With its centuries-old history, cobbled streets, magical starry ceilings, glowing lanterns and wrought iron structure, Leadenhall Market provides the perfect setting for a magical Halloween for all ages.
This year, expect to be greeted by six-metre tentacles bursting out of the market’s windows before becoming a pen pal with a Yeti, Gremlin, Dragon, Werewolf or Vampire, to then stocking up on broomstick pencils, thickest human snot and other monstrosities. Enjoy a monster trail bursting with aliens, zombies and monsters, take part in monster drawing workshops and caricatures, go on a pumpkin arranging course and as the day draws in, take a walk on the dark side of Leadenhall with a spooky guided tour…
Leadenhall Market’s full Halloween schedule can be found below.
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Look out for life-size spooky creatures on a monster spotting trail
Monday 16th October – Tuesday 31st October
A cast of aliens, zombies and monsters will be scattered throughout the Victorian market, offering families a special monster spotting trail when they visit. These life-size cut out spooky characters have been created by illustrator Aaron Blecha, known for his humorous illustrations in many children’s books, including his own titles Goodnight, Grizzle Grump! and Good Morning Grizzle Grump!
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Personalised Monster Portrait sessions
Friday 27th October, 11am – 6pm
Illustrator Aaron Blecha will be in the market hosting personalised monster portrait sessions, giving visitors the opportunity to be sketched live by Aaron as weird and wonderful characters for Halloween.
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Release your inner monster at a Halloween Cartoon Workshop
Saturday 28th October, 10am, 12 noon and 2pm
Aaron will be back and hosting three Halloween Cartoon Workshops, where those taking part can release their inner monster and put pen to paper to show the creatures within them! The workshops will take place at 10am, 12 noon and 2pm, run for 90 minutes.
The live drawing sessions and monster drawing workshops are suitable for all creatures great and small and must be booked in advance to guarantee entry. Portraits cost £20 for individual caricature, £30 for a couple and £50 for a family drawing (4-5 ppl). Workshop tickets are £4.50 per spot (ages 8+, children must be accompanied by an adult, 1 ticket per participant). All proceeds are being donated to the Ministry of Stories, a creative writing charity for small Humans. For details, visit: https://leadenhallmarket.co.uk/halloween-at-leadenhall-market/
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Write a Letter to a Monster with new residents of the market; Hoxton Street Monster Supplies
Monday 23rd October and Thursday 26th October 11.30am – 4.30pm
Always wanted to Write a Letter to a Monster and receive a reply, just for you? Join Hoxton Street Monster Supplies and take the chance to use their Monster Mail service. Write your letter in store to become a penpal with a Yeti, Gremlin, Dragon, Werewolf or Vampire, and receive an original reply, posted directly to your home anywhere in the world before Christmas. This is a totally unique service, suitable for the young or young at heart, and so much more mischievous and gruesome than a letter to Santa! Bah Humbug!!
There is a £10 donation per letter, with all proceeds going to children’s charity Ministry of Stories. Children must be accompanied by an adult and will receive a free pencil and monster mail sticker to take home.
For those unable to make the Monster Mail service days, fear not (or be very scared)! The store will be opening with extended hours for the scariest week of the year, from Monday 23rd October – Friday 3rd November from 11am-5pm. Stock-up on bespoke and everyday items for your life or afterlife with special Halloween products including a Monster Height Comparison Chart, invisible cat and official Death Certification.
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Enjoy an autumnal evening of pumpkin arranging
Thursday 19th October and Thursday 26th October, 6pm
If monsters aren’t your thing, Leadenhall Market’s resident florists Windsor Flowers have you covered, offering a Halloween experience of another kind, with their pumpkin workshops. Talented hosts from the market’s popular floristry will take you on a step-by-step guide to create a Halloween showstopper of an arrangement. Tickets for the workshops are £50 and with limited spaces available, bookings must be made in advance. To secure your spot email: [email protected]
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Burials, Bombs and Fantastic Beasts walking tours
Every Wednesday from 11th October – 1st November, 6.30pm-8pm.
To close the day, the City of London guides are bringing back their Burials, Bombs and Fantastic Beasts walking tours. Although Leadenhall Market itself dates back to 1321, there have been people living and working in this area since Roman times and the walks will explore some of their darker history – with witchcraft, murder and death at almost every turn.
Tickets need to be booked in advance and are available at the subsidised price of £7 (plus fees) from: https://leadenhallmarket.co.uk/spooky-guided-walks/
Leadenhall’s history goes back nearly 2000 years. It was built on the site of the Roman Basilica and Forum, and during the medieval period was a market selling meat, fish and herbs, continuing well into the 17th century, as a place where wool merchants baled and weighed wool – the source of the City of London’s wealth. It is now home to a range of boutique retailers, restaurants, cafes, wine bars and an award-winning pub, The Lamb Tavern.
