As the leaves turn to fiery hues and a crisp breeze fills the air, Kingston comes alive with a world of enchanting experiences that cater to children and adults alike. With a bewitching lineup of events and activities this half term, families and friends are in for a treat; from ghostly gatherings to creepy crafts, this spooky season will be an unforgettable experience.
ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
With the little ones off school for a whole week, it can be hard to keep them entertained – luckily, lots of the businesses around Kingston are hosting activities and events with a Halloween theme to stop any boredom in its tracks! And don’t worry, there’s not just activities for kids; keep reading for what’s on this October half term:
Fusebox
Origin of the Faeces: Poo from the Zoo exhibition
9-28th October
Not looking for any scares this Halloween? FUSEBOX’s Origin of the Faeces: Poo from the Zoo exhibition will be sure to delight and intrigue young minds.
Wacky Kingdom
Book all of these events on their website.
Halloween Face Painting
23rd October, 9am – 4pm
Kick off the half-term with a burst of colour! Let your imagination run wild as face painters transform little ones into their favourite spooky characters.
Halloween Build a Bear
24th October, 9am – 4pm
Build a furry friend for Halloween – a perfect activity for those who need a cuddle during the scares!
Create a Mask
25th October, 9am – 4pm
Unleash your inner artist and craft a unique mask.
Paint or Colour a Mug
26th October, 9am – 4pm
Get ready for hot chocolate season by personalising your own mug.
Create a Wreath
27th October, 9am – 4pm
Embrace the autumn spirit by creating your very own wreath – a perfect addition to your Halloween décor!
Halloween Parties
October 27th & 31st
Double the fun with Halloween parties on the 27th and 31st. Dress up in your scariest costumes, dance to spooky tunes, and indulge in treats that will send shivers down your spine.
John Lewis
Halloween Treasure Hunt
20th – 31st October, store opening times
Find the letters around the store to make a Halloween-themed word and then claim your treat!
Halloween Storytime
23rd & 26th October, 11am & 2pm
‘Spooky’ storytelling on the third floor this Halloween half term.
The Bentall Centre
Hocus Pocus Kids Club
26th and 27th October, 11am – 4pm
Stir up a storm this half term at the Bentall Centre with the Hocus Pocus Kids Club! Mix up your very own magic potion at the enchanted potion making station located on the Lower Ground Floor. Halloween costumes are encouraged!
Rose Theatre
The Gruffalo’s Child
24th – 29th October, multiple showings
Follow the Gruffalo’s Child on her adventurous mission in this enchanting adaptation of the beloved children’s book. Book your tickets here.
Uncanny: I Know What I Saw (14+)
22nd October, 3pm & 7:30pm
Join Danny Robins and his team of experts for a terrifying and thought provoking evening, featuring chilling new real-life stories of the supernatural, experienced by ordinary people from everyday places, brought to life on stage through thrilling theatrical invention, using exquisite sound, projection and video design. Book your tickets here.
Waterstones
Pokéthon Half-Term Card Trading Event
October 23rd, 11am-12pm
Get your Pokémon cards ready for a trading extravaganza at Waterstones. Meet fellow trainers and expand your collection. Collect, trade and battle (or learn the ropes)! Book your ticket (or tickets!) here, and get a Pokémon trading cards pack for free with each ticket.
Half-Term Treasure Hunt, Storytime, and Crafts
October 25th, 11am
Embark on a treasure hunt, enjoy enchanting storytime, and engage in creative crafts at Waterstones. A literary twist to your Halloween celebrations. Come along this October half-term to this fun children’s treasure hunt, storytime and craft event. All events are free. Treasure hunt starts at 11am until stock lasts.
Half-Term Halloween Treasure Hunt
October 27th, 11am
Gear up for a Halloween-themed treasure hunt that promises excitement and mystery. Solve clues and unearth hidden treasures in this thrilling adventure, followed by a design-your-own Monster session! All events are free. Treasure hunt starts at 11am until stock lasts.
Kingston Library
Lego Free Build
23rd October, 10am–11:30am, ages 5-11
Come and show off your skills and build whatever you’d like in this free session!
Halloween/Spooky Craft
24th October, 10am–11:30am drop-in session
Get ready for Halloween and join Kingston Library in creating some creepy crafts!
Explore Learning events
28th October
Fun with Phonics (ages 4-6, 10:15am-11:15am)
Math Wizards (ages 5-7, 11:30am-12:30pm)
Kingston Museum
Launch of the Living History Section at Kingston Museum
21st October
Have fun dressing up in clothes from different eras of history!
Saturday Snappity Halloween Special
28th October
Come and enjoy a Halloween story and create some Halloween craft. Be prepared for a spooky and fun session! Book here.
For Adults
Halloween’s not just for the little ones – you can enjoy a night out too! Kingston’s nightlife can’t be topped, especially during the October season. Keep reading for what’s on during witching hour.
Cornerstone
Halloween Fancy Dress Disco
28th October, 7:30pm – 11:45pm
It’s going to be a spooky one on the dancefloor this weekend! Why not grab the best fancy dress you can find and join in at Cornerstone for a scary atmosphere and be in for a chance to win best dressed.
Pryzm
Rave to the Grave
27th, 28th and 31st October, 9pm – 3:30am
Dress to scare with this Halloween club night at Kingston’s PRYZM, featuring full venue decor, scare actors, themed drinks and more! Book your ticket here.
O’Neills
Halloween Party
27th October, 7pm – 2am
Ghouls just want to have fun and Halloween at O’Neill’s Kingston-upon-Thames will be all treats and no tricks. There’ll be limited edition drinks, snacks to keep you dancing and fiendish music way past witching hour.
The Bishop
Halloween
27th October – 31st October
From scary specials to kooky cocktails to boneyard meat sharers, be sure to glide down this Halloween weekend (and the best fancy dress wins a prize!)
TREATS & DEALS
In the mood for a scary snack? Some of the eateries in Kingston have special Halloween-themed sweet treats that will get you into a ghoulish mood!
Cornerstone Feed the Family
23rd – 27th October, 11am – 8:30pm
Cornerstone are offering an incredible deal on food this October half term with no scares; you can feed the family for just £20! With plenty of games to enjoy while having a family meal –, you won’t want to miss out.
The Cheeky Pea Halloween deal
28th October
Kids eat free with every adult meal. – You can also dress up in your spookiest costume and get a secret password to collect a free bath treat from Lush!
Lola’s Cupcakes Halloween range
Indulge your sweet tooth with Halloween-themed cupcakes and treats from Lola’s Cupcakes. From mummies to ghosts, these cakes are as delicious as they are spooky.
Wenzel’s Bakery Halloween Treats
Head on over to Wenzel’s Bakery for some spooky Halloween treats, including an Eyeball Cookie Bomb and an Oreo Spider Croisnut – tasty and terrifying!
Shakeaway Halloween Milkshake
Shakeaway are offering limited edition Halloween milkshakes, only available until the 31st October – sip on a scary Eerie Ernie to really get you into the spirit!
Don’t forget to pick up some extra trick-or-treating favourites! Sainsbury’s, M&S, Waitrose, and Tesco all have a wide selection of sweets.
WHERE TO BUY YOUR HALLOWEEN COSTUMES & DECORATIONS
Stuck between choosing a cute cat costume, or a scary witch outfit? Never fear – Kingston’s got you covered with a range of places to sort your Halloween costume, with the addition of some creepy decor!
Partica: Partica on Fife Road has all of your Halloween party needs – from personalised balloons to a range of costumes, it’s a great stop for planning your perfect bash.
Flying Tiger: For cute and spooky decorations with a signature Scandi style, check out Flying Tiger on Clarence Street!
Claire’s: Located in the Bentall Centre on Clarence Street, Claire’s Accessories have some great options for the perfect Halloween costume for the little ones.
Krish: This independent, family-run business on Eden Street specialises in fancy dress, making it a one-stop shop for all your Halloween needs.
Primark: With both Halloween costumes and autumnal-themed homeware, Primark has great options for a full-on spooky bash or a civilised October dinner party – check out their offer on Eden Street.