Five things to do in Portsmouth for Halloween 2023

Whether you’re looking for a big night out, a quiet evening in, or something in between, here are some ideas for how to mark this year’s Halloween (Tuesday 31 October).

1 | See a spooky film

Our local cinemas are offering a range of Halloween themed films. Highlights include:

• Saturday 28 October, 7.00pm | The Exorcist Director's Cut at No.6 Cinema, the Historic Dockyard
• Sunday 29 October, 7.00pm | Frankenstein at Southsea Cinema, Palmerston Road
• Dates up to and including 31 October | Hocus Pocus 30th Anniversary screening at Vue, Gunwharf Quays

There are lots of other films on over the next few weeks, so check out the cinemas’ websites for full listings of what's coming up.

2 | Go on a special Purple night out

Ghouls just want to have fun! There’s a special Halloween-themed Purple Wednesday on 1 November. Get a spooky outfit on a budget by checking out local charity shops for fancy dress options. Second-hand shopping is a great way to save money and reduce your environmental impact.

3 | Take a ghost tour of Portsmouth

Find out about the city’s dark tales with a ghost tour of our historic streets. The Theatre of Dark Encounters and Supernatural Tours run walks on different dates.

4 | Read a scary story, or two

What’s the scariest book you’ve ever read? From haunted houses to villainous vampires, these are the spooky reads our lecturers just can’t forget.

5 | Grab a Halloween bargain

The Students’ Union shop is running a Halloween sale on the Classic T-shirts range - get 25% off in store and online from Friday 27 October until midnight Monday 31 October.