VisitEngland's Autumn After Dark Adventures from Stellar Stargazing to Halloween Horrors

September 2025: As the nights draw in there are plenty of opportunities to get starry-eyed in England this autumn, from dark skies festivals and illuminating light installations to fireworks displays and Diwali celebrations. Explore our historic sites, dark sky reserves and vibrant city centres once the sun goes down with seasonal after dark events – not forgetting a selection of spine-tingling Halloween happenings to put a scare in your step!

Stellar Stargazing and Nighttime Nature

NEW: Kielder Observatory launches new partnership with Twice Brewed Inn, Hexham, Northumberland

Launched September 2025

The award-winning Kielder Observatory in Northumberland has launched a new partnership with Twice Brewed Inn on Hadrian's Wall near Sycamore Gap – allowing for more  expert-led experiences in comfort. The inn features a 30-seater planetarium, powerful telescopes and a warm, heated space for astronomy talks and events – and a new roll-off roof observatory. Twice Brewed Inn also offers accommodation, as well as a pub, restaurant and microbrewery, ideal for a starry-eyed weekend.

Wild About Dark Skies Festival, Kent, Surrey and Sussex

Late September – 16 November 2025

The family-focused Wild About Dark Skies Festival in High Weald National Landscape is set to be bigger and better than ever in 2025. Expect walks, talks and experiences celebrating the High Weald's velvet-black skies – some of the darkest in the South East – whilst also raising awareness about light pollution.

Exmoor Dark Skies Festival 2025, Somerset and Devon

17 October – 2 November 2025

Exmoor Dark Skies Festival returns this autumn with stargazing events, astronomy workshops and after-dark activities such as wild swimming and yoga sessions. This year's programme is the most extensive yet,

featuring over 60 engaging after dark events which emphasise our collective responsibility to conserve the International Dark Sky Reserve for future generations.

Astro Season at Jodrell Bank, Cheshire

4 November 2025 – 25 March 2026

Jodrell Bank is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the iconic Lovell Telescope, the UK's largest radio telescope. This world-renowned centre blends science with entertainment, offering immersive planetarium shows and award-winning interactive exhibitions bringing the wonders of space exploration to life. Jodrell Bank's popular Astro Nights return this autumn, giving visitors the chance to get hands-on with stargazing equipment, learn from experts and turn their eyes to the skies. This series of evening events celebrate all things astronomy, with special events for all ages.

First dark sky season for Grizedale Observatory, Cumbria

Opened May 2025

The Lake District's first planetarium opened this spring, with the launch of Grizedale Observatory nestled in the Grizedale valley. Visitors are invited to marvel at dark skies with engaging and interactive astronomy experiences in the Meteorites room, Planetarium and Observatory – all led by experts in the field. Grizedale Observatory is part of the Cumbria Dark Sky Festival 2025 (24 Oct – 21 Nov) programming, which also includes experiences such as dark skies family canoeing, stargazing swims and twilight bat walks.

High Force Hotel's stargazing suppers, Durham

21, 22 & 24 October & 20 November 2025

High Force is known to be one of the UK's top stargazing locations, with some of the darkest skies in the country. After a three-course meal and stargazing presentations in High Force Hotel's Garden Room, guests head down to the illuminated High Force Waterfall where an astronomy expert guides them through the wonders of the night sky. 

North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales Dark Skies Fringe Festival, Yorkshire

24 October – 2 November 2025

The North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales Dark Skies Fringe Festival kicks off an incredible stargazing season in two International Dark Sky Reserves. The full programme of events includes stay and gaze packages, night walk adventures and dark skies stargazing experiences.

North Pennines Stargazing Festival, Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland

24 October – 2 November 2025

A week of stargazing events will take place in the North Pennines, the darkest mainland National Landscape and one of the darkest areas in the country. There's a programme of almost 30 activities, including dark sky astronomy and stargazing nights at Grassholme Observatory, stargazing suppers (and family stargazing) at High Force and the Lord Crewe Hotel, a guided dark sky run, stargazing at Alston Moor Observatory and a stargazing train on the Weardale Railway. 

Astronomy holidays at Eddington Lodges, Bude, Cornwall

September 2025 – April 2026

Eddington Lodges offers self-catering log cabins and two observation pods with 20-inch Dobsonian telescopes which are simple to use and great for seeing both planets and deep sky objects. There's also an observatory for deep sky observation and astrophotography, so guests can take a photograph away with them as a memento from their astronomy holiday. Upon arrival all guests will have a 30-minute introductory tutorial on how to use the telescopes and can use the pods and observatory at any time during their stay.

Holkham Dusk and Dawn Goose Flight Safaris, Norfolk

November 2025 – January 2026
Holkham estate's new Goose Flight Safaris offer an opportunity to watch thousands of geese flying at dawn and dusk, with specialist insight from a nature reserve warden, who is also on hand to give top tips for bird watching during the day. Two nights dinner, bed and breakfast, plus warden-guided goose flight safari is £860 for two people.

Illuminations and Light Festivals

Diwali in Leicester, Leicestershire

1 October – 20 November 2025

As one of the biggest Diwali festivities outside of India, Leicester's celebrations span throughout the autumn season with a range of experiences and events. Guests can enjoy traditional Rangoli art and ride aboard the illuminated big wheel or sample the food and drink which has earned Leicester the title as England's Curry Capital. Just in time for the Leicester's celebrations, a colorful Diwali mural designed by acclaimed visual artist Shiraaz Ali has been unveiled on a corner building along Leicester's Golden Mile.

Southampton's Diwali Mela Festival, Hampshire

11 October 2025

Southampton's annual Diwali Mela Festival offers a fantastic line up of festivities, culture events and performances.  A number of food stalls will serve popular Indian snacks, alongside traditional Indian dresses, handicraft and henna stalls.

Diwali on the Square, London

12 October 2025

Diwali on the Square will bring colour, light and celebrations to Trafalgar Square in the heart of central London. Running from the afternoon into the evening, the festival is a free event which brings together dance performances, live music, arts and more from London's Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities. Guests can also try family-friendly workshops such as learning how to wear a sari or turban, yoga sessions, puppet shows and henna artwork.

NEW: Extended Lightpool Festival in Blackpool, Lancashire
15 October – 1 November 2025

For the first time ever, Blackpool's award-winning Lightpool Festival will be extended to two weeks – featuring otherworldly light installations, live performances and 3D projections. It's free to visit, and is hosted across indoor and outdoor venues in the town, alongside Blackpool seafront's famous illuminations (which will light up the skies until 4 January). Also in Lancashire, Light Up Lancaster (6 – 8 Nov) will see artworks, light installations and projections shining on the city's heritage buildings, alongside artisan food markets, live music and outdoor performances.

Light Night Leeds, West Yorkshire

23 – 24 October 2025

This year marks 20 years of Light Night Leeds, a two-day celebration illuminating the city's landmarks with immersive art and light shows. Highlights include The Queens Hotel, which will be the backdrop for a locomotive themed projection in honour of the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, while the Leeds Civic Hall will partner with the British Library to bring imagery inspired by science fiction literature such as classics by H.G Wells and Jules Verne. 

River of Light, Liverpool Waterfront, Merseyside

24 October – 2 November 2025

This autumn Liverpool's waterfront will be once again transformed into an al fresco art exhibition with the return of River of Light in collaboration with the British Science Festival. This year, the show will feature 10 large scale installations including a glowing sculpture of a DNA helix, a giant Dandelion inspired by the shapes of plant-life and an installation which simulates the firing synapses of the human brain.  

Immersive Light and Sound Installation to mark 950 years of Chichester Cathedral, Sussex

24 – 31 October 2025

After a year of events and celebrations, Chichester is marking the end of its 950th anniversary with an immersive light and sound installation. Chichester Cathedral was built as the seat of the Bishop from Selsey in 1075 and has remained a sacred site of religious and cultural significance for East and West Sussex since. The illuminations have been created in collaboration with internationally acclaimed artistic collective Luxmuralis and will feature over 30,000 images from the Cathedral's historic archive.

NEW: Bridges of Light, Worcester

29 – 30 October 2025

A free two-day light festival is coming to Worcester City Centre this autumn with a focus on communities, creativity and collaboration. Grab a bite to eat and take in light installations and interactive glowing artworks including 'Stitching Light', a textile and light installation exploring Bangladeshi women's migration to the UK. 

NEW: Land of Lights lantern festival at Gulliver's Valley in Rotherham, South Yorkshire

November 2025 – January 2026

Featuring extraordinary light tunnels, lantern artworks and illuminated wonders, the Land of Lights lantern festival is heading to Gulliver's Valley in Rotherham. As the evenings darken, guests can explore the otherworldly trail featuring glowing animals, dinosaurs, fairies and more – with dog-friendly nights, food stalls and photo points. Land of Lights lantern festivals will also operate in Milton Keynes (Oct – Feb) and Warrington (Oct – Jan).

Ottery St Mary Tar Barrel Festival, Devon

5 November 2025

Experience the Tar Barrel Festival this Bonfire Night, a local tradition which dates back to the 17th Century in East Devon. The internationally renowned carnival, which is believed to have begun after the gunpowder plot of 1605, sets the streets of Ottery St Mary alight as burning Tar Barrels are carried down the streets in a torchlit procession.

Illuminate the Gardens, Sheffield Botanical Gardens, South Yorkshire

7 – 9 November 2025

See nature in a new light this November with Sheffield's annual Illuminate the Gardens event, where the city's Botanical Gardens will be transformed by laser light shows, fireworks and interactive nighttime displays. Visitors can walk through the flora and fauna of the Grade II-listed glass pavilion and Victorian-style gardens, enjoy warming street food, watch firework displays and enjoy vintage fairground rides.

Nightfall 2025, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire

27 – 30 November 2025

Explore Middlesbrough after dark with this year's Nightfall event under the stars at Stewart Park. Guided by the theme, 'Larger in Light', the trail has been designed with the production company Stellar Creates and will feature large scale installations of beaming towering flowers, rabbits and local landscapes. Alongside the artwork, guests can expect storytelling, creative workshops and local street food markets.

Halloween Happenings

Frankenstein, filmed in Lincolnshire

In cinemas 17 October, on Netflix 7 November 2025

A new movie adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein premiers this autumn starring Jacob Elordi as 'the Creature' and Oscar Isaac as Dr Victor Frankenstein. Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro selected Lincolnshire's 16th Century Burghley House as a key filming location for the gothic sci-fi. For those who dare to follow in the Creature's heavy footsteps, the National Trust property – which has featured in The Crown and the Pride and Prejudice movie adaptation – welcomes visitors to explore some of its 100 rooms until 2 November, whilst the parkland remains open throughout the year. Meanwhile, Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein in Bath will once again immerse brave souls in the notorious story. Its After Dark nights (18 Oct – 1 Nov) will challenge visitors to navigate the 300-year-old house's 10 pitch-black chambers, with mind-bending labyrinths, dead ends, live actors and squirmy crawl spaces.  

Quirky Fright Nights for Adults

From ghost hunts to all-out terror fests, England's spookiest corners are embracing the chills and thrills of the season. These Halloween events aren't for children: they're designed to terrify even the hardiest skeptic, such as Blackburn's Scare Kingdom (3 Oct – 9 Nov), which will once again feature live actors and special effects galore across its themed spaces – think demonic nuns, grisly clowns and the haunted halls of Manor Mortis. Meanwhile, Devon's Watermouth Castle will host Descend Into Darkness, designed to make you squeal with its jump-scares, zombie actors and simulated blood and gore (selected dates in Oct & 1 Nov). And don't miss Hull Horror Fest: a comic-con for all-things terror, featuring more than 60 stalls, artists, authors and photo opportunities (25 Oct). Fancy dress is optional but encouraged!

Historic Halloween Happenings

For lighter Halloween fun, look to Wensleydale's Bolton Castle in Yorkshire where the 14th Century ramparts will be adorned with coffins, skeletons, witches and pumpkins – plus historical re-enactors will recreate the castle's spookiest moments (19 – 31 Oct). Its 'Castle by Lanternlight' event will feature firelit tours, ghost stories and historic horrors aplenty (27 Oct). For hauntings rooted in history, head to Sussex's Arundel Jailhouse for candlelit ghost tours through the town's ghoulish past, unsolved mysteries and eerie encounters (throughout Sep and Oct). Alternatively, Lancashire's five-star Ribby Hall offers a new mini break with a spooky spin, presenting its Halloween Bat Blast (11 Oct – 1 Nov): a woodland trail with hidden clues and glowing 'bat blasters' to zap the bats and earn Halloween treats. National Trust properties across the country also have a host of spooky happenings in the planning, or check out English Heritage sites for Halloween events, woodland walks and adult-only ghost tales.

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Notes to editors:

• VisitEngland's comprehensive What's New in England 2025 overview can be downloaded here
• Registration to the VisitBritain asset library is required to download images. Register here.

For more detail visit www.visitengland.com/media-centre / www.visitengland.com