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Spooktactular events Halloween events to scare your socks off on Yorkshire canals

Things are getting very spooky around Halloween on our canals in Yorkshire, with frightening family-fun Halloween events to scare even the most intrepid ghost hunter.

Canal boats at night time with halloween decorations

In association with Huddersfield Canal Society and the North of England Centre for Music & Arts, we are inviting brave souls to discover the spookier side of Standedge Tunnel and get involved in a variety of ghost-busting activities on October 30 and 31, 10am-3pm. 

Paranormal encounters at Standedge

As well as being the longest, highest and deepest canal tunnel in England, Standedge is possibly also one of the most haunted, too. Visitors and staff have reported seeing strange lights, hearing unexplained sounds and there are rumours of a mysterious robed figure. Groups of enthusiasts have even undertaken a paranormal investigation within the tunnel. 

This Halloween, daring visitors can venture on a haunted walk to find the gravestones of 12 lost souls to unlock some magic words. For those who fancy a ghoulish transformation, there’s also free face painting. 

dark picture of a person being lit up with a red light

Courageous adventurers can take a special Halloween boat trip into the darkness of Standedge Tunnel with ‘Convict Con’ and hear the story of ‘Mad Millie’. 

The Friends of Standedge will be serving up a selection of fiendishly good treats at the Creepy Crawly Cafe 

And Huddersfield Canal Society will transport passengers aboard the scary shuttle, running between Marsden station and Standedge Tunnel, 11am-4pm.   

Ghost Ships of Doncaster

Meanwhile, The Ghost Ships of Doncaster is sure to entertain visitors who are brave enough to venture to the Stainforth & Keadby Canal on Saturday 25 October. 

Last year’s creepy boat regatta saw crowds flock to watch a flotilla of illuminated boats cruise along the canal from Long Sandall to Stainforth, decorated with spooky ghosts, witches, pumpkins, dragons and much more - and this year’s event promises much of the same. 

Canal boat at night time with old ship decorations

“Our terrifying volunteer lock keepers will guide the flotilla through the locks along their creepy route,” said Canal & River Trust volunteer team leader Paul Tonge. 

“Though the event is free, we are raising funds for Canal & River Trust and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, so please come along and enjoy this frightfully good community event – and you never know, you may even encounter a phantom ship!”  

For more, visit The Ghost Ships website.

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Last Edited: 27 October 2025

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