Get Ready for Spooky Newquay: Cornwall’s Biggest Free Halloween Event Returns!

Newquay is gearing up for the return of its most chilling Halloween celebration, the Zombie Crawl, as part of the Spooky Newquay festivities. Organised by Love Newquay and the Newquay Business Improvement District (BID), this year’s event promises to be bigger and scarier than ever, transforming the town into a haven for all things creepy on Saturday, 26th October.

Free Family Workshops and Ghoulish Fun

The day kicks off with a series of free family-friendly workshops from 11.30am to 2.30pm, scattered throughout the town. Activities will include face painting, zombie outfit-making sessions, dance classes, circus skills, pumpkin carving, and ongoing entertainment. These workshops will be held at various locations from Cliff Road to Fore Street, giving families plenty of opportunities to get into the spooky spirit.

The Zombie Crawl Returns

The main event, the Zombie Crawl, begins at 3pm, with participants gathering at Sainsbury’s, Alma Place, before winding their way through the town’s main street. This year’s event is expected to be the most terrifying yet, featuring lifeguards, pirates, and pop stars turned zombies in a spectacle not to be missed. The eerie parade will end at Newquay Train Station, where after-parties and ‘Spooky Discos’ will be held at various local venues.

A Week of Spooky Surprises

The Halloween fun doesn’t end there. Throughout the rest of the half-term week, visitors can enjoy a range of spooky offers across Newquay. Visit Newquay will be running a free Halloween Zombie Trail. Families can collect a clue sheet from the Newquay Tourist Information Centre and follow the clues around town to find hidden letters and complete the trail.

Local businesses are also getting into the Halloween spirit by decorating their shop fronts, teams, and products in the scariest themes possible. The best-dressed storefronts will win prizes, adding a competitive edge to the town’s eerie atmosphere.

Community Support for a Spooktacular Event

Mark Warren, Newquay BID Manager, who last year dressed up as a zombie version of late pop star Prince, has highlighted the scale of the event. “This year’s Zombie Crawl is set to be bigger and more frightful than ever,” he said, noting the support from Experience Newquay, a project funded by Cornwall Council’s Good Growth Fund. The festival aims to bring the community together, supporting local businesses and celebrating Newquay’s unique identity.

Experience Newquay has received a £365,426 investment from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This funding supports local enterprises by regenerating town centres and neighbourhood shopping areas. For more information about the Good Growth Fund, visit the Good Growth website.

How to Get Involved

If local businesses have their own spooky events planned, they are encouraged to share them with the Newquay BID team for promotion. Events can be submitted via email to info@newquaybid.co.uk.