Top 10 things to do in Derby for Halloween includes spooky afternoon tea and ‘dark beer fest’

Halloween is widely considered to be one of the most popular times of the year.

It is a time when people of all ages can have fun and get into the spooky spirit.

On Instagram Halloween has over 120million hashtags and Derby businesses are also getting in on the Halloween celebrations by putting on some fabulous themed events.

Whether you love creative crafts - you can make your own Halloween decorations on the grounds of a Grade I listed country house - or if you want to unleash your competiive spirit and take part in a Halloween quiz at Annie’s Derby - our list has something for everyone.

There are a number of exciting events where you can celebrate Halloween in Derby, here is our round-up of a few of our favourites, in no particular order.

Spooky afternoon tea at Denby

Afternoon tea can be such a genteel affair, however the fun souls at Denby HQ have injected some spooktastic vibes into their afternoon tea offering.

As well as sandwiches and scones, you can sink your teeth into Witches Hat Vanilla Layer Cake, Spiders Web Chocolate Orange Cake and more.

Date: Friday October 27 - Tuesday October 3

Where: Bournes’s Coffee Shop & Bistro, Denby Pottery Village, Pottery Lane, Denby, Ripley DE5 8NX

Cost: Prices start from £10.95 for children under 12

More information can be found at their website here.

All night Halloween movie marathon at QUAD

The days of pulling an all-nighter may be long gone for some, however if the thought of watching horror films all night is your cup of triple shot coffee, this one’s for you.

The annual event is one of the most popular at QUAD.

It kicks off at 9pm and ends at 6.31am - after which you can tuck into breakfast.

Date: Saturday October 28

Where: QUAD Derby, Market Place, Cathedral Quarter, Derby DE1 3AS

Cost: £30, concessions may apply

More information can be found at their website here.

Dark Versus Light Beer Festival at Furnace Inn Derby

Taking an innovative approach to Halloween, this pub invites you to embrace your dark side… by enjoying one of their 10 stouts that will be on offer during Halloween.

There will also be a bar serving 10 pale ales, so you can mix it up if you’re in the mood for something to lighten the soul.

In addition to a fancy dress competition, there will also be food served courtesy of street food kings Feast Of The East who will be serving Middle Eastern inspired dishes.

Date: Wednesday Oct 25 - Sunday 29 October

Where: Furnace Inn, 9 Duke Street, Derby DE1 3BX

Cost: Not ticketed event, free

More information can be found at their website here.

Halloween quiz at Annie’s Burger Shack Derby

Unleash your competitive spirit with this fun Halloween quiz.

Prizes include milkshakes, vouchers redeemable at Annie’s restaurant and an evening packed full of fun.

Date: Wednesday October 25

Where: Annie’s Burger Shack Derby, Friary Street, Derby DE1 1JF

Cost: £1 per player, cash only

More information can be found at their website here.

Halloween party at Kedleston Country House

This party in the elegant setting of Kedleston Country House sounds like a great evening.

Sip some amazing cocktails and let your hair down as you enjoy tunes spun by DJ Zo-Flow.

Date: Saturday October 28

Where: Kedleston Country House, Kedleston Road, Quarndon, Derbyshire DE22 5JD

Cost: Ticketed event, cost £5.50 per person which includes booking fee

More information can be found at their website here.

Halloween trail  at St Peters Derby

This fabulous event takes the best of both worlds of quizzes and walking, and invites you to test your brain cells with terrifying trivia.

Halloween themed questions will keep you on your toes, and you can even get a chance to win a prize hamper at the end of the trail once you collect all the QR codes.

Date: Saturday October 14 - Tuesday October 31

Where: Starts at St Peters Quarter, trail set across Derby city centre

Cost: Free

More information can be found at their website here.

Halloween Burgerslam

This event by an East Midlands’ wrestling academy is one not only for fans of the sport, but also who love good entertainment and a smashing good burger.

Enjoy a Halloween special of a 20 man ‘rumble match’ and take part in the fancy dress competition too.

Date: Sunday October 29

Where: Annie’s Burger Shack Derby, Friary Street, Derby DE1 1JF

Cost: Ticketed event, cost £5.50 per person which includes booking fee

More information can be found at their website here.

Halloween extravaganza at Mercia Marina

One of Derbyshire’s leading tourist spots is also a fun place to be to celebrate Halloween.

See if you can spot famous characters roaming the marina such as Wednesday Adams, Jack Skellington, Hermione and Zombie Belle.

If they’re in a good mood,  they may even dish out a sweet treat or two.

There will also be free face painting and a Halloween costume competition so people of all ages can get involved and have fun.

Date: Sunday October 29

Where: Mercia Marina, Findern Lane, Willington, Derby DE65 6DW

Cost: Free entry and free parking

More information can be found at their website here.

Pumpkin picking at Mr Pumpkin Lime Farm

Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween without a pumpkin patch sneaking onto our list.

The farm say they have planted nearly 90,000 different pumpkins, so there is plenty of variety to choose from.

From traditional orange pumpkins to funkier versions including white, star, striped and more, there really appears to be a pumpkin to suit all tastes.

There is food and drink available too, so you can spend the day immersed in all things pumpkin.

Date: Various dates until Tuesday October 31

Where: Mr Pumpkin, Lime Farm, Mansfield Road, Morley, Derby DE7 6JU

Cost: Ticketed only event

More information can be found at their website here.

Make Halloween decorations at Calke Abbey

We know festive crafting can be fun, but what about making your own Halloween decorations?

Halloween decoration workshops will be held in the Calke Abbey stable-yards.

Date: Various dates this month until Tuesday October 31

Where: Calke Abbey, Ticknall, Derbyshire DE73 7LE

Cost: The event is free but normal admission charges apply for this National Trust venue

More information can be found at their website here.