Families looking for an imaginative London adventure this October half term can discover a world of optical illusions, Halloween magic and playful scientific surprises at Twist Museum on Oxford Street. Running from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, the museum’s seasonal programme invites children and adults to explore how light, darkness and perception can transform the way we see the world.
With Halloween and the clocks going back falling during the same week, Twist is embracing the darker evenings with an experience that combines hands-on discovery, seasonal mischief and plenty of opportunities for memorable family photographs.
At the heart of the experience are two of the museum’s most distinctive attractions. The Colourless Room uses specialised single-frequency yellow lighting to alter normal colour perception, creating an extraordinary visual experience in which familiar surroundings appear entirely different.
Meanwhile, The Shadow Room plays with light and silhouettes, distorting visitors’ shadows and challenging their understanding of what they see. Together, these immersive spaces offer an entertaining introduction to the science behind visual perception.
Younger visitors can embark on a free UV Ghost Trail, collecting a UV light at the entrance before searching for hidden ghosts concealed throughout the museum. The elusive apparitions only become visible under ultraviolet light, turning the visit into a self-guided Halloween treasure hunt. Children can keep their UV light afterwards, and everyone taking part receives treats, adding an extra incentive to investigate every corner.
For families who enjoy a little theatrical wonder, Halloween Magic Shows from Marvin’s Magic promise another highlight. Featuring close-up magic performed by a previous winner of The Magic Circle’s prestigious Close-Up Magician of the Year award, the specially adapted shows incorporate Halloween-themed tricks and illusions. Performances take place four times daily at 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm throughout the half-term period.
Costumes are positively encouraged, too. Children and adults can arrive dressed as their favourite spooky characters or interpret the museum’s light-and-dark theme in their own imaginative way. Sharing a photograph and tagging @twist_museum on Instagram or @twistmuseum on TikTok enters visitors into the costume competition, with a treat awaiting the eventual winner. Seasonal decorations will extend throughout the museum, from the entrance tunnel to its signature rooms, adding a Halloween atmosphere to the existing interactive installations.
Opened in November 2022, Twist Museum takes its name from the phrase ‘The Way I See Things’. Its combination of science, art and immersive illusions encourages visitors to question their assumptions, explore different perspectives and discover how the brain interprets reality. For curious children, it offers an opportunity to learn through experience while enjoying an entertaining family day out.
Families can also take advantage of 20% off off-peak tickets during half term for visits between 9.30am and 10am or 4.15pm and 7pm. An early-bird offer provides the same saving across the weekends either side of half term.
Twist Museum
248 Oxford Street, London W1C 1DH
twistmuseum.com
