Getting ready for Halloween was a shock after we moved from the US to England. Shops didn’t seem to be carrying many decorations or seasonal candy. Our neighbors weren’t putting up decorations on their homes. What was going on?
It turns out that Halloween as we knew it didn’t really exist here. That was jarring after life in California where 12 foot skeletons were becoming the norm.
While things are different and quite a bit smaller scale here, you can still find Halloween fun in the UK with the right attitude. I put together this American guide to Halloween in the UK to help set you up with the right expectations and share the secrets of spooky season – UK version.
This article contains affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission when you make a purchase. Affiliate links cost you nothing to use, and they help keep my content free – a win-win! For more information, see the affiliate disclosure.
GET READY TO MOVE TO THE UK WITH THESE TOOLS
✅ Be ready to drive on the left with Tripiamo’s comprehensive video driving guides.
✅ Future proof your finances (even if you’re in debt) with Slay the Stock Market (50% off with this link!)
✅ Save an average £167 per year on train travel with a UK Railcard
American Guide to Halloween in the UK vs. the US
From what to wear to how you decorate and celebrate, there’s actually a lot that doesn’t look the same here.
Halloween Costumes in the UK
When my daughter was four, we were invited to a small Halloween party at a friend’s house. She excitedly got dressed in the fancy Merida from Brave costume gifted by my mother-in-law, only to be asked by every kid at the party why she dressed in that.
At the time, the idea of dressing up for Halloween in British minds meant dressing scary. Dressing up as a Disney princess was confusing to all of the tiny zombies and ghouls around my daughter.
These days you’ll find some younger children in less scary costumes, but monsters are still the major theme.
British Halloween Decorations
In America, we were used to houses sporting Halloween decorations from the start of October – sometimes even earlier. Since moving to the UK, we’ve had one neighbor who really gets into decorating for the holiday. His decorations go up on the 30th and are down on the 1st of November.
Most houses that decorate limit it to a carved pumpkin and a few decorations around the door. You definitely won’t see giant decorations or the homemade haunted houses that were common to us back in California.
One practical reason for more limited decorations is that the average British house is significantly smaller than in the United States. Who has room to store all that stuff?
British Halloween Candy
Halloween candy in the UK is made up of the same candies you normally find in the UK. Expect small packs of Maltesers and Dairy Buttons.
What is strange for Americans is that there really isn’t any special Halloween candy. In the US, we were used to seeing special shapes or spooky themed candies for Halloween. That’s not common here. Meanwhile, candy corn may be an American Halloween staple, but you won’t find it in the UK at all.
Tips for Trick-or-Treating in the UK
If you’re planning a move to the UK from America, you might be worried about adapting your kids’ Halloween expectations. Here are some helpful tips to keep the holiday fun.
- Look for decorations. Not every household will be participating in trick-or-treating. Houses with a pumpkin outside or Halloween decorations are more likely to have candy on hand and be friendly to the trick-or-treaters.
- Keep costumes low-key. People here rarely go all out on Halloween costumes for kids. Don’t feel like you need to spend a lot to fit in, and feel free to try your hand at DIY.
- Go out earlier. In late October the sun is setting early in the UK. We have had our doorbell ring as early as 4pm and most kids are going home by 7pm.
- Head to the high street. If your neighborhood doesn’t get into this part of the holiday, you’re not out of luck. Many local high streets put on treat trails and family friendly events where kids can have fun collecting treats at the local businesses.
- Host a Halloween gathering. Small get-togethers are a treat for kids and can be a fun way to celebrate even without trick-or-treating. As my daughter got a bit older we swapped in spooky movie nights or having a friend over to help hand out candy for the next generation of trick-or-treaters.
Why Is Halloween Different in the UK?
I assumed in my American ignorance that Halloween originated in this part of the world, so it must be a big deal here. I’d heard of the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, tales of pagan traditions for dressing up to ward away evil spirits, and general beliefs of being closer to the spirit world this time of year. There’s hints of truth in there, but not the whole story.
Halloween History
Hallows Eve or Halloween has its roots in pagan festivals, particularly Samhain. Celts believed that spirits would visit on this day in late October and would light bonfires to ward off ghosts.
In the 8th century Pope Gregory III attempted to rebrand this holiday into the Catholic faith, eventually creating All Saints Day. Trick or treating likely has its roots in All Souls Day parades in England, when soul cakes were shared with poor people in exchange for promises to pray for the giver’s dead family members.
Americans owe much of modern Halloween traditions to Irish immigrants who brought their traditions over when they immigrated. Those traditions eventually got the American treatment of being turned up to 11. (I refer you back to those giant skeleton decorations).
Ironically, the British often see Halloween as an American holiday thanks to American TV and movie influences. Pumpkin carving is actually an American invention. If you’re following your Halloween history back to its origins, you’re better off carving a turnip.
Guy Fawkes Night
Another reason that Halloween gets smaller treatment here is because it falls very close to another night of mischief holiday. Guy Fawkes Night brings fireworks and bonfires usually right around Halloween. The holiday commemorates a 1605 failed attempt to blow up the English Parliament (yes really).
Guy Fawkes Night officially falls on November 5, though celebrations are often held on the nearest weekends. With the close proximity to Halloween, some people prefer to only celebrate this more established holiday – particularly in England.
No Halloween Holiday
Kids sometimes have a half-term school break over Halloween, but it is not a public holiday in the UK. With no day off for the revelry, Brits have been less inclined to go all out in celebration.
UK Halloween Celebrations and Spooky Things To Do
So you want to find Halloween fun in your UK neighborhood or bake some spooky season into your next UK trip? Even with the actual day celebrating at a smaller scale, you’ll find plenty of options. Here are some ideas to please everyone starting from little goblins up to hardened thrill-seekers.
Community Events
Starting with a general tip. If you want to find a Halloween themed event for little kids, start with local shopping areas and community spaces. These spaces often host Halloween events and treat trails on the weekend closest to Halloween. It’s usually not on the day, but can be a fun way to guarantee some treats and gentle scares.
Halloween Pumpkin Patches
A visit to your local pumpkin patch is an easy and fun day out. Venturing out of the cities can also find pick your own pumpkin fields to bring on all the Autumn feels. I really love visiting Tulley’s Farm Pumpkin Festival each year for their pumpkin patch and seasonal entertainment.
Ghost Tours
There’s nothing quite as spooky as ghost stories, and the UK is full of them. From notoriously haunted spots to ghostly walks and bus tours, you can find the right scare level on a ghost tour.
Top Spooky Tours in Edinburgh and London
- Edinburgh Dark Secrets of the Old Town – click to book
- London Comedy Horror Ghost Bus – click to book
- London Jack the Ripper Walk – click to book
Scary Halloween Attractions at Theme Parks
Looking to appeal even more to the scare seekers in your group? Alton Towers amps up the spookiness at its annual Scarefest. There are tame parts for small children, but the main draws here are the haunted mazes and dark thrill rides. For an American comparison, think Six Flags Fright Fest or Knott’s Scary Farm.
Thorpe Park near London offers similar thrills at its annual Fright Nights. Their thrill rides in the dark include an attraction themed after the SAW horror movie franchise, so plenty here to give you nightmares.
Warwick Castle
Lots of castles in the UK have added entertainment elements over the years, but none have leaned into it quite so much as Warwick Castle. The castle turns extra spooky in October and hosts a special Castle After Dark event on select evenings. Expect live music, street food and craft beverages to build up your bravery.
Warwick Castle is an easy trip addition if you’re headed to the Cotswolds.
Tourist Dungeons
The Edinburgh Dungeon and London Dungeon both offer thrills and gruesome tales. Open year-round, not just for Halloween, these tourist attractions lean heavily on all the creepy torture and ghost stories they can find. There are rides and shows inside, with plenty of audience participation.
Both offer special Halloween events each year if the regular attractions haven’t already taken you to your creeped-out max.
Yorkshire Scare Grounds
For scares that are decidedly not kid-friendly, head to the Yorkshire Scare Grounds. It is set on 24 acres, so you can spend a lot of time screaming here. Expect scary mazes, attractions, and lots of roaming actors bent on frightening you. Not recommended for kids under 12 or anyone who doesn’t like to be scared.
Getting Used to the Differences between American and British Halloween
This time of year can be hard for Americans living in the UK as no college football, earlier sunsets at the beginning of winter, and smaller Halloween displays make the difference between our countries even more obvious.
However, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy spooky season in the UK. And if you want to go big with your home’s Halloween decorations, go for it! Just let me know where you wind up storing that skeleton.
Looking for seasonal ideas for after Halloween? Check out these Christmas posts: