Grab your pumpkins, pick out your outfit, and start decorating your homes, because Halloween is creeping upon us! If you’re in Bristol during the week of Halloween, there’s more to do than be swamped by assessments or drenched by heavy rain. The city offers a wide variety of spooky activities. Whether you fancy a cosy movie night, scary ghost stories in an 18th-century home, or even exploring the caves of Cheddar Gorge. This list will give you insight into what Bristol has to offer in the lead-up to Halloween!
1. FEAR Scream Park
Offering five scare mazes, fire shows, and funfair rides, the FEAR Scream Park is perfect for those craving non-stop horror. Two of these mazes are located in the Stidham Village zone. There, you can find the food vendors, merchandise and photography stands, and the funfair. Alongside these Scare Attractions, FEAR offers three additional experiences to enhance the fear factor. This includes Lock N Load, a live-action shooting experience where you, armed with guns and tracer ammunition, are tasked with the job of defending a rebel base. Another is The Exorcism, where audience members are thrust into an immersive experience as they try to save the soul of Evelyn Grace.
2. Horror In The Caves
Hosted by Bristol Film Festival, Horror In The Caves can be found at various locations. This includes the Redcliffe Caves, the Mount Without, and Averys Wine Cellars. Whether you’re in the mood for a nostalgic horror-comedy, a gothic thriller, or something more intense, there’s something to satisfy every horror fan. Some of their events even come with complimentary wine tasting! Perfect for those looking to experience cinema in a way that’s both thrilling and different. Horror In The Caves isn’t just a film festival, but an unforgettable opportunity to watch Halloween movies in unusual locations.
3. Forbidden Worlds Film Festival
If you would rather explore non-mainstream movies, the Forbidden Worlds Film Festival is bringing its Big Scream festival back! Themed ‘Six Feet Down Under’, the programme features Australian films from the 1970s and 1980s on the 24th and 25th of October. From the camping trip thriller ‘Long Weekend’ (1978) to the psychological horror ‘Next of Kin’ (1982), this festival offers an amazing chance to experience classic Australian cinema. Located at the Bristol Megascreeen at the Bristol Aquarium. The massive screen ensures that you will be fully immersed in whatever movie you choose.
4. Pumpkin Patch Nights
The Pumpkin Patch Nights, hosted by Avon Valley Adventure Park, capture the magic of the season. They offer a charming blend of traditional pumpkin picking, exciting games, and a cosy, lively atmosphere that makes for an unforgettable evening out. The park transforms into a vibrant autumnal wonderland, with twinkling fairy lights, firepits crackling, and the scent of delicious street food wafting through the air. After you have found your perfect pumpkin, you can enjoy seasonal games including pumpkin paintball, apple canons, and pumpkin slingshots. Whilst not included in the entry ticket, the funfair has fun activities such as dodgems, mini cars, and the sizzler! You can even bring your doggo along!
5. Ghost Stories at Dr. Jenner’s House
Located in Dr. Jenner’s House, the former home of the physician and surgeon Edward Jenner FRS, you can enjoy an intimate evening of supernatural storytelling. In this atmospheric setting, you’ll find yourself transported into the eerie worlds of M. R. James, one of the greatest English ghost story writers of all time. The candlelit performance will be held in the attic of Jenner’s home. Toby Burchell performs the tales of one of the greatest ghost story writers. Whether you’re a lover of ghost stories or are simply looking for an interesting way to spend an event, Burchell’s performance is an opportunity to be immersed in a haunted narrative.
6. Cheddar Gorge & Caves (Return of the Ghoulish Goat)
If you want a more challenging and adventurous activity, then head over to Cheddar Gorge. Engage in proactive Halloween festivities there. As you explore Gough’s Cave passages and chambers, you can learn the tale of the Ghoulish Ghost while listening to a spooky, immersive audio tour. During your journey through the cave, you will decipher codes. Your task is breaking the curse on the goats of Cheddar. Helping to release them back into the gorge. After finishing your eerie adventure through the cave, you can head to Gough’s Café for a festive treat!
7. Arnos Vale (Morbid Curiosity Graveyard)
Step into the hauntingly beautiful grounds of Arnos Vale Cemetery and uncover the secrets buried beneath the soil during a fascinating and spine-tingling guided tour. During a tour of this historic graveyard, you can learn how those in the cemetery died. You’ll hear stories of drownings, murders, childhood diseases, and unfortunate accidents. But it’s not just the tragic ends that make Arnos Vale so fascinating. The cemetery is the final resting place of some of Bristol’s most prominent figures, including reformers, social activists, industrialists, politicians, and members of influential families who once shaped the region.
8. The Prospect Building raves
Prospect is known as a cultural and creative hub with its amazing club nights and phenomenal music performances. In the lead-up to Halloween, they aren’t holding back for their festive parties. The first event is Carnival of the Dead, a collaboration between Hospitality and [THE BLAST]. This massive rave features artists such as Wilkinson, Mozey, and Anaïs to carry you through the entire night. Their second night, occurring on Halloween, is an energetic rave hosted by Brooklyn Zoo. The night will be soundtracked by UK Rap, Afrobeats, R&B, and Dancehall. So, be sure to grab a ticket if you want to attend Bristol’s biggest Halloween party.
9. The Granary Masquerade Ball
Situated in the vibrant heart of Bristol, the Granary Club is known for its innovative cocktails and mouth-watering dishes. This Halloween, the venue is hosting an evening that blends glamour with the eeriness of the festivities. Guests are encouraged to don their masquerade masks to upgrade their spooky costumes. During the evening, the club will be filled with a haunting atmosphere. They’ll be showing classic horror films and playing a spooky, retro playlist. And of course, throughout the night, the bar will be serving up their special Halloween-themed cocktails.
10. Utopia Halloween
Utopia is taking over one of the go-to clubs for every student’s night-out, the Brass Pig, for a Halloween party like no other! The entire venue will be transformed into a haunted haven with Halloween décor, atmospheric lighting, and disco anthems. Step into a world of interactive fun with horror-themed video game stations. Challenge your mates to scary retro games on their game stations, compete in Mario Kart races. Or show off your skills in intense beer pong tournaments! Feeling creative or want to take your costume to the next level? There will be UV face paint and free photobooths to capture your looks in all their ghoulish glory. And of course, no student night would be complete without budget-friendly drinks. Enjoy £3.50 pints, £4.50 doubles, and £2 shots. This allows you to keep the party going without breaking the bank.
So, whether you’re a thrill-seeker looking for heart-pounding scares, a film lover wanting to experience horror classics in unforgettable settings, or just someone after a fun night out with friends, Bristol has something for everyone this Halloween. If you’ve chosen your eerie events, but not what you’re going to wear, this list of Halloween costumes could inspire you this spooky season.
Also make sure to check out Bristol’s best fancy dress costume shops to sort your outfit out.
Hi, I’m Kirstie! I’m a BA English student at the University of Bristol, with a passion for creative writing. In my free time, I enjoy baking, sewing, and playing the flute.
