Halloween date ideas in York, rated.
The best Halloween date in York, UK for 2026 is Hallowscream at York Maze, a 16+ scream park running on selected nights until 1 November. For something calmer, book the adults-only candlelit ghost stories at Treasurer's House on 30 or 31 October. For free, join the Little York Ghost Hunt around the Minster from 26 to 28 October.
York is the most haunted city in Europe, apparently. It says so on every ghost walk sign in town.
That makes October the easiest month of the year to plan a date. Something scary happens, someone grabs someone's arm, and nobody has to make the first move. Halloween is a Saturday this year, so the 31st will be rammed. The week before is where the good stuff is.
We went through what's actually on for 2026 and rated the 10 that work for a date. Score out of 10, price out of five £s, and the honest bit.
The ten,
rated.
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Photo: Ian S, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, colour edited #1York Maze · 16+Hallowscream
9/10- When
- Selected nights to 1 Nov, gates 6.30pm
- Damage
- £££
- Best for
- Grabbing their arm, legitimately
Scare houses, actors chasing you round the site and live shows. Strictly 16+, tickets online only and priced by night, and bring photo ID if you look under 21. Map
The honest bitIt's out of town on Elvington Lane. Sort the lift home before someone with a chainsaw does it for you.
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Photo: Malcolmxl5, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, colour edited #2Treasurer's House · 18+Deadtime Stories for Adults
8.5/10- When
- 30 + 31 Oct, 6.30pm or 7.30pm
- Damage
- ££
- Best for
- Candlelight, and someone else doing the talking
Ghost stories by candlelight in a house behind the Minster that's said to be properly haunted. £20, booked through the National Trust. Map
The honest bitTwo nights only. If you're reading this on the 30th, you've missed it.
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Photo: Tadeusz Hare, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, colour edited #3Barley Hall · 18+Haunted Hall: Dark Tales
8/10- When
- 30 + 31 Oct, evenings
- Damage
- ££
- Best for
- A medieval hall and a drink in your hand
Adults-only dark storytelling in a medieval townhouse off Stonegate. £20, with drinks available. Map
The honest bitIt's tucked down Coffee Yard. You'll walk past it twice.
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Photo: Hassocks5489, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons #4King's Arms, Ouse BridgeThe Original Ghost Walk
8/10- When
- 8pm every night
- Damage
- £
- Best for
- A cheap date that starts at a pub
Running since 1973 and billed as the world's first ghost walk. £6 for students, £10 for adults. Map
The honest bitIt runs rain or shine. In October, it's rain.
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Photo: Jonny Gios, Unsplash License, via Unsplash, colour edited #5Around the Minster · freeLittle York Ghost Hunt
7.5/10- When
- 26–28 Oct, 6pm–8pm
- Damage
- Free
- Best for
- A date with a mission
250 tiny ghosts hidden round the Minster streets each night, plus 30 rare glow-in-the-dark ones. One each. Part of Ghost Week. Map
The honest bitThere are more hunters than ghosts, and most of them are eight. They will beat you.
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Photo: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, colour edited #6Mansion House · 15+Remember, Remember
7.5/10- When
- 29–31 Oct, 7.30pm
- Damage
- £££
- Best for
- Looking like you plan things
An evening at the Mansion House, the Lord Mayor's home since the 1700s. £25, including an interval drink. Map
The honest bitThe interval drink is the only one included. Pace yourself.
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Photo: Malcolmxl5, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, colour edited #7York Cemetery Chapel · 18+Ghosts and Ghouls Gothic Dance
7/10- When
- Sun 25 Oct, 2pm–5pm
- Damage
- ££
- Best for
- Someone who owns more black than you
A gothic dance in the chapel at York Cemetery. £15, and tickets were nearly gone back in September. Map
The honest bitA dance, in a cemetery, at 2pm on a Sunday. Commit or don't go.
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Photo: Malcolmxl5, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, colour edited #8Clifford StreetThe York Dungeon
7/10- When
- Daytime, Halloween show to 1 Nov
- Damage
- ££
- Best for
- A daytime scare
Actors, dark York history and a Mother Shipton show for Halloween, included in entry. Cheaper booked online than on the door. Map
The honest bitHalf term runs 24 Oct to 1 Nov. You'll be sharing your date with a school trip.
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Photo: Bo&Ko, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, colour edited #9Museum Gardens + city · freeGhosts in the Gardens
6.5/10- When
- Daily to 1 Nov
- Damage
- Free
- Best for
- A walk with a theme
Ghosts hidden in 32 spots from Museum Gardens to the station. Walk the trail, then decide whether it becomes a drink. Map
The honest bitThey're friendly ghosts. Nobody's grabbing anybody's arm.
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Photo: Malcolmxl5, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, colour edited #10Any club · Sat 31 OctHalloween night out
6/10- When
- Saturday 31 October
- Damage
- ££
- Best for
- Second dates, not first ones
Every club in York does a Halloween night, and this year it lands on a Saturday. Fun with friends. Hard work as a first date. Every club night, rated
The honest bitMeeting someone for the first time in fancy dress is a lot. Go as something you can explain sober.
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Quick pick
by budget.
| Budget | Go here | When |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Little York Ghost Hunt | 26–28 Oct, 6pm |
| Free | Ghosts in the Gardens | Daily to 1 Nov |
| £ | The Original Ghost Walk | 8pm nightly |
| ££ | Deadtime Stories for Adults | 30 + 31 Oct |
| ££ | Haunted Hall: Dark Tales | 30 + 31 Oct |
| £££ | Hallowscream | Selected nights to 1 Nov |
Questions
What's on in York for Halloween 2026?
Hallowscream at York Maze runs on selected nights until 1 November, Ghost Week runs from 24 October to 1 November, and there are adults-only candlelit ghost stories at Treasurer's House and Barley Hall on 30 and 31 October.
What's a free Halloween date in York?
The Little York Ghost Hunt around the Minster, from 6pm to 8pm on 26, 27 and 28 October, and Ghosts in the Gardens, which runs until 1 November. Both are free.
What day is Halloween in 2026?
Saturday 31 October 2026.
Do I need to book?
Yes for Hallowscream, which sells online only, and for the adults-only evenings at Treasurer's House, Barley Hall and the Mansion House. The ghost hunts and Ghosts in the Gardens are walk-up.
Got the plan.
Need the person.
LINK shows you the three people at York and York St John you've got most in common with, the second you sign up. Then it's on you.