HALLOWEEN last year may have looked a little different – but the 2021 festivities should be as ghoulish as ever.
With no lockdown or Covid restrictions, what will the spooky celebrations look like this year?
Can I go trick or treating this year?
This year, Halloween takes place on Sunday October 31.
Unlike last year, the UK is not under a strict lockdown and celebrations can go ahead pretty much as normal.
Usual activities such as pumpkin carving and spooky Halloween movies will of course be on the cards.
And thankfully for the kids, the long-loved trick or treating is back.
Brits are still urged to take the necessary precautions such as regular testing, hand washing and face masks – which shouldn’t be too difficult considering the season.
It is of course also important that people do not leave the house for any Halloween activity if they, or anyone in their household, has symptoms of Covid-19.
When does trick or treating start on Halloween?
There is no official start time for trick or treating, but it always takes place on Halloween itself.
Most people wait until it’s dark, but families tend to start going from door to door in the UK from about 4pm.
The youngest children will probably start arriving from then, and the older kids – and maybe teens – will likely keep knocking until about 9pm.
If you don’t want to be bothered after a certain time, simply bring your pumpkin indoors as a signal the night is over for you – or there are no sweets left!
How can I celebrate Halloween this year?
There are many ways to celebrate Halloween this year – old favourites and new.
If you are wary of Covid as cases continue to rise, then pumpkin carving is a wonderful way to keep the kiddies and adults entertained indoors with competitions of the best creation.
Binge-watching scary movies is always fun with a huge selection both shown on television and streaming apps.
Families can also do some spooky baking, have an arts and crafts evening and hold a fancy dress competition.
But if you do fancy getting out, many towns and villages put on pumpkin trails for children to follow.
Places such as Hatfield House in Hertfordshire are putting on their own events, with a witches kitchen and skeleton cabaret
Wild Forest in Brentwood, Essex, is running a muddy pumpkin obstacle course during Shriek Week.
And Drayton Manor Park in Staffordshire is inviting families to join the frightful fun.
