Family Halloween Events in Edinburgh and the Lothians 2025
- Lothians with Littles
- Aug 27
- 4 min read
Updated: 10 hours ago
Looking for the best family Halloween events in Edinburgh 2025? From pumpkin picking to haunted houses, Edinburgh and the surrounding area are packed with spooky, fun-filled activities for kids and grown-ups alike. Whether you’re after gentle autumn trails or frightfully fun mazes, here’s your ultimate guide to Halloween with the family in Edinburgh this year.
Dalkeith Country Park – Halloween Happenings
Friday 3rd October – Sunday 2nd November 2025
Dalkeith Country Park is a top spot for Halloween activities near Edinburgh — with everything from spooky woods to cookie workshops.
The Spooky Wood – wander through scarecrows, witches, spiders, and eerie tombstones (included with Fort Douglas ticket).
Halloween Cookie Workshop – decorate your own gingerbread pumpkins and ghosts.
Halloween Craft Workshop – paint a ceramic pumpkin and make ghostly decorations.
Pumpkin Picking at Balgone Estate
Weekends from 11th – 26th October 2025
For one of the best spots for pumpkin picking near Edinburgh, head to Scotland’s largest pumpkin patch at Balgone Estate in North Berwick. Stroll through the fields, pick your perfect pumpkin, then brave the haunted trail around the lake, where witches and ghosts might just cross your path.
Warm up by the witches’ cauldron, toast marshmallows, and tuck into seasonal treats from local food stalls — the perfect autumn adventure for the whole family.
Tickets £18 per car (pumpkins priced separately).
Conifox Halloween Days Festival
11th – 31st October 2025
The Conifox Halloween Days Festival is one of the biggest Halloween events near Edinburgh — and it’s packed with activities for children of all ages.
Highlights include:
Pumpkin Patch – grab a wheelbarrow and find the perfect pumpkin.
Fearsome Photo Ops – meet Pumpkin Percy, Winnie the Witch, and Warrick the Wizard.
Witches’ Labyrinth & Funhouse of Fear – mazes full of spooky surprises.
Devilish Disco – with DJ Claire Kinnaird and spooky characters Bones Malone and Mick Dagger.
Adventure Park Entry – for even more family fun.
Tickets £10.50 per person
Craigies Pumpkin Festival
1st – 31st October 2025
Craigies Farm is back with its pumpkin festival near Edinburgh, bigger and better than ever. This is the perfect day out for families who love autumn adventures.
Your ticket includes:
Storytelling, marshmallow toasting & giant bale maze
Pumpkin picking & decorating
Barrel train rides through spooky tunnels
Tractor trailer rides & live music
Fun photo ops & roaming characters
Food and drink stalls keep everyone fuelled, and extra activities like face painting and axe throwing are available too.
Tickets: £7.50 for adults & children (pumpkins priced separately).
Newhailes Haunted House Tour (Kids’ Edition)
Throughout October 2025
Step inside Newhailes House for a haunted house experience in Edinburgh created for children aged 7+. This spooky tour mixes stories, fictional anecdotes, and a few gentle scares — just enough to keep things exciting without being too frightening.
Tickets: £5 per person.
East Links Family Park Pumpkin Festival
11th – 31st October 2025
Head to East Links Family Park for a Halloween day out in East Lothian that’s full of thrills. Every visiting child gets a free pumpkin, plus the chance to explore the Haunted House, join the fancy-dress contest, and take part in a Halloween hunt.
With themed music, ghastly decorations, photo opportunities, and spooky surprises, this is a brilliant pick for families looking for a full day of festive fun.
Tickets £19 per person
Halloween trail at the Botanic Garden
Throughout October 2025
For a more relaxed Halloween adventure, head to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The Pumpkin Festival trail invites families to follow clues, solve puzzles, and claim a prize.
It’s a brilliant way to enjoy the outdoors and spot autumn colour in the gardens. Free with normal entry.
Edinburgh Zoo: Spooky Season
Throughout October 2025
Edinburgh Zoo transforms into a spooky wonderland this Halloween, with activities for all ages — from creepy-crawly encounters to family pumpkin fun.
Your visit can include:
Wicked Encounters with reptiles and mini-beasts
“Carve a Treat” pumpkin carving weekend (25th–26th October, while pumpkins last)
Tickets: Standard zoo entry applies
Dynamic Earth: Monsters & Myths Trail
3rd October – 2nd November 2025
Dynamic Earth invites curious minds to step into the legends this Halloween! “Monsters & Myths” blends science, folklore and immersive fun — perfect for families who want a spooky adventure that also teaches something.
Your visit can include:
Monsters & Myths Trail through the galleries — discover the real creatures behind stories of zombies, vampires, Loch Ness Monster & more
Seasonal science sessions for little ones under 6 (Dynamites & Dynamos) with crafting, storytelling & sensory play
Planetarium family film screenings of monster-themed favourites
Tickets: Trail is a £4.50 add-on to standard Science Centre & Planetarium admission; extra shows/sessions are separately priced.
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions: Haunting Halloween Hunt
11th October – 2nd November 2025
Camera Obscura gets eerie this Halloween with an immersive hunt full of illusions, frights and fun. Perfect for families who want something playful but with that Halloween edge.
Your visit can include:
Haunting Halloween Hunt — track down 5 spooky characters (Frankenstein, Dracula, Werewolf, Mummy & Witch) hiding on different floors; find them all and get a sweet treat from the Gift Shop.
Themed decorations & scary portraits, ghostly projections and special photo-ops throughout the attraction
Halloween Holograms, Colour Shadow Wall & OptiMusic “make creepy tunes” experiences to dip into between exhibits
Family-friendly storytelling by ghoulish guides as part of the Camera Obscura show, sharing local Halloween tales
Tickets: Standard entry applies
Halloween Hunt at Archerfield
Friday 10th October - Sunday 2nd November
Find 9 creepy characters lurking on the estate and piece together the letters they hold to create a mysterious word. Once you’ve worked it out, bring your activity sheet back to be exchanged for a terrific treat. Fill out your details to be entered into a prize draw with the chance to WIN a £20 Archerfield Walled Garden voucher.
Tickets: £3 per child
Plan Your Edinburgh Halloween Adventure
From pumpkin picking near Edinburgh to spooky mazes, haunted houses, and fun workshops, there’s no shortage of Halloween days out for families in Edinburgh 2025. Whether you want gentle autumn activities or something a little spookier, there’s an event to suit every family.
So grab your costumes, pick your pumpkins, and get ready for a Halloween to remember in Edinburgh!