The Best Halloween Events In Essex 2023
The summer is drawing to a close and the nights are drawing in… which must mean that Halloween is just around the corner!
If you are like us and love a bit of Halloween fun, we’ve sought out the best Halloween events in Essex this year
There are creepy Halloween trails and pumpkin patches galore. We’ve even included some really spooky Halloween events in Essex for adults at the end – after all, Halloween is not just about the kids (despite what my kids might tell you)!
We’ve given the basic details of each Essex Halloween event but for more detailed (and the most up to date) information, we’ve included a link that takes you direct to the event’s website.
Whilst many of the 2023 Halloween events in Essex dates have already been released, not all of them have so check back here because more events may be added closer to the time.
If you’re looking for UK staycations this October half term, take a look at our guide to the best UK Halloween breaks for families.
See also Halloween events in London for kids.
This post contains affiliate links. If you book something through one, we may earn a small commission but this is at no extra cost to you.
Halloween events in Essex for kids
Our kids love Halloween and I’m always researching things to do at Halloween near me which is why I came up with this huge guide on Halloween events for kids.
It should help to give you some inspiration to help you find a Halloween event near you.
If you’re looking for something to do with the kids this October half term in Essex, these Halloween days out look spookily family-friendly!
Audley End
Address: Audley End, Audley End Rd, Audley End, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4JF.
Dates: 21st to 31st October 2023.
Tickets: Halloween Special Adult – £17.00, child (under 92cm) £8.50. Under 1 – FREE.
If you are on or near the Cambridgeshire border, you might like to find out where to go pumpkin picking in Cambridgeshire this year.
Audley End House and Garden (English Heritage)
Address: Audley End, Audley End Rd, Audley End, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4JF.
Dates: 27th to 29th October 2023.
Tickets: Adult – £14.00, Child (5-17) – £8.50.
See also their Halloween Quest running from 21st October to 5th November.
We highly recommend an English Heritage membership if you like visiting English Heritage properties. Just a couple of visits will cover the cost of your annual membership and you get to do some special events for free too.
They’re often running codes. The current one seems to be YORE01 for 20% off.
Barleylands
Address: Barleylands Farm Park & The Village, Barleylands Road, Billericay, Essex, CM11 2UD.
Dates: 26th to 28th October 2023.
Tickets: Adult – £14.50, Child (2-15) – £14.50. Under 2 – £2.00.
See also their Halloween Fest running from 21st to 29th October.
Old Macdonalds Farm & Fun Park
Visit their haunted house, magic school, pumpkin patch and more.
Address: Old Macdonalds Farm & Fun Park, Weald Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5AY.
Dates: 21st to 31st October 2023.
Tickets: Adult – £19.50, Child (2-15) – £20.00. Under 2 – FREE.
Colchester Zoo
Enjoy the Halloween Trail, Witches Coven, face painting, scare school and more.
Address: Colchester Zoo, Maldon Rd, Heckfordbridge, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SL.
Dates: 21st to 29th October 2023.
Tickets: £20.00 per person.
Marsh Farm
Address: Marsh Farm, Marsh Farm Rd, South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, CM3 5WP.
Dates: 14th & 15th and 21st to 29th October 2023.
Tickets: £19.99 per person. Toddler (6 months to 2 years) – £5.99. Under 6 months – FREE.
These are all the places you can go pumpkin picking in Essex this year.
Lee Valley Animal Farm Park
Lee Valley Farm’s Halloween Festival
Halloween shows, Day of the Dead disco, magic spells class, haunted big top walk through experience and more.
Address: Lee Valley Farm Park, Stubbins Hall Ln, Waltham Abbey, EN9 2EF.
Dates: 21st to 29th October 2023.
Tickets: £9.99 per person. Toddler (6 months to 2 years) – £4.99. Under 6 months – FREE.
Mountfichet Castle
Address: Mountfichet Castle, Stansted, Essex, CM24 8SP
Dates: 21st to 29th October 2023.
Tickets: Adult – £13.50, Child (3-13) – £11.00. Under 3 – FREE.
Markshall Estate
Cryptic crossword trail, spooky stories and Day of the Dead experience.
Address: Markshall Estate, Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1TG.
Dates: 23rd to 27th October 2023.
Tickets: Adult – £9.00, Child (3-16) – £4.75. Under 3 – FREE.
Myddelton House Gardens
Pumpkin hunt in the garden – perfect if you’re looking for free Halloween events in Essex.
Address: Myddelton House Gardens, Enfield, EN2 9HG.
Dates: 23rd to 29th October 2023.
Tickets: Free.
Epping Ongar Railway
Fright Week – ride the Ghost Train.
Address: Epping Ongar Railway, Ongar Station, Station Approach, Ongar, Essex, CM5 9BN.
Dates: 25th to 28th October 2023.
Tickets: Adult – £16.00, Child (3+) – £10.00. Under 3 – FREE – but not guaranteed a seat. Private compartment for 6 – £75.00.
East Anglian Railway Museum
Day Out With Thomas – TBC whether this will be a Spooky Day out with Thomas.
Address: East Anglian Railway Museum, Chappel & Wakes Colne Station, Station Rd, Wakes Colne, Colchester, Essex, CO6 2DS.
Dates: TBC.
Tickets: Adult – £16.50, Child (2-17) – £12.50. Under 2 – FREE.
Lakeside Shopping Centre
Address: Lakeside, West Thurrock Way, Grays, Essex, RM20 2ZP.
Dates: 21st to 27th October 2023.
Tickets: £FREE.
Belchamps Scout Activity Centre
Belchamps Haunted Pumpkin Patch
Address: Belchamps Scout Camp, Holyoak Lane, Hockley, Essex, SS5 4JD.
Dates: 23rd to 27th October 2023.
Tickets: Adult – FREE, Child – £10.00 (includes 1 pumpkin).
Maldon Ghost Walks
Address: Belchamps Scout Camp, Holyoak Lane, Hockley, Essex, SS5 4JD.
Dates: Every Saturday until 29th October and a special walk on 31st October.
Tickets: Adult – £5.00, Child (5-16) – £3.00. Under 5 – FREE.
Halloween events in Essex for adults
This post is more geared towards Halloween events for kids in Essex but we’re pretty sure that there are some grown up kids who love a bit of spooky Halloween fun.
Colchester Zoo
Trail of Terror (suitable for aged 12+).
Address: Colchester Zoo, Maldon Rd, Heckfordbridge, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SL.
Dates: Trail of Terror starts 14th October.
Tickets: £20.00 per person.
Kelvedon Hatch
Address: Kelvedon Hatch, Kelvedon Hall Lane, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5TL.
Dates: Selected dates (Fridays and Saturdays) through the year.
Tickets: £59.00 per person.
Red Lion
Halloween Ghost Hunt and Dinner
Address: Brook Red Lion Hotel, 43 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1DJ.
Dates: 31st October 2023.
Tickets: £48.00 per person (plus a £4.33 booking fee).
Queens Theatre Hornchurch
Address: Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, Essex, RM11 1QT.
Dates: See website for dates.
Tickets: From £12.50 – £29.00 per person.
Halloween events near Essex
If you’re on or near the Essex borders, you may be interested in venturing out of Essex because there are some really great Halloween events taking place near Essex.
Wrest Park – Half Term Halloween Fun – 21st to 29th October 2023 – (BEDFORDSHIRE).
Blenheim Palace – Halloween at Blenheim – 20th to 29th October 2023 – (OXFORDSHIRE).
Waddesdon Manor – Haunted Half Term – 21st to 29th October 2023 – (BUCKINGHAMSHIRE).
Willows Farm – Willows Farm Pumpkin Festival – 14th & 5th and 19th to 31st October 2023. (HERTFORDSHIRE). See also pumpkin picking in Hertfordshire.
See also…
Halloween events in Bedfordshire
Halloween events in Hertfordshire
You might also like…
How about staying in a haunted hotel in Essex? Check out the White Hart Hotel in Coggeshall or the Red Lion Hotel in Colchester.
See also these haunted places in Essex.
We also have posts on the best places to go pumpkin picking near London, pumpkin picking in East Anglia, pumpkin picking in Suffolk and pumpkin picking in Norfolk.
Halloween nearly over? We also have a comprehensive post on the Christmas events in Essex and Christmas markets in Essex this year.
And if you are heading into London this Christmas, we have posts on :
Things to do at Christmas in London with kids
A guide to the Christmas markets in London
A guide to the Christmas lights in London
If you think we have missed a Halloween event in Essex, please get in touch and let us know!