Halloween fun! The Bulletin’s guide to the spooky season in Belgium

With All Hallow’s eve falling within the half-term holiday season, there’s plenty of extended spooktacular activities for families across the country.

But, fear not, older revellers are also catered for with all-night raves, late openings in theme parks and horror film sessions.

BRUSSELS

Every Halloween, the Museum of Fantastic and the Center of Fantastic Art is transformed into a scary house. This is a perfect opportunity to explore its offbeat collection via puzzles to solve and a witchcraft certificate to earn. The museum’s Mini-Golf Halloween joins in the fun. Discover this atypical mini-golf adventure and travel along an 18-hole course strewn with obstacles. Until 11 November (check opening times), Rue Américaine 7 (Saint-Gilles)

It’s all Latino Halloween vibes in the Marolles with Día de Muertos providing grinning skulls, colourful costumes, parades, themed workshops, screenings, storytelling, cemetery walk and talks and concerts. Don’t miss, two performances of the show Coucou la mort  (6+) on 31 October and the finale grand parade that evening, which leaves from the intersection of Boulevard du Midi and Rue des Tanneurs at 19.00 before arriving at Place du Jeu de Balles at 20.30. A surprise concert follows in the square. Food trucks will keep everyone fuelled during the celebrations. 26 October to 1 November, across the Marolles

Autoworld opens its doors for a special Halloween Night adventure. Among its gleaming collections of car and motorcycles, the museum transforms into a mysterious world filled with surprise and thrilling activities for all ages. The night watchman has disappeared and everyone is invited to join in the search to find him. Follow the clues, discover hidden treasures and meet a series of strange creatures and entertainment along the way. Tickets from €11 to €18. 30 October 18.30-20.30, Cinquantenaire Park 11

It’s scary movie time! Join fellow horror film fans at the Kinepolis Halloween Night in theatres across the country for screenings of four diverse but thrilling titles: L’Ordre Pourpre, Hope, Colony and Hostel. Snacks, drink and surprise goodie included in entrance ticket. Recommended for 16 years and up. Fear not, pauses are scheduled between each screening! 31 October 20.00-5.14, multiple cinemas

The illusion venue WOM (World of Mind) stages a special Halloween experience for children and adults. Mysterious sets, atmospheric soundscapes, magicians and unexpected characters enliven the immersive visit that is centred on playing with what the eye sees or thinks it sees ... For its grand finale on 30 and 31 October, there’s face painting, stilt walkers and sweets. Until 31 October, Tour & Taxis, Shed 4bis, Avenue du Port 86C

WALLONIA

Haunted houses, scary zones, special shows and themed culinary experiences are all part of the Walibi Halloween Activities this year. The theme park reopens the gates of Ibilaw, a terrifying parallel world, which includes a show recounting the terrifying story of Bill. This third edition welcomes three new experiences, including haunted houses, the show, Bill: A Fairy Tale (pictured), and the Freaky Pizza Festival. Some Halloween activities are included in the entrance price, others require additional tickets. Until 11 November, Boulevard de l’Europe 100, Wavre (Walloon Brabant province)

Namur’s splendid Italian-style theatre stages its annual Festival de l’Horreur, filled with themed theatre, circus, performance, shows and activities. “In a world that is spiralling, hardening and demanding that we pretend everything is fine, horror offers something rare: permission to be afraid. And within that permission lies a strange form of freedom,” say organisers. The festival includes two ‘scary family’ days on 7 and 15 November.  4-15 November, Place du Théâtre 2 & other venues, Namur

The Halloween Mystery Forest at Durbuy’s Adventure Valley comes alive as night falls. It’s the Dia de los Muertos and Lucia hears a mysterious voice from the forest calling her. Follow her along this 2km sound and light trail dotted with scare zones where an army of strange and terrifying creatures will make an appearance. There’s also an additional horror house if you want to increase the scare factor. But fear not, each fright area can be detoured if you prefer a gentler experience. Until 7 November, Adventure Valley, Rue du Rome 1, Durbuy (Luxembourg province)

Héléween at Château Helecine returns with another immersive experience invading the former abbey site. For its fourth edition, a new show, complete with spectacular decor and a spooky atmosphere thrills audiences. Abbot Victor Nékroili, warden of Héléween prison invites audiences to the “wedding of the last chance”. Ghosts, spectres and other malevolent creatures dread this unusual nuptial day — a union intended to save the world of the living. Yet, as preparations get underway, the terrifying Banshee — held in the prison’s most secure cell—has other plans. There’s also an illusion show and holoquatic concerts to add to the atmosphere. Until 8 November, Rue Armand Dewolf 2, Hélécine (Walloon Brabant)

FLANDERS

Immerse yourself in the autumn season among the thousands of pumpkins used to create fun figures in the grounds of Groot-Bijgaarden Castle on the outskirts of the capital. For its fourth edition, Pumpkimania recreates a magical world filled with forest animals. There’s also pumpkin soup, fries and other treats, and on weekends, you can try your hand at carving a pumpkin and ride in the pumpkin boat. 25 September to 1 November, Isidoor Van Beverenstraat 5, Groot-Bijgaarden

Ward off the evil spirits by partying all night at the Hangar Halloween rave at Brussels Gate, just outside the capital. The 16-hour electronic music fest in a former industrial warehouse boasts three stages, an underground vibe and a full line-up of international DJs, including Jungle (DJ Set), Justin Jay, Kōma, Lauravioli, Moxie, Riria, séa and Skin on Skin. 31 October, Alfons Gossetlaan 9, Groot-Bijgaarden

Antwerp’s nightclub scene brims with themed events such as Coco Loco Halloween Festival, billed as Belgium’s biggest Halloween rave This immersive music and art party is on a mission to wake the dead. Staged at Waagnatie, its Halloween world is filled with international acts, performers, spectacular visuals, elaborate sets, special effects and surprises. Minimum age 18. 31 October 20.30-04.30, Rijnkaai 150, Antwerp

Plopsaland in De Panne on the coast is a Halloween dream for littler kids, who can dress up and interact with the park’s characters and visit the “not too scary” haunted house. The theme park offers a special Halloween Celebration with exclusive shows, decorations and themed attractions. The holiday is also celebrated in the smaller Plopsaland parks in Hasselt, Antwerp and Stavelot. Depannelaan 68 (West Flanders)

Bobbejaanland takes a far creepier approach to the scary season with seven haunted houses, three themed zones and a thrilling programme of themed shows. Late night openings offer even more spookiness as well as partying. Until 15 November, Olensteenweg 45, Lichtaart (Antwerp province)

No city does Halloween quite like Blankenberge. Its seaside location adds to the holiday feel of its weeks of spooky surprises like a haunted house, a creepy carnival, a spectacular light parade and fire performances on the beach. Don’t miss a spectacular firework display on 31 October and a family parade in which all kids – who are dressed up – can take part is staged on 1 November. Until 4 November, across Blankenberge (West Flanders)

The coastal resort of Koksijde-Oostduinkerke is revelling in a spine-chilling season this autumn. From the thrilling poky maze LaBOE!rint (pictured) on the beach (until 8 November) and a Halloween Kids Party in Koksijde (4 November) to a Halloween-themed mountain bike tour (30 October), a colourful Halloween parade and a spectacular burning of the witches, its half-term holiday programme is designed to entertain visitors of all ages. Sint-Idelsblad, Oostduinkerke, Koksijde (West Flanders)

Photos: (main image) Namur Horror Festival-Pillowgraphies, La BaZooKa ©Nora Houguenade; courtesy Dia de Muertos; courtesy Autoworld; ©Pumpkinmania, Groot Bijgaarden; courtesy Koksijde-Oostduinkerke