The spookiest, creepiest, scariest (why do we celebrate this again!?) holiday is back! It’s time to dress up as brain-eating zombies, blood-thirsty vampires, cauldron-stewing witches and whatever the latest meme is… Beetlejuice!? Whether you’re spooking yourself at a scare maze or picking out the perfect pumpkin, there’s a splattering of harrowing Halloween events to choose from in Birmingham.
1. Pick the perfect pumpkin
Before you do anything else on Halloween (yes, even before dressing up) you have to pick your own pumpkin. Luckily, there are several local Birmingham pumpkin patches nearby. Many of these are open to the public for the entire month of October, so there’s no excuse not to be prepared on All Hallows’ Eve. Pick up a few in case your jack-o’-lantern carving skills aren’t quite up to scratch.
2. Escape a terrifyingly immersive scare maze
Get ready for the fright of your life as Luna Springs relaunches its custom-built scare maze, designed around an abandoned nuclear facility. The Digbeth-based venue is inviting Halloween enthusiasts back to its immersive horror experience (October 11 to November 2) for Meltdown: Victor’s Revenge Part II. Guests can expect a twisted maze, live actors around every corner, a fun fair, street food, DJs and a bar – as Victor Isotope returns with a vengeance. Luna Springs’ Scare Maze brunches are also returning with 90 minutes of bottomless drinks
3. Explore Birmingham’s haunted streets
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. To get your tickets head here.
4. Meet a sea witch
Even Birmingham’s National Sea Life Centre is getting in on the Halloween action as it transforms into a “spooky ascarium” with a magical underwater trail. Join the aquarium for an immersive trail to find missing potion ingredients, while discovering some of the spookiest creatures of the sea – you’ll even meet a Sea Witch and receive a treat! On top, why not visit the Sharks After Dark? A spooky experience like no other, get a private tour of the aquarium this Halloween after it’s closed to the public. And remember to dress up!
5. Enjoy a twisted immersive bingo night
The award-winning Bongo’s Bingo is known for the quintessentially quaint 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).
On November 11, Bongo’s Bingo invites you to The Haunted House at The Forum for a Halloween special. Get ready for en masse karaoke, audience participation, a scary soundtrack, and lots of scary surprises along the way. And it wouldn’t be Halloween without the opportunity to dress up! You can learn more here.
6. Have a drink at Birmingham’s new horror-themed bar
Inspired by ‘Wednesday’ and ‘Stranger Things’, Merlin’s has opened just in time for Halloween. The restaurant/cafe/cocktail bar will deliver an immersive horror experience across two floors – from creepy animatronics to blood-curdling cocktails – for all ages. Located at Martineau Place on Corporation Street, the ground floor café and restaurant will serve unique dishes from Hell’s Kitchen, while upstairs is a strictly over-18s cocktail bar filled with foggy atmospherics, devilish theatrics and live music.
7. Go ghost hunting
Birmingham isn’t a particularly scary place, but there are plenty of ghost stories that creep us out… There are spectres, ghouls, poltergeists, phantoms, and all sorts haunting the West Midlands! But your best opportunity to meet a real-life ghost is through one of these ghost tours around Birmingham. From the mystery of Birmingham’s own ‘sublime vampire’ to Dudley Castle’s famous ghost, The Grey Lady, you’re in for a treat AND a trick this Halloween.
8. Pop off for a Halloween bingo party
Bingo gets a much-needed pop makeover at The Rainbow on Halloween night (October 31). The ultimate bingo party combines your favourite chart hits, unbelievable prizes, and a dancefloor readymade for your ‘Single Ladies’ moves. Plus, there’ll be sing-alongs and dance-offs all night long to everything from ABBA and Madonna to Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift and many more! To get your tickets to Pop Bingo head here.
9. Have a Halloween trip to the movies
Thinktank is screening two spooky classics this Halloween. On November 1, John Carpenter’s cult horror classic ‘The Thing’ will take you deep into the frozen wasteland of Antarctica, where a research team finds an alien being that starts to hunt them down. If you’re after something more family-friendly, then the iconic 1984 film ‘Ghostbusters’ is celebrating its 40th anniversary! Follow along as a group of scientists fight the evil ghosts lurking in New York City. You can learn more here.
10. Try and escape the creepy Shrewsbury Prison
This former Victorian-era prison is full of mystery, and you can enjoy unrestricted access to Shrewsbury Prison this Halloween. Whether you’re after a guided of self-guided tour, you’ll uncover the terrifying tales of notorious inmates and experience the life of being a prisoner yourself. While here, don’t miss your chance at the fully immersive prison escape room with “realistic details and mind-bending puzzles.” To get your tickets to Shrewsbury Prison: The Cell Escape Room head here.
11. Wander the creepy walls of Warwick Castle
During the October half term join 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 – from the brand-new Dead Centre Stage (where you’ll find frightful games, spooky stories, quizzes, and a Halloween disco) to fan-favourite Witches of Warwick. You can also learn about the dungeon’s gruesome history. Just watch out for The Headless Horseman roaming the grounds!
12. Tuck into treats at Cadbury World
Until November 3, Cadbury World invites visitors to Fredddo’s Spooktacular Show for an array of spooky seasonal fun. Every day, the iconic green frog will perform a must-see performance for all the family – featuring tricks, treats, spooky magic, and even a pumpkin balancing act. There are a choco-lot of prizes to be won too! Plus, don’t miss Freddo’s Spooky Party Dance or the annual fancy dress competition for kids.
13. Visit this spooktacular circus
Get ready for Gandeys’ Halloween Spooktacular – with the circus and its brand-new action-packed Big Top Show heading to Merry Hill. From October 23 to November 3, witness an international cast of skeletons, vampires, Jack o’lanterns and, of course, the scariest of the lot, circus performers come together for this year’s seasonal sensation. To learn more head here.
14. Stock up at the Halloween House
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 a 7ft Dragon with moving wings and several other breathtaking, creepy animatronics. The store itself also has some chilling surprises hidden around every corner…
15. Scream your lungs out at Alton Towers
Alton Towers is a terrifying place to be any time of year. But when Scarefest is in town, you’re in for the fright of your life. Open October 11 to November 3, do you dare take on the theme park’s terrifying rides in the dark? With over 40 rides and attractions at this year’s Scarefest – including the all-new Nemesis Reborn plus Wicker Man and The Smiler – the screams will be neverending. To get your tickets to Alton Towers head here.
16. Trick-or-treat at Thinktank museum
Thinktank’s annual Spooky Science Family Night has a new twist for this Halloween. On Friday, November 1, your kids are invited to go trick-or-treating in the safety of Thinktank museum. There will be a total of five stations spread throughout the museum, each with a different treat to collect. Meanwhile, explore the museum after dark and take part in spooky activities – like life-sized ‘Operation, a silent boogie under the Hurricane plane, and the Gross Encounters theatre show. Fancy dress is optional, but those who take part will be entered into a prize draw! You can learn more here.
17. Go wild and weird at this Spooky Spectacular
Between October 19 and November 3, West Midlands Safari Park will be brimming with Halloween decorations and hundreds of pumpkins for its annual Spooky Spectacular event! This year, the family-friendly event features extra-special activities like Patch’s Silly Science Show – packed with bubbling potions and eerie explosions – the Monster Mystery Trail and Crazy Craft Club. To learn more head here.
18. Visit Birmingham’s former coffin factory
Newman Brothers’ Coffin Works once produced some of the world’s finest coffin furniture, including for the funerals of Joseph Chamberlain, Winston Churchill and the Queen Mother. A morbidly fascinating trip, if a little unnerving – perfect for Halloween – an extensive and unique collection of shrouds, coffin furniture and paper archives gives us an insight into changing attitudes toward death over the last 100 years. You can learn more here.