Discover the best family Halloween events across the UK this October half-term, from theme parks and pumpkin trails to magical workshops and spooky adventures for all ages.
October half term thrills
The October half-term is the perfect time to step away from school routines and jump into spooky, fun-filled adventures. While trick-or-treating is always a classic, there are plenty of other ways to celebrate the spooky season beyond sweets at the door. Across the UK, theme parks, haunted attractions, escape rooms, and pumpkin festivals are transforming into unmissable seasonal destinations.
We’ve rounded up some of the best family Halloween events across the UK that blend thrills, magic, and plenty of fun.
magical and creative experiences
- Bluestone National Resort
Location: Pembrokeshire
Suitable for ages: All ages
Families can dive into a world of spooky fun with complimentary Halloween activities at Bluestone Resort this half term. From woodland trails, pumpkin carving, and playful encounters with mischievous characters, little monsters can get hands on at the Monster Masterclass, while the whole family joins the Halloween Silent Disco for an evening of music and laughter.
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- Glasgow Science Centre
Location: Glasgow
Suitable for ages: All ages
Glasgow Science Centre offers a spooktacular Halloween experience for families, packed with interactive exhibits, eerie experiments, and spine-tingling surprises. Kids can immerse themselves in hands-on science activities across multiple floors, from bubbling potions and creepy chemistry demonstrations to mind-bending optical illusions. Visitors are also encouraged to don their most creative costumes, adding to the festive atmosphere as they explore the centre.
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- The Glow Club Sparkle and Spells
Location: East Sussex
Recommended for ages: 5-10
For kids who love the magic of Halloween without the scares, The Glow Club’s Sparkle & Spells is the perfect choice. Packed with glitter, costumes, and hands-on creative workshops, this immersive event is designed to enchant children ages 5-10. Kids can take part in magical activities, from crafting spellbinding decorations to dressing up and joining in themed games, all set to lively music and dazzling lights.
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- Harry Potter London Tour and Tombs Experience
Location: Hertfordshire
Suitable for ages: All ages
Step into the magical world of Harry Potter this Halloween at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. Explore iconic sets like the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, and the Hogwarts Express, and see props, costumes, and special effects up close. Seasonal events add a festive twist, making it a spellbinding experience for fans of all ages.
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theme parks and thrills
- Alton Towers Scarefest
Location: Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent
Recommended for ages: 6+ (for attractions), 13+ (Scarefest Maze)
Alton Towers’ Scarefest is one of the UK’s biggest Halloween events, combining daytime family entertainment with chilling after-dark thrills. Younger visitors can enjoy themed shows and character meet-and-greets, while older guests brave scare mazes, immersive zones, and classic rides in the dark.
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- Chessington Howl’o’ween
Location: Surrey
Recommended for ages: 6+
Chessington World of Adventures goes all out for Halloween with its annual Howl’o’ween festival. Explore spooky animal trails, meet costumed characters, and test their bravery in kid-friendly scare zones. With a mix of animals, rides, and interactive shows, there’s plenty to keep the excitement going all day long.
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- Legoland Brick or Treat
Location: Surrey
Recommended for ages: 3-12
Kids who love Lego will love Legoland Windsor’s Brick or Treat. The park transforms into a Halloween wonderland, with pumpkin hunts, themed Lego builds, and costumed entertainment. It’s a gentler alternative to scarier Halloween attractions, making it perfect for families with younger children.
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- Thorpe Park Fright Nights
Location: Surrey
Recommended for ages: 13+
Kids who love Lego will love Legoland Windsor’s Brick or Treat. The park transforms into a Halloween wonderland, with pumpkin hunts, themed Lego builds, and costumed entertainment. It’s a gentler alternative to scarier Halloween attractions, making it perfect for families with younger children.
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outdoor activities and seasonal trails
- Bath Racecourse, Halloween Raceday
Location: Bath
Recommended for ages: 4+
Bath Racecourse lights up this half-term with its Spooky Spectacular Fireworks. From 5-9 pm, families can enjoy funfair rides, seasonal food, and entertainment before a glowing hot air balloon display and a dazzling fireworks finale, a magical Halloween night out for all ages.
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- Crathes Castle Pumpkin Trails
Location: Aberdeenshire
Recommended for ages: All ages
Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire invites families to a spooktacular Halloween adventure this October. The estate transforms into a frightful forest, offering a ghostly trail filled with creepy surprises. Children are encouraged to wear their favourite costumes as they explore the grounds, searching for hidden clues to claim a spooky prize. This event is suitable for all ages, ensuring a memorable Halloween experience for the whole family.
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- Landmark Forest Adventure Park Spookfest
Location: Inverness-shire
Recommended for ages: All ages
Step into a spooktacular Halloween evening at Scotland’s award-winning Landmark Forest Adventure Park, where Spookfest transforms the park into a creepy wonderland of immersive displays and family-friendly frights. From eerie trails and glowing decorations to interactive entertainment, the whole park comes alive with seasonal fun.
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- Hobbledown Heath’s Hobbleween
Location: Hounslow
Recommended for ages: All ages
This Halloween, Hobbledown Heath’s Pumpkin Patch is packed with seasonal fun. Wander through the meadow to explore a variety of pumpkins, enjoy the woodland setting, and soak up the festive atmosphere. For a magical twist, the evening Pumpkin Nights sessions let visitors experience the patch under the glow of the evening sky. Pumpkins are available to purchase on site.
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- Cardiff Halloween Festival
Location: Cardiff
Recommended for ages: All ages
The Cardiff Halloween Festival is a family-friendly celebration held at Coedarhydyglyn Park, offering a mix of spooky fun and immersive experiences. During the day, kids can enjoy pumpkin fields, scavenger hunts, magical workshops, circus performances, and glow-in-the-dark mazes. As evening falls, the Twilight Festival adds glowing pumpkins, fire shows, and live performances, while older guests can experience the more intense Scare Fest with live-action mazes and immersive scares.
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final thoughts
Across the UK, there’s something for every interest and age. Whether your children are crafting spells, hunting pumpkins, exploring spooky forests, or braving immersive mazes, these events provide memorable experiences that go far beyond traditional trick-or-treating. With so many destinations offering a mix of fun, fright, and festive atmosphere, this half-term is the ideal time to make Halloween a family adventure to remember.