11 Spooky Things to Do with Friends This Halloween

Ready for a fright night with a difference? If you’re looking for fun things to do with friends this Halloween, leave the crowded bars behind and ditch the same old horror movie marathons – we’ve compiled a list of eleven activities that will give you a spooky season to remember. From terrifying tarot readings and ghost tours to hauntingly good cooking classes, craft workshops and of course, classic pumpkin carving sessions, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a fan of all things frightening or you like your Halloween with a little more chill, you’ve come to the right place! 

For the brave adventurers

If you’re one of those people who longs for the end of summer and thinks Halloween is better than Christmas, you probably like your evening to be scarier than sleeping in the local graveyard – and often end up disappointed. Never fear – we’ve found some experiences that might make even your skin crawl!

This is the Halloween for you if:

• You’ve got an encyclopedic knowledge of horror films. And their directors. And the actors who starred in them!
• You decorate for Halloween like most people decorate for the festive season. There’s no such thing as too many pumpkins, right?
• Your YouTube account is full of ghost hunting videos and paranormal investigators. And not much else!

1. Dive into a tarot reading 

Hosting a spooky soiree this year? Level up the scares by adding a private tarot reading experience to your gathering, and immerse yourselves in all things mystical. Beats bobbing for apples or another round of horror-themed charades!

Workshop: Private tarot reading experience

Location: This teacher is mobile – they’ll travel within 10 miles of Camden in London

Price: £150 for under 15 guests, £300 for under 50 guests 

2. Spend the evening at a spooky museum event 

If you like your Halloween with a side of history, forget the same old horror movie marathon and head off to one of the after-dark museum events happening across the country this October. From vampire weddings and after-hours exhibition access to folklore storytellings and spooky labyrinths, it’s time for your very own ‘night at the museum’!

• London: The Natural History Museum in South Kensington is holding a Halloween extravaganza on 31st October from 7pm until midnight, featuring a vampire wedding, live musicians, a silent disco and admittance to the exhibitions – after dark!
• London: The Soane Museum in Holborn is putting on a Halloween event on 30th October with candlelight access to artefacts, tales of the afterlife and a welcome glass of wine or prosecco in the breathtaking, exhibit-packed library. 
• Milton Keynes: The Milton Keynes Museum in Wolverton is celebrating the spookiest night of the year with a ‘Legends and Lanterns’ evening. Guests will be invited to explore the museum through interactive activities, take part in a ghost hunt and learn all about the traditional customs of All Hallows Eve. Period costumes encouraged!
• Somerset: The House of Frankenstein Museum in Bath is hosting an immersive event that’s not for the faint hearted: featuring dark rooms, labyrinths and confined spaces, this is one for the hardcore Halloween fans only!

3. Go on a ghost tour 

Feeling brave? Grab your gang and sign yourselves up for a paranormal adventure to remember with a local ghost tour from Haunted Happenings – dip your toe in with an evening experience or go big with an all night sleepover! From haunted prisons to 15th century manor houses, there’s something here for all your supernatural needs!

For the food and drink lovers

For the foodies, forget trick or treating – spooky season is the perfect excuse to test out new recipes, embrace local, seasonal ingredients and dive into a fun Halloween themed restaurant experience. More keen on fresh flavours than the traditional fright night? We’ve got you! 

This is the Halloween for you if:

• Your first thought when you see a pumpkin isn’t which designs you could carve – it’s warm, nourishing soup recipes and what creative twists you could put on the traditional pie.
• You get excited at the opportunity to decorate your cakes and bakes to a fun theme.
• You love seasonal flavours. Think warming spices, fresh squash and rustic, wholesome dishes.

4. Make spooky cocktails

If you’re a big fan of a Halloween night out, leave the busy bars behind this year and learn how to make some themed cocktails with your crew at a mixology masterclass in London. Your ticket includes:

• A welcome drink from the Halloween specials selection
• Demonstrations from pro bartenders
• Mixing and shaking two of your own cocktails (or mocktails for anyone who’s alcohol free)
• Artisan pizza and fries 
• After-class entry to the Halloween party

5. Decorate devilishly delicious macarons 

Got a sweet tooth? Leave the spooky stuff behind and dive into a Halloween macaron decorating workshop in Manchester instead! Perfect for anyone who’s more into treats than tricks, you and your crew will learn professional decorating techniques to create your own box of eight themed macarons to take home.

6. Make the most of your pumpkins

Fed up with pumpkin pie? Learn to use your carving leftovers more creatively this year with a pumpkins 3-ways cooking class in London. From seasonal pumpkin bubble tea to flavour-packed filling for mochi, you’ll never resort to the same old soup again!

7. Book a hauntingly good foodie experience:

If you’re more into eating than you are cooking, take the night off and dive into a spooky season foodie experience instead. From dinner and a rooftop movie to an evening in a 16th century gothic dining room, these ideas will make your Halloween one to remember!

• London: Joia in Battersea are hosting dinner and a movie in their pop up rooftop cinema between the 29th and 31st October.
• Bristol: Old Down Estate is holding a themed afternoon tea on 1st November, featuring a special menu and views across the South Gloucestershire countryside. 
• Edinburgh: If you love all things gothic, head off to The Witchery in the historic Old Town, where you’ll enjoy a lavish dinner by candlelight.

For the cosy creatives

Scary costumes? Horror films? Ghost hunting? Absolutely not! If the thought of going out on Halloween fills you with more fear than watching The Conjuring alone in the dark (ClassBento team tip: don’t!), you can still celebrate the season indoors with some cosy themed crafts! 

This is the Halloween for you if:

• You’re looking for spooky things to do with friends to celebrate the season – but in a ‘themed crafternoon’ way rather than a ‘explore a haunted prison’ way!
• You love diving into new crafts and learning new skills – and what better way to do it than with a seasonal creative workshop?
• You always have neighbourly pumpkin envy, and want to learn how to fill your porch with the most intricately carved works of art. Without slicing into your own finger!

8. Try some Halloween themed floristry

If you’re more into flowers than frights, why not celebrate with a seasonal floristry workshop? From dried flower arrangements to witches broom making, there’s something here for every gang of nature lovers. Perfect if you’re looking for fun things to do with friends this Halloween that won’t give you nightmares!

• London: Halloween dried flower workshop in Hampstead
• Manchester: Halloween floral workshop in Salford
• Middlesborough: Witches broom flower arranging workshop in Cleveland
• Birmingham: Floral pumpkin workshop in Brindleyplace

9. Dive into classic pumpkin decorating

It’s a classic for a reason! Keep it traditional this year, and spend a cosy evening with your besties decorating pumpkins. Try your hand at carving intricate designs, paint patterns with bright colours or dive into decoupage – the only limit is your imagination!

• London: Halloween pumpkin carving workshop in Battersea
• London: Pumpkin decoupage class in various locations
• Manchester: Pumpkin painting workshop in various locations

10. Get stuck into a spooky sip and paint 

Feeling arty? Head off to a Halloween themed paint and sip workshop with your favourite people: a little creativity, your favourite drinks and some spooky snacks – what could be better?

• London: Halloween sip and paint workshop in Battersea
• Manchester: Trick or paint Halloween workshop in the Green Quarter
• Birmingham: Halloween glitter paint and sip workshop in Solihull
• Milton Keynes: Sip and paint class: Halloween special in Town Centre

11. Try some seasonal ceramics 

Get stuck into some spooky sculpting this October with a Halloween themed pottery class! From gargoyles and pumpkins to cute candle holders, you and your crafty crew can switch off from the day-to-day with drinks and snacks, and craft your way to Halloween heaven.

• London: Wellbeing pottery workshop in Woolwich 
• Manchester: Spooky sculpting Halloween workshop in various locations 
• Bristol: Handbuilding Halloween pottery class in Bedminster 
• Edinburgh: Halloween air dry clay ghosts workshop in Southside

The best Halloween activities – ClassBento Style

If that's not enough inspiration for you, check out what our team are planning for spooky season this year. Fearsome or fearless – who do you think is the bravest of us all?

I'm hoping to head off for a ghost hunt in an old castle or building. I'd love to explore somewhere with a spooky history - my years of watching Most Haunted Live on Halloween would finally pay off! Amy, Content Writer

My partner and I are going to see the 'Haunting of Hill House' play in Manchester – we were big fans of the series, and can't wait to see how the theatre version compares! Niall, UK Growth Partner and US GP Manager

I'm going to a Halloween all-nighter with my friend at the Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle. Lots of sweets, a gorgeous cinema and a Halloween-y atomosphere. My dream evening! Phoebe, Head of Content and Production UK

I'm heading off to Whitby for the Autumn Goth Weekend. Lots of live music and cool markets, all in the most atmospheric place in the country! Dan, Content Writer

Ready to make this Halloween unforgettably spooktacular?

Whether you decide to brave an immersive ghost tour, gather the squad for seasonal bites, or get your hands dirty with spooky DIY activities, trying something different is the ultimate way to elevate your ghostly celebrations.

Swapping a standard night in for a unique shared experience guarantees plenty of laughs, quality bonding, and lasting memories long after the autumn leaves fall. Browse the full lineup of seasonal experiences and events on ClassBento to find the perfect spooky activity near you, and start planning a frightfully fun day out with your favourite crew!