FRESH AIR FUN

what's on half term yorkshire — Fountains by Floodlight. Credit: J Sheperd

Prepare for lift-off at Stump Cross Caverns from 24 Oct – 2 Nov, where their Cosmic Adventures workshop will whisk your mini astronauts on an interstellar journey through the solar system. Think dazzling constellations, Yorkshire skies, and space-themed crafts that are seriously out of this world.

Firmly back on planet Earth, but just as magical, Fountains Abbey is getting its annual glow-up on 25–26 Oct and 31 Oct – 1 Nov. As darkness falls, the haunting ruins are brought to life with choral music and dreamy lighting. Or head over during the day on 29–30 Oct to get crafty with the Henshaws Crafting Workshop at Swanley Grange with autumn wreaths, leafy garlands, and plenty of cosy vibes.

Over in Scarborough, Peasholm Park’s Autumn Daze (29 Oct) is packed to the brim with family fun. Think woodland storytelling, marshmallow toasting, autumn crafts and scavenger hunts. There’s even bushcraft demos where kids can learn how to start a fire the old-fashioned way (no lighters allowed!).

If dramatic ruins are your thing (we’re clearly obsessed), then don’t miss Whitby Abbey Illuminated from 24 Oct – 1 Nov. The ancient ruins come alive under a kaleidoscope of colour, with live theatre performances and fire pits for that all-important marshmallow toast. It’s all wonderfully spooky, so much so, we pretty sure Dracula would approve.

A little post-half-term sparkle? Yes, please. Head to RHS Harlow Carr in Harrogate from 19 Nov – 20 Dec for their RHS Glow event – a twinkling winter wonderland of lights, magic, and mulled wine moments. It’s like stepping into a fairytale, but woolly hats and mittens are strongly encouraged.

And of course, it wouldn’t be October without a bit of good old pumpkin picking. Luckily, Yorkshire delivers with these family favourites:

Farmer Copley’s, Pontefract (27–31 Oct) – a pumpkin-picking institution.
Spilmans, Thirsk (until 31 Oct) – tractor rides, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches galore.
Bloomin’ Spooky Sheep, Harrogate (until 31 Oct) – where pumpkins meet fluffy fun.
Yorkshire Pumpkins, York (23–31 Oct) – family-run and full of charm.
Cannon Hall Farm, Barnsley (until 31 Oct) – pick, play, and pet some animals too.

SPOOKY SHENANIGANS

Something’s going bump in the night over at Cusworth Hall & Park, Doncaster (17 Oct – 17 Nov) and they need your help to solve it. Grab the gang and follow the free autumn trail, piecing together clues through the hall and grounds. Perfect for mini detectives and grown-up gumshoes alike.

Next door at Boston Park Farm, Shriek Week (18–31 Oct) is a fang-tastic mix of spooky goings-on with pumpkin hunts, creepy crafts, a maize maze and even a family disco where your tiny terrors can bust out their best ghostly grooves. Don’t miss lantern-making, potion-brewing, and pumpkin carving.

Brodsworth Hall & Gardens (25 Oct – 2 Nov) promises good old-fashioned ghoulish fun, while Yorkshire Wildlife Park is dialling up the drama with spook-tacular live shows, trick-or-treat trails, and fairground rides where your little monsters can knock on creepy cabins and collect sweet loot (costumes encouraged!).

In Leeds, Harewood House is turning up the tension with an outdoor spooky cinema – catch Beetlejuice (24 Oct), Hocus Pocus (25 Oct), and The Nightmare Before Christmas (26 Oct) all under the stars. Meanwhile, Abbey House Museum is giving its Victorian streets a haunted twist – expect everything from spooky skeletons to pint-pulling ghosts lurking among the cobbles.

If it’s Halloween done properly you’re after, Stockeld Park’s Halloween Adventure (weekends in Oct & daily from 25 Oct – 2 Nov) is bursting with seasonal thrills. Brave the Enchanted Forest, take on the Monster Maze, or go full spooky with Zombie Laser Tag. Pumpkin picking? Of course. Costume comp? You bet. There’s even a witch or two to guide you through it all.

Need a new set of wheels? Head to Brimham Rocks on 29 & 30 Oct for a broomstick-making workshop using natural materials gathered from the moor, it might just come in handy for that next full moon flight.

York’s famed Ghost Merchants are making your haunted dreams come true this half term (25 Oct – 2 Nov) by hiding their coveted ceramic ghosts all over the city – find one and it’s yours to keep! A spine-tingling scavenger hunt that’s part spooky, part stylish, and completely addictive.

Up in Skipton, it’s monsters taking over this half term (25 Oct – 2 Nov). Ten creatures are hidden around town – crack the code by finding them all and enter to win a fang-tastic prize. It’s family fun with a monstrous twist.

Sheffield’s going galactic on 25 Oct with the Out of This World Festival full of comic con characters, fancy dress, live entertainment, fairground rides and street food. Intergalactic chaos, but in the best possible way.

Down near Bridlington, Sewerby Hall is conjuring up some half-term enchantment (25 Oct – 2 Nov) with spooky magic shows, autumn crafts, face painting, and immersive Rusticus Theatre adventures with wizarding quests, ghost hunts and magical trails galore. Over in Bradford, don’t miss the Wizard Spectacular in Centenary Square on 31 Oct for a full afternoon of spooky stage shows, street performers, and family-friendly frights.

THEATRE & MUSEUMS

Got a thing about spiders? Clowns? Buttons?! You’re not alone. Freaky Phobias at Thackray Museum of Medicine (25 Oct – 2 Nov) is a wonderfully weird and lightly spooky look at the things that keep us up at night that’s designed especially for kids (and brave grown-ups). Equal parts creepy and cool.

Mini gamers, assemble! The National Videogame Museum in Sheffield is hosting a LEGO Fortnite Odyssey (25 Oct – 2 Nov) which is perfect for kids glued to their consoles. Expect interactive builds, epic challenges, and a chance to get hands-on with one of the world’s most popular games… in brick form.

The brilliant Bradford Science Festival is back with nine full days of future-focused fun (25 Oct – 2 Nov) and a jam-packed line-up of events across the city. From fashion-forward catwalks and foodie experiments to techy demos and soundscapes, there’s loads to explore.

Go underground (literally and imaginatively) at the National Coal Mining Museum this half term (25 Oct – 2 Nov), where there’s storytelling, crafting, creepy crawlies, and even Minecraft-inspired escape rooms. Whether your child’s a history buff or bug-obsessed, there’s a little something for every kind of adventurer.

Get ready for all the razzle-dazzle! Cirque: The Greatest Show Reimagined is landing at Harrogate Theatre (19 Oct) for one night only with a sparkling fusion of musical theatre hits and jaw-dropping circus acts. Think high-flying acrobats meets West End classics, in a show bursting with energy, colour and ooh-la-la moments.

Mythology, music and monsters? Yes please! The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical hits Bradford (21 – 25 Oct) with a bang. Followed by Princess Live! (27 Oct), where tiaras are compulsory, and the West End wonder Matilda come to the Alhambra Theatre (30 Oct – 23 Nov) with the perfect mix of magic, mischief and girl power.

Fancy solving a mystery? Join Opera North at the Leeds Grand Theatre (25 Oct) for The Big Opera Mystery, a fast-paced, fun-packed musical whodunnit designed for ages 5–12. Expect arias, antics and a theatrical twist on your favourite detective stories. Think Miss Marple, just make it mezzo-soprano.

The ultimate feel-good stage treat for tinies! The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show crawls into the Carriageworks, Leeds(29 Oct – 2 Nov) with 75 (!) adorable puppets bringing four Eric Carle favourites to life including Brown Bear, The Very Busy Spider, and of course, the big-eating star of the show himself.

FRESH AIR FUN

SPOOKY SHENANIGANS

THEATRE & MUSEUMS

IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?

Half term happenings: 30+ fun things to do this October

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