The Cardiff Halloween house we all know and love is back and this year, it’s bigger, brighter and bursting with Ghostbusters magic.
Danny and Carmela Hargreaves, founders of Real SFX, the award-winning special effects company behind shows such as Doctor Who, Peaky Blinders and His Dark Materials, are marking five years of transforming their home into one of Wales’ most talked-about Halloween displays.
What began as a lockdown project during COVID to bring joy to local children has grown into a much-loved Cardiff tradition. Each year, hundreds of families make the trip to Cardiff Road to see the Hargreaves’ themed home and donate to Dreams & Wishes, a Welsh non-profit charity run entirely by volunteers that supports seriously ill children and their families. Danny and Carmela are now proud ambassadors for the charity. Over the years, the family’s efforts have raised more than £80,000, funding everything from iPads and racing days to weekend getaways for children whose lives are limited by illness.
Carmela told us…..
“It all started during lockdown when no one could go out. We decorated the house with the kids and people began walking past as part of their daily exercise. It just made people smile at such a difficult time. That joy and sense of community is why we keep doing it.”
This year’s Ghostbusters theme features a towering Stay Puft Marshmallow Man and plenty of supernatural surprises created by the Real SFX team.
Carmela added…..
“We wanted to do something really special this year. It’s our fifth anniversary, so Danny’s gone all out with the effects, you’ll definitely spot the Marshmallow Man! We just ask people to come down, enjoy it, take their photos, and respect the neighbours. It’s all about spreading fun and raising money for such an incredible cause.”
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Danny said……
“Every year I ask myself why I do it, but I absolutely love it. I’ve always loved Halloween, when I was younger, I went to America and saw how they go all out for it. That’s what inspired me. During lockdown, I finally had time to go a bit mad with the decorations and thought, why not do it for a good cause? I didn’t fancy running a marathon or crossing a desert, so I used my skills to create something magical instead. The feedback from local families and kids is what keeps me going – that and seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces.”
To help manage the crowds, Howell’s School, Llandaff has kindly opened its car park for visitors until 8:30pm each evening, with a reminder to park respectfully and avoid grassed areas or main road parking.
While some may assume the displays come with blockbuster budgets, Carmela insists it’s a real family effort……
“People sometimes think it costs a fortune, but most of it is built from recycled set pieces, bits from Costco and whatever Danny and the team at Real SFX can create. It’s a family affair – even our children Harry and Rosie help decorate.”
Each year, the display attracts national attention, with visits from BBC Wales, ITV Wales, and thousands of locals eager to see what the Hargreaves will dream up next.
“We’ve had parents tell us it’s now part of their family tradition,” Carmela said. “One mum hugged me last year and said her late child’s happiest memory was visiting our house. That’s when we knew this had become something really meaningful.”
The Ghostbusters-themed Hargreaves Halloween display is live now on Cardiff Road, Llandaff, with donations to Dreams & Wishes encouraged via on-site collection buckets or the charity’s official website.
