Halloween events for kids 2026 in Edinburgh & the Lothians

1–31 Oct

Craigies Pumpkin Festival 2026

• Craigies Farm & Little Farmers Soft Play, South Queensferry
• Ages 1+
• Outdoor

• Pick your own pumpkins, plus a bale maze and roaming characters
• Book a two-hour slot; pumpkins aren't in the ticket

1–31 Oct

Halloween Family Trail

Trails & hunts

• St Cecilia’s Hall: Concert Room & Music Museum, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
• Ages 2–12
• Indoor
• Free

• Find eight ghosts hiding in the music galleries
• Answer all their questions to win a sticker

2–31 Oct

Lantern Led Tour

Ghost tours · After dark

• The Real Mary King's Close, Edinburgh
• Ages 5+
• Indoor

• Carry your own lantern through the streets under the Royal Mile
• Atmospheric rather than scary; lots of stairs, no under-5s

3 Oct · 11am

Atumnal Pumpkin Candle Holders - Eco-Resin Craft Workshop

Crafts & workshops

• We Make Workshops, Edinburgh
• Ages 8+
• Indoor

• Cast two pumpkin-shaped eco-resin candle holders
• For adults, or children 8+ with an adult

3 Oct – 1 Nov

Monsters and Myths Trail

Trails & hunts

• Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh
• Ages 3–12
• Indoor

• Track down dragons, kelpies and werewolves through the galleries
• Finish by mixing your own dragon's potion

9–31 Oct

Pumpkins After Dark Edinburgh

Trails & hunts · After dark

• Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh
• Ages 3–15
• Outdoor

• A 1km light trail through 10,000 hand-carved pumpkins
• No jump scares, but strobe lighting and fog throughout

10 Oct · 11am

Halloween Ghost Dish - Eco-Resin Craft Workshop

Crafts & workshops

• We Make Workshops, Edinburgh
• Ages 8+
• Indoor

• Cast a ghostly eco-resin dish to take home
• For adults, or children 8+ with an adult

10–31 Oct

Haunting Halloween Hunt

Trails & hunts

• Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, Edinburgh
• Ages 2–12
• Indoor

• Find a Halloween monster hiding on each of five floors
• Spooky not scary; a sweet treat if you find them all

10 Oct – 1 Nov

Wild Magic! An autumn family trail at Craigmillar Castle

Trails & hunts

• Craigmillar Castle Park, Edinburgh
• Ages 2–12
• Indoor & outdoor

• Spot the plants behind Scotland's old magic stories
• Self-led clue trail with a sticker at the end

10 Oct – 1 Nov

Wild Magic! An autumn family trail at Edinburgh Castle

Trails & hunts

• Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh
• Ages 2–12
• Indoor & outdoor

• Spot the plants behind Scotland's old magic stories
• Self-led clue trail with a sticker at the end

16–31 Oct

Halloween Pumpkin Nights at Conifox

After dark

• Conifox - Activity Centre, Kirkliston
• Ages 1+
• Outdoor

• Three spooky mazes, fire performers and an 8pm firework display
• An evening event; pumpkins and funfair cost extra

17–31 Oct

Halloween Pumpkin Festival at Conifox

• Conifox - Activity Centre, Kirkliston
• Ages 1+
• Outdoor

• Pick a pumpkin, explore two spooky mazes and meet characters
• Daytime festival; pumpkins and rides cost extra

17 Oct · 2pm

Halloween workshop with children's author Clémentine Baudet

Crafts & workshops

• French Institute in Scotland, Edinburgh
• Ages 4–6
• Indoor

• Invent magical potions for your own witch's grimoire
• In easy French, for ages 4 to 6

23–30 Oct

DynaMites: There's No Such Thing As A...

Crafts & workshops

• Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh
• Ages 0–4
• Indoor

• Stories, crafts and sensory play about real mythical creatures
• For under-4s with their grown-up

23–30 Oct

Dynamos: There's No Such Thing As A…

Crafts & workshops

• Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh
• Ages 4–6
• Indoor

• Sort fact from fiction about fearsome fantasy beasts
• For ages 4 to 6; includes soft play the same day

23–31 Oct

Pumpkin Festival After Dark

After dark

• Craigies Farm & Little Farmers Soft Play, South Queensferry
• Ages 1+
• Outdoor

• An illuminated pumpkin patch with a glowing bale maze
• An evening event; pumpkins aren't in the ticket

23–31 Oct

Spirits of Halloween

Ghost tours · After dark

• Mercat Cross, Edinburgh
• Ages 5+
• Indoor & outdoor

• A two-hour ghost tour through Edinburgh's underground vaults
• Over-5s only, and judge whether they're up to it

24 Oct · 10am

Witches and Wizards [Lauriston Castle Family Workshops]

Crafts & workshops

• Lauriston Castle, Edinburgh
• Ages 5+
• Indoor

• Make potions, cast spells and craft a witch or wizard hat
• For ages 5+; come dressed up

25 Oct · 3pm

Children's Classic Concerts - Creepy Carnival

Shows & stories

• Usher Hall, Edinburgh
• Ages 4–12
• Indoor

• The RSNO plays a creepy-fairground Halloween concert
• With the RSNO Junior Chorus; babes in arms go free

25 Oct · 9am

Fall Pumpkin Paint & Play

Crafts & workshops

• MakeBelieve - The Baby Play Place, Edinburgh
• Ages 1–7
• Indoor

• Paint a pumpkin to take home, then play all day
• Drop in any time between 9am and 3pm

25 Oct · 10:30am

Halloween Magic School [Special Family Events at Lauriston Castle]

Crafts & workshops

• Lauriston Castle, Edinburgh
• Ages 7–11
• Indoor

• Learn and perform your own magic tricks
• For ages 7 to 11; no magic experience needed

25–23 Oct

Summer's End

Days out & festivals

• Water of Leith Visitor Centre and Cafe, Edinburgh
• Ages 5–17
• Indoor & outdoor

• Storytelling, a fireside gathering and nature crafts in the Dells
• Not recommended for under-5s; about 1.5 hours

26–27 Oct

Halloween Tales

Shows & stories · After dark

• Trinity House Maritime Museum, Edinburgh
• Ages 12+
• Indoor

• A storyteller shares tales of hauntings on a twilight tour
• For ages 12+; the vaults are down steep stairs

26–27 Oct

Little Ones Halloween Tales

Shows & stories · After dark

• Trinity House Maritime Museum, Edinburgh
• Ages 5+
• Indoor

• A storyteller shares tales of hauntings on a twilight tour
• For ages 5+; the vaults are down steep stairs

31 Oct · 11am

Autumnal Pumpkin Storage Dish - Eco-Resin Craft Workshop

Crafts & workshops

• We Make Workshops, Edinburgh
• Ages 8+
• Indoor

• Cast a pumpkin-shaped eco-resin dish to take home
• For adults, or children 8+ with an adult

31 Oct · 10am

Dino's Science Club: Monstrous Myths

Crafts & workshops

• Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh
• Ages 6–12
• Indoor

• Hands-on experiments about the real creatures behind myths
• One-hour sessions for ages 6 to 12

31 Oct · 10am

Dino's: Monstrous Myths

Crafts & workshops

• Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh
• Ages 6–12
• Indoor

• Hands-on experiments about the real creatures behind myths
• Children join on their own; an adult stays in the building

31 Oct · 1:30pm

Halloween in the Castle [Lauriston Castle Costumed Tours]

Ghost tours

• Lauriston Castle, Edinburgh
• Ages 8–16
• Indoor

• Meet the castle's 1905 household, in costume, on a walking tour
• Hear the history of Scottish Halloween, from Samhain on

31 Oct · 11:30am

Halloween Shenanigans at Craig-thriller Castle

Days out & festivals

• Craigmillar Castle Park, Edinburgh
• Ages 3–12
• Indoor & outdoor

• Meet the Master of Owls and his owls in the castle
• Storytelling, riddles and songs; included with admission

31 Oct · 11am

Halloween Shenanigans at Edin-boo! Castle

Days out & festivals

• Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh
• Ages 6–14
• Indoor

• Costumed storytellers bring castle legends to life in the Great Hall
• Included with castle admission

31 Oct · 4:30pm

MakeBelieve's Annual Halloween Costume Party

Parties & discos

• MakeBelieve - The Baby Play Place, Edinburgh
• Ages 2–10
• Indoor

• Dressing-up party with free play for little ones
• Every child gets a light-up trick-or-treat giveaway

31 Oct · 10:30am

Samhuinn Celebration with Morvern Graham

Shows & stories

• Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh
• Ages 5+
• Indoor & outdoor

• Stories, crafts and mask-making, then a mask parade
• For ages 5+; costumes welcome

31 Oct · 4pm

Tricks and Treats: A Ghost Tour with Bizarre Magic

Ghost tours

• Covenanters' Memorial, Edinburgh
• Ages 13+
• Outdoor

• A walking ghost tour through the Old Town with live magic
• Recommended for ages 13 and over

8–31 Oct

Pumpkin Forest Potions

Days out & festivals · After dark

• The Bubbling Toad, Vogrie
• Ages 4–13
• Indoor

8 Oct – 1 Nov

Vogrie Pumpkin Forest

Trails & hunts · After dark

• Vogrie Country Park, Gorebridge
• Ages 2–12
• Outdoor

• A 50-minute glowing woodland trail with 1,000 carved pumpkins
• Spooky, never scary: no jump scares or strobe lights

10 Oct – 1 Nov

Rangers of the Radiant Realm | Halloween Trail

Trails & hunts

• Dalkeith Country Park, Dalkeith
• Ages 2–12
• Outdoor

• Find Duchess Anna's hidden clues in the woodland maze
• For ages 2 to 12; includes all-day adventure playground entry

23 Oct · 6:30pm

The Big Halloween Screen: Coco (PG)

Films · After dark

• Dalkeith Country Park, Dalkeith
• Ages 8+
• Outdoor

• Coco on a big outdoor screen under the stars
• Doors 5.30pm, film 6.30pm; bring warm layers

24–31 Oct

Little Scare-lings 2026 at Dobbies Edinburgh

Parties & discos

• Dobbies Edinburgh, Lasswade
• Ages 3–10
• Indoor

• Make a potion that turns into glow-in-the-dark slime
• A 90-minute Halloween tea party, best for ages 3 to 10

24 Oct · 6:30pm

The Big Halloween Screen: Practical Magic (12)

Films · After dark

• Dalkeith Country Park, Dalkeith
• Ages 12+
• Outdoor

• Practical Magic on a big outdoor screen under the stars
• Rated 12; film starts 6.30pm

30 Oct · 8pm

The Big Halloween Screen: The Lost Boys (15)

Films · After dark

• Dalkeith Country Park, Dalkeith
• Ages 15+
• Outdoor

• The Lost Boys on a big outdoor screen under the stars
• Rated 15, so for older teens; film starts 8pm

30 Oct · 5pm

The Big Halloween Screen: The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG)

Films · After dark

• Dalkeith Country Park, Dalkeith
• Ages 8+
• Outdoor

• The Nightmare Before Christmas on an outdoor screen
• Doors 4pm, film 5pm; bring warm layers

31 Oct · 5pm

The Big Halloween Screen: Hocus Pocus (PG)

Films · After dark

• Dalkeith Country Park, Dalkeith
• Ages 8+
• Outdoor

• Hocus Pocus on a big outdoor screen under the stars
• Doors 4pm, film 5pm; bring warm layers

1 Oct – 2 Nov

Halloween Scavenger Hunt

Trails & hunts

• Archerfield Walled Garden, Dirleton
• Ages 2–10
• Outdoor

• Find the ghosts, skeletons and spiders hiding around the estate
• Spooky not scary, for ages 2 to 10

10–31 Oct

Balgone Pumpkins

Trails & hunts

• Balgone Estate, North Berwick
• Ages 1+
• Outdoor

• Pick your own pumpkins, then walk the lakeside haunted trail
• The haunted trail is 2.5km long

10 Oct – 1 Nov

Wild Magic! An autumn family trail at Dirleton Castle and Gardens

Trails & hunts

• Dirleton Castle & Gardens, Dirleton
• Ages 2–12
• Indoor & outdoor

• Spot the plants behind Scotland's old magic stories
• Self-led clue trail with a sticker at the end

14 Oct · 11am

A Spooktacular Sense of Nature

Days out & festivals

• The Pennypit Family Learning Centre, Prestonpans
• Ages 1–10
• Indoor

• Meet creepy creatures, turtles and other animals up close
• A one-hour session in a hall dressed for spooky season

14 Oct · 12:30pm

A Spooktacular Sense of Nature — ASN Quieter Session

Days out & festivals · ASN & relaxed

• The Pennypit Family Learning Centre, Prestonpans
• Ages 1–10
• Indoor

• Meet creepy creatures, turtles and other animals up close
• The quieter session, set aside for families who need it

15 Oct · 10am

Creepy Cakes & Crafts

Crafts & workshops

• The Pennypit Family Learning Centre, Prestonpans
• Ages 3–14
• Indoor

• Decorate creepy cakes and make spooky crafts
• A two-hour morning session, booked in advance

15 Oct · 12:30pm

Perfect Pumpkin Flower Arrangements by Janis

Crafts & workshops

• The Pennypit Family Learning Centre, Prestonpans
• Ages 5–14
• Indoor

• Make your own autumn pumpkin flower arrangement
• Guided by a florist; all ages welcome

31 Oct – 1 Nov

Halloween Creepy Critters at Newhailes

Crafts & workshops

• Newhailes House & Gardens (National Trust for Scotland), Musselburgh
• Ages 5–12
• Indoor

• Hold snakes, giant snails and tarantulas, if you're brave
• For ages 5 to 12; buggies stay outside

31–25 Oct

Halloween Party at Jungle Tumble Play Cafe

Parties & discos

• Jungle Tumble Play Cafe, Musselburgh
• Ages 2–10
• Indoor

• Soft play, messy play, crafts and glitter tattoos
• A fancy dress parade with prizes

31 Oct · 5pm

Newhailes After Dark - Halloween Special

Days out & festivals · After dark

• Newhailes House & Gardens (National Trust for Scotland), Musselburgh
• Ages 12+
• Indoor & outdoor

• A jump-scare trail through the house and haunted woods
• For ages 12+, and thrill-seekers; includes pumpkin soup

31–7 Oct

Newhailes Halloween afternoon tea (Hallowhailes Afternoon Tea)

Parties & discos

• Newhailes House & Gardens (National Trust for Scotland), Musselburgh
• Ages 5+
• Indoor

• Severed finger sandwiches and scary scones on a tiered stand
• A Halloween afternoon tea for ages 5+

31 Oct – 1 Nov

Newhailes Halloween trail

Trails & hunts

• Newhailes House & Gardens (National Trust for Scotland), Musselburgh
• Ages 2–12
• Outdoor

• Follow spooky clues around the estate and meet the ponies
• Every child who finishes the trail gets a treat

3 Oct · 11am

Artie's Singing Kettle HALLOWEEN

Shows & stories

• Reconnect Howden Park, Livingston
• Ages 2+
• Indoor

• Sing along to Singing Kettle favourites in Halloween costume
• Nothing too spooky, and made for younger children

23–24 Oct

Halloween Fright Nights – Stranger Bings

Days out & festivals · After dark

• Almond Valley, Livingston Village
• Ages 6–15
• Indoor & outdoor

• A haunted trail, carnival games, crafts and a Monster Mash disco
• An evening Halloween festival with walkabout horror characters

24–31 Oct

Little Scare-lings 2026 at Dobbies Livingston

Parties & discos

• Dobbies Garden Centre Livingston, Livingston
• Ages 3–10
• Indoor

• Make a potion that turns into glow-in-the-dark slime
• A 90-minute Halloween tea party, best for ages 3 to 10

24–25 Oct

Pumpkin Trail at the House of the Binns

Trails & hunts

• House of the Binns (National Trust for Scotland), Linlithgow
• Ages 2–12
• Outdoor

• Find hidden pumpkin letters to unscramble the secret words
• A family pumpkin hunt around the grounds

28 Oct · 4pm

Bathgate Halloween Night Market 2026

Days out & festivals · After dark

• Bathgate Market and Car Boot Sale, Bathgate
• Age not given
• Free

• Browse Halloween stalls and treats in the evening
• A community night market for all ages

30 Oct · 6pm

Halloween Disco

Parties & discos · After dark

• Innoflate Livingston, Livingston
• Ages 2–10
• Indoor

• A Halloween disco across the whole inflatable park
• 90 minutes of bouncing, with a prize for the best dressed

31 Oct · 4pm

Family Halloween Party

Parties & discos

• Broxburn Bowling Club, Broxburn
• Ages 3–10
• Indoor