Halloween at Kew returns to Kew Gardens from Friday 16 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, with a 1.5km illuminated trail, live actors, fire performers and three different scare levels designed to become more intense as the evening gets darker. The trail takes around 1 to 1.5 hours to complete and is family friendly across all sessions. Visitors can choose between Daylight, Twilight and Moonlight entry slots, with Kew warning that timed capacity is limited and popular dates are expected to sell out.
Entry times change part-way through the run because the clocks go back on 25 October. From 16–24 October, Halloween at Kew operates from 18:00 to 22:00. From 25 October to 1 November, it runs from 16:00 to 22:00. Last admission is strictly at 20:30.
Editorial illustration of a glowing pumpkin scarecrow for Halloween at Kew 2026. Image: London Construction Magazine.
Halloween at Kew 2026 dates and times
| Dates | Event hours | Last entry |
|---|---|---|
| 16–24 October | 18:00–22:00 | 20:30 |
| 25 October–1 November | 16:00–22:00 | 20:30 |
Kew's official Halloween event page says visitors should arrive at their allocated entry time rather than arriving substantially early, helping to avoid queues building at the gates.
How scary is Halloween at Kew?
Kew uses three session categories rather than applying one scare level to the whole event. All are described as suitable for families, but the atmosphere becomes darker and more intense later in the evening.
| Session | Time | Scare level |
|---|---|---|
| Daylight | Sessions up to 18:00 | Gentlest option, aimed particularly at younger children |
| Twilight | 18:00–19:30 | Scares increase as darkness falls |
| Moonlight | After 19:30 | Darkest and spookiest version, but still described by Kew as suitable for all |
There is one timing detail worth noting when choosing tickets. Before the clocks change on 25 October, the event itself does not begin until 18:00. The earlier Daylight sessions become much more relevant from 25 October onwards, when Halloween entry starts at 16:00.
What is on the Halloween trail?
The 2026 route includes new attractions such as Dracula's Lair, the Cursed Tomb, Medieval Dungeon, Forest Ritual and Monster Disco, alongside live actors and fire performers. The Headless Horseman also returns. Kew describes the trail as approximately 1.5km long. Most visitors should allow around 60 to 90 minutes, including stops for attractions and refreshments. Food and drink is sold separately along the route, including hot chocolate, toasted marshmallows and seasonal hot food.
Halloween at Kew ticket prices
Tickets are sold for specific dates and entry times. Prices vary between off-peak and peak sessions.
| Ticket | Off peak | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £19.50 | £24 |
| Child aged 4–15 | £14 | £18 |
| Child under 4 | Free | Free |
| Family: 2 adults + 2 children | £64 | £80 |
| Essential companion | Free | Free |
Member rates and flexible ticket options are also available. Kew's Halloween FAQ should be checked for the live price shown at checkout before booking. Halloween at Kew is a separately ticketed event. A normal daytime Kew Gardens ticket does not include the Halloween trail, and a Halloween ticket does not automatically include daytime admission.
Which entrance should you book?
Halloween at Kew uses three gates, and choosing the correct entrance matters because each works best with a different mode of travel.
| Gate | Best for | Postcode |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria Gate | Tube and bus passengers | TW9 3JR |
| Elizabeth Gate | National Rail via Kew Bridge | TW9 3AE |
| Brentford Gate | Visitors with pre-booked Kew parking | TW9 3AF |
Victoria Gate involves an additional walk of roughly 650m inside the Gardens before reaching the trail starting area, so visitors with young children or mobility requirements may want to account for that when choosing an entry point.
How to get to Halloween at Kew by Tube
Kew Gardens station is the main Underground option. It is in Zone 3 and is served by the District line's Richmond branch and the London Overground Mildmay line. Kew Gardens station is around 500m from Victoria Gate, with Kew describing the walk as roughly seven minutes. There is no level access from the westbound platform at Kew Gardens. Passengers needing step-free access can continue one stop to Richmond and return towards Kew Gardens using the eastbound platform, which has level access.
Getting to Kew by National Rail
Kew Bridge station is approximately 800m from Elizabeth Gate and is served by South Western Railway trains from London Waterloo via Vauxhall and Clapham Junction. Kew Bridge does not have level access. Richmond station has lift and level access and can be used as an alternative, with bus route 65 providing connections towards Kew. Visitors travelling during the opening weekend should also check LCM's London Tube and Train Closures guide for 17–18 October, as several other London rail routes are affected by planned engineering work.
Can you park at Halloween at Kew?
Yes, but parking needs to be planned in advance. Kew strongly advises visitors not to drive unless they have already reserved a parking space. Parking at Kew's Ferry Lane car park beside Brentford Gate costs £15 and must be added when buying the relevant ticket. The car park closes promptly at 22:00. Blue Badge holders can use Kew's car park free of charge but must still reserve disabled-access parking when booking. Kew also warns that parking on surrounding streets is limited and parking on Kew Road is prohibited. Additional pre-bookable parking is available through some Victoria Gate and Elizabeth Gate ticket options.
Is Halloween at Kew suitable for children?
Yes. Kew describes every session as family friendly. Families with younger children are likely to prefer the earlier Daylight or Twilight slots, while Moonlight sessions provide the darkest version of the trail. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under four can attend free of charge but still need to be included correctly when booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Halloween at Kew take?
The illuminated trail is around 1.5km long. Kew advises allowing approximately one to one-and-a-half hours, including stops for attractions and refreshments.
The illuminated trail is around 1.5km long. Kew advises allowing approximately one to one-and-a-half hours, including stops for attractions and refreshments.
Is Halloween at Kew very scary?
The event is family friendly, but the scare level increases later in the evening. Daylight is the gentlest category, Twilight increases the atmosphere and Moonlight is the darkest and spookiest option.
The event is family friendly, but the scare level increases later in the evening. Daylight is the gentlest category, Twilight increases the atmosphere and Moonlight is the darkest and spookiest option.
Do daytime Kew Gardens tickets include Halloween at Kew?
No. Halloween at Kew is separately ticketed. Standard daytime tickets cannot be used for the Halloween trail.
No. Halloween at Kew is separately ticketed. Standard daytime tickets cannot be used for the Halloween trail.
Do I need to book Halloween at Kew in advance?
Advance booking is strongly recommended. Entry is timed, capacity is limited and Kew says popular dates are expected to sell out.
Advance booking is strongly recommended. Entry is timed, capacity is limited and Kew says popular dates are expected to sell out.
Book the correct date, time and gate
Kew advises visitors to check their selected date, entry time and gate carefully before completing a booking. The event runs for 17 days, but the most popular half-term and Halloween dates have limited timed capacity. Visitors attending during the opening weekend can also see LCM's What's On in London guide for 16–18 October for other events taking place across the capital.
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