With its connections to Dracula, its iconic Abbey and ghost stories galore. Halloween in Whitby is a spooky delight!
Spooky season is approaching, and where better to celebrate than Whitby? As the sun sets, the town is shrouded in numerous ghost stories, shipwrecks, and legends. So, if you choose to spend Halloween in Whitby, there is no doubt that you will find an activity that will give you a spooky thrill or two. Here's our breakdown of things to do in Whitby for Halloween.
Illuminated Whitby Abbey 2025
Friday 24th October – Saturday 1st November
Whitby Mini Guide
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Is there any spookier place to visit at Halloween than Bram Stoker's inspiration itself in a new light? Witness Whitby Abbey bathed in dramatic illuminations. Remember to take your camera as you wander around the Gothic ruins lit up with all the colours of the rainbow.
This event is perfect for all ages. You follow a trail of lights around the ruins of Whitby Abbey, and you’ll find local food stalls serving up ghoulishly good bites and drinks, perfect for keeping your energy up as you soak in the spooky atmosphere. Costumes are encouraged!
For the brave, join Time Will Tell for a performance of their thrilling new show, The Dead Shall Walk the Earth, featuring shadowy figures, strange powers, and perhaps even a glimpse of Dracula himself.
Halloween Half Term at Whitby Abbey 2025
Saturday 25th October – Sunday 2nd November
Head to Whitby Abbey with your little monsters for a day full of Halloween fun! Jump on your broomsticks and get ready for a bewitchingly brilliant day out. Solve creepy clues in their Halloween Quest.
This is a great day out and a way to celebrate Halloween with the family. Feel free to dress up, too!
Whitby Goth Weekend 2025
Thursday 30th October – 2nd November
This is an annual gathering of music-loving goths who descend on Whitby and participate in its bi-annual Whitby Goth Weekend.
Started in 1994 by a group of just 40 pen pals who had met through the music magazine NME, this annual gathering now attracts people from all over the world. It has also evolved into a festival for everyone, celebrating all alternative lifestyles.
Over the weekend, there are vintage markets, plenty of live music and a Bizarre Bazaar market. For those attending and not attending the weekend festivities, it is also a chance to see some of the best gothic clothing you will ever see.
Learn more about Whitby Goth Weekend.
Mad Alice's Ghost Train NYMR 2025
19th October, 26th October and 2nd November
Hop aboard with Mad Alice for a ghostly train ride you’ll never forget, weaving through the mysterious heart of the North York Moors. This isn’t your average journey; brace yourself for an hour packed with spine-chilling tales, quirky surprises, and just the right amount of fright.
- Live actors bring ghostly tales to life as you travel.
- Discover the spirits said to haunt the carriages and stations.
- Listen to spine-chilling folklore and supernatural legends from along the line.
- Enjoy a dramatic retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic, The Signalman.
- Approximate one-hour round trip from Pickering to Levisham.
- Mini Mad Alice’s Bloody Orange Gin & Tonic from York Gin (for guests 18+)
- Soft drink included for young adventurers (14-17)
Not suitable for children under 14 years of age. Young people aged 14 to 17 must be accompanied by a fare-paying adult (18 years or older). Those with a nervous disposition may want to refrain from boarding Mad Alice's Ghost Train!
Whitby ghost tours are great all year round
We have to mention ghost walks for Halloween in Whitby! You have a few options; We cannot recommend Gill at Red Hat Ghost Walk enough! Gill has been writing her stories for years and took the time to remember and rehearse them. They are local stories she grew up with, which she adapted into an engaging style. The walk was well-planned, lighthearted, and fun. It was a lovely way to meet people while visiting Whitby. A notable feature is that this walking route is also wheelchair-accessible.
To learn more about this walk, you can visit the website and keep updated on the days and times her walks run. You can also follow Red Hat Ghost Walk on Instagram. Alternatively, you can contact Gill directly via her mobile : 07474 689 244.
More ghost walks;
Contact Rose Ryland, The Whitby Storyteller, for a particular Halloween ghost walk! You can join Rose for private ghost tours around St Mary's Church Graveyard and the old parts of East Whitby. There's also a Halloween Ghost Walk in Robin Hood's Bay.
Do you dare to take the Whitby Ghost Walk? Led and hosted by Dr Crank, the Whitby Ghost Walk is a 75-minute paranormal experience that informs you of all the murder, mystery and suspense within the town of Whitby.
Tomorrow's Ghosts Gothic Festival 2025
Friday 31st October and Saturday 1st November
Established in 2018, Tomorrow’s Ghosts Festival is held at The Pavilion in Whitby. It celebrates all things Gothic whilst embracing a wide range of alternative cultures.
The festival aims to host both established and up-and-coming bands, reflecting the diversity of the goth and alternative music scene. This celebration of everything Gothic, not unlike the Whitby Goth Weekend, is a jam-packed event featuring music, film, art, and the spoken word. They also have a bazaar known as the Dark Days Alternative Market.
Bidi's Spooky Stories at Whitby Museum 2025
Tuesday 28th October
Join Bidi for a special spooky-themed edition of her interactive family stories! Together, you can explore creepy and mysterious tales, woven from your imagination. Suitable for all ages
Children gather on cushions and mats around Bidi, who sits on a low stool and invites everyone to contribute ideas for the story, each inspired by treasures from her magical bag.
Participation is optional: you can share your ideas or sit back and enjoy the storytelling. This is a free event (standard museum admission applies). The sessions take place at 10:30 am and 12:00 pm.
Our Halloween pub crawl! Updated for 2025
After all, not everyone wants to do Halloween types of things, but no doubt you will want to see all the sights and spectacles of those who are dressed up! To do this, a pub crawl is ideal.
The Eastside of Whitby pub crawl runs along the East side of the River Esk in the heart of Whitby town. It starts and finishes at the East side of the swing bridge, where you will find The Dolphin, famous for its outside seating and views overlooking the river.
Continuing from the Dolphin, you will find The Green Dragon, The Fleece and The Middle Earth Tavern before you turn back on yourselves and return to the swing bridge.
This time, however, you will walk on the opposite side of the road, where you will find The Endeavour, The White Horse and Griffin, Black Horse, Board Inn and Duke Of York.
Turning off Church Street now, you will go down a steep alley where you will find the Whitby Friendship Rowing Club. This pub has a marvellous view across the harbour and is accessed down a small flight of stairs. Continuing down that same road, you will also find the Abbey Wharf before returning to your starting point of The Dolphin.
A little further afield…
Piglets Adventure Farm and Farmer Ed's 2025
Select October weekends and half-term
Just 15 minutes from the centre of York. Here, you can pick your perfect pumpkin at the patch, navigate the mysterious maize maze, carve your pumpkins, and more.
Brand new for 2025, Piglets Adventure Farm's Spooktacular is packed with spooky fun for your little ones! From petrifying portraits and an entertaining stage show to the all-new spooky Build a Teddy Bear experience, there’s a lot of Halloween magic around every corner. Every Spooktacular ticket also includes entry to Farmer Ed’s Pumpkin Patch, and every paying child receives a voucher for a small pumpkin (worth £2.00).
Half-Term Fun at Eden Camp 2025
Saturday 25th October – 2nd November
Looking for some family-friendly fun this October half term? Eden Camp is hosting a week of Halloween thrills, crafts, and eerie excitement! It's perfect for children of all ages.
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of a bygone era! You and your family will journey back in time to explore what life was like on the Home Front and Front Line during the Second World War. Explore the 22 original POW huts and discover personal tributes and unique stories through immersive displays that cover various aspects, including The Blitz, the Street at War (with rationing and fashions), the Home Guard, Evacuation, the Battle of Britain, and VE & VJ Day.
They also have traditional war games dotted around the museum all week and talks with team members inside the Heritage Hall! Plus, you can get hands-on experience with history and creativity through their special Halloween-themed workshops.
Halloween Half Term at Scarborough Castle 2025
Saturday 25th October – Sunday 2nd November
Round up your little ghouls and goblins for an enjoyable day at Scarborough Castle this half term! Embark on a spooky quest as you crack creepy clues and huddle up for spine-tingling storytelling sessions.
Dare to challenge history’s nastiest characters? Enter the gruesome game show and discover the shocking destinies of infamous villains. Once you’ve found your courage, it’s time for Spooky Sword School; remember, only the boldest will make it through!
Ghost Tales at Scarborough Castle 2025
Thursday 30th October – Saturday 1st November
Are you brave enough to explore Scarborough Castle in the dark this Halloween?
Immerse yourself in the chilling stories of ghosts, supernatural encounters, and historical horrors as our storytellers guide you through the past. This event is for over-16s only.
Why do you love Halloween in Whitby? Do you visit every year like us? Let us know in the comments below.
Reading all your, things to do, visit illuminated Abbey etc, but you do not comment if our 4 legged friends are invited to all your Whitby Halloween etc entertainments
Loved this post! Whitby has such a rich history and the spooky vibe makes it even more enchanting during Halloween. Can’t wait to check out the ghost walks and the haunted abbey! Thank you for the suggestions! 🎃👻
the Hetty and Betty link doesn’t work 🙂