Halloween is nearly here
It’s that time of year, the time for spooks and ghouls and dressing up. So whether you lean towards William Shakespeare in your attitude to Halloween.
Tis now the very witching time of night,
When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this world.
~William Shakespeare
Or you’re more likely to be drawn to Shaggy’s cautionary approach…
Hold on, man. We don’t go anywhere with “scary,” “spooky,” “haunted,” or “forbidden” in the title. ~From Scooby-Doo
There’s bound to be something happening near you that fits the bill.
From the 15-31 October the London Dungeon unveils its most terrifying “Helloween” event ever. Jack O’Lantern, who has been damned to walk in darkness for all eternity with his turnip lantern, will be stalking the corridors and could appear at any moment.
Over the Halloween Weekend Mercat Tours in Edinburgh are running a whole range of special events joined by gruesome costumed characters as they lurk at Edinburgh’s Mercat Cross distributing sweets to the lucky ones! We won’t mention what they do to the unlucky ones….
The London Eye invites mini vampires to take part in the spooky Vampire Academy and create Halloween themed arts and crafts. All child ticket holders who visit between Mon 25 Oct-Sun 31 Oct will be invited to the academy in the shadow of the London Eye.
If you thought libraries were for quiet and silence think again Corinne Davies and El Ashfield, author and illustrator of the ‘Ralph’ books will be running a ‘Vampire Workshop’ at Corstorphine library between 3.00 and 5.30pm on Thursday 28th October. Parents and children are all invited to join in the fun with craft activities, tattoos, edibles, face painting and a workshop in how the book was actually created. Any children feeling brave enough to read their favourite part of the text aloud will qualify for a further vampire treat!
Maybe dancing will keep away the spooks… then again maybe not. The Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh is hosting a Vintage Halloween Party – Oxjam Music Festival on Sunday 31st October for a night of live music, vintage fun, party games & blood-chilling tales There are still some £5 tickets available but grab them quick! (Over 18’s only)
Have a family day out at St James Park on 31 October Inn the Park will be hosting its Halloween suppliers market where you can enjoy pumpkin carving demonstrations, cake decorating classes and lots of delicious grub. There will be face painting, storytelling and fancy dress for the kids. Once it gets dark, there will be a scary guided walk round the park for the brave
One of my favourite places to visit is Traquair House in the Scottish Borders and this year on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd October; Friday 29th and Saturday 30th October you can add to their Halloween Experience by booking a supper after your tour.
Maybe all you need to do is settle down on the couch with your nearest and dearest and watch your favourite Halloween movie. Whether that’s the classic 1978 Halloween or my personal favourite Hocus Pocus. You can snuggle in with spiced hot chocolate and marshmallows or maybe something more grown up and indulge in some Black Magic
Whatever you decide to do for Halloween have a great time and…
From ghoulies and ghosties
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!
~Scottish Saying
