Autumn is upon us, and with it comes one of the most thrilling times of the year: Halloween! For those of you who love a spine-chilling experience, Cardiff is the perfect place to celebrate. From ghostly tours and haunted houses to quirky events and family-friendly festivities, the Welsh capital transforms into a Halloween haven each October. So, grab your witch’s hat, dust off your broomstick, and let’s dive into the spooktacular side of Halloween in Cardiff!
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Cardiff Halloween Events 2025
Cardiff’s Halloween celebrations are a unique blend of history, mystery, and modern-day fun, promising an experience that is both chilling and thrilling. This October, immerse yourself in the haunted heart of Wales, if you dare!
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Ghost Tours of Cardiff
Embark on your Halloween adventure with an interactive ghost tour through Cardiff’s historic streets. The city’s rich past is filled with mysterious legends and chilling tales, and these popular ghost tours take you through the oldest parts of Cardiff, bringing these stories to life.
St Fagans Museum Ghost Tour
St. Fagans Museum is reputedly the most haunted museum in the UK. It houses a collection of historic buildings from across Wales. Many believe the spirits at St Fagans are connected to the buildings themselves, while others suggest they are from the civil war battle fought here in 1648 or from the families who lived and worked on this land over the centuries. The guide will share stories of its history, buildings, and ghostly encounters. You’ll also learn about the myths, legends, and unique traditions of Wales.
Insole Court Ghost Tour
Discover the intriguing history of the Insole family, which mirrors Cardiff’s rise and decline during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. As pioneering coal-shippers, mine owners, railwaymen, and docksmen, the Insole’s thrived during the dominance of Welsh steam coal in the global industry. The Insole Court Ghost Tour offers a chance to explore this historic site, where staff and visitors have reported many strange occurrences, adding an extra layer of mystery to your Halloween experience.
Dark Side of Cardiff Free Walking Tour
I’m already a massive fan of FOGO’s Free Tours! On 31 October, this two-hour Dark Side of Cardiff walking tour around central Cardiff, where you’ll discover life in Cardiff’s slums, the Cholera epidemic, haunted pubs, life in prison, graveyards and Welsh Halloween traditions. Pre-booking is essential. The tour is free to participate, and payments are tips-based.
Ghost Hunt at the Mansion House
The Mansion House in Cardiff, originally built in 1890 for James Howell, is renowned for its paranormal activity. Guests frequently report strange noises, shadowy figures, and ghostly apparitions. The ghost hunt is the chance to explore this eerie manor alongside experienced Paranormal Eye investigators, venturing into rooms where witnesses have seen apparitions, experienced sudden drops in temperature, and even smelled unexplained cigarette smoke. Are you brave enough to uncover the mysteries of this haunted house?
Llandaff Cathedral Ghost Walk
Guided ghost tours are usually packed with other travellers, which can take away from the spooky atmosphere. This Llandaff Self-Guided Audio Ghost Tour lets you go alone or with friends and family. Follow the app through a wooded lane to see Llandaff Cathedral and then follow the riverbank of the River Taff. Hear ghostly tales of paranormal encounters in this area as you go. Plus, it’s only £6!
Ghost Hunting at Llancaiach Fawr
Llancaiach Fawr manor house claims to be one of the most haunted in the UK. So, with 450 years and no doubt many deaths within its four walls, what is it like to go ghost hunting at Llancaiach Fawr, one of Wales’ most haunted houses?
Cardiff Festival
The Cardiff Halloween Festival is set to enchant visitors with a spellbinding mix of live shows, interactive games, trails, creative zones, and family-friendly fun. Now at its new location on Alexandra Head, just a short stroll from Future Inns, guests can arrive via the scenic Barrage Trail or hop aboard the Ghost Ship at Mermaid Quay.
Festival highlights include theatrical adventures like Jack & Luna: The Curse of Halloween Island, interactive shows such as Potion Commotion and Slime It Live!, glowing pumpkin displays, owl encounters, and spooky evening performances. Guests can also enjoy walkabout characters – from mischievous ghouls to playful pirates – plus fairground rides, face painting, balloon modelling, axe throwing, and a tempting selection of street food.
Family-Friendly Frights and Fun
Halloween isn’t just for adults; Cardiff has plenty of family-friendly events to entertain little ghouls and ghosts. These events are designed to be safe and enjoyable for the whole family.
Pumpkin Patch Cardiff
The yearly tradition has become popular, especially with families looking for Halloween events in Cardiff. Check out all of the pumpkin patches in Cardiff – perfect for adding a touch of autumn to your home.
Spooky Studio at The Red Dragon Centre
On Friday 31 October, between 12–4pm, kids can enjoy free face painting and Halloween makeovers at the Spooky Studio – perfect for getting trick-or-treat ready. Whether they want to be witches, superheroes, or spooky monsters, the team will bring their Halloween look to life. Make a day of it with a family meal, bowling, or a cinema trip at the centre for a full festive adventure!
Ghostbusters at Mermaid Quay
This October Half Term, who you gonna call? Join the fun at Mermaid Quay on Tuesday 28 October 2025, between 11am–4pm for a spook-tacular Ghostbusters Day! Meet three Ghostbusters against a full-size backdrop for family photos, try ghost-themed balloon model making, get glitter tattoos with spooky designs, and enjoy a hands-on green slime-making workshop with our costumed host. It’s FREE entry, no booking required, and packed with fun for all the family.
Halloween Nights at St Fagans
Halloween Nights is returning to St Fagans. A host of ghostly guests will be scattered around the museum, and the Wicker Man will burn outdoors each night. Highlights include spooky scare runs, interactive craft workshops, a haunted house disco, and a traditional fairground.
Ghoul School at Techniquest
This Halloween, Techniquest is turning into Ghoul School for a spook-tacular day of science and fun! Kids can take part in hands-on experiments, creepy chemistry, and slime-filled activities that are as educational as they are eerie. Perfect for little monsters curious about how science works, it’s a frightfully fun way to celebrate the spooky season while learning something new!
Family Halloween at Fonmon Castle
Fonmon Castle’s Halloween events offer something for everyone, from daytime family fun to thrilling after-dark scares. Your ticket gives full access to the Fonmon Estate, including Jurassic Wales, Medieval and Fairy Villages, play areas, castle rooms, and more.
During the Halloween Daytime Event (18 October to 2 November 2025 between 10am–3pm), enjoy a story trail, Haunted Dinos, Pumpkin Village, crafts, archery, face painting, and tasty treats—fun without the fright!
For those seeking a spookier experience, the Halloween Evening Scare (between 6pm-10pm) transforms the castle with ten terrifying scare zones, character shows, Haunted Dinos, pumpkin displays, crafts, and evening food and drinks.
Halloween at Dyffryn Gardens
This Halloween, come and learn all about the creepy crawlies that live in Dyffryn Gardens with seven minibeast-themed activities, including throwing flies through the web, spinning the snail shell, finding the ghost millipedes and many more! The activity is free, but there is a National Trust entrance fee.
Having a National Trust Membership has been the perfect companion for a day trip. A family membership starts from £8.65 per month. In addition to free admission to their portfolio, you also get free parking. There are over 500 attractions in their collection, so there’s always something nearby. I’d highly recommend purchasing one. If you do sign up, don’t forget to go via TopCashBack.
Spooky Trail at Treetop Adventure Golf
Get ready for a spook-tacular October Half Term at Treetop Adventure Golf! Every mini golf ticket includes access to the Spooky Trail, where players can hunt for hidden letters around the course to spell a spooky word – and collect a Halloween treat at reception. Over Halloween Weekend, enjoy free face painting from 11am–2pm and enter the Best Dressed Competition at the photobooth for a chance to win a £250 gift voucher. Sip on limited-edition themed drinks like the Jungle Ghouler mocktail, Bat Berry Martini, and Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Halloween Events for Older Teens and Adults
You don’t need to be a child to enjoy Halloween in Cardiff. There are plenty of events, including a Halloween party, for you to attend.
Monsters of the Mine
Do you like it scary? Back at the Zip World Tower in Aberdare is Monsters of the Mine. It will get your heart racing, and the adventure begins as you pull into the car park. Be warned; the monsters constantly make people jump and chase you around. Alongside this, you can ride the zip line, fly through the dark, and ride rollercoasters. Get your tickets now!
Ghost Stories from Cardiff
Cardiff is full of fascinating history, but did you know that there are some chilling, haunting tales? Not all of these ghost stories happened on Halloween. But Cardiff has legendary whispers, eerie buildings and haunted happenings. Here is a collection of ghost stories from Cardiff and haunted places in Cardiff. Read on if you dare!
Getting around Cardiff has never been Easier
Transport for Wales now offers Multiflex, which gives you 12 journeys for the same price as 5 returns. With stops in Taffs Well, Radyr, Whitchurch, Llandaff North, Cathays, two in the city centre – Queen Street and Cardiff Central – plus Cardiff Bay. And who doesn’t want to save money to spend on Halloween?
Halloween Food and Drink in Cardiff
You’ll want to refuel after a day (or night) of ghost-hunting. Luckily, Cardiff’s food scene embraces Halloween with open arms.
Cardiff is a foodie’s delight. From the quality of the produce to the level of cooking, from cheap eats to something special like three-course menus, there’s something for every palate. Plus, some of the best places to eat are in Cardiff city centre. Cardiff is staking a serious claim to being one of the UK’s most exciting places to eat. Don’t forget to book ahead to guarantee a table.
Get 50% off food in Cardiff
If you love food and drink, do you have a Tastecard? It’s a membership card that offers 50% off the food bill or two meals for the price of one at over six thousand participating restaurants across the UK. It’s a great way to save money and enjoy a variety of dining experiences. Get a 60-day free trial here:
Dress Up and Dance the Night Away
What’s Halloween without a costume party? Cardiff’s nightlife comes alive with a flurry of fancy-dress events catering to all tastes. Whether you fancy a gothic masquerade ball, a pub crawl through the city’s quirkiest venues, or an all-night rave with DJ sets and spooky décor, there’s something for everyone.
Stay in a Haunted Hotel (If You Dare!)
Why not fully embrace the Halloween spirit by staying in one of Cardiff’s reputedly haunted hotels?
The Angel Hotel, located near Cardiff Castle, is well-known for its ghostly residents. Over the years, guests and staff have reported sightings and eerie happenings, including strange noises, sudden chills, and sightings of a shadowy figure roaming the hallways.
The Royal Hotel in Cardiff has a mysterious past. It is the hotel from which Captain Scott set off for his ill-fated trip to the Antarctic in 1910, enjoying a 13-course meal before departing. There’s the sad tale of a baby left on the steps in 1939, whose mother was never found, or the romantic story of a volunteer firefighter who rescued a worker from a blaze 100 years ago, fell in love with her, and married her.
easyHotel Cardiff
The easyHotel Cardiff is a 10-minute walk from the city centre. It has double rooms (with or without a window), accessible bedrooms and twin rooms. Located a short walk behind Cardiff Queen Street train station, the budget hotel features en-suite bathrooms, heated rooms in the winter, and air conditioning in the summer. WiFi is free; pay and display and multi-storey car parks are nearby.
Radisson Cardiff
The Radisson Blu Hotel Cardiff is in the city centre. The 4-star hotel has smart TVs in the bedrooms, private bathrooms with complimentary toiletries, laptop-compatible safes, and limited onsite parking.
Radisson Hotel Discount Code
Get 15% off 3 or 4-night stays, 20% off 5 or 6-night stays, or 25% off for 7 or more nights in luxury rooms and suites. When you use the Radisson Hotel Promo Code LONGER, you’ll also receive complimentary high-speed WiFi on unlimited devices. More information
The Hilton Cardiff
For a luxurious stay, The Hilton Cardiff, in the heart of the city centre, has beautiful amenities, including a pool and health club. With Hilton Honors, you get exclusive perks when you stay at more than 6,700 hotels around the world. Members receive Points on every stay, which can be turned into free nights.
Embrace the Spirit of Halloween in Cardiff
Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a history buff, or just looking for some family fun, Cardiff has something for everyone this Halloween. With its eerie atmosphere, historic buildings, and love of celebration, this vibrant city is the perfect backdrop for all things spooky. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your costumes, rally your friends and family, and prepare for a Halloween you won’t forget!
Happy Halloween Cardiff!
Halloween Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Halloween originate?
Halloween originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated over 2,000 years ago in what is now Ireland, the UK, and northern France. It marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter – a time when people believed the boundary between the living and the dead became blurred. Many modern Halloween traditions stem from these ancient customs.
Why do we celebrate Halloween?
Today, Halloween is celebrated as a fun and festive occasion involving costumes, trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, and spooky decorations. Its roots lie in ancient rituals honouring the dead and warding off evil spirits. Over time it has evolved into a community celebration focused on creativity, playfulness, and autumnal traditions.
Is Halloween a bank holiday?
No, Halloween is not a bank holiday in the UK. It’s celebrated annually on 31st October, but businesses, schools, and offices usually remain open as normal.
Do Christians celebrate Halloween?
Some Christians do celebrate Halloween, viewing it as a harmless, fun tradition, while others choose not to due to its pagan origins. Many churches now host “light parties” or other family-friendly alternatives that focus on community and positivity instead of spooky themes.
What does Halloween mean?
The word “Halloween” comes from “All Hallows’ Eve”, meaning the evening before All Saints’ Day (1st November). It’s the night before the Christian festival that honours saints, blending both pagan and Christian traditions over the centuries.
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