly Dark Halloween Tour
From our meeting point on Grape Lane, you and your fellow travellers will wander the delightfully grim streets of York in the company of an award-winning guide. You will hear tales from the two thousand years of grim history, foul deeds and infamous hauntings that have earned York it’s reputation for being the most haunted city in England. For Halloween, the tour will be slightly more spooky than usual and may contain some extra spice.
- Grape Lane, York, YO1 7HU
- 27-31 Oct
- 6pm & 8pm
- More info
More frightening fun
Trick or Treat Chocolate Bar Making Workshop
Throughout the Autumn half term we will be running our chocolate bar making workshops…with a spooky twist! Join us in the Academy at the York Cocoa Works to design and make your very own 150g Halloween chocolate bar full of tricks or treats – the choice is yours!
- York Cocoa Works, 10 Castlegate, York YO1 9RG
- 13 Oct – 5 Nov
- Multiple times
- More info
Halloween Candlelit Cruise
Embark on a mesmerising journey this Halloween as we partner with City Cruises to present a candlelit Halloween cruise along the enchanting waters of York. Set the eerie mood as you sail under the moonlight, surrounded by flickering candlelight and hauntingly beautiful music. Savor a glass of fizz in this unique and unforgettable Halloween experience.
Performing for your Halloween Cruise will be singer and guitarist Alistair Griffin accompanied by the haunting strings of Emily Lawler.
- King’s Staith Landing, York YO1 9SN
- 26 Oct
- 6:30pm
- More info
Adult Halloween Ball
Carlton Towers are hosting a fantastically spooky Halloween Ball. Come dressed in your finest Halloween attire and then dine in our staterooms with a delicious themed set menu. Dance away the night with our DJ until midnight.
- Carlton Towers, Carlton, DN14 9LZ
- 28 Oct
- 7pm
- More info