Not drinking? Here are 10 sober ways to celebrate Halloween in London

While London might be famous for its wild Halloween nights out, there’s a whole load of other fun to be had –  the kind that doesn’t include overpriced drinks or losing your mates.

Whether you’re taking a break from booze or simply looking for something different, you’ve come to the right place.

Here’s a list of sober activities you can do to actually remember your Halloween this year.

1. Have a horror movie marathon

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Grab a few friends together because this one is going to be traumatic. Get your Halloween-themed snacks going and brace yourself for a night of horror.

You can even whip up some horror-themed snacks: “Mummy dogs” (sausage wrapped messily a thin pastry dough strips) or “bloody popcorn” (popcorn mixed with red food colouring).

Once all the snacks are prepared, choose a film you’ve been too scared to watch alone, and settle in for a night of screaming and bad dreams.

2. Decorate your uni room

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It’s spooky season – time for oranges, reds and blacks to take over your room. Pumpkins, fairy lights, and creepy decor will get you properly in the spirit.

Grab bits from the Halloween sections in Tesco or Sainsbury’s, or even take a look in Flying Tiger for random decorations you didn’t know you needed.

3. Pumpkin painting

Carving pumpkins gets too messy. Painting them? Much smarter.

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Grab some pumpkins, friends, and paints, then let your inner artist run wild. Make it cute or terrifying; there are no rules. Not only is this a lot less faff than pumpkin carving, but you’ll also end up with a brand new bedroom decoration that will actually survive the week.

4. Jack the Ripper Walking Tour

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Want to walk around Whitechapel to learn about the horrific crimes Jack the Ripper committed? Then this is for you.

This tour costs £20 and takes you around all the locations where the serial killer’s victims were murdered. Be warned: You will see the victims’ autopsies, and even stop by haunted pubs where the ghosts of the past are said to linger. Not for the faint-hearted, but perfect if you like your history served with a side of terror.

5. The London Dungeon

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Speaking of terror, the London Dungeon is a classic way to get your blood pumping this Halloween. Be prepared to scream while learning all about London’s dark history.

The dungeons are not just a simple walk-through of gruesome history – it’s full-on interactive terror. Expect rides, live actors, and creepy tales – and with tickets for just £27 this isn’t one to miss. If you survive, you can even reward yourself with a spin on the London Eye’s Ferris wheel, which is conveniently located right next to the dungeons.

6. Escape rooms

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Want to step way out of your comfort zone this Halloween? Try escaping a psychopath’s den, a horror hotel, or stopping Armageddon.

London is packed with terrifying escape rooms: Aim Escape starts at £31, or go to London’s largest escape room to play “Granny the Horror Escape Game” at Scream Works, costing £42. Enter if you dare…

7. Traitors Live Experience

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Want to be traumatised by how good your friends are at lying? Then this one is for you.

At The Traitors Experience in Covent Garden, you’ll backstab, scheme, and fake alliances just like you’re actually on the show – all for £30. The game is running until 31^st of January, so book your slot while you still can!

8. London ghost bus tour

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See London’s haunted side without taking a single step. Travel through London by bus, touring all of the capital’s creepiest spots and most famous ghost hangouts – an unforgettable experience for the price of £23.

You’ll get spooky stories, eerie views, and a crash course of London’s history – the perfect way to get a sleepless Halloween.

9. Clink Prison Museum

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Step inside one of England’s oldest prisons and see how the real criminals did time. For £8.80, you can explore the Clink Prison Museum.

Explore creepy artefacts, test out medieval torture devices, and even step into the original cells. It’s dark, grim, and genuinely unsettling – basically the perfect Halloween activity if you fancy being both terrified and educated.

10. Hampton Court Palace

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Fancy spending Halloween in a haunted palace? At Hampton Court, you’ll roam Henry VIII’s ghost-filled halls and take on the chilling “Trail of Hell”.

Keep an eye out for infamous spirits (and maybe one of his less fortunate wives). It’s free for all members, £28 for general entry, or £22 if you’re a student who is brave enough to wander the haunted corridors of history.

Featured image via Unsplash