Whether your idea of Halloween involves hunting for the perfect pumpkin, decorating every corner of the house, getting creative with homemade costumes or simply settling in with a scary film and far too many sweets, there are plenty of ways to get into the spirit of things locally.
So, before you head further afield, take a look at some of the ways you can celebrate Halloween in and around Bognor Regis this October.
Give your home a spooky makeover
First things first, it’s time to get the decorations out.
If your Halloween collection could do with a few new additions, have a wander around Bognor Regis town centre and see what you can find from our local independents.
Snooks Gift Boutique is always worth exploring for characterful gifts and homewares, while Polkadot Stripes has two floors filled with gifts, home accessories and plenty of gothic treasures that feel particularly at home at this time of year.
You don’t necessarily need to transform your entire house either. A few autumnal touches, some candles and, of course, a pumpkin or two can quickly make things feel a little more seasonal.
Go in search of the perfect pumpkin
Picking your own pumpkin has become an autumn tradition for plenty of families, and there are several places within easy reach of Bognor Regis where you can make a day of it.
Sompting Pumpkins has fields filled with pumpkins to explore, while Dell Quay Pick Your Own near Chichester combines pumpkin picking with its farm shop and café. You could also venture towards Arundel, Rogate or further into Sussex if you fancy making a bigger day of it.
Pull on your wellies, find one that’s just the right shape for carving and then bring it home to see what you can create.
Pumpkin patches can operate on different dates each year and may be affected by weather, so always check directly with the venue for the latest opening and booking information before travelling.
You can also take a look at our Pumpkin Picking in and Around Bognor Regis guide for a little inspiration, but bear in mind that the dates for this year might have changed.
Stock up on Halloween treats
Whether you’re expecting trick-or-treaters or planning on keeping the sweets firmly for yourself, Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween without a treat or two.
Pop into The Sweet Jar in The Arcade and fill a bag with your favourites, or head towards the seafront and see what catches your eye at Olde Bognor Rock Shop.
You could even create your own Halloween pick-and-mix ready for a film night at home. The only difficult part is making sure there are still some left by the time Halloween actually arrives.
Bring autumn into your home
Halloween decorating doesn’t have to be all cobwebs, ghosts and pumpkins. If you prefer something a little more autumnal, bring the colours of the season indoors with flowers and foliage.
Perfect Arrangement on Bognor Regis High Street creates seasonal bouquets and arrangements, with autumn designs featuring the rich, warm shades we associate with this time of year. Their current seasonal collection includes autumnal arrangements, harvest-inspired vases and seasonal planters.
Whether you’re dressing the table for an autumn get-together, adding a seasonal display to your home or simply fancy treating yourself to some flowers, pop in and see what the team can create for you.
It’s a lovely way to embrace the season while supporting a local Bognor Regis florist at the same time.
Make your own Halloween costume
Buying a brand-new costume isn’t the only way to transform yourself into something suitably spooky.
For something a little more individual, see what you can create yourself.
Resourceful Community Scrapstore at Bognor Makerspace is an Aladdin’s cave of reusable art and craft materials that might otherwise have gone to waste. Members can fill their baskets with materials for craft and creative projects, making it a great place to find inspiration for homemade costumes, props and decorations.
Cardboard can become armour, fabric scraps can transform an old outfit and all sorts of unusual materials can suddenly become very useful when you’re creating a monster.
Have a rummage, use your imagination and see what you can make.
Find your Halloween Costume in town
Coconut Toys and Fancy Dress on London Road has costumes and accessories for children and adults, with everything from classic fancy dress characters to outfits for parties, festivals and, of course, Halloween.
Whether you’re planning something seriously spooky or just need those finishing touches to pull your costume together, have a browse and see what you can find.
Better still, it’s right in the town centre, so you can tick Halloween costumes off the list while supporting a local high street business.
Have a Halloween night in
Not everybody wants to spend Halloween knocking on doors, and staying home can be just as much fun.
Pick a Halloween film, close the curtains, get some fairy lights and gather everyone on the sofa with your favourite treats.
For younger children, choose something more fun than frightening and spend the afternoon carving pumpkins or making Halloween decorations before the film begins. If you’re celebrating with friends, you could ask everyone to bring a different snack, choose a few films and turn it into a Halloween movie marathon.
Sometimes the cosiest Halloween plans are the simplest.
Make Halloween local this year
However you celebrate, Halloween is another great excuse to explore what’s available on our doorstep.
Pick your pumpkin from a local patch, find your decorations in town, get creative with reusable materials and stock up on treats from an independent shop.
You don’t have to do everything on the list. Choose your favourite Halloween tradition, put your own spin on it and enjoy spooky season in Bognor Regis.
Happy Halloween!
