Halloween is a party loved by children and more and more also by adults! On the night of October 31st, in fact, it is allowed to be influenced and carried away by the imagination, going in search of mysterious places , gloomy castles, ghosts that hide terrible stories. On Halloween it is allowed to be afraid and feel a thrill of terror, but also to dress up and have fun with the children. A nice trip is just what it takes to celebrate this event. Let’s see together where to go on Halloween with the children !
Travel advice post COVID19: Make sure you are in line with security measures, follow government guidelines, and only leave if the green light is given. Possibly avoid long-haul travel and prefer neighborhood tourism. Finally, remember that some of the events mentioned in this article could be canceled or resized due to a pandemic , therefore ascertained through official channels.
Amusement parks in Italy and Europe
1 – Gardaland Magic Halloween (Italy)
Halloween at Gardaland amusement park is not celebrated only on the 31st, but every weekend in October! Every year the park turns black and orange on the occasion of Gardaland Magic Halloween. The decorations fill every corner, as well as the masks that animate the streets of the park: pumpkins, ghosts, zombies, witches, vampires, cobwebs, monsters, graves and skeletons scattered everywhere, to amuse and frighten children … and not only.
Every Friday the park has an extraordinary evening opening, to experience the attractions in the dark of the evening , which is the best backdrop to this festival full of mystery and fear!
There will be shows, masked parades and dances dedicated to the scariest party there is, and even the hotels in the amusement park are decorated in a horror atmosphere.
- Useful info : the Friday evening ticket costs about € 20.00. The whole day costs around € 42.00, or € 37.00 for children under 10.
- Where to sleep: 2 nights in a double room plus cot from € 280.00 – see the offers
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: Gardaland: priority entrance ticket
2 – Mirabilandia, Ravenna (Italy)
The amusement park of the Romagna Riviera turns into a real dedicated park for Halloween.
In fact, sensational tunnels of terror are set up , some specific for children, others so fearful as to make even the bravest of adults falter. But that’s not all, an entire area of ​​the park, the so-called Horror Zone , is literally invaded by monsters.
Also in this case, the evening opening is guaranteed on all Saturdays in October and for the entire Halloween weekend. On the days indicated above, the Halloween Horror Festival will start from 19:00 onwards .
SEE ALSO: Visit to the Mirabilandia amusement park: info, prices and useful tips
- Useful info : the full ticket, which entitles you to entry the next day, costs € 32.90 on Saturdays and € 26.90 on Sundays. The family package, 2 adults + 2 children for two consecutive days costs € 126.80.
- Where to sleep: 2 nights in a double room plus cot from € 230.00 – see the offers
3 – Cinecitta World, Rome (Italy)
A theme park dedicated to cinema could not fail to celebrate Halloween, the main inspiration for many horror films, throughout the month of October. Here then is that Cinecitta World is invaded by monsters, zombies, and above all famous horror movie characters such as Dracula, Jigsaw, Leather Man, Freddy Krueger, Frankenstein and so on and so forth.
Inside the park near Rome there will be attractions dedicated to the Halloween party and the scariest horror films, shows with masked actors, themed gastronomy. The park is open on weekends (11am – 6pm) and on Halloween weekend the evening slot is guaranteed (late closing at 11pm).
- Useful info : the full ticket costs € 24.00, reduced € 19.00 for children under 10 years.
- Where to sleep: 2 nights in a double room plus cot from € 200.00 – see the offers
4 – Disneyland, Paris (France)
Leaving Italy, there are numerous parks that celebrate Halloween throughout Europe. Children will be thrilled to finally visit Disneyland in Paris and meet, on the occasion of October 31st, all the most fearsome villains of Disney cartoons. The theme park is really huge and therefore it will be pleasant to spend a whole weekend there.
In fact, it is possible to buy a stay and then participate in the special evenings dedicated to Halloween . On the occasion of the party it is possible to enjoy particular themed attractions, such as the pirate ship of the terrible Captain Hook. There is no shortage of shows, including the unmissable parade of Disney villains .
- Useful info : it is possible to buy the 1-day-1 park ticket for € 87.00 full price – € 80.00 reduced price under 12 years. Or 1 day-2 parks for € 107.00 / € 100.00. For 4 days the cost is € 249.00 for an adult, € 229.00 for a child aged 3 to 11.
- Low cost flights: starting from € 185.00 – look at the offers
- Where to sleep: 2 nights in a double room plus cot from € 420.00 – see the offers
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: Disneyland Paris: flexible day ticket Disneyland Paris: ticket and transfer to and from Paris
5 – Europa Park, Rust (Germany)
Halloween is the right occasion to take the children to visit Europa Park, a beautiful amusement park in southern Germany, near Basel and Strasbourg . For the occasion, the park is decorated with thousands of pumpkins decorated according to tradition , and then hay bales, chrysanthemums, corn plants, all infested with goblins, vampires, masks of all kinds. Exciting themed attractions are offered every year, such as the Halloween sand display next to the Tyrolean rapids, or the pumpkins exhibition, or even the Grimm’s sinister Fairy Tale Woods. But also ice shows dedicated to the Celtic tradition, and then the terrible experience of the Horror Nights, that is the days when the park remains open until late and it is possible to attend terrifying shows on stage from 19:30 onwards.
- Useful info : the ticket for 1 day costs about € 55.00, children from 4 to 11 years € 47.00. Free for children under 3.
- Low cost flights: starting from € 317.00 – look at the offers
- Where to sleep: 2 nights in a double room plus cot from € 320.00 – see the offers
6 – Alton Towers, Alton (United Kingdom)
Where you can best celebrate Halloween, if not in the Anglo-Saxon world, where the Celtic tradition was born
So get ready for the thrill of the Scarefest , organized every year at Alton Towers park, located in England between Birmingham and Sheffield. The Scarefest is held throughout the month of October and is a real festival dedicated to the pagan festival.
Every year dedicated areas are set up in which to watch terrifying shows , over 20 thrilling attractions are presented , and an entire area is created dedicated to the greatest and most courageous, in which to try their hand at the traditionalAlton Towers horror maze . Alton Towers in the first two weekends of October, and then every day from mid-month until Halloween weekend.
- Useful info : buying online you pay £ 39.00 (approximately € 46.00)
- Low cost flights: from € 226.00 – look at the offers
- Where to sleep: 2 nights in a double room plus cot from € 440.00 – see the offers
7 – PortAventura world, Salou and Vila-seca (Spain)
The PortAventura world theme park is located near Barcelona, ​​Spain, and every year celebrates Halloween with events, masks , but above all with creepy attractions suitable for all ages. Inside there are actually three different parks: the Caribe Aquatic Park, an amusement water park, the Ferrari Land, a park with attractions all dedicated to the passion for the most famous car in the world, and finally the PortAventura Park.
The park is open every day and the festivities begin at the end of September and last until the first weeks of November. The Park can be reached via a day tour from Barcelona with a ticket included.
SEE ALSO: Visit to PortAventura World Park, Spain: info, prices and useful tips
- Useful info : entrance to Portaventura Park + Ferrari Land + a one night stay costs about € 65.00 per person
- Low cost flights: starting from € 265.00 – look at the offers
- Where to sleep: 2 nights in a double room plus cot from € 390.00 – see the offers
Events and destinations in Italy
1 – Halloween at Rivalta Castle (Emilia-Romagna)
The suggestive Rivalta Castle, located in the homonymous village just outside Piacenza, is the ideal location for a thrilling Halloween. Two different events with guided tours are organized at the Castle .
On the night of October 31, the “Night of Shadows” event is held, dedicated to children and adults, which includes a guided tour with the animation of masked actors, during which you can explore the manor shrouded in darkness and discover a mysterious group of occultists whispering to each other famous dark rituals.
On November 1st, instead, the event “The Torment of the ghost” is held, which includes a guided tour and then entertainment and games together with the ghost of the cook Giuseppe who would wander around the walls of the ancient castle. On the same day it will also be possible to book historical guided tours of the castle and, in the afternoon, take part in the tours with entertainment.
- Useful info : guided tours cost € 15.00 for children, € 20.00 for adults and it is necessary to book in advance on their website.
- Low cost flights: starting from € 120.00 – check the offers
- Where to sleep: 2 nights in a double room plus cot from € 380.00 – see the offers
2 – Halloween at the Scipione Castle (Emilia-Romagna)
In the beautiful Scipione Castle of the Marquises Pallavicino, in the municipality of Salsomaggiore, guided tours by candlelight are held on the occasion of Halloween , on the evenings of 30 and 31 October. The name of the event is in fact Halloween in the Millennial Castle: by candlelight in the magical night. The visits are suitable for young and old, with masked actors and entertainment, but above all the possibility of visiting the ancient fifteenth-century prisons, otherwise closed to the public, which overlook the hills of Sale, giving the viewer a breathtaking landscape. The Castle is lit only by the light of dim candles, and all around it echoes a music that recalls ancient Celtic rites. The visit ends in the beautiful garden at the foot of the Castle.
- Useful info : the visit costs € 18.00 for adults, € 10.00 for children aged 5 to 16, free for children up to 5 years. Reservation is mandatory.
- Low cost flights: starting from € 120.00 – check the offers
- Where to sleep: 2 nights in a double room plus cot from € 300.00 – see the offers
3 – Halloween in Naples
The city of Naples has always been cloaked in mystery, full of legends and magical places, so it could not fail to include, for October 31 and the subsequent holidays of the dead, a series of events to celebrate Halloween .
Many of the Neapolitan museums offer themed activities. For example, in the past the Maschio Angioino , proposed masked shows to tell children the legend of the Pezzentelle Souls, that is, benevolent spirits who, according to tradition, return to haunt the Neapolitan palaces on the night of November 2. Vampire themed tours were organized at the Underground Museum, while the “night of the Bats” took place at the Naples zoo .
However, one of the most anticipated events is certainly the Halloween Tour through the streets of the historic center, that is an itinerary between history and mystery during which the participants (masked and not) explore some of the hidden places of the city.
- Useful info : variable prices depending on the chosen activities
- Low cost flights: starting from € 68.00 – check the offers
- Where to sleep: 2 nights in a double room plus cot from € 180.00 – see the offers
4 – Halloween in Palermo
The city of Palermo comes alive with numerous events for Halloween, but above all for the traditional Fair of the Dead which is held every year on the weekend of the dead at the Villa Filippina park .
It is a very old fair, in which the stalls display handicraft products and sell sweets for the little ones, such as sugar puppets and martorana fruit. There are also games for children and toy stalls. In recent years, this ancient tradition has met with modern Halloween celebrations, even organizing a fun masquerade parade for children.
But that’s not all, October is also the month of the Vie dei Tesori, an event that every year opens the doors of many attractions usually closed to visitors, including ancient haunted villas, mysterious undergrounds and occult places linked to the famous Count of Cagliostro esotericist and alchemist.
- Useful info : the Fair of the dead can be visited for free, the places that can be visited on the occasion of the Vie dei Tesori have a cost of € 3.00 per single ticket (booklets of 4 or 10 visits available)
- Low cost flights: starting from € 136.00 – look at the offers
- Where to sleep: 2 nights in a double room plus cot from € 200.00 – see the offers
Unconfirmed event – Halloween in the ghost town of Calcata
The ghost town of Calcata, 40 km from Rome, long uninhabited, retains a truly ancient charm. Once inside, it seems to have crossed the centuries and entered a distant era, inside a perched place full of small stone houses. Halloween night here is very special, and starts at sunset with the witches’ dance . It then continues with the awarding of the competition for the most beautiful carved pumpkin , and continues throughout the night with shows in the small streets, with dances, music, but also artisans, painters, artists of all kinds who perform with their talent. For the whole village there arecandy stalls, face painting, colorful masks, concerts , all in a truly suggestive ancient atmosphere.
Unconfirmed event – Halloween at the bewitched Castle of the Vicars of Lari
The bewitched Castle of the Vicars, in the province of Pisa, is not only an ancient and fascinating place, but also a manor that is said to have been haunted for centuries by many ghosts . The perfect place to spend the night of Halloween, when the spirits have a chance to relive one more night! In the village of Lari, October 31st is celebrated with masks, witches, devils, decorations, the traditional trick or treat ritual, while at the Castle children can participate in thematic guided toursand games to be played all together in the grandiose haunted halls.
Events and destinations in Europe
1 – Halloween in Prague
The capital of the Czech Republic is a magical city, full of charm, esoteric symbols, mysteries and sinister buildings: the ideal place to spend the Halloween weekend. The iconic and dark Prague Castle dominates the city from above like a haunted place. It is said that real spells were made inside it, or at least tried: for a long time, in fact, the emperor Rudolph II hosted sorcerers and alchemists and there are many legends that hover over the Mala Strana district, at the foot of the Castle. We recommend that you discover them on a ghost and legends tour of Prague.
Here it is very interesting and sinister to visit the Alchemy Museum ! The Charles Bridge is another special place, which takes on a very special atmosphere in the evening. Not to mention the numerous clubs around the city which reproduce the medieval atmosphere inside them, dark, lit only by the light of the fire, with themed shows and mysterious characters . Another very suggestive place to visit is certainly the ancient Jewish cemetery, while tours to discover the ghosts and legends of Prague depart from Old Town Square.
SEE ALSO : What to see in Prague
- Useful info : the Alchemy Museum, near the Castle, is open every day from 10:00 to 22:00 and the ticket costs CZK 170.00 (€ 6.50). Prague Castle is open from 09:00 to 17:00 with a ticket of CZK 350.00 (€ 13.50)
- Flight + hotel: Return flight + 3 days / 2 nights from € 610.00 – see the offers
- Where to sleep: 2 nights in a double room plus cot from € 360.00 – look at the offers
2 – Halloween in London
London is a mysterious city and its history goes back through the centuries. Among its alleys are hidden secrets, legends, here the terrible legend of the first serial killer in history was born and there are many still unsolved London mysteries. So spending the Halloween weekend in the capital of England is truly an experience to live! In these days there are numerous events organized in the city also for families, there are markets, masked parades, parties and entertainment near the London Eye, organized tours to discover the ghosts of London, of the places of Harry Potter, or, for the older ones, a tour of the dark places of the Jack the Ripper’s crimes. Children’s parties are also organized in Richmond Park .
SEE ALSO : What to see in London
- Useful info : Harry Potter tours can be booked at Warner Studios with transfers from London
- Flight + hotel: Return flight + 3 days / 2 nights from € 730.00 – see the offers
- Where to sleep: 2 nights in a double room plus cot from € 560.00 – see the offers
3 – Halloween in Derry (Northern Ireland)
Did you know that Halloween originated in Ireland
It was called Samhain and it was the end of summer party. The Green Island is one of the best places to celebrate this time of year, also considering that the celebrations that take place in Derry have been declared the best Halloween festival in the world ! The city is transformed for the occasion and hosts parades of masks, stalls, dance parties, animation shows , there are various points where you can rent your costume to be perfect for Halloween! Awakening The Walls
takes place three days before Halloween, along the ancient city walls, with performances by street artists, an entire village of terrible witches, haunted houses and much more. There are numerous tours available these days in the city, such as the one of the cemeteries, or the tour of the places of Games of Thrones , or the tour of the origins of Halloween, all unmissable.
- Useful info : access to the festival is free, you pay for individual events such as concerts, guided tours, etc. The graveyard tour costs £ 5.83 (€ 6.60). More info on the festival here.
- Flight + hotel: Return flight + 3 days / 2 nights from € 980.00 – see the offers
- Where to sleep: 2 nights in a double room plus cot from € 580.00 – see the offers
