Leadenhall Market Halloween: The Purple Tentacles and the Spooky Walks

Leadenhall Market Halloween has put six-metre purple tentacles out of the market's windows in past years. They first appeared in 2021, and the market lists them again for 2024 and 2025.

I took the photo below on 7 October 2023. This page covers what the tentacles are, when they have gone up, and what else the market has run around them.

What Are the Tentacles at Leadenhall Market?

They are six metres long, purple and blue with green suckers, and they snake out of the windows of the Victorian market building. Londonist described the 2021 installation as the market dressed up as a giant squid.

The tentacles returned each year to 2025. In 2024 the market asked visitors to name the creature, and Londonist reports that it became Professor Cephalus.

Leadenhall Market Halloween Dates

The tentacles go up before October. In 2024 the installation began on Monday 30 September, and in 2023 the Halloween programme ran from 30 September to 31 October.

For 2026, the market's What's On page lists a Halloween 2026 event with a beetle image. I could not read dates on it on 12 October 2026, and I found no 2026 tentacles listed there. Darling Magazine reported on 1 October 2026 an illuminated beetle over 2.5 metres long above the market throughout October, plus SoLo Craft Fair workshops on 19 and 23 October. Check the market's site before you travel.

In 2025 the market ran a small programme of workshops from 27 to 30 October. They were autumnal tea blending with ghost stories, Halloween zine-making, Halloween drag life drawing and a stitched bookmark workshop.

What Are the Spooky Walks at Leadenhall Market?

The walks are called Burials, Bombs and Fantastic Beasts. City of London guides lead them for around an hour and a half, through nearly 2,000 years of local history, from Roman times to witchcraft, murder and death.

In 2024 they ran on Wednesdays from 2 to 30 October and Thursdays from 10 to 31 October, from 6.30pm to 8pm. Tickets were £7 plus fees, booked in advance on Eventbrite. For 2026, Darling Magazine reports the walks run every Wednesday and Friday in October, 6.30pm to 8pm, at £8.30 with advance booking. I could not confirm that on the market's own site.

The Hoxton Street Monster Supplies Pop-Up in 2023

In 2023 the market hosted a pop-up shop from Hoxton Street Monster Supplies in Unit 16. I found no mention of it in the 2024 or 2025 announcements.

Is Leadenhall Market in Harry Potter?

Yes. Leadenhall Market stood in for the wizarding street leading to the Leaky Cauldron in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 2001. The doorway used as the pub entrance is in Bull's Head Passage, the narrow alley off the main crossing.

My Leadenhall Market guide covers the Victorian building, the flea market and the pubs. For a palace with real ghost stories, see Hampton Court Palace Halloween.

Visiting Leadenhall Market: Practical Notes

📍 Where: Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 1LT. The entrances are on Gracechurch Street, Lime Street and Whittington Avenue.

🎫 Admission: Walking through the market is free. The 2024 spooky walks cost £7 plus fees, and Darling Magazine reports £8.30 for 2026.

🚇 Getting there: Bank and Monument stations are both a short walk away.

📷 Best time: Early morning if you want the arcade empty, and weekday lunchtime or early evening for atmosphere.

🗺️ Nearby: The Sky Garden and the free rooftop terrace at 25 Cannon Street are short walks away.

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All photos were taken by Ina/WithinLondon, unless stated otherwise.