Halloween is creeping up, and Vauxhall has plenty to keep little monsters entertained this October half-term.
From spooky goings-on at Vauxhall City Farm and hands-on crafts to dance workshops, cosy cafés and pizza & beers by the river, there’s plenty to keep the whole family busy without trekking across London.
Whether it’s a full day out with the kids, a spot of Halloween mischief or somewhere to refuel after a busy afternoon, here’s how to make the most of Halloween and half-term in Vauxhall.
Get Spooky at Vauxhall City Farm
Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween without a little mischief, and Vauxhall City Farm is getting into the spirit with its Halloween Festival.
Think creepy crafts, spooky games, pumpkin flinging and plenty of opportunities to meet the farm’s four-legged residents.
Follow the Halloween trail, tackle a giant spider web and get stuck into some seasonal fun. With activities for different ages throughout the week, it’s a cracking half-term outing for the whole family.
Get Crafty with Halloween Animal Masks
Little monsters with big imaginations will love this one. Vauxhall City Farm is hosting Halloween animal mask-making sessions, giving children the chance to create their own spooky masterpieces using paints, collage and a healthy dose of imagination.
It’s a hands-on session for budding artists, with a homemade Halloween disguise to take home afterwards. Just the thing for a last-minute trick-or-treating outfit.
Put Your Senses to the Test at SENSAS Vauxhall
Fancy a half-term adventure with a difference? SENSAS Vauxhall is an immersive experience where the whole family can put their five senses to the test.
Step into a series of sensory challenges, tackle mind-bending puzzles and navigate rooms in complete darkness. From surprising textures to unexpected smells, it’s a brilliant mix of teamwork, laughter and a little friendly competition. Perfect for families looking to try something beyond the usual half-term activities.
Find a Little Calm at Embody Wellness
Half-term doesn’t have to be all go, go, go. For anyone looking to slow things down, Embody Wellness has a packed programme of October workshops offering a welcome breather from the Halloween chaos.
From cacao ceremonies and restorative yoga to stress-busting Kundalini sessions and soothing sound baths, there’s plenty to help grown-ups switch off and recharge. There’s also a dedicated birth partner workshop for expectant parents. A little time to yourself? Sounds like a plan.
Friday 23rd October · 6pm – 7.30pm · £45 for two people
Root & Restore: Cacao, Yoga and Sound Healing
Saturday 24th October · 4pm – 5.30pm · £30
Kundalini Yoga: Let Go of Stress
Sunday 25th October · 3pm – 5pm · £35
Friday 30th October · 7pm – 8.15pm · £25
Play, Eat and Unwind at ROAM Community Café
A café where little ones can play and grown-ups can enjoy a proper coffee? Now we’re talking.
ROAM Community Café is a welcome addition to Vauxhall, with a dedicated play space for children aged 0–7, good food, drinks and a relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere.
With bookable 90-minute play sessions, it’s a particularly good shout for younger children, rainy afternoons and parents in need of a decent caffeine fix. Everyone’s a winner.
Tea, Cake and a Cosy Afternoon at Tea House Theatre
Sometimes the best half-term plans involve a pot of tea, a slice of cake and absolutely no rushing about.
Tucked beside Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, Tea House Theatre is a wonderfully old-fashioned spot for a leisurely family afternoon. Think homemade cakes, milkshakes, proper pots of tea and the sort of cosy atmosphere that makes it all too easy to stay for another slice.
There’s even a chest of toys to keep younger visitors entertained. An excellent excuse to put your feet up after a busy morning.
All Aboard Battersea Barge and Tamesis Dock
Fancy a half-term outing with a difference?
Head towards the Thames and take in the river from two of Vauxhall’s most distinctive floating venues.
Battersea Barge and Tamesis Dock offer a welcome change of scenery, with views across the water and spots to stop for food and drinks. Perfect for a leisurely riverside afternoon, especially if either has something family-friendly pizza happenings over half-term.
One for the Grown-Ups: A Swiftie Brunch at The Black Dog
Not every October outing has to involve the kids.
Calling all Swifties! The Black Dog is entering its Taylor era with a themed bottomless brunch on Saturday 24 October. Think Taylor hits, a brunch dish, an arrival cocktail and 90 minutes of bottomless Mimosas and Prosecco.
Friendship bracelets optional. Singing along practically compulsory.
Take on the Challenge at Activate Vauxhall
Think you’ve got what it takes to beat the kids? Activate Vauxhall is the place to find out.
Part physical challenge, part interactive gaming experience, Activate is packed with high-energy games that put your speed, agility, memory and teamwork to the test. Jump, dodge, climb and race against the clock as you tackle a series of interactive rooms.
It’s brilliant fun for competitive families, energetic kids and grown-ups who reckon they’ve still got what it takes. Even better, there’s an advertised 40% student discount, making it a great shout for a half-term outing.
Get Your Spooky Art Fix at Gasworks
Ghouls, goblins and skeletons have taken over Gasworks, just in time for Halloween!
The contemporary art gallery’s latest exhibition by artist Paloma Contreras Lomas brings a wonderfully weird cast of characters to Vauxhall. Think spooky figures, strange creatures and a healthy dose of the unexpected. It’s a chance to swap the usual Halloween activities for something a little more creative, with plenty to spark the imagination.
