London Halloween | 23 to 31 October 2026
High Street Kensington is once again calling itself London’s Home of Halloween. Across the October half term (23 to 31 October) the area fills up with a family trail through the shops, spooky workshops, themed menus and a gothic vintage market, all building up to a free after-dark adventure in Holland Park on Halloween night.
It’s also worth a wander through Kensington’s side streets, where some of the houses are famous for their spectacular Halloween makeovers. Here are five things to add to your list.
1. The Playful Park of Peculiar in Holland Park
The big event of the week happens on Saturday 31 October, from 4.30pm to 7.30pm, when Holland Park transforms into The Playful Park of Peculiar. It’s a free walk-through adventure, but you do need to book a timed arrival slot in advance.
Once inside, you follow a one-way route packed with wonderfully odd encounters. There’s crystal-ball magic with the Orbitor of Odd, giant bubbles with Professor Popp, a giant talking frog, tales from the Circus of the Strange and glow-in-the-dark hula hooping. Look out too for the Peculiar Sisters on stilts, illuminated creatures and plenty of photo opportunities.
Tip: the earlier slots are brighter and gentler, which suits younger children. As daylight fades the park becomes darker and more atmospheric, while still staying family-friendly. At the end of the route there’s themed food and drink to enjoy.
2. The Peculiar Halloween Trail
Throughout half term, from 23 to 31 October, families can follow a guided map through High Street Kensington’s shops and restaurants, collecting clues and treats along the way. Children who complete the trail can pick up a treat bag at Bone Daddies.
Maps can be collected from High Street Kensington station or downloaded from the High Street Kensington website before you go. It’s an easy way to keep children entertained while you explore the area.
3. A gothic Big Kensington Vintage Flea Market
On Saturday 31 October, London’s stylish vintage street market returns to Phillimore Walk from 10am to 4.30pm, with a darkly decadent twist. Alongside the usual mid-century furniture, fashion, homewares, art and design, expect grand candelabras, Victoriana gowns, black lace and moody florals.
If you’re after a Halloween outfit that’s more elegant than fancy dress, this is the place to find it. There’s also face painting and crafts for children, and the market is just a two-minute walk from the Tube.
4. LAIKA’s Wildwood at the Design Museum
Right next to Holland Park, the Design Museum is hosting LAIKA presents Wildwood: The Exhibition. LAIKA is the stop-motion studio behind Coraline, and this show takes you behind the scenes of its dark new fantasy film Wildwood, which is released in cinemas on 23 October.
You’ll see original props, sketches, puppets and miniature sets, tracing how the film grew from early ideas through character design, costume, puppet-making and animation. Tickets are £15.29 for adults and £7.65 for children.
On Halloween itself, curator Hadeel Eltayeb leads a special tour from 2pm to 3pm (£30). Then from 3.30pm to 7.30pm there’s a family afternoon of mask-making, myth spotting and collaborative doodling with author-illustrator Clare Booth, inspired by her new search-and-find book Lost and Found in Mythology.
5. Spooky breakfasts, cosmic tea and workshops
The Ivy Kensington Brasserie is hosting its first Little Monsters Halloween Breakfast Banquet on 31 October and 1 November. It costs £32.50 for adults and £27.50 for children, including breakfast, seasonal treats and a Halloween gift for the smallest guests. Fancy dress is encouraged, and a £10 non-refundable deposit per person secures a booking.
The Milestone Hotel is giving afternoon tea a cosmic twist, with celestial-inspired pastries and teas representing Fire, Earth, Air and Water. At the 7pm twilight sitting every Friday, guests can choose a tarot card to reveal a surprise treat. It costs £85 per person, £98 with Champagne, or £45 for the Little Stars children’s menu.
Book lovers can join author Ross Montgomery at Waterstones on Tuesday 27 October at 6.30pm to hear about his new book The Shadows of Kensington Gore (tickets £5). On Friday 30 October at 2pm there’s a hands-on comic-making workshop with cartoonist Phil Corbett, inspired by his new graphic novel series Ghost and Toast!
There’s also a Halloween make-up masterclass at Kiko Milano and a Halloween Grotto with crafts and activities at Trotters from 26 to 31 October. And just up the road, Hyde Park hosts free Hair-raising Halloween Discovery Days with a Witches’ Den, a nature trail, bat discovery sessions and ghost stories (pre-booking required via the Royal Parks website).
Plan your visit
High Street Kensington Halloween
23 to 31 October 2026
Playful Park of Peculiar: Holland Park, Saturday 31 October, 4.30pm to 7.30pm (free, booking required)
Gothic Vintage Flea Market: Phillimore Walk, W8 7RG, Saturday 31 October, 10am to 4.30pm
Nearest station: High Street Kensington
- Full programme, trail map and bookings
- LAIKA presents Wildwood at the Design Museum
- Celestial Afternoon Tea at The Milestone Hotel
- Halloween Discovery Days in Hyde Park
You might also like: 5 Things to Do at The Yards Covent Garden for Day of the Dead and Halloween and 5 Reasons to Visit Hobbledown Epsom for Pumpkins, Play and Family Adventure.