Local News and Events October 8, 2025

London’s Ultimate Halloween Guide for 2025: From Terrifying Thrills to Family Fun

A glowing jack-o'-lantern sits on a dark porch, representing the 2025 guide to Halloween events in London, Ontario.

London’s Ultimate Halloween Guide for 2025: From Terrifying Thrills to Family Fun

Not sure what to do for Halloween this year? To help you find the perfect activity, our team has put together a simple guide to the best local events for 2025.

We’ve broken it down into two simple categories—”For the Thrill-Seekers” and “For Family-Friendly Fun”—so you can quickly find the perfect night out.

Here’s the breakdown.


For the Thrill-Seekers

1. The Abandoned Village at Fanshawe Pioneer Village

There’s something inherently creepy about old, historic buildings at night, and Fanshawe Pioneer Village leans into it perfectly. This isn’t a typical haunted house; it’s a guided theatrical experience that takes you on a chilling journey through the dark, winding paths of the 19th-century village. Professional actors bring terrifying local legends and ghost stories to life, using the authentic, shadowy backdrop to create a deeply unsettling atmosphere.

2. Horror at the Hyland Cinema

A true London tradition, the Hyland Cinema is hosting its “Fifth Annual Horror at the Hyland” series. Forget watching a classic horror movie on your couch—seeing it on the big screen in a historic theatre is a whole different experience. It’s the perfect, low-key spooky night out.

  • Best For: Classic horror movie fans.
  • Dates & Times:
    • Poltergeist: Friday, October 10, 2025 @ 9:30 PM
    • Suspiria: Friday, October 17, 2025 @ 9:30 PM
    • The Exorcist: Friday, October 24, 2025 @ 9:30 PM
    • House of 1000 Corpses & Halloween (1978): Friday, October 31, 2025 (Double Bill starts at 9:00 PM)
  • Get Tickets: https://www.hylandcinema.com/horror-at-the-hyland-0

3. Curse, Crimes, and Haunts Downtown Walking Tour

Presented by Eldon House, this is where history gets horrifying. This walking tour takes you through the streets of downtown London, stopping at historic spots to share true stories of the city’s dark past, from unsolved crimes to chilling hauntings. It’s a fascinating and spooky look at the history right under our feet. Just a heads-up: this one is definitely for the grown-ups and not for kids under 12.

4. Morbid and Macabre Tours at Eldon House

This tour takes you inside London’s oldest, and allegedly most haunted, residence after dark. You’ll hear the chilling tales of the Harris family and learn about the unexplained events that have occurred within the home’s walls for nearly two centuries. This is all about atmosphere and authentic, spooky stories—no jump scares needed. Just a heads-up: this one is definitely for the grown-ups and not for kids under 12.


For Family-Friendly Fun

5. Pumpkins After Dark at Storybook Gardens

This is a must-do family tradition. The magical grounds of Storybook Gardens are transformed into an enchanting outdoor walk-through experience featuring over 6,000 hand-carved pumpkins. These aren’t just jack-o’-lanterns; they are stunning, life-sized artistic sculptures of dragons, dinosaurs, and famous movie characters, all illuminated in a magical glow.

  • Best For: Families with kids of all ages and festive date nights.
  • Dates & Times: Runs nightly from Thursday, September 25 to Friday, October 31, 2025. Entry times are from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM.
  • Get Tickets: https://london.pumpkinsafterdark.com

6. Spooky Gourd Painting at Eldon House

A perfect, low-key fall afternoon for the creative kid. As part of the larger Downtown Candy Crawl, this charming drop-in event on the beautiful Eldon House grounds lets children pick out and decorate their own mini gourd to take home. They’ll also get to learn a little about the history of trick-or-treating.

7. Early Years Halloween Party at the London Children’s Museum

Finding a Halloween event for the little ones can be tough. The London Children’s Museum solves that with their annual party designed specifically for toddlers and preschoolers. It’s a cozy, indoor celebration on Halloween day that is all about fun, not frights, with safe and engaging age-appropriate activities.


So there you have it—a complete guide to the best Halloween experiences in the London area for 2025. No matter what your scare-level is, there’s an amazing local event waiting for you. If you’re thinking about making a move this fall, check out our current listings or get in touch with our team.

Did we miss a great local spot? Share your go-to Halloween tradition in the comments below! Tag a friend you’d want to go with!