Halloween Events in Edinburgh: Spooky Things to Do 2024
September 24, 2024
If you’re looking to spend a magical Halloween in Edinburgh, you’ll find an incredible amount of things to see and do here in the capital.
From seasonal events to all-year-round haunted attractions made even more chilling by the longer autumnal evenings, there are a number of spooky things to do in Edinburgh you won’t want to miss.
Plan your perfect break away with our guide to Halloween events and activities in Edinburgh and make it an extra spooktacular trip to remember with an indulgent stay at the capital’s most opulent gothic hotel, where once hundreds of women and men charged with witchcraft met their deaths at the stake.
Halloween Events in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Horror Festival
With its electrifying blend of theatre, comedy, magic, spoken word, movies, games and workshops, the Edinburgh Horror Festival is back between October 31st - November 3rd with a frightfully good programme of events.
Taking place at both The Banshee Labyrinth on Niddry Street and Lauriston Castle at Cramond Road South, expect everything from cabaret to stand-up horror.
Craigies Pumpkin Festival
Family-friendly pumpkin festival by day, spooktacular frights on the farm by night, there’s plenty of spooky activities to enjoy over at Craigies Pumpkin Festival.
A day ticket will grant you access to the pumpkin patch, the pumpkin bale maze and Halloween-themed photo opportunities, while if you’re brave enough, you can choose to attend the spooktacular 'After Dark' event.
Evening activities include access to the pumpkin patch, a monster bale trail, a haunted harvest, a ghost barrel train, and paintball. You can buy tickets on the event’s official website.
The Witchery Pumpkin Displays
In partnership with Phantassie Farm in East Lothian, come see the spectacular seasonal Halloween pumpkin displays at The Witchery by the Castle featuring hundreds of brightly coloured pumpkins of all shapes and sizes.
The display of 500 pumpkins is on public display until after Halloween where they will then be donated to local food charities.
Royal Scottish National Orchestra: The Haunted Concert Hall
Join the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Children’s Classic Concerts for this spine-tingling concert for the whole family. On October 27, Usher Hall will be hosting an orchestral event with plenty of spooky treats from the Orchestra and the RSNO Children’s Chorus.
Book your tickets for this ghostbusting adventure that promises plenty of fun over on the Royal Scottish National Orchestra website. Tickets cost from £8 for a child and from £12 for an adult.
Candlelight: Halloween
Under the gentle glow of candlelight, experience the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience at The Merchants Hall on Oct 26. With a full programme of music that includes classical twists on Halloween hits such as Michael Jackson’s Thriller to The Addams Family and Stranger Things theme song, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Book your tickets over on the FeverUp website, where you’ll also find full musical listings and times for the event.
Let’s Draw Halloween!
Taking place on October 11th at Little Plaza on Haddington Place, Edinburgh illustrator Elaine Macinty (aka LeopardyNonsense) is on hand for a fun and freaky family drawing session to celebrate the spooky season.
This creative event helps your little ones draw some cute and creepy Halloween characters, plus you get to make a page of scary stickers to take home. All materials are included, and no art skills are required. Best of all, adults get to draw for free! You can RSVP on the event’s website.
Edinburgh Halloween Activities
A Ghost Tour of Edinburgh Underground
For those who enjoy being captivated by the darker side of history, the Edinburgh Underground Ghost Tour is not something you should miss.
See the world-renowned Greyfriars Kirkyard in the dead of night and explore the iconic locations of the capital’s Old Town as you learn the history behind why Edinburgh is widely considered the most haunted city in the world.
With theatrics like no other, this is as much a performance as it is an opportunity to see Edinburgh’s history first-hand with a tour that takes you through the Edinburgh Vaults - the perfect option for those who love history!
The Real Mary’s King's Close
While this historic close is a must-see attraction in Edinburgh all year round, in October be sure to book an underground Lantern Led Tour where you can experience a 1-hour guided tour in the dark with only lantern light to guide you through one of the capital’s most haunted locations.
During the tour, you’ll also learn about the lives and deaths of real people who used to roam the streets of Edinburgh and meet a rather insidious character from the 17th century along the way.
Halloween at Edinburgh Castle
Explore the city’s darker tales with Edinburgh Castle this Halloween. Events include an activity trail for young visitors, dress-up opportunities and the chance to meet apothecary James Buchanan.
The activities run across various times in October, starting from October 12 through to Halloween itself. To view a full programme of events head over to the Edinburgh Castle website.
Experience The Witchery in Edinburgh
Indulge in a truly magical experience when you dine or stay with us. Whether you're seeking an unforgettable stay in one of our historic suites or a sumptuous dining experience in our renowned dining rooms, let the centuries of history enchant and captivate you.
Book your stay or reserve a table now and immerse yourself in the allure of Edinburgh's most enchanting establishment.
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