Halloween events in Rugby

On Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 November jump on-board the spooky ghost train (novelty train ride) if you dare as part of the Halloween fun! The FREE rides will run between 11am and 4pm and depart from the top of High Street near Lawrence Sheriff Street), with no booking required! Trips last around ten minutes and all children must be accompanied by an adult. The train, station and route will be yarn bombed with a variety of Halloween installations recreating a traditional Halloween theme on Sheep Street- think graveyards, ghosts  and the Grim Reaper. As the train travels to High Street we will be looking at how Halloween is celebrated in Mexico as Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead- think bright flowers, and beautiful costumes.

Everyone loves a spooky story and there will be plenty on offer over the Halloween Weekend! (1 & 2 November), including some from Rugby Theatre. The stories will make you hide behind a cushion, your hands or someone else. They will make you laugh, jump and shiver. A chance to meet some interesting characters and have a thrilling time for anyone brave enough to listen.

For those brave enough to venture outdoors why not join a story walk (31 October to 2 November) for families or adults – a chance to discover and explore the town centre’s past along with some of the interesting ghostly characters that may or may not still be around.

We also have some fun craft activities on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 November, between 11am and 4pm, for your little horrors to get spooky and silly at the Rugby Hotel. Let them paint and decorate their very own pumpkin shaped wood with Halloween colours and fun designs. Add creepy faces, sparkly decorations, or goofy patterns—it’s all up to you! When you’re done, you’ll have a pumpkin that’s beautiful and ready for Halloween fun. They can also have some spooky paper fun by creating their own Halloween hat! Let them cut, fold, and decorate colourful paper to create bats, ghosts, pumpkins, and more. With just a little snip and stick, they’ll bring Halloween creatures to life and make decorations perfect to take home.

As part of the Halloween fun why not come along in fancy dress and take the opportunity to get your face painted – spot prizes for the best costumes.

The pumpkin patch and trail are also returning to Rugby's Market Place on the 28th and 29th October and will be open from 11am to 3pm. Enjoy the monster trail through the town centre, before returning to the patch to pick your own pumpkin.

For adults, The Aviary Bar on Friday 31 October will become the Salem Aviary for the night, where customers can enjoy a totally free night of magic mixology. The bar will be decorated and themed ready for your entertainment. There will be some cocktail specials on the menu, including the return of the infamous ‘Shrek Sour’ named after everyone’s favourite Ogre. We open at 5:30 as usual, with Act one, The Rocky Horror Picture show being shown on the big screen with stereo sound and free popcorn at 8pm. Act two starts at 10pm with the Horror disco which ends way past the witching hour! Dance your night away, and maybe your life!!! Our theme this year is ‘Dress to distress’ and our team will be partaking. Expect trick or treat sweets, free shots randomly through the night, and prizes for best dressed guests.

Linda Lowne, Rugby First Business Director, said: “This year for Halloween we have some great activities lined up for families and adults in the town centre and we hope you will not be too scared to join us! A big thank you to Rugby Borough Council, Rugby Theatre, The Rugby Hotel, The Aviary Bar, Mala Beds, Sweet Art, Art at the Alex, Wild and Free and the Rugby Yarn bombers, along with all those businesses dressing their windows. Don’t forget although most of the activities are free and can just turn up on the day some will still need to be booked in advance.”

Linda continued: “Events like this are a great way to bring families into the town centre while at the same time supporting and raising awareness of what it has to offer. Why not take the opportunity when coming to an event combine it with some shopping, food or drink to help support your local businesses and town centre.