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Looking for Halloween events taking place in 2026 across the North? From giant monsters taking over Manchester to spooky science in Newcastle, live shows in Liverpool and after-dark scares in Blackpool, there are plenty of things to do during Halloween this October.

We’ve picked out family Halloween events suitable for kids, adults and older teens, with a focus on those guaranteed to offer some spooky fun while also being easy to reach by train. Whether you're planning something for October half term with the kids, the whole family or simply looking for things to do on Halloween itself, check the event details before you travel and plan your journey around the nearest station.

For more seasonal days out, explore Northern’s best things to do in autumn guide or if you have a place in mind, plan and book ahead with Advance tickets to save up to 60% off.

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Family-friendly Halloween events

Giant four-eyed monster on top of a building in ManchesterHalloween in the City, Manchester

When: 24th – 31st October 2026
Where: Manchester City Centre
Nearest station: Manchester Victoria, around 7 minutes' walk

One of the biggest Halloween events in Manchester, Halloween in the City brings the MCR Monsters back to the rooftops across the city centre. The main Weekender runs on 24 and 25 October, with live performances, storytelling, games, fancy dress and a monster procession while the free MCR Monsters trail continues until 31 October. Manchester Victoria is the closest station, with Piccadilly also within walking distance.

Explore Halloween in the City

Two girls dressed up as witches for Halloween gaze into a plastic black cauldron, the green light from within the cauldron illuminating both their faces.

Spooky Science at the Life Science Centre, Newcastle

When: 1st – 31st October 2026
Where: Life Science Centre, Times Square
Nearest station: Newcastle Central, around 2–3 minutes' walk

Spooky Science is a handy option for Halloween half term, especially with the Life Science Centre almost next door to Newcastle Central. October activities include spooky science experiments, live shows, making activities and a Halloween edition of the Bump in the Night planetarium show. There are workshops designed for younger visitors throughout the month, making this one of the most accessible Halloween events in Newcastle by train.

Plan your Spooky Science visit

A green, illuminated, inflatable monster with flailing arms on top of a building as part of the Lincoln Monster Invasion event.Lincoln Monster Invasion, Lincoln

When: October 26th – 1st November 2026
Where: Across Lincoln city centre
Nearest station: Lincoln, around 12 minutes to the city centre trail

The Lincoln Monster Invasion returns as part of The BIG Spook this October half term. The free trail stretches from the University of Lincoln towards Castle Hill, with giant monsters across the city illuminated after dark. It gives Halloween events in Lincoln a strong family-friendly option without relying on a traditional scare attraction, and the city centre is easily reached from Lincoln station.You can also join the year-round Lincoln Ghost Walk nearby for a spookier take on the city.

Explore Lincoln Monster Invasion

Audience seated in a theatre under red stage lighting.Halloween in Concert, Liverpool

When: 31st October 2026
Where: The Auditorium at M&S Bank Arena
Nearest station: Liverpool Lime Street, around 20 minutes' walk

For families looking for Halloween events in Liverpool, Halloween in Concert brings live music, stage visuals and Halloween favourites to The Auditorium for one night only. Expect songs including Monster Mash, The Time Warp and Thriller, with fancy dress encouraged and a prize for the best costume. The Auditorium is around a 20-minute walk from Liverpool Lime Street, so it works well as part of a wider day or evening in the city.

What's on at Halloween in Concert

Two costumed performers in period wigs and robes pose in a wood-panelled room.Shiverpool Ghost Tours, Liverpool

When: Year-round
Where: Liverpool City Centre
Nearest station: Liverpool Lime Street, around 20 minutes' walk 

For something a little spookier, discover Liverpool’s darker history with Shiverpool’s theatrical ghost and history tours. Routes explore stories linked to places including the Georgian Quarter, St James’ Cemetery and Liverpool’s old city. Public tours run throughout the year and are recommended for ages 9+, making this a better choice for families with older children. Try their famous ghost walk on their Hope Street Shivers tour or hop on the Ghost Bus for a ghoulish guided tour.

Discover Shiverpool Ghost Tours

A Great Halloween Adventure, HullA mother and child dressed as witches pull spooky props from a pretend cauldron, garland reading Happy Halloween hangs on the wall behind them.

When: 24th, 26th and 27th October 2026
Where: Godber Studio, Hull Truck Theatre
Nearest station: Hull Paragon Interchange, around 2 minutes' walk

One of the easiest Halloween events in Hull to reach by train, A Great Halloween Adventure is a family event at Hull Truck Theatre combining Halloween-themed activities with an interactive performance. Children use what they make during the performance, and Halloween dress is encouraged. Hull Truck Theatre is only around two minutes from Hull station, making it particularly convenient for a family day out.

Discover A Great Halloween Adventure

Halloween Events for adults and older teens

Looking for something with a few more scares? These Halloween events for adults include immersive games, horror films, after-dark attractions and Halloween parties across the North.

Friends in Halloween costumes laugh together at a party.Monster Mash Halloween Cruise, Liverpool

When: 30th October 2026
Where: Mersey Ferries, Liverpool Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal, Pier Head
Nearest station: Liverpool Lime Street, around 19 minutes' walk

Take Halloween onto the Mersey with the 18+ Monster Mash Halloween Cruise on 30 October. As one of the standout events in Liverpool for Halloween, this evening cruise combines river views with a live DJ, dancing and fancy dress, making it a more distinctive option and a unique experience from the usual city-centre Halloween party. Pier Head is around a 20-minute walk from Liverpool Lime Street, so there’s plenty of time to make an evening of it before boarding.

Step aboard the Monster Mash Halloween Cruise

Frightened visitors lean over a wooden railing at a Halloween attraction.Blackpool Tower Dungeon Lates, Blackpool

When: 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th and 31st October 2026
Where: The Blackpool Tower Dungeon
Nearest station: Blackpool North, around 13 minutes' walk

Planning Halloween in Blackpool? Dungeon Lates brings the Blackpool Tower Dungeon to life after dark with adult-only evening sessions throughout October. These 18+ performances offer a more grown-up version of the Dungeon’s theatrical scares and dark humour, perfect if you’re looking for Halloween activities for adults and older teens.  Blackpool North is around a 13-minute walk away, so it’s easy to reach by train.

Explore Blackpool Tower Dungeon Lates

Journey to Hell, Blackpool Pleasure BeachTwo riders react in fear on a Halloween-themed amusement ride.

When: 17th and 24th–31st October 2026
Where: Pleasure Beach Resort, Blackpool
Nearest station: Blackpool Pleasure Beach, around 5 minutes' walk

For another Halloween event in Blackpool, Journey to Hell turns Pleasure Beach Resort into an after-dark scare experience. Expect new scare zones, scare mazes, roaming performers, alongside selected night rides and live entertainment. The scare experience is for ages 10+, with anyone aged 10–18 accompanied by an adult. Blackpool Pleasure Beach station is around five minutes away, making this another easy event by rail on our list.

Plan your Journey to Hell

 

A red Halloween themed cocktail in a glass with a gummy candy eyeball, gummy worms, and a skeleton decorated straw.Halloween Bottomless Brunch at Slug & Lettuce, Leeds

When: 31st October 2026
Where: Slug & Lettuce, Park Row and Boar Lane, Leeds
Nearest station: Leeds, around 5 minutes' walk

For adults searching for Halloween events in Leeds, Slug & Lettuce has a dedicated Bottomless Brunch on 31 October. The themed brunch includes food, drinks, limited-edition Halloween serves and dress-up props, with sessions available across the day. Both central Leeds venues are within an easy 5 minutes walk away from Leeds station.

What's on at Slug & Lettuce

 

Pumpkin lantern sitting on a barrel on a street at night

Tyneside Cinema Halloween All-Nighters, Newcastle

When: 24th and 31st October 2026
Where: Tyneside Cinema, Pilgrim Street, Newcastle
Nearest station: Newcastle Central, around 10 minutes' walk

Tyneside Cinema is running two Halloween All-Nighters in 2026, on 24 October and Halloween night itself. The programme covers cult horror, slashers, supernatural films and mystery screenings across several screens, so you can build your own overnight line-up. Many screenings carry an 18 certificate, so check the individual film before booking. Newcastle station is about 10 minutes away on foot, making the cinema easy to reach for a late-night Halloween screening.

See the Halloween All-Nighters programme

Plan your Halloween day out by train 

With events running across October, it’s worth checking the organiser’s website before you travel. Look at the latest event dates and times, ticket availability and age restrictions, particularly for evening attractions and scare experiences.

When planning your journey, compare Northern Advance tickets with our Off-Peak tickets, if you have more flexibility to travel outside busier times. You can also use the Northern app to plan your journey, buy tickets and check journey information on the go.

Looking for more ideas beyond Halloween? Explore Days Out with Northern for places to visit across the North, or browse our Family Days Out guide for more things to do together.

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Enjoy National Trust Events near you

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