Planning the annual Halloween meetup? You're sure to find the perfect event in Bath and beyond, whether you're after white-knuckle thrills, chilling ghost tours, or a wholesome pumpkin patch session. 

Halloween highlights

• Evade "The Watcher" at this year's edition of After Dark - Nights to Die For at Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein
• Brave five award-winning horror experiences at FEAR at Avon Valley Scream Park
• Commune with the spirits in a Paranormal Evening at No.1 Royal Crescent
• Find your perfect pumpkin among the 100,000 in Avon Valley Adventure Park's patch

Bath's scariest days out

If you love a Halloween adrenaline rush, Bath is one of the best places you can spend spooky season! The city and its surrounding area are home to two of Britain's top horror attractions, guaranteed to test your nerve to destruction... 

Dare to venture out After Dark at Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein, where you'll navigate five floors of torment on a twisted journey through waking terror, encountering hellish characters along the way, all while evading "The Watcher," a creature born of human anguish. With ten chambers to conquer in total darkness, you'll need to summon up all of your courage as you find your way through dream-state labyrinths full of foreboding mazes, confined crawl spaces, and much more. 

Head a few miles west of the city centre for a bloody good night at the UK's number one scream park, FEAR, but be warned that the amusements are not for the faint-hearted! Face your fears in five terrifying themed mazes, where you'll encounter everything from depraved zombies to mutant pumpkins, and dial up the horror level even further by joining optional experiences including a live exorcism. FEAR runs on selected nights this year: 16 to 18, 23 to 25 and 28 to 31 October. Younger visitors can try FEARless, a toned-down version for under-16s, on 24 October and 29 to 31 October.

Ghost tours and experiences

Discover Bath's dark side with Bath Ghost Tours, where you'll hear tales of murder, mayhem, duels, tortures and even romantic elopements. Along the way, you'll join in with a genuine paranormal experiment, plus many more audience participation opportunities. 

In a first for the attraction, No.1 Royal Crescent is opening its doors for an exclusive night of paranormal discovery. Will you make contact with the spirits who may still roam the building? As well as taking part in a live séance, you'll also play a role in a series of other exciting experiments aimed at uncovering the mysteries of the 260-year-old townhouse. 

Outside the city, Longleat is offering visitors the chance to discover 450 years' worth of supernatural stories on ghost tours of its eponymous Tudor country house. You'll tour the mansion with an expert guide, and learn the tale of Lady Louisa Carteret, who is said to still roam the halls searching for her lost lover. 

Pumpkin patches and Halloween pumpkin picking

Carving a jack-o’-lantern for Halloween night? Several farms just outside Bath let you pick your own. Farrington’s Farm holds its Pumpkin Picking Festival on 17 to 18 and 23 to 31 October. Pumpkins in the Paddock at Hartley Farm runs daily from 25 to 31 October and includes free carving and painting with every pumpkin you buy.

For a spookier take, Pumpkin Patch Nights at Avon Valley Adventure Park (16 to 17 and 23 to 31 October) lights up the patch with atmospheric seasonal lighting after dark.

Taking younger children? Wookey Hole's Home of Halloween and Longleat’s Spooktacular Adventures both run from 24 October to 1 November. 

Looking for more family-friendly events? Head to our October half term in Bath page for trails, crafts, storytelling and daytime activities for all ages.

Evening events 

Bath has plenty to do after dark. Dress up for Bowood After Dark: The Masquerade Monster’s Ball at Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort on 30 October, an evening of mystery, glamour and mischief. In the city, Love Life Disco’s Halloween Disco takes over Roseberry Road Studios on 31 October. For something more sedate, Halloween Afternoon Tea at Flourish in Norton St Philip serves spooky sweet and savoury treats on 30 October.

Closer to the city centre, the gardens of Bath's American Museum are transformed with a brand new Halloween trail. Visit any evening from 16 October to 1 November and discover lights, frights, and plenty of surprises! 

FAQs 

Are there any pumpkin patches in Bath? There aren't any pumpikin patches in Central Bath, but head just outside the city to pick your own pumpkin at Avon Valley Adventure Park (17 to 18 and 24 to 31 October), Farrington’s Farm (17 to 18 and 23 to 31 October) or Hartley Farm (25 to 31 October). Avon Valley also runs Pumpkin Patch Nights after dark.

Is there a ghost tour I can book in Bath? Bath Ghost Tours share some of the darker tales from Bath's long history, or you can hear some more ghost stories as part of a self-guided tour with Go Quest Adventures. You can also join Ghost Tours at Longleat from 23 October to 1 November.

What is the most haunted building in Bath? With so many historic buildings and ancient ruins, it's no surprise that there are many rumours of ghosts and strange happenings around Bath. Some of the most famous tales involve sightings at Theatre Royal Bath and the neighbouring Garrick's Head pub, the Royal Crescent, or Abbey Green next to Bath Abbey. There's also a special Paranormal Evening at No.1 Royal Crescent on 24 October where you can take part in a séance!

Discover even more in our list of Bath's most haunted places.

Where can I find Halloween parties in Bath? For some scares in the evening, head to the city's most terrifying horror night, After Dark at House of Frankenstein (23-24 and 29-31 October), explore a new spooky light trail and candlit manor house at the Halloween at the American Museum & Gardens (until 1 Nov), or scare yourself silly in five award-winning scare attractions at the multi award-winning FEAR at Avon Valley Scream Park.

What’s on in Bath on Halloween itself (31 October)? Evening options include After Dark at Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein (6pm to 9pm), FEAR at Avon Valley Scream Park, Halloween at The American Museum & Gardens (5.30pm to 8.30pm) and Love Life Disco’s Halloween Disco at Roseberry Road Studios. During the day, the Halloween bottomless brunch at Komedia is on, and Pumpkin Patch Nights at Avon Valley run too.

Are there any escape rooms in Bath? Yes there are quite a few! Take your pick from two different, creepy escape rooms at Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein, or take on their Body in a Suitcase challenge and try to finish within 45 minutes! Another city centre escape room is Tempo near Bath Spa Station. For something a bit different, try one of the cave-themed escape rooms at Cheddar Gorge and Caves in Somerset.