Herne Hill Forum's free Halloween party fills Station Square from 5pm to 7pm on Saturday 31 October: face painting, a magician, a stilt walker and a ghost hunt.
Herne Hill Forum is holding its free family Halloween celebration in Station Square, outside Herne Hill station, from 5pm to 7pm on Saturday 31 October. There is no ticket to buy and nothing to book.
The volunteer-led group says the evening is paid for by donations, and its Crowdfunder had raised £974 of a £3,500 target from 22 pledges when we checked it on 13 October.
What is on
The Forum’s programme for the square lists:
- face painting
- a magician
- a roaming stilt performer
- a fortune teller
- a Halloween photo booth
- a Monster Cookie Bar
- an unlucky dip and “Do You Dare?” boxes
- games for younger children
Local shops are joining in with a ghost hunt. Children pick up a map and look for ghosts hidden in shop windows around the square. Upstairs at Station Hall, the Forum is planning a family Monster Disco.
The appeal page adds a selfie corner with props, an area for toddlers, a buggy park and a dance show from a local troupe. It says a first aider will be there for the whole event.
“The spookiest little corner of south London”
Clive Rates is organising the evening for the Forum. He said:
“For two hours, we’d love Station Square to become the spookiest little corner of south London. It’s a chance for children to dress up, have fun and enjoy a bit of Halloween magic with their neighbours, and the best bit is that everyone can come along for free.”
On its appeal page the Forum describes the event as “a free, fun-filled, and inclusive event for all children and families living in or passing through the Herne Hill area”, and says it intends to come back “even bigger and better for 2026”.
Where the money goes
The Forum says the Crowdfunder pays for graphic design, flyers and publicity, the hire of gazebos, tents and chairs, the entertainers’ fees, and keeping the square safe. It runs on a keep-what-you-raise basis, so the Forum receives every pledge made by midday on 7 November, whether or not the target is reached.
“Whether you throw in a single magic £1 coin or pour in a grand £50 potion,” the appeal says, “your generosity will help conjure a memorable and magical evening for all.”
The celebration is run by volunteers with help from Herne Hill’s businesses and traders. The Forum wants more volunteers, and shops keen to take part, to email info@hernehillforum.org.uk.
Getting there
Station Square is the pedestrian area outside Herne Hill station on Railton Road. The Forum says vehicle access in the square will be restricted from 3pm while it sets up, and that final arrangements will be passed on locally.
The same evening the Friends of Herne Hill Velodrome hold their ticketed bonfire and fireworks, with fireworks at 7pm, just as the square winds down. Everything else on in the area that day is in our Halloween in Dulwich guide.
About Herne Hill Forum
The Forum is a volunteer-led community group for Herne Hill and SE24. Its appeal page says it replaced the train-shaped benches beside the station and runs the weekly Sunday farmers’ market.
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