For many Filipinos living in the UK, things to do in London for Halloween are a mix of excitement, fun, and nostalgia, offering a chance to enjoy the spooky season while staying connected to traditions back home. In the Philippines, Halloween is traditionally tied to Undas (All Saints’ Day on November 1 and All Souls’ Day on November 2), when families gather at cemeteries to remember and honour departed loved ones. Even families from abroad often come home for this occasion, as it is one of the few times they can feel a deep connection once again with their lost loved ones.
In London, however, the celebration takes on a more playful and festive tone. Streets are lined with carved pumpkins, themed decorations, and lights, while children dress up in costumes to go trick-or-treating. Families can explore a variety of things to do in London for Halloween, from pumpkin picking and haunted attractions to ghost tours and creative workshops. Many Filipino families in the UK make the experience even more meaningful by incorporating elements of home—preparing traditional Filipino treats, playing music, and sharing ghost stories that remind them of childhood memories back in the Philippines.
🎃 History of Halloween 🎃
Halloween has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a pagan celebration marking the end of the harvest season and the start of winter. The Celts believed that on this night, the veil between the living and the dead was thin, allowing spirits to return. Over centuries, Halloween merged with Christian traditions and evolved into the costume-filled, spooky holiday celebrated worldwide today. Understanding its history makes participating in things to do in London for Halloween even more fun and meaningful.
🎃 Halloween in the Philippines 🎃
In the Philippines, Halloween was traditionally a solemn, family-focused event rather than a night of trick-or-treating. Visiting cemeteries during Undas is like a mini-reunion: families set up tents, chairs, and tables near gravesites, bring food and drinks, and share memories. Special native delicacies, or kakanin, are offered to departed loved ones before being enjoyed. I remember my grandmother telling us not to eat the food until a small portion had been set aside with candles for offering, she’d tell us to let “them” eat first—referring to the spirits of those who have died.
With modern influences, costumes, parties, and trick-or-treating have gradually appeared in urban areas. For Filipinos abroad, this makes celebrating Halloween in London for Filipino Families an opportunity to enjoy Western festivities while honouring homegrown customs.
🎃 What is Halloween for Filipino Families in the UK?
For Halloween in London for Filipino Families, the celebration is a mix of local events and Filipino traditions. Children enjoy dressing up, trick-or-treating, and attending themed attractions, while adults gather for karaoke time, Filipino food, and games. Sharing stories and memories of Halloween back home adds a special Filipino touch. Families actively seek things to do in London for Halloween that combine fun with family togetherness.
🎃 20 Family-Friendly Things to Do in London for Halloween 🎃
Here are 20 of the best things to do in London for Halloween that Filipino families can enjoy, listed alphabetically:
- Boo at the Zoo (London Zoo)
Considered to the very kid friendly things to do in London for Halloween is by visiting this zoo. Families can enjoy themed trails, pumpkin carving, and spooky animal encounters. It’s a fun and educational way for kids to learn about nocturnal creatures while celebrating Halloween in a safe environment. - Camden Halloween Market
Known for its quirky vibe, Camden Market transforms with Halloween-themed stalls, eerie décor, and seasonal treats. It’s perfect for browsing unique costumes, gothic accessories, and enjoying themed street food. - Ghost Bus Tour
A theatrical sightseeing experience aboard a vintage double-decker bus. Actors entertain passengers with chilling stories, historical legends, and creepy jokes as they tour London’s haunted landmarks. - Greenwich Ghost Tours
Explore the hidden alleys and eerie corners of historic Greenwich. Guides share unsettling stories about the area’s past, including haunted pubs, ghostly sailors, and strange apparitions. - Halloween at Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens transforms with illuminated trails, glowing pumpkins, and magical light installations. Families can enjoy evening walks surrounded by nature, perfect for those who prefer a less frightening atmosphere. - Hampton Court Palace Ghost Tours
Step inside the haunted palace once home to Henry VIII. Hear spine-tingling tales of ghostly sightings and walk through historic chambers said to be occupied by restless spirits. - Jack the Ripper Museum
Discover the chilling history of Victorian London through exhibits about the infamous serial killer. The museum immerses visitors in the dark streets of Whitechapel with recreated crime scenes and artifacts—truly one of the darkest things to do in London for Halloween. - Kensington Palace Halloween Events
This royal palace often hosts seasonal tours and spooky storytelling nights. Guests can learn about the eerie history of the royal family and explore centuries-old rooms after dark, one of the regals yet spooky things to do in London for Halloween. - London Bridge Experience
A combination of history and horror, this immersive attraction takes you through the dark past of London Bridge. With costumed actors and special effects, it’s both educational and thrilling, ranking high among the exciting things to do in London for Halloween. - London Dungeon
One of London’s most famous spooky attractions, featuring live actors, rides, and interactive sets. It brings the gruesome side of London’s history to life, from plague-ridden streets to eerie torture chambers—undoubtedly one of the scariest things to do in London for Halloween. - Museum of London Docklands Spooky Tours
A family-friendly option with pirate legends, ghost stories, and Halloween crafts. The museum also offers atmospheric candlelit walks for a slightly scarier experience. - Natural History Museum After Dark
Known for its dinosaur skeletons and fascinating exhibits, the museum sometimes offers special Halloween night events. Imagine exploring the halls after dark, with creepy lighting and themed activities. - Old Operating Theatre Museum
Step back in time in one of Europe’s oldest surviving operating theatres. Special Halloween tours highlight gruesome medical practices of the past, perfect for history buffs with strong stomachs. - Pumpkin Picking near London
One of the common things to do in London for Halloween is all about pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin! Farms around London offer pumpkin patches where families can pick, carve, and decorate pumpkins. Many also have hayrides, food stalls, and autumn games, making it a full day out. - Richmond Park Twilight Walks
Guided evening walks explore the natural side of Halloween, complete with bats, owls, and eerie forest sounds. It’s a calmer but atmospheric way to mark the spooky season and is considered one of the nature-inspired things to do in London for Halloween. - Shakespeare’s Globe Spooky Tours
This iconic theatre sometimes hosts ghost-themed tours of the building. Guides share ghost stories and tales of strange happenings tied to London’s theatrical history—one of the artistic things to do in London for Halloween. - Southbank Centre Halloween Festival
A family-friendly event with workshops, costume parades, and themed performances. The riverside location adds a festive and community atmosphere. - Tower of London Ghost Tours
This is considered as one of the scariest things to do in London for Halloween. Famous for its executions and prison history, the Tower is one of London’s most haunted sites. Evening tours reveal chilling tales of ghosts like Anne Boleyn said to roam its grounds. - Trafalgar Square Halloween Gathering
Sometimes home to public Halloween events, flash mobs, or themed performances. A lively and accessible way for families to join the fun in the heart of the city—definitely one of the communal things to do in London for Halloween. - West End Halloween Shows
London’s theatre district puts on a variety of seasonal performances. From spooky plays to family-friendly musicals, it’s a cultural way to enjoy Halloween while staying indoors.
Best for younger kids: Boo at the Zoo, Hamleys, Pumpkin Picking, Halloween at Kew.
Best for older kids & adults: London Dungeon, Jack the Ripper Tour, Tower Ghost Walks, London Bridge Experience.
🎃 Filipino Community Halloween Events in the UK 🎃
Filipino communities in the UK also host their own Halloween celebrations, giving Kababayans a chance to enjoy the spooky season together:
- MAGMULTUHAN Halloween Party 2025 – October 25 in Oldham, with music, food, and games for all ages.
- Other Filipino groups, such as FACGM, SAFILCA, and the Swindon Filipino Association, host annual Halloween events filled with karaoke, costumes, and Filipino food.
These community events make Halloween in London for Filipino Families even more special, offering a familiar sense of togetherness.
🎃 Keeping Filipino Traditions Alive Abroad
Even in London, Filipino families continue to honour homegrown traditions, making Halloween both festive and meaningful:
- Preparing Filipino delicacies – Classic dishes like Lumpiang Shanghai, biko or puto, or and even pansit are often served at gatherings, bringing the taste of home to the UK. These foods make parties feel authentically Filipino.
- Singing karaoke and playing Filipino music – No Filipino celebration is complete without karaoke. Families set up singing sessions, blending pop hits with OPM favourites that keep the atmosphere lively.
- Sharing ghost stories – Just as in the Philippines, where children gather under the moonlight to hear spooky tales from grandparents or cousins, families abroad retell these stories, adding a nostalgic and cultural touch to the night.
- Offering small prayers or food portions for deceased loved ones – Some families still follow the tradition of setting aside a portion of food, accompanied by candles, as a simple act of remembrance.
Blending traditions with UK customs – alongside trick-or-treating or attending ghost tours, Filipino families bring these practices to life, creating one of the most meaningful things to do in London for Halloween.
Whether you’re joining ghost tours, pumpkin trails, or Filipino community parties, Halloween in London for Filipino Families offers both fun and meaning. It’s a season to enjoy with loved ones, to celebrate traditions, and to find connection even far from home.
Fly home this Halloween season with Mabuhay Travel and celebrate with your loved ones in the Philippines. Our Filipino specialists, fluent in English, Tagalog, Ilocano, and Bisaya, make booking simple and worry-free. Take advantage of our flight offers now!
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