This October half-term, from Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, the larger-than-life creatures and a brand-new Halloween Parade will bring frightful fun to Nottingham city centre!
This year’s festival highlights – for all ages – include:
Monsters on buildings
This year’s inflatable monsters will be lurking on rooftops across Nottingham city centre in locations where they are sure to wow shoppers and people travelling into the city. Look out for old favourites like Howler and Snapper which return with a makeover, and the Rombald Rock Giant; a brand-new monster for 2026
To discover this year’s monster locations, pick up a Nottingham Halloween Festival map from the Tourism Centre on Smithy Row or download one from the It’s in Nottingham website.
A special spooky bus tour
Families with younger children can spot our friendly and brightly coloured monsters whatever the weather on a very special Spooky Safari, aboard a vintage double-decker bus. This journey takes adventurers around the city to spot the rooftop monsters.
Sponsored by local bus operator trentbarton, this year the spooky safari runs for two extra days!
Tickets for the safari go on sale Friday 2 October.
Safari Dates:
Tuesday 27 October
Wednesday 28 October
Thursday 29 October
Friday 30 October
Saturday 31 October
Safari Times:
Morning Safaris: 10am & 11:30am
Afternoon Safaris: 1pm & 2:30pm
Creepy Crafts
Nottingham Central Library will be hosting creepy craft sessions in preparation for the Halloween parade. From 3 to 5pm on Tuesday 27 October, and all day on Wednesday 28 October. Simply pop in to make your own ghostly spooky stick puppet to wave as you watch the parade.
Alex Flint, CEO of It’s in Nottingham, said: “Halloween in Nottingham is always a fun celebration, and we are proud to be bringing the monsters back for their fifth year. These impressive instillations showcaseNottingham as a vibrant, creative, and welcoming city. We are proud to deliver the new addition of the Nottingham Halloween Parade as we believe in the importance of access to free, family friendly entertainment in Nottingham city centre. We look forward to welcoming both local residents and new visitors to Nottingham this Halloween.”
It’s going to be a spook-tacular week.
