Get ready! Spooky season has arrived in Edinburgh, and at Big Bus Tours, we want you to have the best experience you can with our fantastic tour stops.
Auld Reekie has many tricks and even more treats up its sleeve in October, often spilling over to November! Discover a large variety of Halloween events around Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Halloween Festivals, Events & Activities
The very word “Halloween” comes from Scotland, a shortening of various names: All Hallowen, All Hallows even and Allhallowe’en. With such deep roots in the tradition, there’s no better place to join in the spooky fun than in the Scottish capital.
Samhuinn Fire Festival
31st October (annually, regardless of which day of the week it falls)
Price: Adults: £9, Children: £7.50
Big Bus Stop: Red and Blue Route Stop 1
This ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, also spelt Samhuinn, is seen as a forerunner to Halloween. Traditionally, communities would light great bonfires on October 31 to ward off dark forces, such as witches.
Today, the Samhuinn Festival in Edinburgh reimagines those rituals with a theatre of fire, drumming and spooky characters. The event, formerly an Edinburgh Halloween parade on the Royal Mile, is now centred on Calton Hill.
Edinburgh Horror Fest
23 – 31 October 2025
Range of prices (18+ only)
Big Bus Stop: Red Route Stop 9
The Edinburgh Horror Festival features almost 30 different shows, including cabaret, theatre, comedy, and live magic at either the Banshee Labyrinth or Lauriston Castle. If you miss the official fest, they also celebrate the macabre throughout the year with horror-themed events and activities.
Hop off our Big Bus Red Tour at the National Museum of Scotland and walk round the corner to the Banshee Labyrinth. To learn more visit: In Person Shows | edhorrorfest
The Botanics Halloween Trail
11- 19 October 2025
Price: Free entrance on the grounds,£3 per booklet to participate (Suitable for ages 3+)
Big Bus Stop: Blue Route Stop 7
Caley, the good garden witch, is throwing a Halloween party at Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden and needs your help to gather party items! Follow the clues around the garden to find the party items and meet some party guests along the way!
Learn More: The Botanics Halloween Trail | Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
True Crime Tours at Real Mary King’s Close
Fridays and Saturdays in October 13th-31st 2023
Price: £30 per adult, 16+ only
Big Bus Stop: Red Route Stop 6 & 9
Investigate real offences committed in Mary King’s Close. The Old Town closes have been shrouded in shocking tales of crime and punishment for centuries…
Learn More: True Crime Tours – Edinburgh in October
Top tip: The Edinburgh Dungeon is an excellent alternative for those who enjoy a mix of history and jump scares.
Haunting Halloween Hunt at Camera Obscura
11 October – 2 November
Prices: Adult: £23.95, Child (5-15 years): £17.95, Under 5s: Free
Big Bus Stop: Red Route Stop 8 & 6
Located in the historic shadow of Edinburgh Castle, Camera Obscura puts on an annual Haunting Halloween Hunt. Find all the famous Halloween monsters, witches and creatures to receive a sweet treat reward.
Learn more: Halloween | Seasonal Events and Activities
Ghost Tours Through Edinburgh’s Dark Past
Every night in October
Price: Free, donations welcome
Big Bus Stop: Red Route Stop 8 & 6
Can you survive the night? Seek out Edinburgh’s dark past on a free ghost tour starting on The Royal Mile. Over 90 minutes, City Explorers’ guides lead you on a spine-tingling adventure to Scotland’s most haunted graveyard, sharing tales of witch trials, ghosts and many more frights along the way.
Learn more: Free Ghost Tours
Annasach’s Hallowe’en Ceilidh
31 October 2025
Address: The Counting House, 38 West Nicolson Street, Edinburgh
Price: £15, Concession: £12
Big Bus Stop: Red Tour Stop 9 & 6
If you want to attend an authentic Halloween event in Edinburgh, book your ticket for Annasach’s Hallowe’en Ceilidh. A ceilidh is a traditional Scottish gathering featuring music, dancing, and occasional storytelling. This evening event encourages dressing up with an incentive of prizes for the best-dressed.
Edinburgh’s Ultimate Halloween Days Festival
The last 3 Saturdays & Sundays in October
Address: Foxhall, Kirkliston
Price: Adult (18+): £10.50, Child (1-17 Years): £10.50, Baby (0-12 Months): Free (only available online)
A spooky yet wholesome event for the whole family, this festival features numerous activities, including a pumpkin patch, a witch’s labyrinth and a fear maze, along with optional funfair rides and food stalls.
The venue also celebrates the season at night with a separate evening event featuring fireworks and a laser show over the pumpkin patch
Craigies Pumpkin Festival
1-10th October (pick your own pumpkins only), 11 – 31 October
Address: Craigies Farm, South Queensferry
Price: £4 – £7.50
Start the month with calm pumpkin picking and perfect photo ops without the scares and crowds. From mid-October, expect things to get delightfully rowdy with a monster bale trail, cheeky roaming characters and outdoor games galore.
Download the free Big Bus mobile app on Google Play or Apple Store for live bus tracking and to find nearby venues and activities!
Big Bus Tours: Hop-On for a Haunted Halloween in Edinburgh
Visit and explore Edinburgh, one of Scotland’s most haunted cities, safely perched on the top deck of the Big Bus open-top, hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus.
With stops all around the capital, you’re free to jump off and check out Halloween activities in Edinburgh at your own speed.
We offer two experiences:
City Tour – Red Route
- Duration: 1 hour, 10 minutes
- Frequency: Every 10 mins till 17:00, then every 20 mins
- Starting point: Waterloo Place, or hop on at any of our City Tour stops, including Grassmarket
- Ticket price: Starts at £19
Britannia Tour – Blue Route
- Duration: 55 minutes
- Frequency: Every hour
- Starting point: Waterloo Place, or join at any of our Britannia Tour stops, including The Shore
- Ticket price: Starts at £26.50 with our Explore Ticket, which is a combined 48-hour pass with the City Tour
Book your bus pass for a fun, immersive city experience in easy reach of Halloween events in Edinburgh.