It’s that time of year again when Croydon’s streets fill with ghouls, ghosts, and more than a few dodgy fake cobwebs. Halloween has officially crept up on us and whether you’re into spine-tingling scares, pumpkin-spiced everything, or just an excuse to dress up and dance till the witching hour, we’ve got you covered with some spooky seasonal things to do.
1: Pumpkin picking
Number one. It has to be pumpkin picking (especially if you’re prepping for trick ‘n’ treating with the kids). If you want to get hands-on with something seasonal, here are a few of the nearer pumpkin-picking spots you can visit to select your pumpkins to carve:
Crockford Bridge Farm (Surrey)
One of the best known patches for London-area pumpkin picking.
Priory Farm Estate (Surrey)
Pick-your-own pumpkins in beautiful surroundings — a classic, relaxed farm outing.
Beck Evans Farm (Kent)
Just a half hour drive from Croydon, this family farm offers pumpkin picking as part of their seasonal events.
Hewitts Farm (Kent)
Hewitts offers “pick-your-own” pumpkins during autumn. Day Out With The Kids+1
Tulleys Pumpkin Festival (West Sussex)
If you don’t mind travelling a bit further, this is one of the UK’s flagship pumpkin events — hundreds of acres, many varieties, photo ops, and entertainment. It runs through to 31 October.
Now you’ve got your pumpkins you can enjoy some Halloween events and activities a la Cronx.
2: Halloween Special: Children of the Wicker Man
When: Friday 31 OctoberWhere: David Lean Cinema
Join our favourite indie cinema for a very special Halloween screening – the first London showing of Children of the Wicker Man since its Frightfest premiere.
And to whet your appetites:
3: Museum of Croydon
When: Wednesday 29 October
Where: Croydon Clocktower
Join the crew during October half-term for some spooky activities inspired by the Museum’s Art and Joy sessions and Croydon Art collection! Kids can make witchy cauldrons and magic wands. No need to bring anything, just drop in and join the session.
4: Croydon Gymnastics Club Halloween Party
When: Friday 31 October
Where: Croydon Gymnastics Club, Surrey
Wear your best Halloween outfit and join in the fun with this family action packed halloween party, and enjoy two hours of gymnastics, games, party food, and Halloween outfits.
5: TomYumSim Theatre / Trainwreck, Croydonites Festival
When: Tuesday 28 October – Saturday 1 November
Where: CYTO, South Norwood
Not strictly a Halloween event, but… There’s crazy cat people in the event photo – why would we not be interested in that! The event description did make my interest receptors go crazy though: ‘Welcome aboard The Stupendous Resplendent Express – destination: unknown. In the highly probable event this train is hijacked by AI, you will be treated to emergency dance breaks, surprise exits and unsolicited karaoke from your fellow passengers. Exits may open where walls once stood. Please keep your limbs, secrets, and existential crises inside the Train(wreck) at all times.’
6: Spooktacular Trick or Treat
When: Monday 27 October – Friday 31 October
Where: The Whitgift opposite River Island
Centrale are running free craft sessions throughout half-term, where kids can decorate their very own Trick or Treat bag. Then families can set off around the centre to collect spooky surprises from participating stores.
Whether you are young or old, into spooks or not, this season has something for everyone, right on your door step.
Images by the Croydonist
Posted by Angela
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