Guide to celebrating Halloween in Edinburgh 2023
October is here - a month that’s highly anticipated now! It brings with it coorie, spookiness, pumpkins, magic and fun.
There is so much to do in and around Edinburgh during October in the run up to Halloween, so I’ve created a quick Guide to Celebrating Halloween in Edinburgh in 2023.
Edinburgh Zoo
Explore the zoo at dusk and catch a Halloween-inspired Animal Antics show, carve a pumpkin treat for the animals, enjoy a Zoo Boo! breakfast and visit their Autumn pop-up market.
Halloween Hoots – 27 – 31 October
Edinburgh Zoo Autumn Market – 14 – 15 October (free with zoo entry)
Zoo Boo! Breakfasts – 28 – 29 October
Carve a Treat – 28 – 29 October (£3.50 per pumpkin, while they last – zoo entry required)
For more info click here
Edinburgh Castle - The Potion Makers Quest 7th - 29th October 2023
Do you know your mugwort from your mallow, and teasel from thyme?
Join them for this Family Halloween trail, hunt for the potion ingredients and collect your reward!
Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 October: over the Halloween weekend they have Creepy Castle Capers happening. The castle guides will be on hand within the Great Hall and Laich Hall to tell you all about the creepy and curious history of the Castle. You won’t want to miss their spectacular period costumes too. There will also be lots for the kids to do with colouring & activities throughout the day. The Great Hall will be dressed in all its autumnal glory with pumpkins galore, so get ready embrace the Halloween weekend at the Castle.
Tickets cost adult £19.50 and children £11.40. Book here
Samhuinn Fire Festival, Holyrood Park, Arthurs Seat - Tuesday 31st October 2023
Counterbalancing their sister event on Calton Hill, the Beltane Fire Festival, Samhuinn Fire Festival marks the transition from Summer to Winter with their characteristic mix of fire-play, drumming, and immersive performances.
Tickets cost adult £8.88 and children £6.73. Book here
St Vincents Church, Stockbridge - 21 October 2023
Silent Screen Scotland returns with 'Fright Night: Silent Movie Screening', a candlelit screening of Nosferatu accompanied by live score in the gothic surroundings of St. Vincent's Chapel.
Tickets cost £10.00. Book here
Edinburgh Horror Festival - 26th-31st October 2023
30 live shows across Lauriston Castle and Banshee Labyrinth or watch online. From seances to horror trails, from theatre to storytelling; if horror is what you are after, then check out which events to attend.
Book here
Dalkeith Country Park - 13th-29th October 2023
Enjoy family pumpkin picking and discover what lies below their pumpkin patch ~ they’re creaking open the ancient undercroft of The Orangerie – for those who dare to enter!
Their family-friendly Halloween programme includes an outdoor cinema, kids’ craft workshops, spooky storytelling and Fawkes Festival ~ a hair-raising firework, light & laser extravaganza.
Visitors to Fort Douglas can also enjoy our Halloween themed scavenger hunt, a free event for all little adventurers.
Kids' Craft Workshops
Drop off the kids’ at this craft workshop where they can paint their very own ceramic pumpkin and create a variety of ghostly paper hanging decorations.
Kids' Crochet Workshops
A creative workshop designed for children age 9 – 15 years. During this 2 hour event, children can learn basic crochet skills while creating their very own crochet bat and pumpkin.
Spooky Storytelling
Children age 2- 6 years can enjoy spooky storytelling in our Halloween loft. Spooky stories include Funnybones, The Badies and The Dinosaur that Pooped Halloween!
Cookie Decorating Workshops
A fun-filled one hour workshop for children under 12 years. Kids’ can enjoy creatively decorating Halloween pumpkin and ghost-shaped gingerbread cookies.
Outdoor Adventure Cinema
Kick back and enjoy a range of family friendly films at the outdoor Adventure Cinema. Films include Monsters Inc, Beetlejuice, Hocus Pocus, Lost Boys, Ghostbusters, Scream, Coco and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Fawkes Festival
A magnificent Halloween-inspired fireworks display set to lights, lasers and music, featuring fairground rides, entertainment and food & drink. This event is organised & delivered by a 3rd party ~ award-winning fireworks display company 21CC.
Prices vary depending on event. Book here
Craigies Farm, South Queensferry EH30 9AR - Throughout October
Alongside pick-your-own pumpkins, experience the NEW ‘Tunnels of Terror’.
Offering little frights designed especially with younger visitors and those with additional support needs in mind, the 'Spooky Tunnels' transform into 'Tunnels of Terror' when the sun goes down. Designed for older children and adults, these fun scares will keep the entire family on their toes!
They are also adding a brand new after-dark illuminated experience! Created in partnership with NL Productions, the team behind the Castle of Light at Edinburgh Castle, visitors can be assured of a high-quality immersive experience.
As the sun goes down the fear factor creeps up, and at night the Spooky Tunnels become the Tunnels of Terror. Designed for older children and adults, these fun scares will keep the entire family on their toes and crying with laughter!
Will you brave the Tunnels of Terror?
A guaranteed fang-tastic time for all the family and chance to create amazing memories!
Prices from £1.50. Book here
Dobbies, Lasswade - Thursday 26th to Sunday 29th October 2023
Join them as Little Seedlings takes a Halloween twist and your "Little Scare-lings" have a frightfully fun pumpkin-themed afternoon.
They’ll sink their fangs into some terrifying treats, followed by pumpkin-themed activities and games before choosing their own pumpkin from the miniature patch to take home and carve.
This event is suited to families with children aged 3-10 years old. Children under 3 can still take part in some activities with the support of an adult. To help you fully enjoy the experience, families will be seated and served at their own table.
More info and booking here
Brewers Fayre - Monday 16th to Tuesday 31st October 2023
Part of the national family-friendly restaurant chain, Brewers Fayre is thrilled to announce a jam-packed Halloween calendar full of spooky activities to keep the little ones entertained rain or shine this October. With large indoor play areas and activities from a Terrifying Treasure Hunt to a Make-your-own Witches Hat experience, this calendar promises a month of unforgettable family fun.
From October 16th to the 31st, between 12 pm and 6 pm, Monday through Friday, they are offering a 'Feed the Family for £18' Halloween menu, with plenty of choices to keep the children and the grown-ups happy. For those looking to add a spooky twist to their dining experience, Brewers Fayre has something special in store. Guests can choose to include two speciality Halloween cocktails or mocktails, along with two kids' Halloween milkshakes, for just £10.
More info and booking here
There is of course many walking tours and visitor attractions around Edinburgh that get extra spooky at Halloween.
Mary Kings Close - Lantern led tours. More info and booking here
Auld Reekie Tours - Vault and Graveyard tour. More info and booking here
The Potter Trail, Harry Potter tours. More info and booking here
Mercat Tours - Raising the Dead Underground Ghost Tours or Surgeons Hall Burke & Hare. More info and booking here
However you choose to celebrate Halloween, I hope you stay safe!
By pumpkins fat and witches lean
By coal black cats with eyes of green
By all the magic ever seen
I wish you luck this Halloween