Halloween treats - and tricks - for all ages in Highgate

Highgate People loves Halloween - so much so that we started planning our party costume back in May, and we've been perfecting our pumpkin-carving teachniques since last weekend in readiness for the big night. But we know we're not alone in our love of all things creepy, spooky and downright ghoulish. This year, there's lots of Halloween activities taking place in Highgate for kids and grown-ups - join us if you dare!

For young ones

Get your little monsters (and little witches, ghosts and demons) over to Lauderdale House for a fun pair of Spooky Workshops on Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 October. Make sparkly spiders, silly skeletons or lucky charms to ward off the undead! Workshops are suitable for children aged 5 to 9 and cost £6.50; call 020 8348 8716 to book a place.

On Halloween itself, children can dress up and enjoy a special Halloween Spooky Trail through the house and gardens at Lauderdale House filled with grisly characters and magical adventure. Dress up in your scariest outfit and pre-book one of four spooky tours, at 5pm, 5.30, 6pm or 6.30 on Monday 31 October. Price is £6.50 per child.

Reginald the Rope and Rupert the Teddy-Rabbit will also be performing amazing Halloween magic at Lauderdale House on Saturday 29 October, suitable for ages 3 to 8. Price £4.50 (£3 concs), showtimes 10am and 11.30am.

Looking for a costume? Try Culture Vultures in Finchley - all stock is 20% off as the store is closing due to the owner's retirement. This Black Cat outfit from The Dressing Up Chest would also make a great costume for a young familiar.

For older children and grown-ups

Where better to spook yourself silly this Halloween weekend than at Highgate Cemetery, home of the Highgate Vampire? Organised walking tours take place in the West Cemetery hourly from 11am - 3pm at weekends on a first-come, first-served basis. The East Cemetery can be visited without a tour and costs £3; the West Cemetery can only by visited by guided tour and costs £7. Get in the mood by reading Audrey Niffenegger's Highgate-set Her Fearful Symmetry.

If you're feeling extra-brave, join Dr Ruth Richardson for an illustrated talk on body-snatching followed by a guided tour of Hampstead Parish Churchyard (NW3 6UU) on Saturday 6 November from 6-8pm. Suitable for children aged 10 and over; all must be supervised, price £2

Don't forget Jackson's Lane's very special Halloween presentation of The Insect Circus on 31 March with guests from Crowmania - the show atarts at 8pm and audiences are encouraged to dress up!

Trick-or-treaters will be kept safe on Halloween evening by extra patrols from Haringey's Safer Neighbourhoods Teams on 30 and 31 October. Please report an anti-social behaviour to Highgate SNT on 020 8721 2673, or call the police non-emergency number on 0300 123 1212.

Have a happy Halloween - if you're planning a party or event do let us know below!

Image: lobo235