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How to Celebrate Halloween in London 2020

Pumpkin Carving at The Prince, Halloween in London 2020
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Whether you’re heading out or partying at home, we round up the best of Halloween in London

By Abbie Schofield


While we aim to keep this article up-to-date, please note that due to Covid-19 some events may have been postponed or cancelled. Always follow government guidelines and check individual venues’ websites for more information.

No doubt the Halloweens of your youth involved trick-or-treating, toffee apples and a rather unconvincing homemade costume. These days you’ll want a more grown-up affair, and thankfully, the capital’s bars, restaurants and venues go all out every year for the autumnal festival. While many would argue 2020 has been nightmarish enough, we’ve rounded up the best spectacularly spooky events to celebrate Halloween in London, for those of us too old for apple bobbing.

Our top picks for Halloween in London

Pumpkin carving at The Prince

The Prince - Halloween in London 2020Southwest London’s The Prince is hosting a pumpkin carving party on 28 October, complete with Halloween-themed drinks and street food. Dressing up is highly encouraged, and each guest will be given their own pumpkin and carving kit as well as a cocktail (or mocktail) and pumpkin-spiced popcorn included in the ticket price.

28 October, Tickets from £10; designmynight.com

Halloween lates at the Painted Hall

Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College on a foggy day - Halloween in London 2020The Old Royal Naval College is putting on a series of Halloween lates in the spooky Painted Hall after dark. Expect haunting ghost stories and live music from historical performers History Riot, plus delicious food and drinks at the Painted Hall Cafe. As well as an evening of spooky storytelling and music, tickets include a free mulled wine at the Old Brewery and an annual pass to the Old Royal Naval College. 

£20, 30-31 October; ornc.org

Covent Garden pumpkin market

New Covent Garden Market PumpkinsThis weekend is the chance to pick up some pumpkins for halloween, whether you’re going to carve them, eat them or use them as autumnal decor. In partnership with Classic Veg Box home delivery and New Covent Garden Wholesale Market, Covent Garden’s Apple Market will return to its roots and transform into a vegetable hub boasting over 200 pumpkins. Providing the perfect autumnal backdrop, the Pumpkin Market will be adorned with fresh flowers from New Covent Garden Market, dressed by luxury florist Maison De Fleurs. 

30-31 October; coventgarden.london

Jack the Ripper tour at Discount Suit Company

Discount Suit CompanyHead to Spitalfields bar Discount Suit Company for their Halloween cocktail special where you’ll receive a complimentary hot punch before embarking on a Jack the Ripper Tour. The walking tour, which lasts half an hour, will take you through the chilling crimes of the famous London serial killer before finishing back at Discount Suit Company. Those who book a table and stay on will receive 25% off their final bill.

£25, 31 October; umbrella-london.co.uk

Halloween Party at Sumosan Twiga

Sumosan TwigaBest known for its unique Japanese and Italian menu and glamorous atmosphere, Sumosan Twiga will host a Halloween weekend extravaganza. Staff will be dressed in creepy costumes while serving guests a selection of theatrical cocktails. On Friday 30th, there will be music from a live DJ while on Saturday 31st the Allegria Brunch will have performances from Latin dancers and a band, plus prizes for the best costumes. On Sunday 1st, Sumosan Twiga’s Halloween brunch includes themed dishes such as pumpkin risotto with crispy parmesan and pink pepper.

sumosantwigalondon.com

Horror screenings at the Bussey Building

Forbidden Forest Cinema at the Bussey Building, Peckham - Immersive cinema experience - Halloween in London 2020Forbidden Forest Cinema is popping up at the Bussey Building this autumn/winter with a series of Halloween Horror Screenings. The immersive cinema experience will transport you to a spooky forest, the perfect setting for watching a spine-tingling horror film; the lineup includes cult classics like Nightmare on Elm Street and The Blair Witch Project as well as newer releases such as Us and The Invisible Man.

From £19.50, 23 October – 8 November; popupscreens.co.uk

Halloween bubble at Skylight Rooftop 

Skylight London, igloo - Halloween in London 2020East London rooftop bar Skylight is hosting a Halloween party complete with gruesome decor, devilish cocktails and thrilling DJs. Groups of six can take a seat in the pumpkin-themed igloos, creating a perfect socially-distanced bubble, or book a normal covered table with heating. Plus, those who dress up will be in with the chance to win prizes for their efforts.

31 October, skylightlondon.com 

Highgate Cemetery Tour

Highgate Cemetry tour London Halloween events

For horror lovers, spending Halloween in a graveyard will be a deadly dream. Even for the less morbid, North London’s Highgate Cemetery is worth a visit due to the host of famous figures buried there, including Karl Marx, George Eliot and Christina Rossetti. Tours are available most Saturdays; lasting around 60 minutes, an expert will guide you around the cemetery, telling you weird and wonderful facts about the site and its deceased inhabitants.

highgatecemetery.org

Ghoul Gang DIY cocktail party

Lucky Pineapple x Sugar Tits cocktail kit - Halloween in London 2020For those who’d prefer to stay in this Halloween, Lucky Pineapple has collaborated with Sugar Tits London to launch the Ghoul Gang DIY Cocktail Party Box. The kit, which you can have delivered, comes with everything you need to create Halloween-themed cocktails for two, four or six people, including recipe cards, straws, coasters and even a special playlist.

From £60, available until 29 October; luckypineapplebar.com

Dinner and a horror film at Brasserie of Light

Brasserie Of Light Halloween in London 2020Throughout Halloween week, Brasserie of Light and Selfridges Cinema are offering a special package including a three-course meal, cocktail and spooky cinema screening. Films include IT, Get Out and The Conjuring, while special cocktail The Pennywise features spiced pumpkin syrup, mandarin purée, lemon juice, Balla spices and MS Better’s Foamer Bitters, garnished with a candy floss web.

£55, 26-31 October; eventbrite.co.uk

Cocktails at Vinegar Yard

Vinegar Yard Halloween in London 2020 outdoor diningLondon Bridge food hub Vinegar Yard has been given a Halloween makeover. Despite being fully covered, it counts as outdoor dining so you can visit with five friends in line with Tier 2 guidelines. Snap a pic of you (in costume) trying Vinegar Yard’s special Halloween cocktails, Dr Bramblestein, From Dusk Till Dawn, Schpooky Tales and Bee Witched, and post it on Insta for your chance to win a £150 bar tab.

26 October – 1 November; instagram.com/vinegaryardldn

Dia de los Muertos

Mexgrocer - Halloween 2020Celebrate Mexican Day of the Dead with Mexgrocer, who have curated special kits for the occasion, including the Best of Mexgrocer kit, which has everything you need for a Mexican feast. For your Halloween night in, order the Bloody Vampirito Cocktail Bundle so you can make your own creepy cocktails with tequila, clamato, grapefruit soda, agave, Tajin chile and lime and even two tequila glasses.

£46.99; mexgrocer.co.uk

Halloween brunch at COYA Mayfair

Coya Mayfair - Halloween in London 2020COYA are putting on a Halloween-themed brunch on the 31st, which includes free-flowing cocktails, Veuve Clicquot Champagne, a dessert platter with spooky treats, surprise shots and entertainment from DJs and illusionists. Guests will also get to try the Peruvian restaurant’s signature ceviche platter with pumpkin, sea bass, aji amarillo and sweet potatoes and Mixto with octopus, squid, sea bream, mussels, aji limo and ink. 

£190, 31st October; coyarestaurant.com

Scarily spicy ramen at Bone Daddies

Bone Daddies Prince of darkness Ramne Halloween in London 2020This limited edition Prince of Darkness ramen isn’t for the faint-hearted. It combines Bone Daddies’ homemade pork broth, chilli garlic tare, soy shiitake, padron peppers, charred chashu pork, bamboo and beansprouts with The Rib Man’s ‘Judas is Scary Hot’ sauce, which is made with the three fiercest chillies in the world: Carolina Reapers, Trinidadian Scorpions and Dorset Nagas. 

£13.50, 19 October – 30 November; bonedaddies.com


Like this? Check out 5 Halloween dessert recipes

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