Halloween it’s already next week, and we cannot believe it’s already nearing the end of October. The magic of Edinburgh is in the air, with misty mornings and darker nights creeping in with greater frequency. And to enjoy that said magic, we have gathered up a list of things to do in Edinburgh this Halloween. So, grab your friend, relative, partner or child and go check out all there is to do this spooky season.
1. Embark on spooky lantern-led tours showcasing Edinburgh’s dark past
You can now unravel what was really going on at The Real Mary King’s Close two lantern-led tours this Halloween. During the Lantern-Led Tour This Halloween, visitors will be taken by one of the residents of Old Edinburgh and led in complete darkness only by the dim light of a lantern. And if the tales in the dark weren’t enough, visitors will also witness spooky characters in the dead of the night, creeping up just at the right moment to frighten every soul there. The second Halloween tour, True Crimes Tour This Halloween, will take adult thrill-seekers down the infamous steps to uncover which crimes really happened at Mary King’s Close all those moons ago. The experience is set to uncover facts that are even more thrilling than the stories surrounding the area themselves.
2. Listen to spooky covers performed by a live string quartet surrounded by candlelight
As part of Fever’s Candlelight Concert series, music and film lovers will have the chance to enjoy a special Halloween edition, Candlelight Special: Halloween, which will see tracks from famous movies, series, musicals and pop culture performed in an eerie, candlelit setting. Amongst the spooky film tunes, spectators will witness mesmerising versions of songs like Thriller by Michael Jackson, The Addams Family theme, Ghostbusters theme and so much more at the niche concert, but this time, as you’ve never imagined them before. You can book your tickets here.
3. Get into the mystical mood at The Botanics Halloween Trail
This year, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is taking guests on a magical trail through the gardens. The Halloween trail starts at either the East or West Gate, where wannabe witches and wizards will be asked to collect the ancient secrets for a special spell. This is a fun wee day out for the little ones, but adults could also learn to find wonder from the little things.
4. Celebrate the changing of the seasons at Samhuinn Fire Festival
At this family-friendly event, everyone will come together to celebrate and acknowledge the season changes from Summer into Winter. Happening in Holyrood Park on October 31 to accommodate more people, the festival will include fire-play, drumming, and immersive performances. Samhuinn Fire Festival is organised by Beltane Fire Society which is a charity entirely funded by donations. This is a heart-warming, (and quite literally warming) fiery event where visitors are welcome to dance, enjoy the shows and come together in a positive and inclusive space.
5. See Aladdin The Musical
The tremendously admired Disney story is coming to Edinburgh Playhouse, and Aladdin The Musical will be playing between October 24 and November 18 to delight the people of the Scottish capital. Adapted from Disney’s 1992 animated film and centuries-old folktales including ‘One Thousand and One Nights‘, Aladdin musical is brought to the stage in a dazzling way for the very first time in Edinburgh.
6. Dance all day and into the night at The Royal Highland Centre
Terminal V Halloween 2023 is returning for another year between October 27 and 29 with a massive indoor electronic music festival. This award-winning party will feature global acts and multiple stages, where ravers and music lovers gather for the time of their lives from midday to midnight at Scotland’s biggest electronic music event. This year, expect acts such as I Hate Models, Pan-Pot, Franck, DJ Sara Landry and more.
7. See a multitude of terrifying theatre shows at the Edinburgh Horror Festival
It is Edinburgh’s only horror theatre festival, and we’re here for it. Get spooked at a variety of shows at The Banshee Labyrinth, where the darkest tales from the darkest minds will come to life between October 26 – 31. Edinburgh Horror Festival performances will happen mostly in the evenings and will be for adults only, so be sure to bring your ID along. Expect a myriad of shows to explore in-person and on a live stream.
8. Watch Scotland’s biggest drag competition at The Three Sisters
From October 6, a competition called The Majesty is gonna be bringing 9 queens to the stage to give the performance of a lifetime. It’s going to be like Edinburgh’s version of RuPaul’s Drag Race, with one queen going home every week during the eight-week-long competition. And on Friday, October 27, 9 queens will be ready to perform like everybody’s watching. The Majesty will kick off at 8pm at The Three Sister’s newest edition – the ‘live’ room.
9. Attend The Little Monster Event at Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh
This one is mainly for the little ones out there, where adults can have unlimited tea and coffee. Hard Rock Cafe on George Street is inviting the whole family to a spooky Halloween party, where the smaller guests will indulge in a morning of Monster Mashing with Tricky Ricky, face painting and creating some ghoulish arts & crafts amongst some devilish goodies. What is more, just go wild at the Pancake Bar and pile on whatever toppings you like whilst the adults treat themselves to bottomless tea or coffee and the kids treat themselves to fruit juice. What is more, why not treat yourself to a cracking two-course meal through Fever!