31 family-friendly Halloween days out for kids in 2023

Spooky stories and wicked witches are at the heart of Stonor's Park spine-tingling Halloween event, where brave explorers can take on the new Halloween scavenger hunt for 2023. Winding through the woodland that surrounds Tumblestone Hollow adventure playground, tick off spooky items, solve mystical riddles, and beware of the Moon Witch hiding in the shadows! As well as the scavenger hunt and playground, Stonor's autumnal walled garden is open and visitors can sink their teeth into traditional Halloween pumpkin carving, choosing their favourite from the dedicated Pumpkin Patch.
When: Until 29 Oct 23
Where: Tumblestone Hollow, Stonor Park, Henley-on-Thames RG9 6HF

Lilidorei becomes Spookydorei this Halloween! Go along dressed as your favourite Halloween character, and be in with a chance to win a return visit at Christmas with your family. Unlock the spooky stories of Lilidorei with our Story Keepers; get a bespoke Lilidorei Halloween bag; and go Trick or Treating from the troublesome and helpful Clans in the village with the Secret Keepers! Head to Lilidorei later in the day, between 27 October and 4 November (3:30pm-8pm) to experience the full effects of Lilidorei at dusk, with specially curated immersive sounds and spectacular lighting around the village. Spooky!
When: Until 5 Nov 23
Where: Lilidorei at The Alnwick Garden, Gardeners Cottage, Greenwell Road, Alnwick NE66 1FJ

Head to Warner Bros Studio Tour: the Making of Harry Potter to see the Great Hall covered with more than 100 floating pumpkins as well as a Halloween feast of lollipops and red apples dressing the long tables. Look out for the Dark Mark between the imposing trees of the Forbidden Forest or hidden within the turrets of the enchanting Hogwarts Castle model. Try your wand combat moves against Death Eaters in a live duel demonstrating how battle scenes were directed.
When: Until 5 Nov 23
Where: Warner Bros Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter, Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, Watford WD25 7LR

There’s pumpkin picking, den building, scarecrow smashing, pig racing, a phantom blaster tractor ride, and a magic show to enjoy at the Skylark Week of Wickedness. Don’t forget your best fancy dress if you want to take part in the daily fancy dress competitions…
When: Until 29 Oct 23
Where: Skylark, Manea Road, Wimblington, March, PE15 0PE

Things are getting spooky at Chessington this October, with a Fa-BOO-lous Halloween event. There's a Forgotten Forest walk, a spellbinding witch-themed dance show, and various spooktacular characters to meet around the resort. Older kids will love the frightening Creepy Caves: Resurgence experience. 
When: Until 30 Oct 29
Where: Chessington World of Adventures, Leatherhead Road, Chessington KT9 2NE

Drusillas Park promises lots of fang-tactic treats this Halloween, including the chance to meet some truly scary spiders, slimy molluscs and other creepy crawlies in the Discovery Centre. The park will be decorated with pumpkins and other fantastic Halloween treats; wear your scariest fancy dress, and don’t miss the haunted haybayles: the perfect place for a Halloween selfie.
When: Until 29 Oct 23
Where: Drusillas Park, Alfriston Rd, East Sussex BN26 5QS

Celebrate Halloween on the water this year. Don your best fancy dress and head out in illuminated canoes onto the Beaulieu River at nightfall on this 90 minute, canoeing tour with New Forest Activities. Paddle the dark waters by moonlight, stopping along the way to hear ghoulish ghost stories from your nighttime guide. Hot chocolate and Halloween candy will be available for everyone taking part.
When: Until 31 Oct 23
Where: Bailey's Hard, Beaulieu, Hampshire, SO42 7YF

Are you brave enough to explore the spooky interactive trail at WWT London Wetland Centre? Discover an eek!citing and mysterious world of wetland nature this October. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears pricked and engage all your senses as you make your way around the wetlands for a truly eek!citing experience. Do you dare put your hand in a snake box, grab a photo op with a bat or get up close and personal with a toad? It’s a weirdly wild day out for the whole family.
When: Until 29 Oct 23
Where: WWT London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth Walk, London SW13 9WT

Happy Halloween at Paultons Park in Hampshire is the friendliest, most fun fright fest in the UK. Peppa Pig World is transformed for 2022's enchanting seasonal festivities. Meet Peppa and George in their spooky outfits and enjoy lots of fun Peppa-themed Halloween decorations.
When: Until 30 Oct 23
Where: Paultons Park, Ower, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 6AL

Meet the famous Witches of Warwick and find out which secret spells they are concocting in their cauldron. Explore the mysterious legends of Warwick castle, with eerie experiences around every corner, and uncover the gruesome truths of history in the Horrible Histories maze.
When: Until 5 Nov 23 
Where: Warwick Castle, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 6AH

Dare you visit one of Britain's most haunted castles this Halloween? Visit Muncaster Castle and you'll be treated to a Scary Maze, fire juggling shows, axe throwing, kids crafts, lantern parades, rag tag arts, spooky science sessions and a Zombie Shootout!
When: 21-29 Oct 23
Where: Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass, Cumbria, CA18 1RD

This Halloween, celebrate 16 years of Scarefest. As the nights get longer, tiptoe into Alton Towers Resort for all sorts of creepy scares, shocks and thrills. Brave Alton Towers spook-tacular Halloween shows and enjoy the theme park’s gardens by night, as you’ve never seen them before. Daring souls can try facing hair-raising rides in the dark, plus you can get lost in one of four award-winning, terrifying mazes… Younger families can enjoy live shows including the CBeebies Monster Ball and the Freaky Fun Zone characters and shows. 
When: Until 31 Oct 23
Where: Alton Towers Theme Park, Alton Towers Resort, Alton, Staffordshire, ST10 4DB

See the cast that stormed into the finals of Britain's Got Talent as Circus of Horrors comes to Blackpool Pleasure Beach this Halloween. Enjoy a rock n' rollercoaster ride of unbelievable, bizarre and beautiful acts in a show that will have your whole family sitting right on the edge of their seats.
When: 26-31 Oct 23
Where: Blackpool Pleasure Beach, 525 Ocean Boulevard, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 1EZ

Step on board the East Lancashire Railway’s ‘fright’ train for a ghoulishly good time with the railway’s our horrible heroes, Count Brian the vampire, Veronica the witch and Zombie Bob. Enjoy an interactive train journey with colourful characters that is jam-packed scares and surprises. Fancy dress is definitely encouraged – who will be the scariest wolf, witch or warlock? – and there will be lots of terrifying treats on offer at our station buffet.
When: 26-28 Oct 22
Where: The East Lancashire Railway, Bolton Street Station, Bury, Lancashire, BL9 0EY

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Towering Tree Giants will take root at the Eden Project in Cornwall on a special quest this Halloween – they need your help to protect the world's forests. Uncover their hiding places and discover ancient wisdom, extraordinary tales and enchanting performances. Get up close to hear their secrets and learn how to become a forest guardian. There are 3 giants to discover around the Eden Project site, the biggest standing at a staggering 8 metres tall! Each of the giants is interactive and has its own enchanting story to discover. Plus, look out for immersive storytelling and performances, wand-making workshops and ice skating at Eden's spooky ice rink.
When: 18-29 Oct 23
Where: Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, PL24 2SG

Take a family challenge through 10 different, themed escape rooms, including Gru's House, Pumpkin Party, Shark Attack, Dino Domain, and a Ghost Ship. Totally Gruesome is fun and spooky, but not scary, so will suit all ages. It's a perfect Halloween treat for primary schoolers, without any nasty tricks ...
When: 20-26 Oct 23
Where: Totally Gruesome, Walkden town centre, Manchester M28 3ZH

Walk in the freaky footsteps of ghosts and ghouls this October at Black Country Living Museum's Halloween Nights. Follow the trick or treat stations around the 26-acre site and along the way, discover some more spooky spectacles. Dance the night away at the Monster Bash, follow the story trail and meet some of the museum's creepy creatures, all before strutting your stuff in a costume parade. Whether you’re a grown-up ghoul or a tiny terror, there’s plenty of fun for all the family at BCLM’s Halloween Nights.
When: 28-31 Oct 23
Where: Black Country Living Museum Trust, Tipton Road, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 4SQ

There's so much going on at Colchester Zoo this Halloween. Look out for the Shriek Week this October half term, a week filled with spook-tacular daytime activities suitable for children of all ages. Let your little one transform into a scary witch or creepy vampire at the Face Painting Station or create wands and potions with the good witches and wizards at the Witches' Coven. There's spooky stories on the Lost Madagascar Road Train, and swamp detective trails around the zoo where you could win an Animal Experience.
When: Until 29 Oct 23
Where: Colchester Zoo, Maldon Road, Stanway, Heckfordbridge, Colchester CO3 0SL

See the woods in a whole new light at Bewilderwood's most enchanting event of the year, The Glorious Glowing Lantern Parade. Adventure through a spectacular light extravaganza and watch the story of Bewilderwood unfold as you journey through the woods down mysterious paths exclusive to this event.
When: Until 31 Oct 23
Where: Bewilderwood, Malpas, Bickley Moss, Cheshire, Whitchurch SY13 4JF

Pick up a skeleton mask to begin your Funnybones-inspired adventure around the grounds of Mottisfont National Trust property in Hampshire. Take part in 'eerie exercises' and guess what's inside the trick or treat boxes. Shuffle bones to create creatures and craft your own dog skeleton to take home. The trail map will direct you to different areas of the gardens to complete the activities. You can visit the stations in any order; the whole trail and exhibition can take you a couple of hours. Activities are aimed at ages 3 to 12, but there's plenty for adults and younger children to enjoy, including a simple 'spotter' trail for little ones.
When: Until 5 Nov 23
Where: Mottisfont, Mottisfont Lane, Mottisfont, Romsey SO51 0LP

The iconic Disney film Hocus Pocus will be presented live in concert this Autumn, just in time for Halloween at the Hammersmith Eventim Apollo in London and at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. The perfect Halloween treat, Hocus Pocus in Concert will feature a screening of the complete film with Emmy-winning composer John Debney's musical score performed live to the spooky classic film. Hocus Pocus is a PG-rated film, so this concert is best for kids aged around 10 and up.
When and where: 29 Oct, Hammersmith Eventim Apollo in London; 31 Oct, Bridgewater Hall in Manchester

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Treat your little ones to a spine-tingling visit to Hever Castle this Halloween. Come dressed up in your spookiest outfit, listen to traditional ghost stories and spot Halloween decorations around the grounds. Look out for witches, spiders, skeletons and bats to find letters spelling out a mystery word; plant garlic bulbs in a free family-friendly workshop; and don't miss Aragog the spider. You will know when you see him!
When: 21-29 Oct 23
Where: Hever Castle, Hever, Edenbridge TN8 7NG

Let your little monsters run wild on the fang-tastic Howl-oween trail at the Bristol Zoo Project. Explore the site in all its 'gory' and learn about animal bones, skulls and x-rays. Enter the witches' campsite, if you dare, listen to their spooky stories and get stuck into creepy craft making. The Howl-oween trail and activities are included in admission and under 2s go free. Enjoy fascinating myth-busting talks about the wolves and bears in Bear Wood, led by the zoo’s animal experts. At the end of the trail there’s a little 'trick or treat' surprise!
When: Until 5 Nov 23
Where: Bristol Zoo Project, Blackhorse Hill, Bristol BS10 7TP

There's so much going on at Raby Castle near Darlington this Halloween. Look out for the Mischievous Mog Halloween Trail in the Deer Park. Mog the cat has stolen the sorcerers magical hat, and she's been causing mayhem in the Deer Park! Can you help the Witch find Mog and their hat? Solve riddles along the way, but don't let that cheeky Mog lead you astray! There's a second Halloween trail in the Plotters' Forest playground: look out for spooky spiders, wicked witches and creaking skeletons through the pine tree plantation. Collect the creepy clues and win a tasty treat from The Plotters’ Pantry if you complete the trail.
When: Until 5 Nov 23
Where: Raby Castle, Staindrop, Darlington DL2 3AH

The Audley End Spooktacular is spooky fun but not scary, and so will suit even the smallest of monsters. Take a train ride through the woods to meet some witches and their cheeky monster friends. You’ll meet Belinda the Fortune Telling Witch, William the Woodland Wizard and still have time to visit the adventure play area afterwards. Don’t forget to wear your most frightening fancy dress!
When: 21-31 Oct 23
Where: Audley End Miniature Railway, Audley End Road, Audley End, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4JB

Join the Paisley Halloween Festival this Halloween 2023. There’ll be a series of spectacular installations that are 'Out of This World' popping up across Paisley town centre over three days.
When: 26-28 Oct 23
Where: Paisley, Renfrewshire

Throughout October, take part in a ghost hunt at Dino Park in Dumfries. Come in fancy dress, and take part in a competition, plus enjoy many other seasonal spooky activities along the way.
When: throughout Oct 23
Where: Dino Park, Hetland Garden Centre, Carrutherstown, Dumfries DG1 4JX

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Be part of Europe's largest Halloween Festival as the Walled City of Derry welcomes the spirit of Samhain through its historic gates for halloween. For four nights the worlds of past and present collide to bring you a dazzling street celebration of all things spooky in the official home of Halloween. Follow the Awakening the Walled City Trail and find out more about the folklore, history and heritage that makes this place so special. The story of Halloween is brought to life through illumination, aerial performance, pyrotechnics and music, as the spirits cross over to join the festivities, bringing magic and mischief to the streets.
When: 28-31 Oct 23
Where: Derry Halloween, Derry-Londonderry, Donegal and Strabane

Visit Pickie Funpark in Bangor this Halloween to explore the pumpkin patch and jump onboard the Pickie Puffer Ghost Train, complete with a zombie conductor! After a ghostly train ride, make your way to the Halloween pumpkin patch; find your perfect pumpkin, then take it to the carving area where staff will help you create a masterpiece.
When: 27-30 Oct 23
Where: Pickie Funpark, Marine Gardens, Bangor, BT20 5AG

Choose between daytime fun for toddlers at Fonmon Castle, with Halloween Toddler Daytime (dress up for gentle Halloween games); and the Halloween Haunted Gardens for the older kids, where you can brave the interactive horror gardens every evening from 14 October to Halloween itself. Spooky!
When: Until 31 Oct 23
Where: Fonmon Castle, Fonmon, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales CF62 3ZN

Head to The Silver Mountain Experience at spookiest time of year, and you can enjoy a guided tours, and if you're feeling brave, take on The Black Chasm (where myths, legends and history are brought to life in a thrilling underground adventure for over 10s). There's plenty for younger kids to enjoy too, including pumpkin carving, colouring competitions, a Witches Potion Halloween Trail and a storyteller with some spooky ghost stories to tell ...
When: Until 3 Nov 23
Where: Silver Mountain Experience, Llywernog, Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth SY23 3AB