14/10/2026
Seven spooky things to do in Whitby this October half-term. 🎃👻
Few places in Britain embrace Halloween quite like Whitby! With its Gothic history, Dracula connections, haunted legends and atmospheric cobbled streets, the town is the perfect place for a spooky autumn adventure.
If you’re visiting this October half-term, here are seven frightfully good things to add to your list!
🖤 1. Experience Whitby Goth Weekend (30 October – 1 November)
One of Whitby’s biggest weekends of the year! Expect spectacular Gothic outfits, alternative markets, live music and thousands of visitors embracing the town’s darker side.
🏰 2. See Whitby Abbey illuminated (23–31 October)
Watch the famous abbey ruins come alive after dark with spectacular lighting and Dracula-inspired performances. One of Whitby’s most atmospheric Halloween experiences!
🧛 3. Brave the Dracula Experience
Step inside one of Whitby’s most unusual attractions and discover the chilling story of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, including the town’s famous connection to the legendary vampire.
👻 4. Join a ghost walk
Explore the darker side of Whitby or Robin Hood’s Bay on a guided ghost walk, discovering haunted buildings, eerie legends and spine-tingling tales from centuries gone by.
🎃 5. Explore Whitby’s spooky streets after dark
Wander through the narrow cobbled streets, admire the Halloween-themed shopfronts and soak up the Gothic atmosphere. Church Street and the old town are particularly atmospheric after sunset!
💀 6. Discover the strange treasures of Whitby Museum
From the infamous Hand of Glory to fascinating Victorian curiosities, Whitby Museum houses some wonderfully weird and unusual artefacts. A brilliant stop for anyone with a taste for the macabre!
🦇 7. Climb the 199 Steps in Dracula’s footsteps
Follow the famous 199 Steps up to St Mary’s Church and Whitby Abbey, taking in the dramatic clifftop setting that helped inspire Bram Stoker’s legendary novel.
Whether you’re visiting for the Goth Weekend crowds, a ghostly adventure or simply to enjoy the town’s Halloween atmosphere, Whitby really is one of Yorkshire’s spookiest destinations!
