Longer shadows and mysteries re-awakened – York prepares for the spooky autumn season

A lacklustre summer followed by a week of glorious sunshine at the end of which autumn seemingly arrived overnight, it feels like 2023 has spent months preparing us for the best season of the year – and hotels and attractions around the city are ready and raring to welcome visitors to Haunted York, with a packed programme of events, tours and activities to thrill the mind and chill the soul.

With a reputation for being the most haunted city in Europe, and a year-round industry dedicated to revealing unsettling secrets from over 2000 years of history, it is unsurprising that York is England’s top choice of destination for autumnal visits, and this year, the city has surpassed its own high standards to create a season of events to appeal to visitors drawn to its mysterious otherworldly charms.

“So many of us have a love for the unexplained, and ghost stories are probably the best way to set the senses on the highest alert for a sound or movement that defies logic – and that is something that York can offer more than any other city,” comments Hazel Allsopp, senior marketing manager for Visit York. “Home to the street that inspired set-makers on Harry Potter, and with stories of spirits from over two millennia remaining in the city to be seen by the unsuspecting, autumn sees York come alive with tales of the undead.”

For 2023, Visit York is encouraging all residents and visitors to York to pick up their cameras and film in the city as much as they can, to try and capture evidence of unexplained phenomena that supports York’s claim to be one of the world’s most haunted cities. “York is a beautiful place to visit at any time of year, and we love seeing people with their phones out taking pictures of the historic streets and venues. But we want them to watch the footage back and keep an eye on the background – because on occasions, that’s where you spot things that really don’t belong in the footage. A strange shadow; a mysterious face in a window. And that’s what we want to see,” adds Hazel.

Anyone looking for an excuse to be in the city this autumn needs look no further than a packed programme of events as part of Haunted York season. Highlights include:

In daylight…

A new story at York Dungeon
Already famous for telling the story of infamous characters that have walked the city streets over the centuries, this October will see the premiere of a brand new, additional ghost story for Halloween 2023 – The Grey Lady. www.thedungeons.com/york

Ghosts in the Gardens
23 September – 12 November 2023
Eerie sculptures which enthrall and intrigue. Ghosts In The Gardens are coming back… the unearthly monks, the noble knight, even a few ghastly animals – all in beautiful settings.
Cementing York’s reputation as one of the ghostliest cities in Europe, this year’s display promises to be the biggest yet as we are adding even more ghosts across the city. FREE

Hallowtween at York Maze
13 October – 4 November 2023
Hallowtween at York Maze is the UK’s only Halloween event for families with children aged 10-15yrs. Venture inside 4 of York Maze’s infamous Hallowscream scare houses but without the monsters that inhabit them at night. Nothing is what it seems and you will need to keep your wits about you as you experience all the shocks and thrills of Corny’s Cornevil, The Singularity, The Flesh Pot and our NEW for 2023 haunted house!
Tickets: www.hallowtween.co.uk

Pumpkin Festival at Piglets
7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 and 28 Oct – 31 Oct
Pumpkin Patch (Free Pumpkin for every paying child), Pumpkin Carving Marque, Catch the Bats Quiz, Professor Dan’s Magic Show at 12 noon and 2pm, The Bat-walk Fancy Dress Parade 3:30pm, Gruesome Ghosts of York in the Maize Maze, Spooky Animal Encounters
1st – 3rd Nov
Professor Dan’s Magic Show 12 noon and 2pm, Gruesome Ghosts of York in the Maize Maze, Spooky Animal Encounters
Tickets: pigletsadventurefarm.com

After dark…

Hallowscream at York Maze
13 October – 4 November 2023
Hallowscream fright nights are a mix of fear and fun with five live-action scare houses, including a NEW scare house for 2023 and NEW stage show, bar, hot food & more. Named best UK Scream Park and winner of Visit York Best Event, you are guaranteed a night out to remember!
Tickets: www.yorkmazehallowscream.co.uk

DIG After Dark: Ghosts in the Graveyard
28 & 29 October 2023, 5:30pm and 7:30pm
Huddle around the campfire and listen to ghost stories this half term at DIG after Dark. DIG is housed in St Saviour’s Church which has stood on site since the 11th century and became a popular place to worship, before falling into decline at the turn of the 20th century. Come along to these interactive and immersive storytelling sessions to hear the tragic tales of the ghost of a Viking warrior and even the ghost hunter who yearned to witness him! Plus, you can discover more about folklore, ghost stories and the history of St Saviour’s Church. Kids can have fun cosying around the campfire with snacks and a hot drink, all included in the price.
Tickets: www.digyork.co.uk/event/dig-after-dark-ghosts-in-the-graveyard/

Halloween Tour & Truffle Rolling
28 October – 5 November at 5:00pm
Enhance your spine-chilling tour by indulging in an extraordinary chocolate-making adventure! This spooky encounter offers an additional 15 minutes of immersive hands-on chocolate making. Unleash your inner chocolatier as you roll, dip, and decorate four ghostly truffles using an array of tantalising chocolate toppings.
Tickets: https://bookings.yorkschocolatestory.com/book/tour-&-truffle-rolling/185

Plus a host of ghost tours:
The Deathy Dark Tours
The Bloody Tour of York
Wizard Walk of York
Ghost Keeper Tour of York
The Ghost Bus Tours
The Original Ghost Walk
Ghost Trail of York
York Witches and History Walking Tour
The Polite Tourist