Now I might be showing my age here, but when I was a child Halloween wasn’t a thing.

In fact when my children (in their late 20s now) were children, Halloween wasn't the big event it is nowadays. At least not in the UK as we didn’t need it; we had Bonfire Night. But the Americans didn’t have a Guy Fawkes or a gunpowder plot so for them, Halloween was a thing. And where Americans lead we will almost always follow.

So whilst we might have always known that the 31st October was the night the witches came out to play, we did very little about it, being far too busy building bonfires and collecting ‘pennies for the guy;’ another tradition that has fallen by the wayside, along with bonfires and fireworks in the back garden. Not necessarily a bad thing from a safety point of view!

So more and more in recent years we have embraced the US traditions of Halloween, not least of all dressing up and collecting ‘candy’ door to door. As I recall when we first started ‘Trick or Treating’ as a nation there was a slightly menacing element to it, the perpetrators being largely young teens armed with eggs and flour (maybe that was just my neighbourhood?!).

Now however Halloween is very much a family event, with parents accompanying little ones dressed in fabulous costumes to knock on neighbours’ doors where they find treats ready and waiting. Jack O’Lanterns glow in the darkness, the occasional skeleton can be found dangling from a tree, cobwebs adorn front doors (nothing new for me there!) and if you know where to go you discover being a little bit scared can be a lot of fun!

And there’s LOTS going on in Haverhill this Halloween 2015, from haunted villages to fancy dress and face painting… and of course pumpkin carving.

Halloween in Haverhill 2015

Why not pay a visit to Scaresville! From now until the 31st October on selected nights the grounds of Kentwell Hall will be transformed into a spooky Haunted Village with scares and surprises aplenty. Step out of your comfort zone through darkened rooms, creepy woodlands and into mysterious mazes. From dusk til dark (6.00pm til 10.00pm) you can check the dates on our Events Page. Click here to find out more.

And if you really love scary goings-on outdoors the Halloween Trail at East Town Park is just your thing. Head down there on Friday 30th from 7.00pm with all the family. Dress up in your scariest Halloween costume, and discover that the park at night is a very different place…

Click here to find out more.

Lots of fun is planned for the children attending the Tree House at Dizzy’s in October half term. On Tuesday 27th October spooky snacks will be the order of the day to enjoy with a Halloween tea, as well as creepy crafts and potion making! Thursday 29th they will host a Pumpkin Carving Competition and on Friday 30th October prepare for a wicked Fancy Dress Party, disco and face painting.

Places are limited and filling up fast so hop on your broomstick and fly quickly to our Events Page for more details.

Or how about some early fireworks? Stonham Barns’ spooktacular event includes games, fancy dress and a pumpkin carving competition as well as free face painting, Halloween games, fun fair, a licensed bar for the grown ups and plenty of food and drinks. The highlight of the evening will be an impressive firework display set to music and plenty of oohs and aahs! Starting at 4.00pm until late tickets are just £3 for adults and £2 for children.  Click here for more information.

At the risk of spoiling you for choice, The New Croft will also be holding a Halloween Fancy Dress party and disco on Friday 30th October. Tickets are available on a first come first served basis and details can be found on our Events Page.

Fancy dress is optional but there will be a prize for the best dressed so it’s worth getting your fright face on!

If venturing out into the darkness on Halloween gives you the heebie jeebies then you can still join in the Halloween fun on the Market in Haverhill. From 9am on Saturday 31st October (long before the ghouls and ghosts emerge) a spooky market will offer family fun and trick or treating… and maybe just a little fright! Further details can be found here.

Halloween has emerged from a purely Pagan festival, through the sometimes less than welcome trick or treat phase to a fun, friendly, family orientated celebration that the grown ups can enjoy as much as the kids. And here in Haverhill you have so much to choose from with all details on our Events pages.