How to celebrate Spooky Season this year

As spooky season fast approaches, London is getting into the Halloween spirit, offering everything from cult classic movies under the stars to immersive ghosthunting adventures and dinner with a suitably sinister twist.

Whether looking for a Halloween night out, a fun half term activity with the kids, an autumnal getaway or simply an excuse to embrace the season, here are some of the best ways to get into the spirit this Halloween.

Top London Screenings, Dining, and Family Activities

Watch a Halloween classic under the stars at art’otel London Battersea Power Station

Head to JOIA Rooftop at art’otel London Battersea Power Station for its annual Halloween Movie Pop-Up. For the third year running, the experience pairs dinner with a rooftop screening of a Halloween favourite, complete with homemade popcorn.

Taking place from 29–31 October, the line-up includes Edward Scissorhands on 29 October, Ghostbusters on 30 October and The Rocky Horror Picture Show on 31October.

Guests can enjoy dinner from 5.30pm in JOIA Restaurant before heading up to the rooftop for the film from 7.30pm. Tickets start from £75pp for a chair or £90pp for a sofa, including dinner, film admission and JOIA's homemade popcorn.

Step into Hell at Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen at The Cumberland Hotel

For the most fitting Halloween dining experience, diners can step straight into the fire of Hell at the recently opened and first ever Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen in the UK at The Cumberland Hotel, Marble Arch. Perfect for those who prefer their Halloween with a side of cocktails, dinner and a DJ, guests can expect Hell’s Kitchen’s signature high energy atmosphere with a Halloween twist.

Guests can settle in for an indulgent evening of Hell’s Kitchen favourites, with the menu serving up some of the restaurant’s most iconic dishes, including the legendary Beef Wellington, rich Lobster Risotto and showstopping Wagyu Tomahawk. To finish, diners can indulge in decadent desserts such as the infamous Sticky Toffee Pudding.

No trip to Hell would be complete without a few devilish drinks. Alongside Hell’s Kitchen’s cocktail menu, guests can enjoy an exclusive Halloween cocktail, specially created for the season. From dinner and drinks with friends to a full on Halloween celebration, Hell’s Kitchen at The Cumberland Hotel brings the atmosphere to embrace the occasion, full of fire and flavour.

Get creative with the family at art'otel London Hoxton

For a Halloween celebration the whole family can enjoy, art’otel London Hoxton’s Gallery will be transformed into a cosy Halloween hideaway this half term.

Settle into the hotel's cosy cinema room for daily Halloween film screenings from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026. Films will be showing continuously from 11am each day, meaning families can simply drop in whenever suits them. The line-up includes Halloween classics such as Hocus Pocus and The Nightmare Before Christmas, as well as Coco, Maleficent, Frankenweenie and The Book of Life.

The spooky fun continues on Saturday 31 October, with a full day of Halloween activities. Kids can transform into their favourite Halloween characters with complimentary face painting, get creative with spooky stencil art and decorate their own Halloween biscuits using Jelena's Cake edible kits. There will also be a selection of frightfully fun treats prepared by the hotel's chef, with spooky surprises including chocolate covered spiders.

Autumn Escapes and Immersive Half-Term Adventures

Escape to Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife for a Halloween in the sun

For those looking to escape the autumn chill, Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife offers the chance to celebrate spooky season somewhere a little sunnier. Swap London's grey skies for a Halloween getaway, for some sunshine, music and a very different kind of atmosphere.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, guests can enjoy a laid back all-inclusive stay with beautiful ocean views, a wide range of dining options and a spa designed for switching off.

For families travelling over the October half term, there is plenty to keep little rock stars entertained too. The Hard Rock Roxity Kids Club is designed for children aged 4–9, with dedicated facilities and a programme of activities and entertainment. From creative adventures to fun filled activities, it gives children the chance to make their own holiday memories while parents enjoy some well deserved downtime.

Whether looking for a family friendly Halloween escape or simply wanting to trade autumn rain for poolside days, Atlantic views and a few cocktails in the sunshine, Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife offers a different way to celebrate spooky season, away from the cold nights and cobwebs.

Hunt Ghosts at Immersive Gamebox

Looking for something fun to do this Halloween weekend? Immersive Gamebox's Ghostbusters: The Cursed Collection offers a fun day out for families and friends, bringing the much-loved Ghostbusters world to life through a team based game.

Players take on the role of Ghostbusters, working together to capture ghosts and recover cursed artefacts across a 60-minute mission. It's a great option for families looking to do something with the kids over Halloween, as well as groups of friends wanting to try something different.

With locations across London, including Shoreditch, South Bank, Stratford, Wandsworth and Watford, as well as Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds, there's plenty of opportunity to get involved this Halloween.

Take a trip to New York for Autumn and see the highlights from the Empire State Building

For those looking to make a trip of spooky season, there’s no better time to experience New York than in autumn. As the city takes on its famous fall glow, head to the iconic Empire State Building for a bird’s-eye view of Manhattan as the season changes. Recently named the #1 Top Attraction in the United States in Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do, the Empire State Building has also undergone a $165 million reimagination, introducing a new immersive museum with nine galleries and an upgraded 102nd Floor Observation Deck. From the autumn foliage of Central Park to the glittering Manhattan skyline, visitors can take in all the spectacular views from a visit to the Empire State Building, offering a quintessential New York experience, with plenty of seasonal magic along the way.