Best Halloween events in Cornwall 2023

Pumpkin picking 

Healey’s Cyder Farm, Truro

Brewers of the much-loved Cornish Rattler, Healey's Cyder Farm is the largest independent cider-maker in Cornwall. They offer a variety of cyder and gin tours throughout the year. Halloween at the farm runs from 21st-31st October 2023 and includes a ride on the haunted Vintage Tractor, taking you to the Pumpkin Patch to pick out your perfect pumpkin. You will then head back to the Rattler Bar, transformed into a carving workshop to get creative with your pumpkin design. A spooky trip to Healey’s Cyder Farm is perfect for all ages… adults are more than welcome to swap pumpkin carving for a refreshing pint of Cyder!

Lobbs Autumn Fest, St Austell 

Lobbs Farm Shop, at Heligan, holds their Autumn Fest each year (check their website to book your pumpkin picking timeslot) and it’s the perfect family day out. You will be taken to the pumpkin field by a tractor and trailer ride, where you can choose from hundreds of pumpkins to take home and carve. Don’t forget to take a picture at the haybale photo booth for a chance to win a mini hamper! Say hello to the ewes and young lambs on the farm then return to the farm shop for a free slice of homemade cake. What a treat!

Trevaskis Farm, Hayle

Situated in the Cornish countryside and close to the ever-popular St Ives, Trevaskis Farm is the cutest place to pick your pumpkin. The farm allows you to ‘pick your own’ fruit and veg throughout the seasons, at this time of year there are apples, raspberries and of course plenty of pumpkins. There are also lots of friendly farm animals to greet, including donkeys, horses, pigs and chickens. A trip to Trevaskis Farm would not be complete without trying one of their scrumptious desserts. They have so much choice and very generous portion sizes, so be sure to leave room for a delicious sweet treat at the end of your visit. 

Not for the faint-hearted 

Dead Day Tours, Bodmin Jail (16+)

Running every Monday and Tuesday throughout October and November 2023, Bodmin Jail offers ‘The Dead Days’  Paranormal and Heritage tour. It is both uneasy and gripping to peer into the rise of spiritualism in the Victorian period. Communicating with the deceased fascinated the population throughout the 1800’s and this tour brings that notion to life. During the second half of the tour, you will experience a selection of spiritual communications yourself… ‘The dead days have never been so alive’.

Halloween Maze of Horrors, Saltash 

Utterly frightening, this dark maize maze features jump scares and fire jugglers. This annual fright night experience takes  place on Saturday 28th October 2023 at The Cornish Maize Maze and Fun Farm, near Saltash and Liskeard. Each journey through the maze is about 15 minutes, it's dark and terrifying, definitely not for the faint-hearted. Be sure to keep your wits about you and hold on to your scarecrow hats. Pre-booking is essential. If this doesn’t take your fancy, there is also a pumpkin picking option at the farm and the maze will be open during the day, without the ghosts, ghouls and creepies!

The Dark Gathering, Boscastle 

This unique event is held in Boscastle, near the historic Tintagel. It will take place on the 28th of October 2023 from 2pm-8pm and is perfect for those who love Halloween, tradition and folklore. Expect an afternoon and night of dark dance and music, folklore and horse skulls. It is truly creepy, but don’t forget to bring an open mind for this engrossing experience. It is all things strange and wonderful, transporting you to a dystopian world. The event does welcome families, however discretion is advised… take part if you dare! It is a special experience full of energetic performances to musicians singing unsettling tales, and is especially atmospheric when the spooky sea mist drifts in from the ocean.

Zombie Walk, St Austell 

If the sight of zombies walking towards you on a Cornish street sounds thrilling, then this is the event for you. Lots of effort goes into this spooktacular event with live music, craft stalls, entertainment and dance performances, all built around the terrifying Zombie Walk throughout St Austell. It takes place every year on Halloween itself. This event is also suitable for young children and families, but prepare to be spooked as the haunting beats of the zombie drummers bellow through the streets. Costumes are highly encouraged and the grand parade of zombies, phantoms, ghosts, ghouls, witches, werewolves, demons and draculas leave Market House on Market Street at 7pm. Get ready for a ghoulish and gruesome night!

The Scare Asylum, Penryn (16+)

The Scare Asylum might just be the most spine-tingling, terrifying event of them all. This is an entertaining and unforgettable experience, but you’ll need to sleep with the lights on after a visit to The Scare Asylum! Therefore, it won't be surprising that this event is strictly 16+. It takes place from the 26th-28th October 2023 at Raise the Roof childrens soft play area, but be assured this certainly won’t be a kids’ party. The experience consists of a Scare Asylum Maze and Dead Ahead Zombie Apocalypse VR and has a gripping back story:

 ‘The Asylum has been testing a serum on its inmates to see if their twisted and evil minds can be altered. However, it did not do what was intended, the serum enhanced the psychopathic tendencies of the inmates’ 

You must locate the antidote and retrieve it before the disease spreads to the public. Once you have the antidote, put on your VR mask and defend yourself against the zombies. At the end of the experience, reunite with friends for a cold beer to settle the nerves!

Family friendly 

The Witches Afternoon Tea at The Headland, Newquay 

A wickedly witches afternoon brew... This event is perfect for adults and little ones alike, it sets a witchy atmosphere rather than actual frights! This grand Victorian building looks proudly over the Cornish coast and popular surfing hub of Fistral Beach. This hotel was the location for the popular film adaption of ‘The Witches’, written by Roald Dahl, so it's the perfect place to visit this Halloween for a spooky afternoon! You can check the dates here. Then jump on your broomsticks to enjoy delicious cakes, scones and sandwiches.

Cirque Du Bizarre, Heartlands 

Immerse yourself in the weird and wonderful performance of Cirque Du Bizarre by Boom Circus, running from the 27th- 31st October 2023 at Heartlands in Pool. You are bound to be amazed by the unique and stunning acts… an unforgettable journey into the world of Monsieur du Freak’s Circus of the bizarre. Watch as acts contort, climb, flip and fly, displaying amazing acrobatics. The show is suitable for the whole family with a ‘delightfully dark combination of circus and theatre’... you won’t want to miss this!

Trick or Treat Week at Flambards, Helston 

Spooky and thrilling, head to Flambards between the 21st - 31st October 2022 for some chilling thrills alongside the rides. There is a pumpkin trail, fancy-dress parades, Penny Dreadful quiz and the popular ‘Fireworks Spooktacular’ will take place at the park on Wednesday 25th October 2023. You can venture into the Victorian Village or head off on the ‘Mystery Trail’, there is nothing too frightening but always keep your eyes peeled! 

For adults, Flambards holds an annual ‘Halloween Ball’ complete with dance music, DJ’s and a lively atmosphere. Guests are encouraged to wear costumes and follow the event's theme which changes each year. This year, the event will take place on Saturday 4th November with the theme surrounding artificial intelligence - 'The Uprising Begins'. 

Halloweden, Eden Project 

This Halloween, the legendary Tree Giants have arrived at the Eden Project on a special quest and they need your help to protect the worlds forests! Aimed at young frankensteins and their families, Halloweden is taking place from the 18th-29th October 2023 and includes mystery trails through the biomes, extraordinary stories at the pumpkin patch, enchanting performances and of course the spooky ice rink. The Eden Project opens late into the evening during Halloweden, so grab your lanterns and stroll through the magical land as dusk falls around you. There is an array of activities to enjoy and it promises to be frighteningly fabulous fun for all!

 Staying in Cornwall

Treat yourself to an enchanting getaway this autumn with a stay in one of our wonderful hideaways in Cornwall. Gather around the firepit to tell scary stories at woodland cabins, or listen for the call of pirates and mermaids from a mystical houseboat.

Check out our full collection of hideaways with availability for October half term here.