|
25 September 2026

Halloween events in Edinburgh

3 people gathered round a bar table, with a dart board in the background.
© Flight Club

Get into the spirit this Halloween with a range of spooky experiences taking place across Edinburgh.

Halloween is fast approaching and where better to celebrate it than Edinburgh, one of Europe’s most haunted cities.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the best things to see, do and experience in the city this spooky season, to ensure you have a frightfully good time!

Exterior of Holyrood Distillery at night, with lights illuminating the building.
© Holyrood Distillery

For an evening that blends dark tales of Edinburgh’s past with handcrafted spirits, don’t miss Distillery After Hours at Holyrood Distillery.

Enjoy a rum cocktail on arrival, before mixing your own bespoke ‘Perfect Specimen’. Then enjoy drams of aged new make spirit and single malt whisky, all while hearing chilling stories from Edinburgh’s history. 18+ years only.

Distillery After Hours takes place on specific dates between 02 and 31 October 2026.


2 young children, one with long purple hair, and the other with a large fake spider on their head, looking at plastic beakers filled with bright liquid.
© Dynamic Earth

This October, Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh’s Science Centre and Planetarium, will host Monsters and Myths, a trail exploring the science behind legends including dragons, kelpies and werewolves, alongside spooky science sessions, family films and Planetarium Lates.

The trail offers a fun way for families to separate fact from fiction, with hands-on experiments. There’s also plenty for adults, with Halloween classics including The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Labyrinth and Alien screening in the Planetarium.

Events run on selected dates from 03 October to 01 November 2026.


Man standing in an underground dark space, holding a glass of whisky and a lit candle.

Step into the shadows of Edinburgh’s dark past on a walking tour through the Old Town’s most haunted closes and forgotten corners.

On Haunted Drams – Ghost & Whisky Experience, uncover chilling tales of witches and executions, and the notorious Burke and Hare, whose crimes still echo through the centuries. Then, descend into The Lost Close, a hidden underground space steeped in history, where you’ll savour two drams of premium Scotch whisky as you delve deeper into Edinburgh’s dark past. 18+ years only.

Tours run on selected dates between 09 and 31 October 2026.


6 children sitting on bales of hale, holding pumpkins in front of their faces.
© Dalkeith Country Park

From daytime adventures through the woodland maze to classic Halloween films under the stars, there’s something for everyone this spooky season at Dalkeith Country Park.

Families can take part in a spooky adventure inspired by the park’s historic setting. Then as night falls, enjoy a line-up of Halloween favourites including family-friendly classics Coco, Hocus Pocus and The Nightmare Before Christmas, as well as cult favourites Practical Magic, Beetlejuice, The Lost Boys and Scream.

Events run on selected dates from 10 October to 01 November 2026.


Edinburgh’s oldest visitor attraction, Camera Obscura & World of Illusions Edinburgh are getting into the Halloween spirit with all kinds of family-friendly spooky fun.

They’ve also created a Haunting Halloween Hunt – track down all the creepy characters lurking around the building and collect a sweet treat reward.

Available daily from 10 to 31 October 2026.


The Adventure Park at Kirkliston, around 10 miles from Edinburgh city centre, is fully geared up for the excitement of Halloween.

The Halloween Pumpkin Festival includes a pumpkin patch, spooky mazes, live music and funfair rides. As night descends, it’s time for Halloween Pumpkin Nights – pay a visit to the funhouse of fear maze and witches labyrinth, and gasp at the thrilling fire performances and fireworks display.

For thrill-seekers looking for something a bit darker, Terror at Conifox Scream Park (strictly for guests aged 16 and over) is an immersive horror experience complete with four scare mazes.

Activities are available between 16 and 31 October 2026.


Plate of sausage rolls with eyes, alongside a dish of tomato ketchup and mini pumpkins.
© Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy

Spend a fun afternoon creating spooky seasonal bakes with Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy’s Adult & Child Half Day Halloween Baking.

Designed for children aged 9 to 16 and their favourite adult, bake a selection of themed treats, including pumpkin spiced cupcakes, toffee apple bars, mummy sausage rolls, and a ghostly fougasse, all of which are perfect for sharing.

This Halloween baking class runs on 18 October 2026.


Tour Guide leading tour in a close of Edinburgh royal mile at night
©Mercat Tours

Revealing the spirits of Edinburgh’s deepest underground and darkest tales, join Mercat Tours for one of their spine-tingling walking tours.

Their Halloween Tours include visits to Edinburgh’s haunted underground vaults, exploring the spirit of Halloween in the Old Town, a ghost tour of the city’s spookier closes and vaults, and visiting Canongate graveyard under cover of darkness. Please note, some tours are adults only.

Tours run on select dates between 23 and 31 October 2026.


A candle-lit collection of pumpkins, gold coins and a ship in a bottle.

Once the base of the Incorporation of Mariners and Shipmasters, today Trinity House in Leith holds a collection of maritime memorabilia.

As part of Halloween Tales, the House’s resident storyteller will be sharing tales of mysterious ships, strange superstitions, hangings, and vanishings. Suitable for 12+ years. While Little Ones Halloween Tales is suitable for 5+ years old.

Events take place on 26 and 27 October 2026.


Black and white image of Nosferatu

Presented by Silent Screen Scotland, Fright Night: Silent Movie Screening with Live Score takes place in the dramatic surroundings of the Institut français d’Écosse on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

Accompanied by a live pianist performing the original score by Hans Erdmann, see a candlelit screening of horror classic Nosferatu.

Available on 30 October 2026.


3 people gathered round a bar table, with a dart board in the background.
© Flight Club

Flight Club is swapping its usual Social Darts for something a little spookier this October.

Come along to their Haunted House Party and enjoy a live DJ all day, cobweb-covered oches and plenty of opportunities to win prizes. Plus, round-up the gang and enjoy some friendly competition alongside a special Halloween Brunch.

Available on 31 October 2026.


Samhuinn Fire Festival
Samhuinn ©Vince Graham

Telling the story of the overthrowing of Summer by Winter with a dramatic battle between the mythical Summer King and Winter Queen, Samhuinn Fire Festival is a contemporary revival of the ancient Celtic celebration, told through a spectacular performance of music and dance and immersive theatre.

Hundreds of performers will transform the city’s Calton Hill, bringing together fire-play, drumming, acrobatics, dance, immersive performance and elaborate costumes on Halloween night.

See Samhuinn Fire Festival on 31 October 2026.


The outside of Brewhemia Edinburgh at night. Includes lighten up Brewhemia sign, LGBTQ flags and floral façade.,© Brewhemia Edinburgh
© Brewhemia Edinburgh

Step into a world of glamour, mischief and Halloween magic at Brewhemia’s Hallo-Queens Drag Boozy Brunch.

Join three fabulous queens for a brunch experience filled with performances, iconic Halloween characters, themed games and plenty of spooky surprises. Dining packages available.

Event runs on 31 October 2026.


Looking for unique accommodation?

Discover some of the city’s hotels said to have a ghostly presence…..


Share

Listings on this page



Sign up to our newsletter

Keep up to date with the latest news

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Don't worry you can unsubscribe at any time to our newsletter.