Halloween on the Isle of Wight

Often called the most haunted island in the world, it's no surprise that the Isle of Wight makes an excellent destination for a Halloween holiday. There are spooky stories and tales of hauntings right across the island, perfect for grown-ups who want a break with a side of scares. From ghost tours to eating out in pubs where mysterious phantoms have been spotted, curious visitors will love a stay on the Isle of ‘Fright’! 

Don't worry, those who like their family fun a little less frightening will also have a fantastic time spending their October half term on the Isle of Wight. With so many attractions to explore and enjoy, many of which are offering family-friendly Halloween events, your little ones will have the best time this autumn on the Isle of Wight. To help you plan your visit, we have pulled together a round-up of the top Halloween events on the Isle of Wight happening in 2023. From activities for the children and fun for all the family to terrifying entertainment for the adults, there's something for everyone on the Isle of Wight this October. 

No matter who you're bringing with you to celebrate the spooky season, here at Island Cottage Holidays, we're sure to have the perfect home-from-home for you. From family-friendly holiday homes on the coast to rural retreats ideal for a romantic break, you'll find them all here. 

Halloween activities on the Isle of Wight:

• Pumpkin picking on the Isle of Wight 
• Family-friendly Halloween fun 
• Halloween events for adults 
• Other spooky spots on the Isle of Wight 
• Holiday homes for Halloween on the Isle of Wight

Pumpkin picking on the Isle of Wight

If ghosts and witches are too much for your little monsters, but you still want to get involved in the Halloween fun then why not visit a pumpkin patch? It's a perfect autumn activity for the whole family. Spend time wandering the fields to find your perfect pumpkin before taking it home to decorate. 

Tapnell Farm 

Tapnell Farm is not just offering a pumpkin patch this October, but an entire Pumpkin Festival! They're celebrating this symbol of Halloween with pumpkin-themed treats, tasty food, a licensed bar and live music. Big and little visitors will love joining in with all the fun activities such as hook a pumpkin, axe-throwing, ring toss, and guess the weight of a pumpkin! During half term (21-31 October), the Pumpkin Fairy will also be hosting a kid's disco every day. 

And after all the entertainment, it's time to go and find your own pumpkin! Hunt out the perfect size for you to take home. At Tapnell Farm, you can even carve it on-site for free to save having to clean up any mess back at your holiday cottage. 

Westover Farm

Set over several acres in the beautiful countryside to the west of the island, you'll find scores of different pumpkins and squashes at Westover Farm. Perfect for soaking up those autumn vibes and capturing the perfect ‘insta-worthy’ shot of your family amongst the pumpkins. 

Pick your perfect gourd and take it back to your home-from-home to decorate or create a delicious dish.

Family-friendly Halloween fun

From events for tiny tots to thrills perfect for teens, there is so much happening on the Isle of Wight this Halloween. Visit the UK's oldest theme park and celebrate life at the Fiesta of the Dead, practice your wand work amongst the wizards on a magical train journey, or take on a spooky quest full of tricks and treats.  

Make sure you pack your family's best creepy costumes and enjoy an October half term to remember. 

Fiesta of the Dead - Blackgang Chine  

Inspired by Día de los Muertos, Fiesta of the Dead will come to Blackgang Chine for half term. Be ready to celebrate life at this epic Halloween event with wonderful fun activities suitable for all. It's a mesmerising experience from start to finish with acrobats, live music, spectacular lighting and giant inflatables, perfect for an amazing family photo. 

There's an electric light dance show not to be missed, you can visit the fortune teller and even send messages to loved ones who have passed on. There's a cowboy town takeover, as the area will be transformed into Mexico for the event. Pick up some delicious food, watch the fire show, and get your face painted before joining in the spooky disco. 

This event is a celebration of life, love and making amazing memories that will stay with your family forever. 

Wizard Week - Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Witches and wizards unite at Havenstreet Station this half term! Wizard Week at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway returns for 2023. Visitors can meet the friendly witches at the station, help them with their spells, and take in Professor Crump's magic shows. Then, you can watch a bird of prey show, visit the station yard to hear some terrible tales and solve creepy clues on a terrifying treasure hunt trail. And all that's before you join the witches on the steam train where there will be some treats and maybe a trick or two handed out. 

Halloween Spooktacular - Shanklin Chine

Brand new for 2023, the island's oldest tourist attraction, Shanklin Chine, is putting on a Halloween Spooktacular that cannot be missed. Open 10am until 9pm, your family can join in the fun, whether you want a day out or a spooky evening event. Follow the cryptic clues around the walkways on this Halloween quest, but make sure you keep an eye out for witches and werewolves as you go! There's also an opportunity to meet a collection of villains and spooky characters such as The Addams Family and the Sanderson Sisters every day. 

Shanklin Chine has its own pumpkin patch so before you go, stop by and pick one up to make a Jack-o-Lantern at home. For those brave enough to stay until the darkness descends, you'll be treated to amazing Halloween-themed illuminations and the famous 13-metre waterfall. 

Halloween events for adults

Halloween is not just for children. The spooky season is the perfect time for grown-ups who like tales of terror and ghoulish goings-on to try a little ghost hunting of their own. And where better to do so than one of the most haunted spots in the United Kingdom, the Isle of Wight? From organised ghost hunts to visiting the area's most haunted venues by yourself, who knows what spectres you may see! 

Or if you prefer ‘jump-out-of-your-skin scares’ to ghost stories then a night at the gory blood fest that is Terror Island, the island's biggest immersive Halloween event, may be for you. 

Terror Island - Blackgang Chine

Returning for 2023, Terror Island, situated in 2023 at the UK's oldest theme park, Blackgang Chine, is a terrifying experience - not for the faint-hearted. Suitable for those over 16, Terror Island is an immersive experience with four scare mazes, live actors, and street entertainment including gory games and live music. Three of the theme park's rides, Waterforce, Evolution, and Extinction, will also be open if you dare to ride them in the dark! 

Ghost Tales at Carisbrooke Castle

Carisbrooke Castle is one of the Isle of Wight’s most haunted places. This Halloween, it will offer those over 16 a spooky evening full of ghostly tales and historical horrors. Make sure you bring a torch as your storyteller will lead you around the castle in the dark telling you of spooky sightings. As you explore, you may even spot the famous Grey Lady, who is said to roam the grounds with her pack of dogs. 

Isle of Wight Ghost Experience

For over 25 years, the team at Isle of Wight Ghost Experience has been showing residents and visitors to the island its spookiest streets, darkest alleys, and most haunted locations. And this Halloween, you can join them on a wide variety of walks and tours. Discover the intriguing history of the island and the mysteries, scandals and murders that have happened over the years at locations such as Ventnor Botanical Garden and Arreton Barns. 

Other spooky spots on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is famous for its spooky happenings. From venues with spectral sightings to places with horrible histories, there are plenty of other spots we recommend you check out this Halloween. 

Ventnor Botanic Garden - Once the site of a 19th-century hospital for treating those with respiratory diseases, visitors have reported seeing ghosts of gaunt men wandering the grounds and hearing the moans and coughs of those who died there. 

Appledurcombe House - Once the grandest house on the island, it's now famed for being one of the most haunted. A large number of different ghosts have been spotted in and around the house, from the shadow dancers in the basement to the horse-pulled carriage that's said to race up the driveway leaving no tracks behind. 

The Buddle Inn - Dine if you dare at this cliff-top pub famed for its smuggling links. Guests have reported seeing mysterious apparitions such as sailors and smugglers appear around the building. 

Holiday homes for Halloween on the Isle of Wight

Briars Lodge

After all that paranormal activity, you'll need somewhere to rest your head, and at Island Cottage Holidays we have plenty of wonderful holiday cottages to choose from. You won't have to worry about things that go bump in the night at our self-catering accommodation. Just sit back and relax in one of our luxurious holiday homes in between all your Halloween fun. And maybe if you're brave enough, watch a horror movie or two!