Halloween 2024 in Essex promises a wide range of spooky events for all ages, from family-friendly pumpkin patches to thrilling fright nights.
Visitors can explore haunted villages, hop on ghost trains, or enjoy themed festivals with live actors, mazes, and eerie adventures.
Whether you prefer interactive magical workshops or terrifying haunted mazes, Essex has something for everyone this Halloween season.
Popular venues include Colchester Zoo, Marsh Farm, and Cursed Fright Nights, ensuring a memorable Halloween experience across the county.
All Halloween Events in Essex 2024
Marsh Farm Halloween Festival
- Date: 12 Oct – 1 Nov 2024
- Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Venue: Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers
A family-friendly Halloween festival with funfair rides, pumpkin picking, bouncy pillows, a spooky walk-around, and a witches’ disco. Children can participate in a trick-or-treat hunt and other fun activities.
Cursed Fright Nights
- Date: 17 Oct – 2 Nov 2024
- Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Venue: Crouch Valley Showground, Rayleigh
Get ready for one of Essex’s top fright nights featuring immersive mazes, live actors, and spooky characters. Suitable for those 16 and above, it promises a thrilling Halloween experience.
Scaresville: The Haunted Village
- Date: 16 Oct – 2 Nov 2024
- Time: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
- Venue: Kentwell Hall, Sudbury
Experience a terrifying evening at Kentwell Hall’s haunted village, with ghostly mazes, live actors, and special effects that are sure to frighten even the bravest of visitors.
Colchester Zoo Trail of Terror
- Date: 18 – 30 Oct 2024
- Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- Venue: Colchester Zoo, Colchester
This after-dark trail at Colchester Zoo offers eerie surprises and spooky encounters with masked monsters, all set within the zoo’s grounds. Enjoy live music and themed food at the end of the trail.
Hatter’s Farm Pumpkin Nights
- Date: 19 – 31 Oct 2024
- Time: 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- Venue: Hatter’s Farm, Takeley
Explore the pumpkin fields under the night sky with illuminated pumpkin displays, hot chocolate, and seasonal treats, perfect for a family evening out.
Brightworth’s School of Magic
- Date: 27 Oct – 2 Nov 2024
- Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Venue: Hedingham Castle, Halstead
Join the magical world of witches and wizards at Hedingham Castle. This interactive event allows children to learn spells, craft potions, and participate in a unique Halloween adventure.
Southend Halloween Parade
- Date: 26 Oct 2024
- Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Venue: Southend
Southend’s annual Halloween parade will bring together an array of spooky floats, costumes, and street performances. A great evening spectacle for the whole family.
Halloween on the Pier Monster Hunt
- Date: 26 Oct – 3 Nov 2024
- Time: 10:15 AM – 4:00 PM
- Venue: Southend Pier
Take part in this exciting monster hunt on Southend Pier. Perfect for families, this event includes a spooky trail along the pier with plenty of fun activities and surprises.
Epping Ongar Railway Ghost Train
- Date: 26 – 31 Oct 2024
- Time: Various
- Venue: Ongar Station, Ongar
Hop on the ghost train for a spooky steam journey. With costumed characters, eerie graveyards, and magic shows, it promises a fright-filled ride for all ages.
Pumpkin Week at Hasty’s Adventure Farm
- Date: 23 Oct – 3 Nov 2024
- Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Venue: Hasty’s Adventure Farm, Clacton
Enjoy a week of pumpkin-themed activities, including pumpkin picking, crafts, and farm fun at this family-friendly Halloween event in Clacton.
Halloween Shindig at Acanteen
- Date: 1 Nov 2024
- Time: 7:00 PM – 1:00 AM
- Venue: Acanteen, Chelmsford
Acanteen hosts a fun and festive Halloween shindig with live music, themed cocktails, and costume competitions. A great way to extend your Halloween celebrations into November.
Lee Valley Halloween Festival
- Date: 26 Oct – 1 Nov 2024
- Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Venue: Lee Valley Park Farms, Waltham Abbey
A Halloween festival at Lee Valley Park Farms featuring spooky shows, a haunted big top experience, and magical spells class, perfect for the whole family.
Halloween at Markshall Estate
- Date: 28 Oct – 1 Nov 2024
- Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Venue: Markshall Estate, Coggeshall
Markshall Estate offers a fun Halloween experience with a Day of the Dead-themed trail, spooky stories, and a cryptic crossword challenge for children and families.
Maldon Ghost Walks
- Date: 26 Oct & 31 Oct 2024
- Time: Evening
- Venue: Maldon, various locations
Join a chilling ghost walk through the historic streets of Maldon, discovering the eerie tales and haunted spots of the town. Perfect for those looking for a spooky, immersive experience.
Mountfitchet Castle Halloween
- Date: 26 Oct – 3 Nov 2024
- Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Venue: Mountfitchet Castle, Stansted
Explore the grounds of Mountfitchet Castle, where witches and dragons lurk. Children can participate in a Halloween treasure hunt for a chance to win prizes.
Eden Oasis Halloween Experience
- Date: 18, 20, 31 Oct 2024
- Time: Various
- Venue: Eden Oasis, Howe Green
A Halloween experience with spooky animal encounters, arts and crafts, and a fear challenge. Families can enjoy themed sessions perfect for young children.
Barleylands Spooky Nights
- Date: 26, 27, 30, 31 Oct 2024
- Time: Evening
- Venue: Barleylands Farm Park, Billericay
Barleylands offers spooky nights filled with haunted hayrides, trick-or-treating, and farmyard fun, creating an exciting Halloween experience for families.
Halloween Craft Market & Spooky Trail
- Date: 26 Oct 2024
- Time: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Venue: Danbury Leisure Centre, Danbury
This family-friendly craft market and spooky trail offers local crafts, Halloween-themed activities, and treats for children. A perfect afternoon for a relaxed Halloween celebration.
Land of the Dead Halloween
- Date: 31 Oct 2024
- Time: Evening
- Venue: Kings Farm, Writtle, Chelmsford
Land of the Dead offers a Day of the Dead-inspired Halloween night with pumpkin picking, circus performances, street food, and themed fun for the entire family.
Overview of upcoming Halloween events in Essex 2024
Here’s a list of upcoming Halloween events in Essex 2024 with real data:
Event Name | Date(s) | Time | Venue/Location |
---|---|---|---|
Marsh Farm Halloween Festival | 12 Oct – 1 Nov 2024 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers |
Cursed Fright Nights | 17 Oct – 2 Nov 2024 | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Crouch Valley Showground, Rayleigh |
Scaresville: The Haunted Village | 16 Oct – 2 Nov 2024 | 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Kentwell Hall, Sudbury |
Colchester Zoo Trail of Terror | 18 – 30 Oct 2024 | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM | Colchester Zoo, Colchester |
Hatter’s Farm Pumpkin Nights | 19 – 31 Oct 2024 | 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM | Hatter’s Farm, Takeley |
Brightworth’s School of Magic | 27 Oct – 2 Nov 2024 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Hedingham Castle, Halstead |
Southend Halloween Parade | 26 Oct 2024 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Southend |
Halloween on the Pier Monster Hunt | 26 Oct – 3 Nov 2024 | 10:15 AM – 4:00 PM | Southend Pier |
Epping Ongar Railway Ghost Train | 26 – 31 Oct 2024 | Varies | Ongar Station, Ongar |
Pumpkin Week at Hasty’s Adventure Farm | 23 Oct – 3 Nov 2024 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Hasty’s Adventure Farm, Clacton |
The Trail of Terror at Colchester Zoo | 23, 25 – 30 Oct 2024 | 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM | Colchester Zoo, Colchester |
Halloween Shindig at Acanteen | 1 Nov 2024 | 7:00 PM – 1:00 AM | Acanteen, Chelmsford |
Lee Valley Halloween Festival | 26 Oct – 1 Nov 2024 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Lee Valley Park Farms, Waltham Abbey |
Halloween at Markshall Estate | 28 Oct – 1 Nov 2024 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Markshall Estate, Coggeshall |
Maldon Ghost Walks | 26 Oct & 31 Oct 2024 | Evening | Maldon, various locations |
Mountfitchet Castle Halloween | 26 Oct – 3 Nov 2024 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Mountfitchet Castle, Stansted |
Eden Oasis Halloween Experience | 18, 20, 31 Oct 2024 | Various | Eden Oasis, Howe Green |
Barleylands Spooky Nights | 26, 27, 30, 31 Oct 2024 | Evening | Barleylands Farm Park, Billericay |
Halloween Craft Market & Spooky Trail | 26 Oct 2024 | 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Danbury Leisure Centre, Danbury |
Land of the Dead Halloween | 31 Oct 2024 | Evening | Kings Farm, Writtle, Chelmsford |
These events range from spooky family-friendly festivals to thrilling haunted attractions. Be sure to check specific event websites for ticket information and to confirm the details before attending.
Conclusion
Essex offers a wide array of Halloween events in 2024, catering to all age groups and tastes, from family-friendly festivals to thrilling, spine-chilling haunted attractions.
Whether you’re looking for pumpkin picking, haunted mazes, spooky train rides, or a Halloween parade, there’s something for everyone.
The events across various venues like Colchester Zoo, Marsh Farm, and Mountfitchet Castle promise unforgettable, spooky fun.
With many running throughout October, families, thrill-seekers, and Halloween enthusiasts alike can find the perfect event to celebrate this spooky season in Essex.
FAQs
Yes, many events such as Marsh Farm Halloween Festival, Brightworth’s School of Magic, and Pumpkin Week at Hasty’s Adventure Farm are specifically designed for families and children. Some events, like Cursed Fright Nights, are more suitable for older teens and adults.
It is highly recommended to book tickets in advance for most events, especially popular ones like Colchester Zoo’s Trail of Terror and Scaresville. These events often sell out due to high demand.
Some events like Halloween on the Pier Monster Hunt in Southend offer free entry, though additional activities might require a fee. Always check the event details for pricing.
For those looking for a more intense Halloween experience, Cursed Fright Nights and Scaresville: The Haunted Village are among the top-rated events in Essex, offering immersive and terrifying experiences for older audiences.