Halloween in Europe: the best family events
For Halloween with kids, Europe's theme parks and a few historic cities put on the best family events: pumpkins, costumes, parades and gentle spooky fun. The top picks are Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Liseberg in Gothenburg, Europa-Park in Germany, Disneyland Paris, PortAventura in Spain and the Halloween festival in Derry. Here is what is on, what suits which age and how to avoid the crowds.
What's on: dates, places and prices
Most theme parks run a Halloween season from late September or early October until the first days of November, while city festivals focus on the last days of October. Exact dates change every year, so check the official website before you go.
| Event | Where | When | Scare level | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halloween at Tivoli | Copenhagen | mid-October to early November | low | mid-range |
| Halloween at Liseberg | Gothenburg | October to early November | low to medium | mid-range |
| Halloween at Europa-Park | Rust, Germany | autumn season | low to medium | premium |
| Halloween Festival | Disneyland Paris | October | low | premium |
| Halloween at PortAventura | Salou, Spain | autumn season | low to high | premium |
| Derry Halloween | Derry, Northern Ireland | end of October | low | free |
| Bram Stoker Festival | Dublin | end of October | low to medium | free to budget |
Entry price per person: budget = under about €20, mid-range = about €20–50, premium = over €50. Approximate, prices change; city festivals are mostly free.
See family attractions in Copenhagen on the Kid.ooo map
What's in it for kids by age
Little ones love pumpkins, lights and friendly characters, while older kids want a little thrill.
- Toddlers (1–3): daytime visits, pumpkin displays and gentle rides. Tivoli and Liseberg are ideal.
- Preschoolers (3–6): costume parades, face painting and character shows, for example at Disneyland Paris.
- School kids (6–12): themed rides, treasure hunts and street festivals like Derry.
- Teens: scare mazes and horror nights, for example at PortAventura or the long-running Halloween event at Burg Frankenstein in Germany.
Top events for Halloween with kids in Europe
Scandinavia does cosy Halloween, Germany, France and Spain do big theme park shows, and Ireland does the traditional festival.
Copenhagen and Gothenburg
Tivoli Gardens in central Copenhagen fills with thousands of pumpkins, scarecrows and lights in autumn, with a family-friendly mood. Liseberg in Gothenburg also has a big Halloween season with pumpkin displays, special rides and a few scarier areas for older kids.
Germany, France and Spain
Europa-Park in Rust decorates the whole park with pumpkins and straw figures and adds Halloween shows. At Disneyland Paris, the Halloween Festival brings Disney villains, costumes and an orange-and-black parade. PortAventura World near Salou has a long Halloween season, with friendly areas for young children and horror experiences for teens.
Ireland and Northern Ireland
Halloween has deep roots in Ireland. Derry Halloween is often called Europe's biggest Halloween festival, with a carnival parade and fireworks over the river. In Dublin, the Bram Stoker Festival celebrates the author of Dracula with family events and spooky street performances.
Practical: parking, prams and baby change
Arrive early, use park-and-ride or public transport, and plan a quiet break in the afternoon.
- Parking: theme parks have big car parks, but city festivals mean closed streets. Use buses or trains.
- Prams: all the theme parks are pram-friendly and rent buggies, but crowds at evening shows can be dense.
- Baby change: theme parks have baby care centres; in cities, use museums and shopping centres.
- Darkness: it gets dark early in late October, so bring a torch and reflective bands.
Where to eat nearby
Theme parks have plenty of restaurants, but eating at off-peak times saves a lot of queuing. Lunch before noon and an early dinner are the easiest with kids. Many parks also allow your own snacks, so check the rules.
In Copenhagen and Dublin, there are family-friendly restaurants near the festival areas. Find them on the Kid.ooo map. If your kids love dressing up, our guide to carnival in Europe with kids is worth saving for February.
Alternatives if it's busy
Weekdays are much calmer than weekends, and many families skip the evening and enjoy the decorations by daylight. If the big parks are too busy, look for pumpkin festivals at farms, local lantern walks or a quiet day at a playground. For other autumn trips, see our shoulder-season travel guide and our list of family festivals across Europe.
For family travel guides across Europe, take a look at @wanderingwagars on Instagram.
More kids attractions on the Kid.ooo map
Kid.ooo is a free kid-friendly places map where parents share attractions, playgrounds and cafés across Europe. Look up things to do with kids in Copenhagen, Paris or Dublin and save your Halloween plan before you go.
Find kids attractions in Paris on the Kid.ooo map
Missing a place you loved? Add it to Kid.ooo and help the next family planning a spooky day out.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best Halloween in Europe for families?
Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen and Liseberg in Gothenburg are known for cosy, not-too-scary Halloween seasons with thousands of pumpkins. Europa-Park, Disneyland Paris and PortAventura add shows and parades, and Derry in Northern Ireland hosts one of Europe's biggest Halloween festivals.
Is Halloween at theme parks too scary for small children?
The daytime decorations, pumpkin displays and parades are fine for most young children. Scare zones and horror mazes are usually separate, marked with age advice and often only open in the evening, so you can easily avoid them.
Do people celebrate Halloween across Europe?
Halloween has old roots in Ireland, and today it is popular in many European countries, especially at theme parks and in cities. Trick-or-treating is common in Ireland and the UK, and less so in most of continental Europe.
What should kids wear to a Halloween event in Europe?
A costume that fits over warm clothes, because late October evenings are cold and often wet. Add reflective details or a small torch if you will be outside after dark.
Find family places near you
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