Halloween is just around the corner, and Cardiff is ready to turn up the chills and thrills. From pumpkin villages and twilight mazes to haunted discos, ghost hunts and family-friendly fun, the city is packed with events to suit every age (and scare level). Whether you’re looking for spooky cinema, live shows, or just the perfect pumpkin for your doorstep, here’s our ultimate guide to the best Halloween happenings in and around Cardiff this October.
Halloween Island Festival – 25–31 October
The popular Cardiff Halloween Festival has had a major revamp for 2025, moving from the outskirts to a new waterfront home at Alexandra Head in Cardiff Bay. Rebranded as Halloween Island, this family festival will feature a ghostly boat ride from Mermaid Quay, live stage shows, immersive creative zones, and a twilight programme with glowing pumpkins, fire performances, and even owl encounters. It’s designed for all ages, with daytime activities for families and magical after-dark sessions for those who want a little extra atmosphere.
Forage Farm Pumpkin Patch & Twilight Maze – October
Forage Farm offers one of the region’s most popular pumpkin patches, with over 25 varieties to choose from, plus tractor rides, farm animals, and a giant maize maze. Families can enjoy pony rides, fairground games, a pumpkin catapult, face painting, and balloon modelling — it’s a full day out on the farm. But when the sun goes down, the Twilight Maze takes on a darker edge. Actors bring the installations to life, lurking in the shadows to give older children (8+) and brave adults a scare they won’t forget.
Clearwell Farm Pumpkin Village & Harvest of Horrors – Opens 11 October; Scare Maze 28–31 October
Clearwell Farm is turning into the UK’s first ever life-sized Pumpkin Village. Six hand-built pumpkin-themed buildings and a grand entrance welcome visitors into an autumnal wonderland, with more than 20,000 pumpkins across 25 varieties. Families can enjoy crafts, face-painting, and food stalls, while the Instagram-worthy village is filled with photo opportunities. Twilight sessions allow you to pick your pumpkins under the stars, often with live music, and from 28–31 October, the farm transforms into Harvest of Horrors — a full-scale scare maze experience with terrifying characters and immersive storytelling.
Ghostbusters Day at Mermaid Quay – 28 October
Who you gonna call? Head to Cardiff Bay for a spook-tacular day of family fun themed around the legendary Ghostbusters. From 11am to 4pm, children (and grown-ups!) can meet three Ghostbusters in full costume with a life-sized backdrop, perfect for photos. With themed activities and free entry, it’s the ultimate day out for fans of the film.
Halloween at Techniquest – 25 October
Science meets scares at Techniquest’s annual Halloween Party. Families can enjoy full access to the science centre plus special spooky activities including a trick-or-treat trail, pumpkin crafts, and a fancy dress competition. Expect hands-on experiments, glowing displays, and the chance to see the Bay’s science museum in a whole new light.
Spooky Studio at The Red Dragon Centre – 31 October
Celebrate Halloween in style at The Red Dragon Centre with free face-painting and makeovers from 12–4pm. Children can transform into witches, superheroes or spooky monsters before heading off trick-or-treating. And with bowling, arcades, restaurants, and a cinema all under one roof, it’s an easy family day out with a Halloween twist.
Ghostwatch Screening – Spit & Sawdust – 15 October
Revisit one of the BBC’s most infamous TV moments with a free café screening of Ghostwatch, the 1992 mockumentary that terrified millions who thought it was real. A must for horror fans and anyone who loves a cult classic.
Night Indie Market – Spit & Sawdust – 20 October
This after-dark market is perfect for anyone looking for something a little different. Expect tarot readers, handmade jewellery, alternative home décor, and spooky movie memorabilia. Entry is free, and it’s the perfect way to kick off the Halloween season.
Eddie Munster’s Craft Club – Spit & Sawdust – October
Get creative with shadows at this family workshop. Children can build shadow puppets or monster cut-outs, make their own mini theatre, and explore how lights and colours create eerie landscapes. A hands-on, playful activity that’s equal parts fun and spooky.
Evil Dead Screening – Spit & Sawdust – October
Bowl Cinema brings Sam Raimi’s 1981 horror classic The Evil Dead back to the big screen in its uncut form. Expect gore, laughs, and plenty of scares in this cult horror experience.
Mars Attacks Movie Night – The Dead Canary – October
Head to one of Cardiff’s coolest cocktail bars for a sci-fi Halloween treat. The Dead Canary will be screening Mars Attacks! with themed cocktails and retro vibes all night.
Halloween Silent Disco – Wales Millennium Centre – October
Dance the night away in eerie silence at the Millennium Centre. With wireless headphones, three channels of music, and spooky lighting, it’s a one-of-a-kind Halloween party.
Halloween Nights – St Fagans – 29–31 October
The open-air museum comes alive after dark with family-friendly Halloween fun. Expect spooky storytelling, eerie walkabouts, and atmospheric entertainment across the historic grounds. A great option for families with children.
Halloween Creepy Crawlies – Various Venues – October
Are you brave enough to hold a tarantula, a scorpion, or a snake? Experts from the Dinosaur, Wildlife & Education Centre will be bringing a host of creepy creatures for you to meet. Not for the faint-hearted!
Halloween Underground Cinema – Cardiff Castle – 31 October
Spend Halloween underground at Cardiff Castle’s medieval Undercroft. Darkened Rooms presents family-friendly screenings of The Nightmare Before Christmas and Hocus Pocus, plus cult classics E.T. and The Lost Boys. Expect atmospheric lighting, spooky décor, and a one-of-a-kind cinema setting.
Creepy Crawlies at Dyffryn Gardens – 28–30 October
Enjoy creepy crawly games, silent discos, and craft activities in the Theatre Garden. Kids can take part in dares, throw flies through spider webs, or dance in fancy dress. Entry is on a “pay what you feel” basis with proceeds going to conservation.
Wicked Witches Ball – Theatre Café – October
Sing, dance and join the Sanderson Sisters, Glinda and Elphaba for a Halloween ball filled with live performances, games, and refreshments. Fancy dress is highly encouraged!
Llanrumney Hall Ghost Hunt – 31 October
For serious ghost hunters, Llanrumney Hall offers a spine-tingling Halloween night of paranormal investigation. Roam the historic halls, learn about the legends, and see if you dare to join the hunt.
Sausage Dog Café – Brewhouse & Kitchen – 25 October
Dachshund fans rejoice! Pup Up Café returns with a Halloween twist. Expect off-lead play, seasonal fun, and plenty of photo ops with sausage dogs in costumes. A unique and adorable way to celebrate the spooky season.
WORTH THE DRIVE
FEAR Avon Valley (Bristol) – One of the UK’s top scream parks, with scare mazes, fairground rides and live shows.
Zip World’s Monsters of the Mine (Rhondda Cynon Taf) – An underground Halloween experience deep in the mine with theatrical scares and creepy encounters.
