Scotland is a fantastic place to celebrate Halloween – the colours on the trees and leaves have turned… the colder air means you can wrap up in cosy hats and scarves. Halloween in Scotland is more than spooky tales – it’s ritual, community, and creativity.
I have put together a list of Halloween events in the South of Scotland so families can make the most of this spooky time of year! The list can be used by anyone wanting to make Halloween special for their kids – but I will include some special tips and ideas for families who have children with autism because that is who most of my audience are and what they come here for.
I have included Halloween events and attractions from Glasgow, Stirling, Edinburgh and below.
Halloween events across the South of Scotland
Below are some of the most popular organised Halloween events taking place in and around the south of Scotland in 2025. Always double-check dates and booking links closer to the time, as many update in early autumn and/or give updates based on the weather.
GlasGLOW – Glasgow Botanic Gardens
A light trail filled with glowing pumpkins, eerie forests, and themed zones. This visual, immersive event is great for families who prefer light-based experiences over loud scares. Past editions have offered quieter time slots which can be more autism-friendly.
Spooktacular Glasgow
A large carnival-style Halloween event with rides, attractions, and themed areas. Choose daytime or early-evening sessions if your child is sensitive to noise or flashing lights. Held along the Clyde or South Street area.
Paisley Halloween Festival
One of the UK’s best-known Halloween parades, with giant puppets, music, acrobatics, and light shows. There are daytime performances and workshops leading up to the main parade, which are usually calmer and easier to manage with younger children.
Samhuinn Fire Festival – Edinburgh
A fiery, theatrical procession inspired by ancient Celtic traditions. Expect drumming, music, and fire performers along the Royal Mile and Holyrood area. It’s visually stunning but can be intense, so it’s best suited to older children who enjoy spectacle. Some families prefer to watch from a distance.
Edinburgh Castle Halloween Hijinks
Historic Environment Scotland often hosts Halloween-themed days at the castle, with costumed characters, ghost stories, and pumpkin-themed activities. A good choice for families who prefer controlled environments and quieter storytelling to jump scares.
Halloween at Almond Valley – West Lothian
A family-friendly Halloween experience running through mid to late October. Expect pumpkins, craft stations, gentle spooky theming, and plenty of space to explore. Great for young children or those who prefer relaxed environments. There are two main events on:
It looks like there was also a ghost train – but tickets have already sold out!
Conifox Scream Park – Kirkliston
A more intense haunted-house-style event aimed at teens and adults. It’s best avoided for younger or more sensitive children, but Conifox often runs daytime pumpkin and family activities that are more suitable.
Pumpkin Festival at Craigies Farm – Edinburgh
Pick-your-own pumpkin fields, Halloween trails, and themed activities through October. They occasionally offer evening sessions for older kids, but the daytime events are calmer and perfect for sensory-sensitive families. You can pick between the standard pumpkin festival, evenings and quieter sessions – perfect for families with a child who has autism.
Galoshans Festival – Inverclyde
A creative celebration of storytelling, theatre, and community parades that runs through late October. It’s less about scares and more about performance and art, making it a good alternative for children who prefer lighter themes.
Stirling Halloween Workshops
In and around Stirling, there are hands-on events like Scoop & Sculpt pumpkin carving or haunted house pottery sessions. These smaller creative workshops are brilliant for children who enjoy tactile play and making things rather than being scared.
Bowhill House Halloween Trail – Selkirk
A wonderful family event where the grand estate turns into a pumpkin-filled trail through the adventure playground. Simple and manageable for all ages, this one is ideal for young families or children who like a calmer outdoor experience.
Stouslie Farm – Hawick
Enjoy a day of autumnal farm fun at Stouslie Farm… pick pumpkins in your wellies, toast delicious marshmallows and climb the hay bale mountain. Make sure to bring clothes for all weathers – you know how unpredictable Scotland can be! We found it to be pretty cold when it was windy, so make sure to layer up!
Read my full post about Stouslie Farm pumpkin patch.
Halloween at Traquair – Traquair
Traquair House has a range of different things for families to enjoy this Halloween: family fun day, ghost hunt tours and a scavenger hunt. There will be a forest light trail, magic shows, creepy crawlie meet and touch, face painting, even ghost stories in the woods!
Traquair House Light Trail
Pumpkin Picking at Valley View
Explore the spooky scenes at Valley View – find your own perfect pumpkin and carve it right there at Valley View.
Pumpkin Picking at Clackmae Farm – Earlston
Pick pumpkins, carve them and enjoy a hot drink while the kids slide, climb and jump on the hay bale mountain and play in the barn! I absolutely love this part of the event: costume swaps! They have a rail for people to put old Halloween costumes and swap them for something else. What a fantastic idea.
I’ve put together a review of Clackmae Farm so you can learn more about the experience and see more photos of everything available.
Witch Corner at Abbotsford House – Galashiels
At Abbotsford House, you can follow the Spirits of the Forest Halloween Trail! We were meant to do this in 2024 but when we turned up they had closed it because of the bad weather. Those who san solve the spooky riddles will earn a spooky prize!
LEGO Store – Glasgow and Edinburgh
The LEGO stores in both Edinburgh and Glasgow have a Halloween event on where you can attend and build a LEGO witch, and take her home with you!
Craig-thrillar Castle: Halloween Shenanigans – Edinburgh
At Craigmillar Castle, spookily named Craig-thrillar Castle for this Halloween event, you can meet all kids of owls with the Owl Master, sing Halloween songs and enjoy some magic!
Camera Obscura: Halloween Hunt – Edinburgh
At Camera Obscura, enjoy ghastly Halloween stories, find Dizzy, the mascot, dressed up and hiding on each floor for sweet treat reward from the gift shop and enjoy the Halloween decor and projections throughout the venue.
Stirling C-aaahstle: Halloween Shenanigans
Alongside scary stories and creepy crafts, you can join in with the mystery hunt in the castle and go on a Halloween lantern tour. Make sure to read the event terms carefully – some events are only for older children or feature loud sounds.
HalloWILD at Blair Drummond Safari Park
Explore the wild at Blair Drummond this autumn with a hay bale play-pit, a trick-or-treat trail and toast marshmallows on the fire-pit!
The McDougalls: Halloween Party
With shows across Scotland, you certainly can take your pick for where you’d like to see The McDougalls Halloween Party show. Enjoy sing-alongs, dancing and puppets during this Halloween show.
Newmill Pumpkins – Dolphinton
Dolphinton, near Peebles, is ready to impress this Halloween with their tractor and trailer ride that takes you out to pick your pumpkin! With so many great photo opportunities – like in the spooky woods – you are bound to have treasured memories of this Halloween gem. Enjoy a bite to eat from one of the many food trucks on site.
To see more about Newmill Pumpkins read my full review.
Sighthill Halloween House – Edinburgh
The Sighthill Halloween House in Edinburgh has become something of a local legend — a family-run home that transforms into a full-blown Halloween attraction every October. Each year, the house is completely decked out with spooky decorations, glowing pumpkins, eerie lights, and animated figures that delight visitors of all ages.
What started as a small neighbourhood display has grown into one of Edinburgh’s most loved community traditions, drawing families from across the city to walk past, take photos, and soak up the Halloween atmosphere. It’s free to visit, though many people bring along donations for the family’s chosen charities, making it a brilliant mix of frightful fun and local goodwill.
Pick Your Own Pumpkins! by Mid Tartraven Market Garden – Bathgate
Join in the seasonal fun with the “Pick Your Own Pumpkins” event—a perfect autumn outing for families and friends. You have to arrive at the farm in a designated timeslot and you’ll then be guided to the pumpkin patch where you can wander through rows of colourful, freshly-grown pumpkins and select your favourite to take home. With everything pre-booked via Eventbrite, the experience is relaxed and well-organised, giving you plenty of time to explore without the rush. Whether you’re searching for that one perfect carving pumpkin or several for festive décor, this event offers an ideal blend of outdoor adventure, autumnal charm and hands-on fun.
Muddy Church Pumpkin Trail – Dunfermline
Get ready for a delightfully muddy adventure with the “Muddy Church Pumpkin Trail 2025: Pumpkin Panic” — a fun-filled autumn event perfect for families and outdoor lovers! This spirited trail will take you through scenic countryside as you follow clues, explore pumpkin-themed stops, and enjoy a hearty dose of pumpkin-picking excitement (and just a splash of mud) along the way. Ideal for all ages, the event promises laughter, fresh air, and hands-on seasonal fun in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Be sure to book early and wear boots you don’t mind getting a little dirty! This event is hosted by the Abbey Church of Dunfermline.
Pumpkin Trail at the House of the Binns
Explore the enchanting grounds of “Pumpkin Trail at The House of The Binns”, where the autumn fun comes to life amid historic surroundings. With a themed trail winding through the grounds, you’ll uncover hidden pumpkins, discover spooky surprises and enjoy the crisp outdoor air in the stunning estate setting. Ideal for families and little adventurers alike, the experience invites you to wander, laugh and capture seasonal memories — all set against the backdrop of The House of The Binns’ beautiful landscape. Dress for the outdoors and get ready for a charming and festive autumn outing.
Autumn Explorers – East Kilbride
This fall, the Autumn Explorers event invites families to embark on a nocturnal-nature adventure at the National Museum of Rural Life, where storytelling, sustainable crafts and hands-on discovery combine for a fun and educational outing. Expect stories of racing hedgehogs, cunning foxes and grumpy owls, craft time making bats, owls and hedgehogs from recycled materials, and a soil-exploration station complete with mini trowels to dig into what lives beneath our feet. On selected days you’ll also meet experts and discover more about badgers and bats up close. Free with museum admission, it’s a wonderful way to get outdoors, learn about wildlife and enjoy a relaxed autumn outing.
I know this one is slightly different, as it isn’t just Halloween themed but it sounds like so much fun!
Halloween at The Bubbling Toad – Gorebridge
Step into a world of spell-binding fun this autumn at The Bubbling Toad in Gorebridge, Midlothian, where Halloween is transformed into a magical family adventure. Expect a shimmering festive atmosphere of fairy lights, potion-making stations, costume discos, and creative crafts – all designed to delight children of all ages. With dedicated sessions like the Under-12s disco (e.g., Thu 16 Oct 16:30–17:30) and themed activities that blend imagination with whimsy, this venue gives Halloween a twist of sparkle and enchantment. Whether you’re brewing pretend potions, dancing in your favourite costume or discovering hidden magical corners, The Bubbling Toad promises a joyful and memorable autumn outing.
There are separate discos for different ages: under 5’s, under 12’s and then Halloween crafts and potion making classes. I love that there is also a “quiet session” for those who need a calmer atmosphere.
Fancy Dress Afternoon Tea Party at Carberry Tower – Musselburgh
Dress up and indulge in some seasonal delight at the Fancy Dress Afternoon Tea hosted by Carberry Tower on Sunday 19th October (11 am session) — a perfect outing for families and friends looking to combine costume fun with tasty treats. Ticket holders are invited to arrive in their favourite fancy dress, enjoy a selection of freshly made sandwiches, scones and sweet bites, and soak up the elegant but playful atmosphere of this historic venue. Whether you’re going for ghostly glam or fairy-tale flair, this event promises lots of charm, laughter and one-of-a-kind memories for everyone who attends.
Spooky tours and events on GetYourGuide
Here are some links to spooky tours available via GetYourGuide. Some of them may have age limits (for older kids only) so make sure to read the descriptions.
Edinburgh
- Haunted underground vaults and graveyard tour
- Late night underground vaults terror tour
- Evening underground ghost tour
- Dark secrets of the old town ghost tour
- Old town and underground history tour
- Real Mary King’s Close tour
- Edinburgh dungeons
- The dark side walking tour
- Witches Old Town walking tour and underground vault
Glasgow
- Ghouls, ghosts and gruesome talks walking tour
- Escape room: The ghost of Mary Queen of Scots
- Glasgow Necropolis: small group tour
- Haunted Quest Experience
- Private dark side tour
- The dark side of Glasgow
- Private Necropolis tour
Halloween Tips for Autism Families
Halloween can be super fun — but for autistic children or neurodivergent family members, sensory overload, surprise scares, crowds or loud environments can be tricky. Halloween can also be unpredictable. To make it smoother, keep a few things in mind before choosing an event.
- Check for relaxed or quiet sessions. Larger attractions like GlasGLOW sometimes offer special times with reduced lighting or sound.
- Look for smaller or daytime events. These tend to have fewer crowds and less sensory intensity. We try to do some of the popular events on weekdays as weekends are busier, but I know this is not an option for everyone.
- Bring your own supports – headphones, comfort items, familiar snacks.
- Scout out quiet zones or “escape routes” in the venue, in case a break is needed.
- Arrive early so your child can adjust before crowds build up.
- Use visual schedules or maps so your child knows what’s coming next.
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