How to get tickets for Chessington’s family Halloween event
Struggling with what to do with the kids in October half-term? How about a fangtastic trip to Chessington?
October is almost upon us and with it comes October half-term and, more importantly, Halloween.
Whether your child enjoys spooky things or not, you can't go wrong with a family trip to a theme park.
This year, Chessington World of Adventures is hosting a huge range of events at their Howl'o'ween celebrations. From mazes and shows to rides at dusk, there's plenty to do for kids of all ages.
Below, we've gone into detail about what you can expect from the event, including what's on, opening times, prices, and most importantly – is it scary?
For more October adventures, check out the best family Halloween events. And for more Chessington adventures, check out our roundup of the best rides at Chessington.
Buy Chessington Howl'o'ween tickets from £34 at Chessington
What is Chessington doing for Halloween?
At Halloween, Chessington runs Howl'o'ween: a celebration at weekends and during the October half-term which includes a ton of spooky activities for all the family.
The event includes mazes, shows, a pumpkin patch and spooky characters wandering around. Across the month the theme park will also be open later so you can go on the rides at dusk.
They also have the Enchanted Hollow: Trick or Treat walkthrough, where children step into an underground home to a plethora of charming critters. They can knock on their doors, not only meeting the townsfolk and uncovering hidden secrets but also getting some sweet treats from Haribo and Maoam.
Enchanted Hollow is an optional extra and needs to be booked in advance.
This year they're also launching a new scare zone called Stone Watchers: Vampire's Lair, a new experience that's a bit on the spookier side. This is in addition to fun shows like Spelltacular and Rising Flame: Shadows of the Tomb and, of course, a fancy dress costume contest!
What are the dates for Chessington’s Halloween event?
Howl'o'ween runs across the October weekends and throughout the school half-term. Here are the dates:
- 4th – 5th October
- 11th – 12th October
- 18th October – 2nd November
What are Chessington’s opening times during Halloween?
Chessington is open from 10am to 5pm throughout Howl'o'ween, giving your little ones the chance to experience rides at dusk.
Is Chessington’s Halloween event family-friendly?
Howl'o'ween is billed as for "families of all ages," so it's definitely family-friendly.
In our Chessington review, we said that the ideal age would be between 6 and 13 if you're interested in going on the rides. But, the good thing is Howl'o'ween has more than just rollercoasters, it also has exciting shows, a cast of characters (who range from friendly to frightening depending on the area of the park) and plenty of activities for small children.
However, that doesn't mean there won't be some scares. For those in the "Brave Adventurers" category, the bigger rides will also be open late, alongside the new scare zone, Stone Watchers.
What is the scariest ride at Chessington?
Dragon's Fury, Mandril Mayhem or the Vampire Ride tend to be thought of as the scariest rides at Chessington.
Dragon's Fury has a ton of twists and turns, dips and dives, meanwhile, the Vampire ride flings you around over the tree-tops at speeds of 45 mph, while your legs are dangling down. The Jumanji themed Mandril Mayhem is one of the newest rides at the park and the first to include an inversion.
Dragon's Fury and Mandril Mayhem have a height restriction of 1.2m while the Vampire has a 1.1m height restriction.
How much do Chessington Halloween tickets cost?
Tickets start at £34 when you buy online in advance and £64 if you walk up on the day.
These standard entry tickets get you one day access to the Theme Park, Zoo, SEA LIFE and Howl‘o’ween activities. If you want to go into the Enchanted Hollow you'll need to buy additional tickets which are £5 for adults and £10 for children (who get a treat bag), although this year's Hollow tickets aren't on sale yet.
You can also book a short break from £34 per person, which includes a one-night stay at the theme park, plus early ride time and animal meet and greets.
- Buy Chessington Howl'o'ween tickets from £34 at Chessington
- Buy Chessington Howl'o'ween short breaks from £34 at Chessington
Read more of the Best UK theme parks for children and Best family escape rooms.