5th Annual Spooky Camden Festivities

Hi all! It is my personal favourite time of year – OCTOBER! Harvest fun, bonfires, leaves turning, gorgeous autumn light and HALLOWEEN!!

As you are probably aware, we have been holding a Trick-or-Treat evening on Camden Road and Camden Crescent for the past 4 years on Halloween, October 31st. And we have had an amazing time doing so!!

Last year we had 48 households take part in decorating, putting out carved pumpkins and giving out sweets. And we had well over TWO HUNDRED trick-or-treaters in the most glorious costumes! The Claremont always puts on an amazing Halloween party as well – giving everyone the perfect place to round off the evening. Check out our instagram site Camden_Bath to see the photos and videos from the past few years.

This year, with Halloween falling on a Saturday,

we want to make an even bigger splash!

For those of you who haven’t done it before, the concept is relatively simple.

• Put a carved jack-o-lantern or painted pumpkin at street level outside your house so people know to call. You can stay and give out treats, or just leave a basket or bucket of treats on the doorstep and head out yourself to take in all the festivities.

• If you want to go one step further, you can also decorate your house, windows, front gate, or trees/bushes outside your house. Sometimes the simplest decorations are the most effective – a white sheet with some fairy lights inside makes for a fabulous ghost! Given it is very dark in October, decorations involving lights (LED or other) always work well. Also, if its raining, LED lights inside the pumpkin work better than a candle!

• At 5pm the trick-or-treat will begin! We stipulate that this activity is between 5-7pm, so bring the pumpkins in at 7pm and people won’t ring the doorbell after that.

• For the past 2 years we’ve had over 200 children trick-or-treating (and their parents who tend to dress up as well!) So that it doesn’t get expensive, we suggest thinking ahead. Making cookies/treats is great and cost effective. Popcorn is very easy to do in bulk and you can tie up little bags using plastic wrap and ribbon. Or you can order things online (we just found 200 glow bracelets for £16). Costco is another option. Treats do not need to be elaborate, nor do they need to be edible (spider rings, spooky stickers – fun and cheap).

The treats are not really the important part. The real fun for the kids is dressing up and going door to door to look at all the pumpkins and decorations! They love interacting with you and love the enthusiastic reactions they get to their costumes.

At 7pm, we recommend that everyone finishes the night at The Claremont!! Last year was landlady Kelly’s first Halloween in Camden and she smashed it!! The pub was decorated, there were special pizzas, spooky cocktails, great music and a fabulous atmosphere. This year there will be all of that PLUS Kelly will be supplying Halloween activity packs for children all day, so you can even go and have some dinner before the trick-or-treating begins! Actually, that might be advisable with the littlest ones!

For residents who live up (or down) long stairs or away from the main road, we recommend coming to street level to decorate and hang out. Bring a folding chair or two and set up a spooky camp!! It will be really fun if everyone does this. (Note* If you want to have the children come to the front door, just make sure the pumpkin is at street level and the stairs are well lit. Costumes can be bulky/awkward for the little ones and can obscure sight lines.)

This year we have two awards to give out – best pumpkin and best house-decoration!! Rosettes will be draped on the lucky houses on Halloween night!

FAQs

When do I put the pumpkin out?

• We usually put them out either on Halloween, October 31st, or a few days before.

What if it rains?

• Spooky Camden goes ahead rain or shine!

Will you continue doing Halloween in the future, even on week-days?

• Yes, at the moment we are thinking that Halloween activities will always be on October 31st.

I want to take part but we are going to be away, how can I help?

• In the past we have put pumpkins/sweets on people’s doorsteps who are away. Let us know if you want us to do that for you! You can pitch in for the sweets or our volunteers can buy them. You can carve the pumpkins in advance or we can do it.

What is Halloween all about?

• Halloween began 2000 years ago by the Celts in Ireland, UK, and northern France to mark the Celtic new year and end of harvest. Over time it evolved and people in Ireland and Scotland began to carve scary faces into turnips or potatoes to ward off evil spirits. Today it’s really just a chance to wear fancy dress and eat sweets!

A huge thanks to everyone who has taken part over the past 5 years of Spooky Camden!

We can’t thank you enough for helping to establish Halloween as a staple of the Camden calendar. We are SO EXCITED for this year! And can’t wait to see the fabulous array of pumpkins which will once again line our street and all the amazing costumes!

And, as if by magic, if you want to really get into the spirit….

Camden’s very own maker-queen Anna is hosting two pumpkin carving workshops at The American Museum!

Tickets

27 October BOOK NOW

30 October BOOK NOW

Things you need to know

• The event is from 10.30am to 12.30pm. 
• The workshop takes place in the Maple Room, please check in at the Ticket Office when you arrive.
• Places are limited to 12 people and must be booked in advance.
• All workshop materials are provided.
• Your ticket includes admission to the Gardens and Deli. You’re welcome to explore the gardens during your visit.
• To visit the Manor House and Circus of Curiosities exhibition, you’ll need to buy a ticket, ask at the Ticket Office about upgrading on the day.
• We are pleased to offer free parking. If the main car park is full, please follow our signs to the additional parking, just a short distance up Claverton Hill from the main car park.  
• Please be aware that we are unable to provide a refund unless the event is cancelled. 
• If you have any questions, or need to amend your booking, please contact us via email at ticketoffice@americanmuseum.org or by phone on +44 (0)1225 460503. 

SEE YOU ON OCTOBER 31st!!!