If there’s one part of London that seems to understand Halloween is about far more than a plastic pumpkin and a bowl of sweets, it’s Kensington.
This October, High Street Kensington is making a serious bid to become London’s home of Halloween, with everything from a peculiar takeover of Holland Park and a gothic vintage market to tarot cards, celestial afternoon tea, spooky breakfasts and a glimpse inside the darkly imaginative world of stop-motion animation.
The celebrations run throughout half term, from 23 to 31 October, culminating on Halloween itself when Holland Park is transformed into the wonderfully named Playful Park of the Peculiar.
Holland Park gets wonderfully weird
On 31 October, from 4.30pm to 7.30pm, Holland Park will become the Playful Park of the Peculiar, a free, ticketed walk-through adventure filled with eccentric characters, live entertainment, illuminated creatures and plenty of surprises.
Visitors book a timed arrival slot and then follow a one-way route through the park, encountering everything from crystal-ball magic courtesy of the Orbitor of Odd to giant bubbles from Professor Popp.
There’s also a giant talking frog, glow-in-the-dark hula hooping, tales from the Circus of the Strange and the stilt-walking Peculiar Sisters roaming around the park.
The earlier sessions have deliberately been designed to feel playful rather than frightening, making them particularly good for families with younger children. As darkness falls, things become a little more atmospheric and mischievous, although it remains firmly family-friendly.
At the end of the trail there will be themed food and drink, making this a rather fabulous way to spend Halloween without spending a fortune.
Follow the Peculiar Trail
The Halloween fun isn’t confined to one night.
From 23 to 31 October, families can pick up a map and follow the Peculiar Halloween Trail through shops and restaurants around High Street Kensington, collecting clues and treats along the way. Complete the trail and there’s a treat bag waiting at Bone Daddies.
There are plenty of individual events happening too.
Waterstones is hosting author Ross Montgomery on 27 October at 6.30pm to discuss his new book The Shadows of Kensington Gore, with tickets priced at £5.
Then on 30 October at 2pm, cartoonist Phil Corbett will host a hands-on comic-making workshop inspired by his new graphic novel series Ghost and Toast!
Elsewhere, KIKO Milano is getting into the spirit with a Halloween make-up masterclass, while Trotters will host a Halloween Grotto from 26 to 31 October featuring crafts and activities.
It’s worth keeping your eyes open as you wander around the area too. Kensington’s residential streets have become increasingly famous for some seriously impressive Halloween house transformations. Forget one sad pumpkin on the doorstep. Some residents really go for it.
Afternoon tea gets mystical at The Milestone
If your idea of Halloween involves Champagne rather than trick-or-treating, The Milestone Hotel has created something rather more grown-up.
Its traditional afternoon tea is being given a celestial makeover, with cosmic-inspired pastries accompanied by teas representing the four elements of Fire, Earth, Air and Water.
Even better are the special Friday twilight sittings at 7pm, when guests can select a tarot card which reveals a surprise treat at the end of the evening.
The Celestial Afternoon Tea costs £85 per person, or £98 with Champagne, while a Little Stars children’s menu is available for £45.
It’s Halloween, but make it Kensington.
Enter the dark world of Wildwood
One of the most interesting additions to this year’s programme comes from the Design Museum.
LAIKA presents Wildwood: The Exhibition takes visitors behind the scenes of the stop-motion studio responsible for Coraline and explores the creation of its latest film, Wildwood, which arrives in cinemas on 23 October.
The exhibition includes original puppets, props, sketches and miniature sets, revealing the extraordinary level of craftsmanship that goes into creating LAIKA’s strange and beautiful worlds.
Tickets cost £15.29 for adults and £7.65 for children.
On Halloween itself, curator Hadeel Eltayeb will lead a special tour from 2pm to 3pm examining how LAIKA makes the strange feel real. Tickets for the tour are £30.
Later, from 3.30pm until 7.30pm, families can take part in mask-making, myth spotting and collaborative doodling inspired by Lost and Found in Mythology, with author and illustrator Clare Booth joining the fun.
With the Design Museum sitting right next to Holland Park, it would be very easy to combine the exhibition with the Playful Park of the Peculiar and make a full afternoon and evening of it.
Kensington’s vintage market goes goth
On Saturday 31 October, the Big Kensington Vintage Flea Market returns to Phillimore Walk, but this time it is embracing its dark side.
Expect the usual mix of vintage fashion, furniture, art, design and homewares, but with a distinctly gothic edge. Think dramatic candelabras, Victoriana, black lace and dark florals.
In other words, it’s less novelty witch’s hat and more Morticia Addams hosting cocktails.
There will also be face painting and crafts for children, so it’s another option that works for families.
The market runs from 10am until 4.30pm on Phillimore Walk, W8 7RG, just off High Street Kensington and only a couple of minutes from the Tube.
Breakfast with the Little Monsters
Finally, The Ivy Kensington Brasserie is joining the celebrations with its first Little Monsters Breakfast Banquet.
Taking place on 31 October and 1 November, the Halloween breakfast promises seasonal treats, surprises and a special gift for younger guests.
Tickets cost £32.50 for adults and £27.50 for children, and fancy dress is very much encouraged.
There’s something rather lovely about High Street Kensington approaching Halloween as a neighbourhood-wide celebration rather than simply a single event.
You can take the children on a free adventure through Holland Park, rummage for gothic treasures at a vintage market, discover how fantastical animated worlds are made, have your tarot cards read over afternoon tea or simply wander the side streets admiring some of London’s most extravagantly decorated homes.
Halloween has become a huge date in London’s social calendar and, judging by this year’s programme, Kensington is determined to own it.
The High Street Kensington Halloween programme runs from 23 to 31 October 2026. The Playful Park of the Peculiar takes place at Holland Park on 31 October from 4.30pm to 7.30pm and requires a free timed ticket. Full details, booking information and the downloadable Halloween trail map are available via the High Street Kensington website.
