Get Ready for a Spooktacular Halloween in Essex 2025!
Is your family prepared for a hauntingly good time this Halloween in Essex? You’re in the right place! We’ve rounded up the best Halloween events in Essex 2025, from spooky trails and eerie ghost trains to pumpkin patches bursting with choice and hands-on autumn crafts. Whether you’re hunting for heart-pounding scares, immersive Halloween mazes, or fun half-term activities perfect for little witches, wizards, and monsters, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this October.
And it’s not all about the frights! Families can also enjoy pumpkin picking in Essex, creative Halloween workshops, and free community Halloween events like parades and craft fairs. From budget-friendly outings to full-on immersive experiences, our 2025 guide is packed with ideas to make this October half-term one to remember.
1. Southend Halloween Parade
Venue: Southend-on-Sea Seafront
Town: Southend-on-Sea
Organiser: Southend-on-Sea City Council
Date: 26th October 2025
Time: 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
Price: FREE
Description: The Southend Halloween Parade is back for 2025 — and it’s bigger, bolder, and spookier than ever! Enjoy spine-tingling street performers, live music, and a carnival of creepy characters along the seafront. A free family event packed with thrills and surprises around every corner.
Website: Southend Halloween Parade
2. Danbury Autumn Craft Market & Halloween Spooky Trail
Venue: Danbury Leisure Centre
Town: Chelmsford
Organiser: Danbury Leisure Centre
Date: 25th October 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Price: FREE
Description: Enjoy a fantastic family-friendly day at the Danbury Autumn Craft Market & Halloween Spooky Trail. Expect seasonal crafts, spooky activities, and plenty of autumn magic in this free community event.
Website: Danbury Autumn Craft Market & Halloween Spooky Trail
3. Blake House Craft Centre Halloween Weekend Pumpkin Hunt
Venue: Blake House Craft Centre
Town: Braintree
Organiser: Blake House Craft Centre
Date: 25th – 26th October 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (Sat), 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Sun)
Price: FREE
Description: Take part in this year’s Halloween Weekend Pumpkin Hunt at Blake House Craft Centre. With a Spellbound Trail and two days of tricks, treats, and seasonal fun, it’s a family event not to miss.
Website: Halloween Weekend Pumpkin Hunt
4. Hyde Hall Pumpkin Themed Crafts
Venue: RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Town: Chelmsford
Organiser: RHS
Date: 30th – 31st October 2025
Time: 10:15 am
Price: from £2.50
Description: Join spooktacular pumpkin-themed crafts at Hyde Hall. Children and adults can enjoy seasonal creativity, storytelling walks, pumpkin carvings, and encounters with creepy-crawlies.
Website: Pumpkin Themed Crafts
5. Marsh Farm Spooktacular Day Out
Venue: Marsh Farm
Town: Chelmsford
Organiser: Marsh Farm
Date: 4th – 31st October 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Price: from £3.99
Description: Come dressed up and explore devilishly decorated Marsh Farm! Enjoy funfair rides, pumpkin picking, inflatables, and even dinosaurs at Dinosaur Adventure.
Website: Spooktacular Day Out
6. Hatters Farm Pumpkin Picking
Venue: Hatters Farm Pumpkins
Town: Uttlesford
Organiser: Hatters Farm Pumpkins
Date: 4th – 31st October 2025
Time: 9:30 am – 2:45 pm
Price: from £4.00
Description: Wander through Hatters Farm’s pumpkin fields with over 100,000 pumpkins and 75 different varieties to choose from. A perfect autumn family day out.
Website: Pumpkin Picking
7. Otto’s Pumpkin Patch – Pick Your Own Perfect Pumpkin
Venue: Otto’s Pumpkin Patch
Town: Braintree
Organiser: Otto’s Pumpkin Patch
Date: 4th – 31st October 2025
Time: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Price: from £6.00
Description: Explore the pumpkin fields and choose your perfect pumpkin. With access to the faraway forest and refreshments area, it’s a fun seasonal outing for the whole family.
Website: Pick Your Own Perfect Pumpkin
8. The Gardens of Easton Lodge – Halloween & Pumpkins
Venue: The Gardens of Easton Lodge
Town: Uttlesford
Organiser: Easton Lodge
Date: 19th October 2025
Time: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Price: from £6.00
Description: Enjoy a family-friendly Halloween trail, stalls, games, and a special archive display in the beautiful Gardens of Easton Lodge.
Website: Halloween & Pumpkins at Easton Lodge
9. Battlesbridge Annual Firework Spectacular
Venue: Battlesbridge Antiques Centre
Town: Rochford
Organiser: Battlesbridge Antiques Centre
Date: 1st November 2025
Time: 5:00 pm
Price: from £5.00
Description: A dazzling night of fireworks, fun, and community spirit. Come in fancy dress, enjoy live entertainment, and grab a toffee apple as the sky lights up in Battlesbridge.
Website: Annual Firework Spectacular
10. Wyvernwood – The Wicked Witch
Venue: Wyvernwood
Town: Colchester
Organiser: Wyvernwood
Date: 25th – 31st October 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Price: from £5.00
Description: Join Merlin and the characters of Wyvernwood to reverse the Wicked Witch’s curse! A magical quest awaits with Trick or Treat Avenue and immersive experiences throughout the Kingdom.
Website: The Wicked Witch
11. Barleylands Spooky Nights
Venue: Barleylands
Town: Billericay
Organiser: Barleylands
Date: 25th – 31st October 2025
Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Price: from £5.00
Description: Enjoy frightfully fun evenings at Barleylands with pumpkin picking, decorating, and seasonal festivities as part of the Halloween Festival.
Website: Spooky Nights
12. Hasty’s Adventure Farm – Pumpkin Week
Venue: Hasty’s Adventure Farm
Town: Clacton-on-Sea
Organiser: Hasty’s Adventure Farm
Date: 18th – 31st October 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Price: from £7.45
Description: Enjoy a fun Pumpkin Week with trails, photo areas, and family activities. Includes the Happy Ghost Trail and plenty of seasonal fun.
Website: Pumpkin Week
13. Southend Museums – Anglo Saxon Weekend
Venue: Southend Museums
Town: Southend
Organiser: Southend Museums
Date: 2nd – 3rd August 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Price: from £8.30
Description: Step into Anglo Saxon times with re-enactments, combat displays, traditional crafts, and immersive activities at Penda’s living Saxon camp.
Website: Anglo Saxon Weekend
14. The Green Barn Farm – Pumpkin Patch Essex
Venue: The Green Barn Farm
Town: Benfleet
Organiser: The Green Barn Farm
Date: 4th – 31st October 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Price: from £9.39
Description: Enjoy a full pumpkin patch experience with tractor rides, spooky mazes, photo ops, and live actors. All pumpkins included in your ticket price!
Website: Pumpkin Patch Essex
15. Audley End House and Gardens – Halloween Half Term
Venue: Audley End House and Gardens
Town: Uttlesford
Organiser: English Heritage
Date: 25th October – 2nd November 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Price: from £14.50
Description: Join Victorian ghost hunters for spooky quests, stories, and interactive adventures this Halloween half term at Audley End House and Gardens.
Website: Halloween Half Term
16. Chigborough Halloween Maze 2025
Venue: Chigborough Lakes
Town: Maldon
Organiser: Chigborough Lakes
Date: 30th October – 1st November 2025
Time: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm onwards
Price: from £16.50
Description: Step into a dark fairytale world at this immersive Halloween maze filled with eerie scenes and spooky characters. Dare to explore if you can!
Website: Chigborough Halloween Maze 2025
17. Audley End Miniature Railway – Halloween Special
Venue: Audley End Miniature Railway
Town: Saffron Walden
Organiser: Audley End Miniature Railway
Date: 25th October – 2nd November 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Price: from £19.00
Description: A magical Halloween train ride through the forest, with not-too-spooky scenes and enchanting characters for families to enjoy.
Website: Halloween Special
18. Epping Ongar Railway – Fright Week
Venue: Epping Ongar Railway
Town: Epping
Organiser: Epping Ongar Railway
Date: 25th – 31st October 2025
Time: 10:40 am – 4:40 pm
Price: from £19.50
Description: Take a ghostly steam train ride through Epping Forest. Includes vintage bus transfers, spooky encounters, and magic shows during the eerie journey.
Website: Fright Week
19. Colchester Zoo – Trail of Terror
Venue: Colchester Zoological Society
Town: Colchester
Organiser: Colchester Zoo
Date: 17th – 31st October 2025
Time: 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Price: from £25.50
Description: Take on the terrifying Trail of Terror at Colchester Zoo. Expect clowns, zombies, and creepy creatures across 1.5 miles of hauntingly scary fun.
Website: Trail of Terror
20. Colchester Zoo – Shriek Week
Venue: Colchester Zoological Society
Town: Colchester
Organiser: Colchester Zoo
Date: 25th October – 2nd November 2025
Time: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Price: from £28.22
Description: Enjoy a fun-filled week of daytime spooky activities for children of all ages. A family favourite Halloween celebration at Colchester Zoo.
Website: Shriek Week
21. Old MacDonald’s Farm – Halloween Festival
Venue: Old MacDonald’s Farm and Fun Park
Town: Brentwood
Organiser: Old MacDonald’s Farm
Date: 25th October – 2nd November 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Price: from £37.40
Description: A family-friendly Halloween Festival with entertainment, themed activities, and spooky surprises for all ages.
Website: Halloween Festival
So, don’t forget to mark your calendars and get ready for a frightfully fun Halloween in Essex 2025! Whether you’re chasing spine-tingling thrills or prefer a more light-hearted, family-friendly celebration, there’s something here for everyone. With a fantastic variety of events taking place all across the county, you’ll have plenty of chances to get into the Halloween spirit.
If you’re on the hunt for even more free or low-cost Halloween events in Essex, be sure to check out our dedicated Halloween post on the Essex Mums Facebook page, where our community has shared their own local events and hidden gems.
We hope you and your family have an unforgettable, spooktacular October! ????
