Discover Eerie Edinburgh this Spooky Season
Visit if you dare!
Spooky season is upon us. From its mystical history to its supernatural events, Edinburgh should be on your list of places to visit this Halloween! With its eerie attractions and ghastly streets, this haunted city is every dark tourist’s dream destination. Whether it’s for adults or for children, Edinburgh has something to offer to everyone.
Here’s a roundup of our favourite events happening in Edinburgh this Halloween!
Halloween Ghost Tour
Get to know the dark side of Scotland’s capital city! Ghost tours are a very common visitor experience in Edinburgh all year round. Each ghost tour typically does a different route as there is a large number of horror stories to be explored all over the city. The Walking Tour Company will be doing a special ghost tour on Halloween night (for adults only) which will be starting at 11.30PM and leaving from the magnificent St Giles’ Cathedral. Frightening true tales from old Edinburgh times will be narrated, so get ready for a frightening, yet fun time! From horror stories about ghosts and cannibals to those of witches and criminals, the stories told will shock you! The tour will go around some of the city’s most atmospheric locations. Through narrow closes and around haunted corners, you will find out what has been lurking around the dark shadows of Edinburgh!
Edinburgh Zoo Spooktacular
Throughout the month of October, Edinburgh Zoo is opening its doors after dark for a Spooktacular trail around the zoo (not as you typically know it!). Make your way through the park and get frightened by the rustling trees, witches and wizards, scarecrows and spiders! With a mile long trail which takes around an hour and a half to complete, this family friendly activity is not one to miss out on! Time slots start at 5.30PM and beware, tickets need to be booked in advance to avoid any disappointment. Even though this event will be held outdoors, this is an all-weather event, so no need to worry if it’s raining on the day!
Edinburgh Horror Fest 2021
Edinburgh Horror Fest is one of the most popular Halloween events in Edinburgh.. and we can see why! The programme runs from October 22nd to October 31st and it is made up of theatre, comedy, films, magic, games, workshops, improv, interactive events and so much more! With such a large variety of entertainment available for everyone to enjoy, Edinburgh Horror Fest does not disappoint! Frightening visitors since 2016, it’s been a hit every time. Unlike the Edinburgh Zoo Spooktacular, this is an adult only event and ID may be requested. Edinburgh Horror Fest will be held at Banshee Labyrinth and Edinburgh Dungeon, and if you’re not yet comfortable enough to join certain shows, there is also a digital line up!
Potter Trail
Edinburgh has become very well-known as the main inspiration for the locations and names within the Harry Potter series. The Potter Trail will take you around the streets and locations which sparked JK Rowling’s creativity when writing the books! Some things to look forward to during the tour are; A trip down the real life Diagon Alley, as well as visiting the place where Lord Voldermort was buried… amongst so many others! This is a 75-90 minute walking tour, so make sure to pack some comfy trainers! Harry Potter trails start every day at 2pm, but what better time to go on this walking tour than during this spooky season? On the 30th of October at 2.30PM, there will be an extended Potter Trail as a Halloween special! Magus Negus, a real-life magician, will be doing an additional 2-hours where he will be dazzling the crowd and presenting a mixture of classical illusions for all the Potter fans! Well, even if you’re not a Harry fan, there’s plenty to be entertained with on this magical tour inspired by Edinburgh’s incredible mysterious past!
