The 4 Halloween Events You Can’t Miss in Islington and Hackney
Vera Mikusch and Tom Buxton reveal the four best ways to celebrate Halloween in the London Boroughs of Islington and Hackney this weekend…
With Halloween now lying just around the corner, plenty of venues in Islington and Hackney are already getting into the spooky spirit of this annual event. From pumpkin sales to theatrical productions of classic horror tales, there’s virtually no limit to the number of opportunities available right on your doorstep between now and October 31.
Don’t believe us? In that case, allow us to exorcise those doubts from your mind with a definitive list of the ghoulish treats set to haunt the two boroughs in the days ahead, each of which is guaranteed to send shivers down the spine or at the very least provide a memorable night out.
Experience a Night of Frights at the O2 Academy, Islington
While reaching the end of the week is always cause for celebration among Londoners, this Friday evening – October 28 – will no doubt inspire parties of the terrifying variety, since it’s also known as Devil’s Night given its close proximity to All Hallows’ Eve.
Hot on the heels of their 2015 event of the same name, O2 Academy Islington are hosting their so-called Halloween House Party tonight, with its main attractions including – according to Resident Advisor – “hellish smoke machines”, “haunted stage décor” and no less than five hours of “un-censored entertainment”.
More excitingly still, the Academy promises that come the next morning, you may well “scare yourself in the mirror when you wake up”…
Friday October 28 at the O2 Academy Islington – purchase tickets here: https://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?862741
Rescue Pumpkins at the Angel Centre
To combat the 18,000 tonnes’ worth of edible pumpkins that end up in the trash every year, the environmental organisation Hubbub will be handing out surplus pumpkin soup for free this Sunday.
As well as saving a pumpkin or two from being needlessly wasted this month, you will also get some great advice on how to preserve food in general on a day-to-day basis. What’s more, it being a Halloween event, there will obviously be face painting booths on offer for kids or anyone looking to indulge their inner child!
Sunday October 30, 11am-3pm at Angel Centre – no tickets needed but learn more here:
http://www.hubbub.org.uk/Event/join-the-north-london-pumpkinrescue
Watch Dracula at Sutton House
Hackney’s Sutton House is presenting a theatre production of Dracula on Sunday October 30 and Monday October 31, taking the audience into a night of horrors based on Bram Stoker’s classic courtesy of the Tea Break Theatre team. Why not enjoy a scare at the atmospheric Tudor manor house?
Better yet, if you’re keen to make a day out of your trip to Sutton House, then the morbid but engaging Life. Death. Whatever. art gallery – our report on which can be found here – is still on display too for anyone looking to take a look at the darker side of Halloween iconography.
Sunday October 30 and Monday October 31 at 7.30pm in Sutton House, Hackney – purchase tickets here: http://www.lifedeathwhatever.com/new-events/2016/10/18/Dracula
Have a boat trip through one of Islington’s oldest canal tunnels
Those seeking a more unique Halloween experience than most may wish to frequent the London Canal Museum, in King’s Cross, since it’s offering a Halloween-themed boat trip through a 194 year old tunnel via a community narrowboat on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend.
The trip lasts for 50 minutes and there should be some spooky surprises waiting in the dark of the tunnel, not least the free sweets and glow sticks available for youngsters brave enough to go along for the ride…
Saturday October 29 and Sunday October 30 – purchase tickets and arrange a time slot here: http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson/halloween.htm
As always, be sure to let us know your thoughts on any or all of these Halloween events – or alternatively tell us how you spent the days leading up to All Hallows’ Eve in your borough – in the comments section, on Facebook or on Twitter.
