It’s not long until we see ghostly spirits haunting our streets, zombies chasing after our brains, and an assortment of blood-thirsty vampires, cackling witches and meandering mummies asking for… treats? Yes, Halloween in Birmingham returns. And with it comes a spooktacular splattering of harrowing holiday celebrations.
From getting lost in a scare maze to picking the perfect pumpkin, nightmarish parties and a bizarre bingo bash, Birmingham’s Halloween season is jam-packed with lots of terrifyingly exciting activities. Of course, you can’t do everything, but to help you decide we’ve rounded up the very best things to do this Halloween in Birmingham.
1. Pick the perfect pumpkin for carving
Before you do anything else on Halloween (even before dressing up!) you have to pick your own pumpkin to carve. Luckily, there are a number of local Birmingham pumpkin patches nearby. Many of these are open to the public for the entire month of October, so there’s no excuse to not be prepared this year. We suggest picking up a couple, just in case your jack-o’-lantern carving skills aren’t quite up to scratch.
2. Lose yourself in a terrifyingly immersive scare maze
Get ready for the fright of your life as Luna Springs launches a custom-built scare maze, designed around an abandoned nuclear facility. This Halloween in Birmingham (October 18 – November 4), the Digbeth-based venue is inviting you to its brand-new immersive horror experience, MELTDOWN. Expect this twisted maze to be filled with live actors hiding around every corner. Plus, there will be a fun fair, street food, DJs and a bar – which you can also enjoy without visiting the scare maze. To learn more about this scare maze head here.
3. Explore Birmingham’s haunted streets on Halloween
Birmingham is one of the spookiest cities in the UK and, from wandering around its haunting locations, we can see why. So maybe the best way to celebrate Halloween in Birmingham is to head out on a walking tour of the city. This haunted exploration game of Birmingham might be the best way to do it. Follow instructions, solve clues and hear about creepy stories. You don’t have to do this one Halloween either. To get yourtickets head here.
4. Visit a ghoulish circus rave
Birmingham’s newest club hosts the scariest, most ghoulish circus rave this Halloween. Cirque Du Soul: Halloween Special transforms XOYO into an abandoned theatre of nightmares for a night of blood-soaked debauchery. Once you get past the killer clowns and marauding zombies, you’ll find a huge party on October 31. Across three rooms you’ll find DJs playing everything from house to breaks, techno and club bangers, with Goddard headlining.
5. Enjoy a Halloween twist on this bonkers bingo night
The award-winning Bongo’s Bingo takes the quintessentially quaint British pastime of bingo and adds a large dollop of madness to the mixture. The immersive live show features rave rounds, dance-offs, and crazy prizes; including, giant pink unicorns, Henry Hoovers, mobility scooters and karaoke machines. Bongo’s Bingo will return to The Forum in Birmingham on October 28 for a big Halloween special. Expect en masse Karaoke, plenty of audience participation, maddening moments, and so much more for one of the most outlandish afternoons you’re ever likely to experience.
6. Join Cadbury World for tasty tricks and treats
Join in the spooky fun at Cadbury World, Freddo the Frog’s live spooktacular stage show brings all the tricks and treats from October 21 to November 5. The family fun show sees Freddo’s frightful tricks and spells, gruesome games and spooky songs. Guests will also compete in a fang-tastic fancy dress competition, where ghouls old and young are encouraged to put on their creepiest costumes. Visitors will also be able to meet their favourite iconic Cadbury Characters throughout the day too, so they can capture spooky snaps, as the attraction adorns itself in Halloween décor. Learn more here.
7. Sip on wine and paint the world’s scariest image
Edvard Munch’s iconic Scream has to be the scariest image in the world. Why is that person screaming? Is it because of a blood-curdling monster or the rate of inflation? We’ll likely never know. But at this sip and paint at The Alchemist, you can create your own terrifying portrait on October 25. Wine glass in one hand, paintbrush in the other, unleashed creativity this Halloween. To learn more head here.
8. Watch Halloween classics at this drive-in cinema
Hatton Country World is hosting a brand-new spooky evening event entitled Pumpkin Hollow on October 7, 14, 21, 28 and 31. Weave through creepy cabins and make your way to the Pumpkin patch to pick a choice of pumpkins in the dark to take home. But that’s not all happening this Halloween. Adults can also watch a choice of classic horror films at the Drive-in Cinema experience, which can be booked separately. There will be two movie screenings shown on each date, including Saw, Friday 13th, Hocus Pocus, Scream, Rocky Horror, Beetle Juice, The Addams Family, Nightmare on Elm Street, Ghostbusters, and Final Destination. Head here to learn more.
9. Wander the creepy walls of Warwick Castle
During October Half Term join the ghosts, ghouls, wizards and witches at one of our favourite castles at its very spookiest. Warwick Castle’s The Haunted Castle has a whole host of half-term fun filled frights, sights and delights. Follow a haunting Halloween trail around the castle, learn about the dungeon’s gruesome history, meet the ghosts of the grounds, and watch spooky, theatrical shows. There is a lot more to discover at The Haunted Castle too.
10. Embrace the monster mayhem at Thinktank
After things to do with kids this Halloween? Inspired by monsters and all things monstrous, Thinktank has put together a scary science demonstration. From October 30 to November 3, Fright At The Museum is a monstrous show full to the brim with freaky facts and spooky science. Showing off live science experiments, there is something for visitors of all ages too.bShows are at 11.30am – 12.00pm and 1pm – 1.30pm on weekdays in the Theatre on Level 3 of Thinktank.
11. Stock up at this Halloween house at Merry Hill
The popular Halloween megastore, Halloween House is now open at Merry Hill. From classic costumes and horror masks to make-up and home décor, the store stocks one of the largest collections of Halloween merchandise, retaining its title of Europe’s biggest Halloween store. Grab anything from Scream masks to the biggest selection of spooky mugs. There’s also a selection of large, moving and talking animated props, including a 7ft Dragon with moving wings and several other breathtaking, creepy animatronics. The store itself also has some chilling surprises hidden around every corner…
12. Head to the scariest party in Birmingham
The Digbeth music venue, The Night Owl is throwing an 80s horror-themed Halloween party on October 28. It’s known for throwing the most legendary immersive Halloween parties and this year is no different! A Nightmare On Trinity Street will see DJs playing 80s horror movie soundtracks, as well as alternative 80s hits. If we were to guess, expect plenty of John Carpenter – known for The Thing, Halloween and The Fog. There will be prizes for the fancy dress too! Learn more here.
13. Enjoy a more family-friendly Halloween party
Hosting every spooky activity you can imagine on October 28, Marston Green Cricket Club is throwing a family-fun Halloween party. Taking place at the Recreation Ground, everyone is invited to enjoy the revelry, with everything from a best-dressed competition to games and prizes. The party will take place between 7 and 11 pm and you can RSVP here.