The Crypt of Highgate
Dates
October 20, 2026
Doors
Early evening
Where
Highgate Cemetery (West)
Tickets from
£29.00
Inside the venue
Gallery
Instant e-ticket
In your inbox the moment you pay
Secure checkout
Encrypted card payment
Guide-supervised
Every vigil led by experienced staff
Date changes
Move night up to 48 hours before*
About this
Event Description
Descend into Highgate Cemetery’s locked catacombs this Halloween. Live-action horror walk, fireside storytelling, mulled wine courtyard. All ages welcome, 4pm–midnight, 20 Oct–1 Nov 2026. Book now — spaces limited nightly.
- Format: A live-action scare sequence inside the genuine 19th-century Circle of Lebanon catacombs, plus a Fireside Storytelling Circle sharing real Highgate Vampire case files and Victorian graveyard folklore.
- This is a theatrical horror-and-folklore experience — no hands-on paranormal equipment or investigation is provided here.
- No contact: Performers will not make physical contact with guests; please don’t touch performers, fixtures or historic fabric.
- Supervision & age: All ages welcome; under-18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times, given uneven ground and low lighting.
- Optional: Your ticket covers the whole evening — only the timed headline experience needs a booked slot, so you can enjoy the festival, market and food areas without it.
Step through the gates of one of the world’s most famous Victorian cemeteries as the sun goes down and London’s most atmospheric night out begins. Highgate is the resting place of Karl Marx and George Eliot — and the reported site of the notorious 1970s “Highgate Vampire” sightings that made national headlines and drew crowds of amateur vampire-hunters to these very gates. This Halloween, the cemetery opens for a full evening: wander the lantern-lit paths of the Egyptian Avenue at your leisure, warm up at the fire-pit courtyard with a hot mulled cider, then descend — if you dare — into the locked Circle of Lebanon catacombs for a torchlit live-action horror sequence unlike anything else in the capital.
Why you should book this
Highgate is one of the most photographed cemeteries on Earth, but this is the only week of the year the catacombs open after dark for the public. Tickets are genuinely limited — groups of 8 every 15 minutes across a single week — so slots for peak nights (Fri 30 Oct, Sat 31 Oct) tend to go first. At £29 for a full evening (not just the 60-minute walk), you’re getting a night out that would otherwise cost more spread across separate attractions.
What you’ll experience
- Torchlit Egyptian Avenue walk — explore the cemetery’s most photographed corridor at your own pace, included in every ticket
- Circle of Lebanon catacomb descent — the timed, ticketed headline experience: a live-action scare sequence in genuine 19th-century vaults, not open to the public any other time of year
- Fireside Storytelling Circle — professional storytellers share real Highgate Vampire case files and Victorian graveyard folklore every 30 minutes from 4:30pm
- Tarot & Palm Reading Tent — a resident tarot reader is on hand near the main gate all evening (small additional charge, cash or card)
- Mulled Wine & Cider Courtyard — a fire-pit gathering spot with hot drinks and light snacks, the natural “base camp” for your evening
- Photo Moment: The Vampire’s Gate — a specially lit, styled photo spot at the Egyptian Avenue entrance
Evening schedule
| Time | What’s on |
|---|---|
| 4:00pm | Gates open — Egyptian Avenue walk and courtyard village open |
| 4:30pm–9:30pm | Fireside Storytelling Circle, every 30 minutes |
| 5:00pm– Catacomb horror sequence departs every 15 minutes (book your slot at 10:00pm booking) | |
| 6:00pm | Tarot & Palm Reading Tent opens |
| 9:00pm | Last Storytelling Circle session begins |
| 10:00pm | Last entry to the catacomb sequence |
| 11:30pm | Food and drink village last orders |
| 12:00am | Gates close |
Before you visit
🚗 Getting there & parking
By car: There is no dedicated car park at the cemetery itself. The nearest public car park is Waterlow Park car park on Swain’s Lane, roughly a 5-minute walk to the cemetery gates. Street parking on Swain’s Lane is very limited and restricted by local byelaws, so public transport is genuinely the better option here. By train: Archway station (Northern Line) is a 12-minute walk to the cemetery gates. Other: Several bus routes stop on Highgate Hill, a shorter walk than from the station.
🕐 Entry & times
Daily 4:00pm–12:00am, 20 Oct–1 Nov 2026. A valid ticket for your chosen date admits you to the whole evening; the timed headline experience needs its booked slot. Arrive a little before your slot — late arrivals are accommodated in a later slot subject to availability.
⚠ Code of conduct
Prohibited at all events: real or imitation weapons, full-face masks that prevent ID checks, and glass containers. Costumes are welcome within those limits. Security searches may be carried out on entry. Abusive or threatening behaviour, or failure to follow venue instructions, means removal without a refund.
Content note: Real cemetery, uneven stone steps, low lighting, one loud scare moment in the catacomb vault. Not suitable for those with mobility difficulties. Photography permitted throughout, no flash in the catacombs. Good for: Couples · Horror history fans · Photographers · Groups wanting a proper night out, not just a 40-minute attraction
Getting there
Where
Venue
Highgate Cemetery (West)
Please allow extra travel time — several of our venues are rural, with limited public transport. Parking details are on your ticket.
Event dates
October 20, 2026
Before you book
Good to know
Age policy varies by tier — check the ticket option you pick. Photo ID may be requested for age-restricted tiers.
Genuine historic buildings. Expect uneven floors and, at some venues, steep stairs and limited step-free access.
Bring a torch, warm layers and flat, sensible shoes. Venues are cold and dark.
No physical contact takes place. All vigils are guide-supervised and every activity is optional.
Still deciding
Questions
Is anything staged?
No. Nothing is staged and no outcome is ever promised. Genuine historic buildings, investigated with structured vigils and traditional techniques.
What happens after I pay?
Your e-ticket is emailed straight away, with a unique QR code per guest. Save it as PDF, add to Apple or Google Wallet, or resend from My Account.
Which ticket should I choose?
Twilight for families, Standard for the full after-dark tour, Premium for a small-group vigil with equipment, VIP for the extended late session on 31 October.
Can I change my date?
Yes, up to 48 hours before, subject to availability on the night you move to.
Do I need experience?
None at all. Guides run every session and stay with your group the whole time.
Book your experience
- Instant e-ticket by email, QR per guest
- Secure card checkout — total confirmed at checkout
- Every activity on the night is optional
£29.00
Early Bird — 20% off