Thanks to Brentwood Connected, the Business Improvement District (BID) funded by town centre businesses, these activities are taking place across Brentwood, Shenfield, and Ingatestone high streets during the half-term period.
On October 30, from 10am to 4pm, Ingatestone High Street will host a Trick or Treat Trail.
Families are encouraged to visit various locations to complete the activity.
Participants can snap selfies with Halloween walkabout characters and pick up treats from business locations.
Pumpkin painting will be available at The Country Café at Patrick Green.
Participants are required to bring their own pumpkin and allow time for it to dry before taking it home.
Brentwood Connected recommends purchasing pumpkins from local retailers, including Budgens, Co-Op, and Ingatestone Convenience Store.
Shenfield’s businesses will host their event on October 31 from 3pm to 6pm, with the return of the Shenfield Spooktacular.
This event invites the community to participate in interactive activities in and around Hutton Road businesses.
Spooky experiences will be available outside Beresfords, The Strand, William Hill, Roses Bakery, and Jasmine Bleu, featuring Beetlejuice’s Bewitched Candy Floss, A Taste of Nevermore Popcorn, and Ghostbusters and Villain-Con inspired activities.
Free face paint will be available at The Dental Works, Halloween crafts at Shenfield Library, a test your strength ride outside Urban Edge, and various activities and treats at Shenfield business locations.
Hamburger by Hepburns will offer Halloween-themed burgers, milkshakes, and a magician experience for dining guests, Roses Bakery will provide scary bakes, and Barnardo’s will host a lucky dip.
The final Brentwood Connected Halloween event will be hosted in Brentwood on November 1 from 2pm to 5pm.
The Festival of Frights will take place in and around Brentwood High Street, providing creepy characters and treats in collaboration with businesses.
Games and activities will be held outside The Pink Parachute, Hays Travel, Clintons, the Baytree Shopping Centre piazza, and The Sushi Co.
The Ghostbusters bike will also be part of the fun, with free face painting at Schmidt Kitchens & Interior Solutions, culminating in a grand finale with dancing and a fire performance in Crown Street at 4.30 pm.
Visitors planning to arrive towards the end of the event should note that some games and activities will finish at 4pm to allow attendees time to make their way to the grand finale.
Creepy Crown Street, organised by businesses Chicken and Frog Bookshop and Ridgewell & Boreham, will also take place on November 1 from 2pm to 5pm, an event made possible with funds from the Brentwood Connected Small Grant scheme.
The Spread Eagle will host a Pizza & Paint event for children, with an artist, from 12pm to 2pm on the same date, allowing families to get creative and enjoy a meal in the town centre before attending the Festival of Frights.
Booking details are available on the Brentwood Connected website.
Costumes and fancy dress are encouraged at all Brentwood Connected Halloween events, along with something to collect all the treats on offer.
All events are free to attend and trail maps for families who prefer to download in advance are available on brentwoodconnected.co.uk/halloween.
Sarah Walmsley, Brentwood Connected Business Improvement District (BID) manager, said: “Our popular Halloween events are consistently well-attended and much anticipated by Brentwood Connected businesses and the local community.
“Activities like this bring everyone together during the school holidays entirely for free, thanks to our businesses.
“We look forward to welcoming the spooky season to all three high streets during half term, giving families the opportunity to support local, and have fun dressing up.”
The Halloween events and other Brentwood Connected occasions are funded by town centre businesses.
Nic Howard, owner of Howard’s Fish & Grill in Shenfield, said: “We are really pleased to be a part of the Shenfield Spooktacular and we’re looking forward to welcoming people through the doors of Howard’s Fish & Grill for Halloween treats.
“The Shenfield community always blows us away with their support at events like this so it’s sure to be a fantastic occasion.
“Our team looks forward to seeing everyone’s costumes.”
Brentwood Connected supports the borough’s three high streets and funded by town centre businesses to improve the experience of residents, visitors, employees, and businesses in Brentwood, Shenfield, and Ingatestone.
For further information about Brentwood Connected, including more details of the upcoming Halloween events, visit brentwoodconnected.co.uk/halloween.
