York at Halloween

Looking for the best things to do in York at Halloween 2024?

As one of the most haunted places in the U.K, York is the perfect city to visit at Halloween. 

Us Yorkies love celebrating Halloween in York so you’ll find lots of fun and spooky things to do for all ages and budgets. 

Whether you’re into ghost hunts, spooky walks, scream-inducing York attractions or family-friendly fun, there’s something in York at Halloween for you. 

For an extended scary stay in York, check out my recommendations for haunted hotels in York.

Ghosts in the Garden

This free, city-wide event features 45 ghostly sculptures ‘haunting’ parks and gardens around the city centre. 

The ethereal sculptures are made from chicken wire and mesh and are very life-like. They’re guaranteed to make you jump when you stumble across one, especially if it’s dark!

You can pick up a sculpture trail map from Visit York on Parliament Street or download one here in advance of your visit. 

You will visit some of the most haunted sites in York plus it’s a great way to get your bearings if you’re visiting York for the first time. 

If you’re visiting York on a budget, I think Ghosts in the Gardens is one of the best free Halloween events York has to offer. 

Opening hours  – everyday from September 21st until November 5th. 

Ghosts After Dark

📍Museum Street, YO1 7FR

A new event for York at Halloween 2024 is ‘Ghosts After Dark’. This special night time event will bring together all the 45 ghost sculptures from across the city into one location in Museum Gardens. 

Visitors will be able to explore the gardens at night to see the ghost sculptures lit up against an eerie backdrop of smoke and sound. As the gardens usually close at dusk, this a rare opportunity.

In addition, you can visit 6 storytelling stations where costumed actors will share stories about the ghosts in York. This event is aimed at families so it’s suitable for all ages. 

Opening hours – From November 7th to November 10th from 6.30 pm – 9.30 pm. 

Price – £7.50 for adults, £1 for children. Pre-book your tickets here. 

York Dungeon Halloween Special 

📍12 Clifford Street, YO1 9RD

You can’t spend Halloween in York without visiting York Dungeon. If you like a good scare, this is the place to visit. It’s always a bit terrifying but the Dungeon’s Halloween events are extra scary. 

This year the Dungeon is running ‘Black Widow’ featuring Britain’s most notorious female serial killer.

It runs throughout October and features extra spooky shows with live actors performing blood-curdling stories. You’ll encounter historical figures like Guy Fawkes, Dick Turpin, and victims of the plague, with some gruesome twists thrown in for the Halloween season. 

It’s educational, fun and scary rolled into one!

Note that York Dungeon is not recommended for children over 8 years and under 5’s are not permitted.

Opening hours – Black Widow runs from 12 October – 3rd November. Autumn opening hours are everyday from 10 am – 4 pm, until 5 pm on Saturdays. There is late opening until 6.30 pm or 8 pm during Halloween week.

Cost – Online advance bookings costs £18 per adult. Walk-up tickets cost £25. 

Ghost walks in York

York is renowned for its night time ghost walks, and Halloween is the perfect time to join one. It’s the most entertaining way to learn the stories of haunted York. 

You’ll wander through York’s dark cobbled streets and eerie snickelways and hear chilling stories about the city’s gruesome past. I think the tours are creepy but they’re not scary so they’re suitable for families. There are no jump-out-at-you-so-you-scream moments. 

Most tours last between 1.5 – 2 hours and depart whatever the weather. 

There are lots of tours to choose from but one of the most popular is the Original Ghost Walk of York, which claims to be the oldest ghost walk in the world. It’s a good mix of history and horror, taking you to the most haunted spots in the city, including Clifford’s Tower and The Shambles. 

If you prefer something a little more theatrical, the Ghost Hunt of York is full of scares, jokes, and creepy encounters.

Alternatively join the award winning Bloody Tour of York, led by ‘mad Alice’ one of York’s most famous ghosts. 

Opening hours – Check individual websites for departure times. Most tours depart between 6 pm and 8 pm. 

Cost – Prices vary but generally start from £10 for adults and around £5 for children.

The Ghost Bus Tour 

📍Station Road, YO24 1AA

If walking around York’s haunted streets sounds a bit too energetic (or chilly), a fun alternative is  The Ghost Bus Tour. 

You’ll ride in a vintage black double-decker Routemaster bus (like the one in the Harry Potter movies) and enjoy a spine-tingling ride around the city. 

The bus conductors are actors who’ll share gory tales of York’s ghostly history with plenty of dramatic flair whilst visiting haunted hotspots like York Minster and the Museum Gardens.

It’s atmospheric and lots of fun for all ages (the tour content has some adult humour) and lasts 1 hour 15 minutes. Seating is on a first-come first-served basis and buses depart from outside The Milner hotel next to York rail station.

Opening hours – Times change according to the season so check here in advance of your visit.

Price: Adults £18 | Children (5-14) £14 | Family 2A+2C £49

Halloween at York Maze  

📍York Maze, YO19 5LT

If you’re looking for adult Halloween fun, Hallowscream at York Maze is one of the best – and scariest. It’s been voted the Best U.K Scream Park.

In summer months, this open-air attraction is a family-friendly maize maze. However, at Halloween, it transforms into a horror-filled after-dark playground for adults.  This is where you’ll let out your screams…

There are over 100 terrifying actors, creepy walk-through attractions, fairground rides and under-cover live stage shows. You can visit five different haunted houses, each with its own terrifying theme such as clowns, zombies, and pirates. 

Hallowscream is definitely not for the faint-hearted (or anyone under 16) but if you love a thrill, I think it’s one of the best Halloween events in York. 

There is plenty of free parking on site. Unfortunately, the nearest bus stop is a 30 minute walk from Hallowscream so I recommend driving or taking a taxi from York city centre.  

Opening hours – On selected nights from 11th October to 2nd November from 6.30 pm – 11 pm. Last entry 9 pm. Pre-booking is essential as Hallowscream often sells out.

Price: Adults peak-time £38 | Mid-week tickets cost £30

Hallowtween at York Maze

York Maze also offers a daytime event for younger teens aged between 10 – 15 yrs (and for nervous adults!).

Go pumpkin picking

📍 Gate Helmsley, YO41 7NB

If you’re more into the less scary side of Halloween York has something for you too.  The Balloon Tree Farm just outside York city centre offers the best pumpkin picking in the area. 

It has a huge pumpkin patch where you can choose from a variety of pumpkin colours and sizes.  It’s a lovely autumnal day out, and great option if you’re visiting York with kids. 

There’s free parking and a cafe on site. If you don’t have a car to carry your pumpkins, you can catch the No.10 or No. 747 bus from York city centre which drop you a 6 minute walk from the farm. 

Opening hours – Monday to Sunday from 9 am – 5 pm. Cafe closes at 4.30 pm. 

Cost – Entry costs £1.50 per person plus you pay for the pumpkins you pick (around £2 to £8 depending on size).

The Shambles after dark 

The medieval era Shambles is one of the oldest and most atmospheric streets in York. It’s said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter movies. I think it’s one of the best free things to do in York at any time of the year. 

During the day, The Shambles is bustling with tourists and shoppers, but at night, it looks and feels completely different.

The overhanging timber buildings, dimly lit shop fronts, and narrow alleys make it feel like a scene from a horror film. On Halloween, some shops and cafés on The Shambles offer special spooky treats or stay open late, adding to the eerie experience.

You may even encounter the ghost of St. Margaret Clitherow who used to live on The Shambles i the 16th century.

Visit haunted York

As there are lots of ghosts in York, there are lots of haunted places to visit. If you’re in York at Halloween, I recommend visiting some of these historic sites.

Visit the Treasurer’s House, a National Trust owned 16th century house behind York Minster reputed to have a Roman legion marching through its cellars. Brave Clifford’s Tower, the scene of York’s darkest event, explore York’s creepy snickelways or try to find the ghost of the grey lady at York Theatre Royal.

To dine with a ghost, book a table at The Judge’s Lodgings, visit the Golden Fleece pub or the Black Swan Inn.

If you’re brave enough, you can even stay in one of the haunted hotels in York. Check out my recommended list here. 

York at Halloween 2024 events  

As Halloween in York 2024 coincides with schools half term break, there are other family friendly events taking place.

Ride the York Wheel in St Sampson’s Square from 5th October to 1st November and see the Halloween-themed tree lighting on Parliament Street. Follow the Magical Owl Trail around Shambles Market to find hidden owls around the stalls or visit the real-life owls at St. Crux church.

Ride the ghost train on King’s Square from 18th October to 1st November or have a go at activities such as ‘Hook a Skeleton’ and ‘Smash a Pumpkin’ on Parliament Street.

Parliament Street also hosts the Made in Yorkshire Autumnal Market from 28th October to 3rd November. During Halloween day on 31st October you can watch expert live pumpkin carving.

If you want a break from sightseeing, Picturehouse Cinema in Coney Street shows a range of scary films around Halloween. From vintage horror flicks to modern-day thrillers, it’s a great way to celebrate Halloween with popcorn and a cosy cinema seat (which might feel safer than wandering York’s haunted streets!).

Halloween in York is a treat for anyone who loves a mix of history, scares, and fun.

Whether you’re looking to scream your head off in a haunted maze, take a spine-chilling ghost walk, or simply enjoy some pumpkin-picking, there’s something for everyone and for all budgets.

Just remember, in a city as old and haunted as ours, you never know what (or who) you might bump into in York at Halloween…