best bristol halloween events of 2023
Halloween is no longer just an American holiday; us Brits have embraced the spooky splendour and have started indulging in fancy dress, trick or treating and pumpkin decorating to boot. And hey, us Bristolians love an occasion… so we really do go all out!
If you’re looking for more info on what Halloween in Bristol could be like for you this Autumn, read on. There really is plenty to see that’s spine-chilling and do that’s devilish.
What is West Country Games?
West Country Games embraces all the stereotypes of the West Country in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.
If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?
You can always count on Lakota to put on a great party and this Halloween in Bristol is no different! Head down to this legendary venue in Stoke’s Croft for another whacky night!
This year, Lakota have a haunted fairground waiting for you, with inflatable games and rides. Paired with acro-bats and fire performers, you’ll be in for a surprise around every corner! Ghoulish outfits are a must to gain entry into the fun within.
The music, of course, will be up to the usual mind-bending par, with top DJs pounding out Drum & Bass, Disco, House and Jungle in five different spaces.
Get in the mood for Halloween a week early with this hair-raising spook fest put on by Bristol Film Festival!
Head deep down underground beneath the city to the Redcliffe Caves.
Once home to wily smugglers and dastardly pirates and later, used as shelter from the perilous bombs of the Second World War, these cave walls certainly hold a lot of mysteries!
This year Bristol Film Festival are hosting screenings at Arnos Vale and Bristol Museum too around the Halloween season so you have plenty of chances to catch one of their showings.
They even have a showing of The Cabinet of Dr Caligari taking place at St Mary Redcliffe complete with a live score.
We think Redcliffe Caves are still the best spot to catch a horror film that will haunt your nightmares for weeks after so snap those tickets up fast!
You can choose from a wide array of macabre movies, from classics such as Carrie and Stephen King's Misery to spine chillers such as The Descent… Was that noise behind you from the surround sound or from the depths of the dark tunnels…?
For a riotous night out, you can’t get much better than Motion and their epic all nighters. This year, the Carnival of the Dead is set to enthral your senses with some legendary acts such as Shy FX, Stamina MC and DJ Marky.
Don't miss the killer B2B set to wake the dead with Hazard B2B DJ Hype B2B Dillinja, taking over the whole Motion and Marble Factory complex.
Motion really go to town with their Halloween celebrations so expect amazing decorations, crazy carnival dancers and insane beats!
Fancy dress isn’t compulsory but strongly encouraged.
If you really want to freak yourselves out, head over to the Hatchet Inn for the authentic Halloween experience. The pub dates from 1606, making it one of the oldest pubs in Bristol.
It is reportedly haunted and it is also rumoured that underneath all the paint, the front door is made from human skin... need we say more!?
Whilst there is no official party going on this year, The Hatchet is always a hub of Halloween activity, both human and supernatural! Drop by for at least one Bloody Mary to get you in the mood for the evening's festivities.
One of the biggest Halloween events in town, The Avon Valley Scream Park is back for 2023. These tickets are seriously hot property, promising an all immersive, truly terrifying experience!
With six different interactive experiences on offer, you won't know quite what will await you at every corner.
Participate in an Exorcism, witness the dark secrets that lie beneath the church, brave a ghoulish clown show if you dare and much more!
Alongside the main attractions there are amazing street entertainers, funfair rides and plenty of food and drink stalls.
Saddle up for an unforgettable night, just don’t expect to get any sleep when you get back home!
Ever wanted to learn more about your Bristol’s creepy past? Join this award winning 90 minute walk to discover the dark histories and grim secrets lurking around every corner!
Find out which city centre pubs are haunted, (not what you expect!), visit film and tv locations and hear spine chilling tales that will make you look at the city in a whole different way next time you’re stumbling home from the pub in the dark!
Make sure you book in advance for this spooky night time walk, after all, where else are you going to hear the story about Clifton’s ghostly Dwarf Highwayman?
For something a bit more intellectual.. (well about as intellectual as we get!) check out the Strange Brew’s special Halloween Pub Quiz! But rather than testing out your knowledge of all things spooky… this quiz is all about your Peep Show knowledge!
Brush up on your Big Suze quotes, can you remember what happened to Mummy the dog? A great excuse to binge watch all the series ahead of the night, you can bet there will be some mega fans present!
With crazy prizes and hilarious questions, this might not be your traditional Halloween night out but it was too good to miss off the list!
Just don’t forget that using a Ouija board is just as much of a cheating offence as using your smart phone!
Halloween Traditions in Bristol
Halloween is becoming a bigger and bigger deal across Bristol and it’s a great excuse to dress up and get out.
West Country Halloween traditions are still being set and are similar to those celebrated in the US of A, so help shape the spooky season and head off to one of the eerie events on offer to support local businesses and venues. Plan out your wicked weekend and make your own annual tradition to honour the hair-raising holiday!
Halloween events in Bristol include family-friendly parties and activities as well as adults-only nights, so there’s something for everyone… from cartoon cobwebs to phantasmal performers!
Top 3 Bristol Halloween Events
The city has a whole host of events on for All Hallows Eve, so we’ve picked three Bristol Halloween events that are all a little different. Don’t limit yourself to just one – there’s lots on!
Lakota Fun House of Horrors Bristol Halloween Special
This has to be the best of the Halloween club nights that Bristol has to offer this year – and there’s a great choice! Lakota has long been the scene of some of the craziest nights with the best music.
The venue really pulls out all the stops for its big events and All Hallows Eve is no different!
Not only is the music top class, but as soon as you walk through the door you will be immersed in a spectacular world of macabre dancers and performers. This is one not to miss!
Haunted and Hidden Bristol Halloween Walking Tour
The perfect activity to get you in the mood for the scary season. Learn about the terrifying past of Bristol lurking within the shadows of the streets you thought you knew.
Taking place after darkness has fallen, you will explore the old quarter of the city and hear some truly hair-raising tales of the old inhabitants and their bloody deeds.
With a strong pirating past, and plenty of deranged characters, expect to never be able to walk around the city at night again without looking over your shoulder!
Bristol Film Festival: Horror in the Caves
Deep beneath the streets in the Redcliffe Caves, the local Film Festival presents one of the most unique Bristol Halloween events: films in the crypts!
Check out a scary screening from classics such as Carrie and The Invisible Man to a rare showing of .REC, a cult Spanish horror film. There is an impressive line-up of monstrous movies across the whole of the Halloween weekend.
Even visiting in the day can be daunting as the darkness never leaves the caves… and those stone walls have a lot of ghost stories to tell.
