Halloween fun is coming to Crystal Palace National Sports Centre
Taking place at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, the family-friendly event promises plenty of entertainment for children and adults alike, with a haunted house experience, Halloween characters, costumes, crafts, food, music and more.
The festival gets underway on Friday 16 October from 4pm to 8.30pm, before continuing across the weekend.
Fun for all the family
For families looking for some Halloween excitement without the traditional scares, the event has been designed around fun, friendly Halloween characters rather than jump scares. The organisers say all characters will be played by professionally trained actors, with no physical contact between actors and visitors.
Children can meet a host of familiar spooky characters along the walk-through experience, including Wednesday Addams, Count Dracula, Ursula the Sea Witch, the Sanderson Sisters, the Bride of Frankenstein and a friendly zombie.
There will also be plenty of opportunities for children to collect sweets, take photographs with the characters and enjoy the Halloween atmosphere. Children taking part in the Haunted House experience will receive a Boo Bag containing Halloween-themed treats and souvenirs.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive in their favourite Halloween costumes – and to bring a trick-or-treat bucket or bag.
More than just a haunted house
The festival will offer a range of additional activities and entertainment alongside the main Haunted House experience.
Visitors can browse a Haunted Artisan Market, enjoy food stalls, take part in children's crafts and dance along with live DJ entertainment from DJ Bones. Other activities include face painting, henna, tarot readings and Frankenstein's Bouncy Castle, with some activities available for an additional charge.
On Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October, visitors can also enjoy free short performances from West End performers, with Halloween-themed classics performed at 11am and 1pm.
A costume competition will also form part of the weekend's entertainment.
Tickets and event information
Haunted House tickets are priced at £12.50 for adults and children aged 13+, and £10 for children aged 1–12. Babies under one are free. Family ticket options are also available.
The Friday event will run from 4pm until 8.30pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm, with entry slots available every 10 minutes. The walk-through experience allows families to take their time, collect sweets and photographs and enjoy the different characters along the route.
The event will also be supporting St Christopher's, a UK charity supporting vulnerable children and young people in care, leaving care or on the edge of care.
For full event information and tickets, visit the official event ticket page here.