Halloween events Yorkshire – the summer holidays are behind us, Christmas is still a little way off, so what’s the next big family event on the horizon? Halloween of course!
I love Halloween, with its opportunity for the kids to dress up in spooky costumes, collect heaps of sweets and carve pumpkins. (Pumpkins! It was turnips when I was little. I can still recall the burning turnip smell as the candle flame licked the turnip lid!). Talking of pumpkins I also have a post on the best pumpkin patches in Yorkshire.
So the question is, where are the best Halloween events in Yorkshire 2020?
York Maze – Hallowtween (aimed at 10-15 years) – Back for 2020!
October 21st – November 1st 2020
Too old for witches tales, too young for Hallowscream!? Welcome to HallowTween! The frightful new Halloween event for 10 – 15 year olds and scaredy cat adults! Brought to you by the same team behind the multi-award winning Hallowscream – winner of the Best Scream Park 2018.
Housed under a giant marquee HallowTween is all under cover and takes place on the same site as Halllowscream. Venture into three of Hallowscream’s infamous haunted house attractions but without the shocking scare actors!: Barnageddon 3D, Corney’s Cornevil and The Singularity. These are still scare attractions and won’t appeal to everyone but without the live actors they offer a milder level of scare (see age advice information below). Plus illusionists performing death-defying acts on stage, music, side-shows, Halloween characters, hot food and more.
See our full review and video of Hallowtween here.
Northwood Fairy Sanctuary
“This year, 2020, due to the current situation there is no story telling and guided lantern walk. We are creating an Autumnal grotto for the October half term free as part of the entrance to the trail.
See our review of the Northwood Fairy Sanctuary.
Stockeld Park – The Halloween Adventure
Witches in the Forest
24th October– 1st November 2020
The witching hour will be upon us before we know it and it will be time for some family-friendly, frightful fun at Halloween! Head into our Enchanted Forest this Halloween and meet the Stockeld Park (real!) Witches! Follow your trail map to find them and help them finish casting their Halloween spells! Not too scary for little ones and perfect for the whole family to enjoy soaking up the Halloween atmosphere! At the light draws in, the forest will turn into a ghoulish wonderland, lit up by our Winter Illuminations!
*Included free with the Forest & Maze ticket.
They have Pumpkin Picking too – see our round up of Pumpkin Patches in Yorkshire.
Burton Agnes Hall Spooky Woodland Trail
24 October 2020 – 1 November 2020
Spooky Woodland Trail awaits brave visitors at Burton Agnes Hall!
If you’re feeling brave this half term, why not venture over to Burton Agnes Hall and take part in the fantastically spooky woodland trail!
Intrepid visitors are invited on an eerie hunt round the Hall’s atmospheric woodland, where clues are hidden amidst spooky Halloween scenes of witches, spiders and ghostly figures.
Once the entire puzzle has been solved, a treat awaits in the Gift Shop. Try not to let the haunting sounds and mysterious shadows of the historic woodland walk scare you whilst searching!
Admission prices: Adults £8.00, Seniors £7.50, Children (4-15 years) £5.50, Under 4s free
11am-4pm
Castle Howard
Join us at Castle Howard this October half term for a Halloween experience like no other.
Across the dormant water of the Great Lake lies our new adventure playground, Skelf Island and the naughty Skelves who live here are up to no good. Are you brave enough to join Corvus the Crow on his mischievous woodland adventure to find out the seasonal secrets of his hidden world?
Families of all ages can enjoy a day of outdoor trails and adventure play, with a series of ingenious treetop nest structures, connected by rope bridges, slides, nets and climbing equipment. No age restriction just a brave restriction.
See our full review of Skelf Island here.
Lightwater Valley – Frightwater Valley
Lightwater Valley is set to be transformed into ‘Frightwater Valley’ as part of its spooky Halloween celebrations (October 26th-31st). The North Yorkshire theme park will be hosting a series of spooktacular events and activities designed to appeal to visitors of all ages. From family-friendly scares to truly terrifying encounters there’s something for everyone to enjoy. For younger visitors there will be Spooky Character Meet and Greets, Scary Magic Shows and Trick or Treat Doors.
Visitors can also join in the frightful fun as part of the Halloween Fancy Dress Competition which will be taking place on the Lightwater stage between 3pm-3.30pm each day. There is also the chance to enjoy some grown-up thrills and chills inside the Live Scare Maze! The maze is definitely not for the faint-hearted and are not suitable for children under the age of 12 due to the extreme nature of the scares.
The scares culminate with the Frightwater Finale lakeside fireworks spectacular (6pm Saturday, 5.30pm Sunday-Wednesday).
See our review of Frightwater Valley!
Thornton Hall Country Park
HALLOWEEN BY DAY & PUMPKIN PICKING PATCH! 12TH – 31ST OCTOBER
Spooky activities at the farm this Halloween – come along if you dare!
2019 sees the return of the Thornton Hall Pumpkin Picking Patch (*).
- Scary mazes
- Freaky face paiting
- Pumpkin carving (*)
Special guests on selected dates during the school holidays (more information coming soon).
Price:
Normal admission applies – no advance ticket required.
(*) Additional charge for pumpkin picking / carving (£3.50 ea).
Minskip Farm Shop
Pumpkin Carving
Pick your perfect pumpkin and make it gourd-eous in our Activities Barn! We’ll have staff on hand to cut off the top and get rid of the gunk so your magic mushrooms can concentrate on creating their spooky masterpieces to light up at home! We’ll deal with the mess so you can have fun!
Piglets Adventure Park
Taking place from 10am – 5:30pm every weekend in October and every day from 26th October to 3rd November 2019 at Piglets Adventure Farm.
Piglets are running their Pumpkin Festival again this year. Was always a big favourite with my two when they were a little younger. They have all the usual activities such as a bouncy pillow and adventure playground, but also pumpkin carving and spooky storytelling (I love the storytelling). Don’t miss the Creepy Cottage or the corn cannon either! All the children get a free pumpkin.
Fear in the Forest – Dalby Forest
Head into deepest, darkest Dalby forest for a frightfully fun trail… if you dare!
This Halloween, get dressed up and bring your coven of little witches and warlocks for a family-friendly night out in the woods. Head along our Halloween trail where ghosts and ghouls await and Lady Lumley’s School storytellers will spin you a tale of suspense.
There will also be a chance to meet live bats and bugs, as well as creepy crafts to take part in.
Thursday 31 October | Walks start at 5.30pm at 10 minute intervals until 8.00pm
Ghost Bus Tour of York
Comedy horror tour around York’s seedier past as the conductor shows the sights from a classic 1960s Routemaster bus. The on-board actors and eerily decorated bus will ensure passengers have the spookiest ride in town. A few main sights you will see are Clifford’s Tower, Treasurer House, York Minster and Dick Turpin’s Grave. They depart directly outside of York Station, on Station Road.
York Dungeon
Lots of different dates – see our York Dungeon Halloween post for details!
York Dungeon are organising lots of Halloween events, from Trick or Treat Walking Tours, Ghost Cruise on the Ouse, York Dungeons City Bus Tours and Late night openings at York Dungeon.
Forbidden Corner
Dates to be announced for 2019
The Forbidden Corner, it would make for a great quirky and occasionally spooky day out over half term. It’s the further away in our list, but a fabulous and magical day out.
Flamingo Land
Details yet to be released.
Halloween Half Term Event.
See my review of Flamingo Land at Halloween.
Halloween Events Yorkshire
Mother Shipton’s
26th October 2019 – 3rd November 2019
This Halloween visit England’s Oldest Tourist Attraction for a good old-fashioned scare, suitable for all ages.
Follow the haunted trail through the historic woodland to find monsters, ghosts and skeletons hiding around every corner.
The attraction will be transformed into a ghoulish event for all the family. Saturday 26th October to Sunday 3rd November, 10am to 4.30pm (last admission 3.30pm).
See the Petrifying Well and Mother Shipton’s Cave. The park has scenic picnic areas alongside the popular River Nidd, an adventure playground, gift shop and museum.
Temple Newsam
Temple Newsam Tours
- Hidden Temple Newsam, Tues & Sat, 11am
Take a journey under the House and learn how the servants got around unseen. It involves some steep steps and uneven surfaces and is suitable for ages 7+.
- Discovery Tour, Thurs, 11am
A 45 minute tour of the house taking in the main highlights as chosen by Temple Newsam tour guides.
- Through the Ages for All Ages, Sat & Sun, 2.30pm
A tour for younger visitors with a chance to handle items from the Temple Newsam collection and hear stories of people who lived and worked on the estate.
October Half Term
- Beastly Creepy Crawlies, 26-3 Nov
Spiders, bed bugs, carpet beetles and moths all want to set up home in Temple Newsam house but they have other ideas! Find out how to spot them and what they do to stop them during a bug busting half term. Get crafty and make your own spooky spider or bed bug to take home.
- Halloween at Home Farm, 26 Oct-3 Nov, 10am-4pm
Home Farm will be dressed up in its spookiest finery throughout the half term holidays. Take part in Halloween themed crafts in the Joiner’s Shop from 10am-4pm each day.
- Meet The Artist: Kevin Blenkinsop, 30 Oct, 11.30-12.30pm
Kevin makes weird and wonderful creatures from found and recycled materials. He is back this half term to show off his brilliant beasts up close and personal.
- Pumpkin Carving, 30 Oct, 1-3pm
Bring your own pumpkin to carve in the Walled Garden (or collect the pumpkin you planted if you went to the planting activity earlier in the year!)
- Spooky Spooktacular, 31 Oct, 5-8pm
Scare yourselves silly with a visit to the darkened house and fiendish farm! Take a tour of the house complete with tales of spooky past residents who creep through the corridors at night. Try your hand at spooky crafts, collect some terrifying treats along the way and don’t forget to dress up for the occasion, the scarier the better!
Have a look at our review of Temple Newsam here.
Yorkshire Tour de Phantome – Halloween Events Yorkshire
The phantasmagorical heritage of the Yorkshire Coast and North York Moors National Park is set to attract even more visitors to the region this autumn with the launch of a new series of paranormal-themed visits and tours – the Tour de Phantome.
Leeds Art Gallery
Big Draw Campaign
26 Oct, 11am-4pm
Big Draw family fun using cartoon drawing skills and collage to make pictures that say something inspired by the New Contemporaries exhibition.
Slow Making in Artspace
29-31 Oct, 11-4pm
During the half term holiday’s artist Lou Samray will be leading family friendly activities in Artspace to keep your creative juices flowing!
Abbey House Museum
Little Shoppers
Every Fri, 10am-4pm
A fun drop in session for under 5’s in the Victorian Streets with a range of play shops, fake food and a trail or craft every week.
October Half Term
- Haunted Halloween Crafts, 29 Oct, 10am-4pm
Get ready for Halloween with a day of creepy crafts in the eerie decorated streets of Victorian Leeds.
- Spooky Silly Science, 30 Oct 10am-12pm & 2-4pm
A day of spooky science with petrifying potions, bugs, goo and bubble snakes. No scientific knowledge is necessary, only curiosity.
- Happy Halloween, 31 Oct 10am-4pm
Spooky fun with Halloween themed crafts and trails.
- Monster Mash Up, 1 Nov 10am-4pm
Make a variety of monsters from paper, pom-poms and plasticine.
Leeds City Museum
Tiny Tigers
Every Friday, 10-11.45am
Free craft activities every Friday for under 5s and their carers.
Rory’s Tiger Club
Every Saturday, 11am-12.15pm
Head down on Saturday mornings for different free craft activities.
Under The Sea
26 Oct-1 Nov
Have a whale of a time this half term with underwater-themed family crafts. Create a mini whale, junk jellyfish and other sea life creatures to take home. Make a splash on the free museum Whale Trail too!
- Whale Weekend, 26 Oct, 11am-1pm
Come and celebrate the return of the Pilot Whale skeleton. After decades in store, Leeds City Museum are putting this awesome animal back on display. There’s family crafts, hands-on activities and whale talks on offer too.
- Whale Tales, 29 Oct, 10.30am & 2.30pm
Find out more about the Leeds Pilot Whale at informal public talks with Rebecca Machin, Curator of Natural Science. Meet under the whale.
- Tiny Tigers Under 5s Club, 1 Nov, 10-11.45am
Meet under the whale skeleton for a special Whale-themed craft activity.
Sensory Room for Families with Additional needs
31 Oct, 10.30-11.30am
A pop up sensory room with dark dens and tactile toys, for a calmer moment on your museum trip during the holidays
Leeds Industrial Museum
Mystery Matinees
Daily during school holidays, 2pm
Every Wednesday & Saturday catch a family flick in the art deco surroundings of the 1920s Palace Picture House. There’s family friendly scary movies every afternoon during the October Halloween half term holidays! Family tickets are priced at £9.
Half Term Holidays
29-31 Oct, 12.30-3pm
Discover the real stories of Halloween with 21st century witches from the Leodis Pagan Circle. Family craft sessions will include the old favourite jack-o-lanterns and willow wand making. There’s also the chance to make your own luxury oat milk bath-bombs using herbs from the autumn harvest of the colour garden.
Thwaite Mills Watermill
October Half Term
Keep active during the half term holidays, grab a nature pack from reception and hit the eco trail along the canal.
- Crafty Tuesday, 29 Oct, 1-3pm
Get involved with creepy crafty fun and make your own ghoulish ghosty.
- Experimental Thursday, 31 Oct, 1-3pm
Design and make a dancing Halloween robot, ready for a jitterbug boogie at the Monster Mash this Halloween!
Orchard Explorers
30 Oct, 1-3pm
Head to the historic orchard for some apple related family fun! Taste the fruit from the trees that the old mill owner planted, make freshly pressed apple juice, and as it is almost Halloween enjoy making some spooky fruity art!
Lotherton
Weekend Crafts
Every Sat & Sun
Come rain or shine Lotherton has something for all the family. Take a break and get crafty during your visit with activities in both the hall and Wildlife World on Saturdays and Sundays. Themes change weekly so there’s always something new to get stuck into.
Spooky Scarecrow Trail
26 Oct-3 Nov
The Scarecrow trail is back with more haunts than ever before, including our spooky trail through the haunted woods! Visit the Scarecrow Skeletown and experience the scary side of the Wild West, but only if you dare! With creepy crafts and activities every day, there will be plenty to entertain your little terrors at Lotherton this Halloween!
Kirkstall Abbey
Muddy Monkeys
Every Tues, 10-11am
A friendly free session for under 5s and their carers. Each week there’s a range of crafts, toys, books and instruments and if the weather’s nice then there’s games outside too.
Kirkstall Abbey Markets
26-27 Oct, 12-3pm
Come along to Kirkstall Abbey where you can try and buy some of the best produce Yorkshire has to offer. All products are locally sourced and are produced and supplied by award winning people with a passion for food. You will also find Jewellery, fashion and collectables on offer too.
October Half Term
- Mini Owls, 29 Oct, 10-11am
The Tuesday under 5’s session gets a feathery make over for half term.
- Not So Scary Scarecrow Trail, 29 Oct-3 Nov 10am-3pm
A hunt around the abbey featuring some not so scary Halloween scarecrows!
Leeds Discovery Centre
Behind the Scenes Tour
Every Thurs, 11am & 2pm
One of the best ways to access and see the Leeds Museums & Galleries collections is to hop onto a free store tour! From toucans and telephones to meteorites and masks, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Beastly Beasts & Spooky Tour
30 Oct 10am-12pm and 1-3pm
Bring your battery powered candles for the Halloween spook-fest. Discover the weird and wonderful world of the museum monsters hidden behind closed doors! This is a free event but must be booked in advance by calling 0113 378 2100.
Also look at my other round ups for different times of the year, Things to do in Yorkshire with the kids at February half term, Easter, May half term, Summer Holidays, October half term and at Christmas.
If you are looking for Halloween events further afield in Lincolnshire, try this roundup by The Mini Malpi.
