Halloween in Blackpool 2025: Spooky Family Fun by the Seaside

Key Takeaways

As autumn arrives and pumpkins begin appearing on doorsteps, Blackpool transforms into a spectacular Halloween destination. This coastal town offers Halloween activities that cater to every age. From enchanting wildlife encounters with a magical twist to atmospheric ghost walks through historic landmarks, Blackpool proves that the perfect Halloween celebration is right on your doorstep.

Family-Friendly Halloween Adventures in Blackpool:

• Blackpool Zoo's Wizarding Wildlife School — Magical trail through the zoo with enchanted markers and themed activities included with admission.

• Educational wildlife encounters — Discover over 1,000 animals whilst participating in Halloween-themed learning experiences.

Blackpool's Halloween Atmosphere:

• The Blackpool Tower Halloween Family Party — Monster magic shows, UV light displays, and fancy dress competitions in the iconic Ballroom.

• The Blackpool Tower Dungeon — Theatrical actors and special effects bring 1,000 years of Lancashire's darkest history to life.

• Blackpool Ghost Walks — Award-winning 90-minute walking tours through haunted landmarks, rated number one on TripAdvisor.

Indoor Halloween Fun for All Weather:

• Rainy-day activities — DIY costume crafting, no-carve pumpkin decorating, and creative indoor projects.

• Educational experiences — Learning about nocturnal animals and Halloween science activities that combine fun with discovery.

Family-Friendly Halloween Adventures in Blackpool

Blackpool excels at creating safe, fun, and accessible Halloween experiences for families. The town's attractions balance excitement with a friendly atmosphere, offering activities specifically tailored for children. 

Blackpool Zoo's: Where Halloween Magic Comes Alive

Blackpool Zoo has earned its reputation as one of the UK's premier family attractions, especially during Halloween. The zoo's commitment to combining wildlife conservation with seasonal entertainment creates a unique atmosphere where families can discover fascinating animals from around the world.

Blackpool Zoo's Wizarding Wildlife School

Throughout October, Blackpool Zoo hosts the Wizarding Wildlife School, a captivating Halloween trail that transforms your zoo visit into an adventure. Young wizards and witches receive free trail sheets at the admission desk, guiding them on a quest to discover enchanted markers whilst learning about the zoo's incredible resident animals. 

Important Information

• Opening hours: Blackpool Zoo welcomes visitors throughout October with seasonal opening times designed to maximise your Halloween experience. For precise daily opening hours and any special Halloween operating schedules, visit the opening times page on the zoo's official website.

• How to get to the Zoo: The zoo is conveniently located just outside Blackpool's town centre, accessible by car with ample parking available at £4.50 per day. Regular bus services connect the zoo with central Blackpool, and detailed directions for all transport methods can be found on the how to Find Us page.

Blackpool's Halloween Atmosphere

Beyond the zoo, Blackpool's Halloween spirit comes alive. The town's Victorian heritage provides authentic atmospheric backdrops that modern attractions simply cannot replicate, whilst contemporary entertainment ensures every family member finds something thrilling. 

The Blackpool Tower Halloween Family Party

The magnificent Blackpool Tower Ballroom transforms into a Halloween wonderland each October, hosting spectacular family parties that honour the venue's 130-year heritage. These special evening events feature Russ Brown's Monster Magic Show, mesmerising UV light displays, and live DJ dance parties. The fancy dress competition encourages families to showcase their creative costumes, whilst Halloween-themed games offer prizes that delight children of all ages.

The party maintains that delicate balance between genuinely spooky and family-friendly, ensuring three-year-olds and thirteen-year-olds can enjoy the same event without either feeling patronised or frightened.

The Blackpool Tower Dungeon

For families with braver children (recommended for ages 10+), The Blackpool Tower Dungeon delivers genuinely thrilling Halloween experiences that bring 1,000 years of Lancashire's darkest history to life. Throughout October, the Dungeon intensifies its already spine-chilling walkthrough with special Halloween shows. Visitors descend in a medieval lift into the Dungeon's depths, encountering plague doctors, torturers, and the infamous Pendle Witches before facing the ultimate finale—the DROP DEAD: Drop Ride to Doom.

Blackpool Ghost Walks

Led by Stephen Mercer, the Victorian Ghost Hunter and author of "Horrors of Blackpool," these 90-minute walking tours explore the town's most haunted landmarks whilst revealing fascinating historical details that most visitors never discover.

Two distinct tours operate throughout the season: Thursday Thrills concludes with the Paranormal Picture House experience at The Regent Cinema, whilst Saturday Scares finishes with the atmospheric Victorian Séance Experience in The Tache Rock Club. 

Indoor Halloween Fun for All Weather

Blackpool's coastal location means October weather can be unpredictable, but there's no need to worry if rain appears. The town offers plenty of indoor Halloween options that keep spirits high regardless of what the weather brings.

Rainy Day Halloween Activities: DIY Ideas!

Halloween activities are also held indoors, keeping the excitement alive even when it rains.

Spooky Homemade Costumes and Accessories

Transform a rainy afternoon into quality crafting time by creating unique Halloween costumes together. Simple materials like old bedsheets, cardboard, face paints, and fabric scraps become impressive costumes when imagination takes control. You can help your children craft witch hats, vampire capes, and zombie makeup can all be crafted with basic supplies and YouTube tutorials.

Easy Pumpkin Decorating Without Carving

For families where traditional pumpkin carving proves impractical in hotel rooms or holiday apartments, no-carve decorating delivers all the Halloween atmosphere without safety concerns or messy cleanup. Use permanent markers, paint, glitter, stickers, and craft materials to transform ordinary pumpkins into Halloween masterpieces. Even toddlers can participate safely, sticking googly eyes whilst older siblings create elaborate painted designs.

Educational Halloween Experiences

Halloween provides unexpected opportunities for learning that genuinely capture children's attention, transforming seasonal fun into valuable educational moments.

Learning About Nocturnal Animals

Halloween's association with bats, owls, and creatures of the night creates perfect teachable moments about nocturnal animals and their remarkable adaptations. Kids love to know about how bats navigate using echolocation, why owls can rotate their heads 270 degrees, and what makes hedgehogs perfectly designed for nighttime foraging.

Halloween Science and Nature Activities

October's seasonal changes provide hands-on science lessons disguised as Halloween fun. There are many experiments that bring Halloween science to life. Here are some examples: creating "witches' brew" with baking soda and vinegar, building spider webs with string, and growing saved pumpkin seeds to introduce your children to plant life cycles.

Why Blackpool Zoo is Your Ultimate Halloween Destination

Blackpool Zoo stands out as the ultimate Halloween destination because it delivers what other attractions can't: authentic natural wonder alongside seasonal magic. The extensive outdoor grounds mean no claustrophobic crowding, whilst the location outside the town centre ensures easier parking and a more relaxed visit.

Your ticket to the Blackpool Zoo also supports vital conservation programmes and international breeding initiatives that protect endangered species whilst sparking curiosity in future generations. Blackpool Zoo brings together education, adventure, and Halloween fun in one place!

Plus, during this time, you can visit the magical Wizarding Wildlife School. Secure your tickets online today to guarantee entry during the busy October half-term and save money with advance booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Blackpool good for Halloween?

Yes, Blackpool excels as a Halloween destination, offering family-friendly attractions, spooky experiences, and distinctive seaside atmosphere. The town's diverse offerings let families customise their experience from gentle zoo trails to thrilling dungeon adventures, all set against authentic Victorian backdrops.

What to do in Blackpool in October?

October offers remarkable variety beyond Halloween events. The famous Blackpool Illuminations run through October, whilst Blackpool Zoo features the Wizarding Wildlife School trail. The Blackpool Tower hosts special Halloween programming at its ballroom, circus, and dungeon, with traditional entertainment venues providing weather-proof alternatives.

How long does it take to go around Blackpool Zoo?

Most families spend 3-4 hours exploring the zoo comfortably, extending to 5-6 hours during Halloween when children engage with the Wizarding Wildlife School trail. The 37-acre site houses over 1,000 animals, allowing families to explore at their own pace.