The final week of September is here, and the UK theme park season is now firmly moving into Halloween.
This week is a particularly exciting one for theme park fans, with Alton Towers Scarefest, Thorpe Park Fright Nights and Chessington Howl’o’ween all beginning their 2026 events.
Here’s what’s happening at UK theme parks this week.
Alton Towers Scarefest Begins
The big news this week is the return of Alton Towers Scarefest.
Following its opening weekend on 26 and 27 September, Scarefest continues from Friday 2 October to Sunday 4 October.
Visitors can experience the resort’s Halloween atmosphere, live entertainment, scare attractions and rides after dark, including The Smiler, Nemesis Reborn and Wicker Man.
For 2026, Alton Towers has also introduced new Halloween experiences, including Final Exhibit, while the resort’s Scarefest line-up includes family-friendly Halloween entertainment as well as more intense scare attractions.
Scarefest continues on selected dates through to 1 November 2026.
Thorpe Park Fright Nights Begins
Halloween also arrives at Thorpe Park this week as Fright Nights 2026 begins.
The first Fright Nights dates are:
- Friday 2 October
- Saturday 3 October
- Sunday 4 October
This year’s event celebrates 25 Years of Fear and introduces the brand-new Tenement scare maze alongside returning experiences, shows and scare zones.
Once darkness falls, visitors can also experience some of Thorpe Park’s major rides, including Hyperia and SAW – The Ride.
Fright Nights then returns on selected dates later in October, with the event running through to 1 November.
Chessington Howl’o’ween Begins
Families can also get their first taste of Halloween at Chessington World of Adventures this weekend.
Howl’o’ween begins on Saturday 3 October, with the first event weekend running:
- 3–4 October
The family-friendly Halloween event features spooky entertainment, Halloween shows, characters, rides at dusk and the Enchanted Hollow – Trick or Treat experience.
Howl’o’ween returns on selected dates throughout October and runs through to 1 November.
LEGOLAND Windsor Gets Ready for Brick or Treat
While LEGOLAND Windsor’s main Halloween event doesn’t begin this week, preparations are well underway for Brick or Treat.
The 2026 Halloween event begins on selected dates from 10 October, continuing through the October half-term period and into 1 November.
The event will bring spooky LEGO characters, Halloween entertainment and themed activities to the resort.
LEGOLAND’s published opening calendar currently shows the park open on Monday 28 September, Tuesday 29 September, Thursday 1 October, Friday 2 October, Saturday 3 October and Sunday 4 October, with Wednesday 30 September closed.
Paultons Park Prepares for Halloween Spooktacular
Paultons Park is also getting ready for its Halloween season.
The Halloween Spooktacular begins on 9 October 2026, so visitors this week will get their final chance to enjoy the park before the Halloween event gets underway.
The event will feature spooky decorations, Halloween entertainment, shows and appearances from Peppa Pig and George in their Halloween costumes.
Halloween Spooktacular continues until 2 November.
Drayton Manor Gets Ready for Blazing Halloween
Drayton Manor is also preparing for its Halloween season.
Blazing Halloween begins on 9 October and runs until 1 November 2026.
The event will feature spooky surprises, thrilling rides, an all-new Trick or Treat Trail, Rory and Lory appearances and the Revenge of the Haunted Express.
Selected dates will also feature an end-of-day lake show and spectacular fireworks.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Continues Autumn Operations
Blackpool Pleasure Beach continues its autumn operating schedule this week following the recent Twilight Thrills event.
The published calendar currently lists the park open on:
- Monday 28 September – 10am–5pm
- Wednesday 30 September – 11am–5pm
- Thursday 1 October – 11am–5pm
- Friday 2 October – 11am–5pm
- Saturday 3 October – 10am–5pm
The park then moves towards its Halloween season, with Halloween dates beginning later in October.
Lightwater Valley Remains Closed
Lightwater Valley is currently closed following its main summer operating season.
The park’s calendar shows it closed throughout the final days of September and into the first part of October.
Its next scheduled opening is Saturday 10 October, when Frightwater Valley: Movie Mayhem begins for Halloween.
Halloween Season Is Here
This week marks a major turning point in the UK theme park calendar.
With Alton Towers Scarefest, Thorpe Park Fright Nights and Chessington Howl’o’ween all taking place from the end of this week, Halloween is now firmly taking over the theme park season.
Other parks, including LEGOLAND Windsor, Paultons Park and Drayton Manor, are also preparing for their October Halloween events.
What to Watch This Week
- Alton Towers Scarefest – 2–4 October
- Thorpe Park Fright Nights – 2–4 October
- Chessington Howl’o’ween – 3–4 October
- LEGOLAND Windsor prepares for Brick or Treat
- Paultons Park prepares for Halloween Spooktacular
- Drayton Manor prepares for Blazing Halloween
- Blackpool Pleasure Beach continues its autumn opening schedule
- Lightwater Valley remains closed until 10 October
With three of the UK’s major Halloween events launching this week, the countdown to Halloween has officially begun. October is set to be one of the busiest months of the year for UK theme park fans.
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