We’ve got lots of ideas & suggestions for days out & things to do during October half term for all ages from toddlers to teens including plenty of low cost, indoor & rainy day ideas for the holidays.
We also have plenty of ideas for Bonfire Night too!
As well as our special school holidays events don’t forget to check out our year round “Days Out” pages by clicking here
Date: Saturday 8th November 2025
Time: 17.00 until 20.30
Location: Oatlands Stray near St. Aidans School
For over 50 years Harrogate Round Table has organised the Charity Fireworks on the Stray, and this year, more than ever, they need the Harrogate public’s help to make this year’s event happen on Saturday 2nd November.
Harrogate Round Table’s members, supporters, friends, and family volunteer their time planning, setting up, managing, and tidying up the event every year. However, there are unavoidable costs of around £15,000 including the fireworks themselves, road traffic management, first aid provision, equipment, licensing etc. Many people think that the council puts on (or funds) the Stray Fireworks but that is not the case. In fact Harrogate RoundTable have to pay a £1,000 deposit to the council in order to put the event on. Every year the generous donations of the public not only cover the costs of the event, but generate a surplus in aid of a local charity.
The Harrogate Round Table are organisers of the Harrogate Stray Charity Fireworks. Being one of the few remaining fireworks events where an entry fee is not charged, Harrogate Round Table are reliant on the generosity of the public on the evening to donate as much as they can afford to this year’s supported charity.
Event Timings:
Entertainment – 5pm
Bonfire lit – 6.30pm
Fireworks – 7:15pm
The fireworks are held on the Stray alongside Oatlands Drive, close to St. Aidan’s School. There is no parking in the immediate vicinity so it is recommended that attendees arrive on foot.
The event is free to attend with a suggested minimum donation of £5 per person
October half term at Beningbrough – Harvest Heroes
Saturday 26 October – Sunday 3 November
Embark on an epic adventure through the walled garden! Seek out the eight hidden Harvest Heroes, mark them off on your spotter sheet and gather the secret letters. Once you’ve discovered them all, rearrange the letters to reveal the mystery harvest word.
Drop-in nature-related activities will be taking place on Tuesday 29 and Thursday 31 October in the American Garden.
Try out the wilderness play area where little (and big) explorers can test their climbing skills on two different clamber stacks. With slides for all ages, a climbing wall, and a rope bridge, there’s plenty of adventure to be had. Choose from a variety of swings, including a spacious cantilever bucket seat perfect for a group of friends. If you’re feeling creative, the den-building zone awaits for you to design your own woodland hideaway.
Don’t forget your coats and wellies—autumn fun often comes with a little mud and plenty of memories made.
Call in the hall and explore The Botanical World of Mary Delany art exhibition, practice your paper folding techniques in the origami room or experience the space using the sensory bags available.
Free entry for National Trust and RHS members and under-fives.
Open 10am – 5pm on 26 & 27 October, then 10am – 3.30pm from 28 October.
Photo credits: Annapurna Mellor
The Villains Lair is RETURNING this October for a SPOOKTACULAR time in the Masonic Hall, Harrogate! Sunday October 27th from 1pm – 3pm. Details below!
We have added a whole extra 30 minutes of time to this mischievious event, meaning The Villains Lair is now 2 Hours! You can also just pay a 50% deposit up front to secure your tickets, with the balance due just 3 days before the event
At just £23.95 per ticket you will get:
🎃1 child entry and a seat at one of our themed tables
🎃1 entry for the accompanying parent/carer (adult seating not guaranteed)
🎃A Trick-or-Treat goodie bag for each child
🎃Photo opportunies with each of our fabulous villain characters
🎃Plenty of sweet treats and refreshments throughout
🎃Lots and lots of fun musical games and craft activities
We have a line up of your favourite, fabulous villains including the return of that rogue Gaston, the dancing queens Mal & Evie from Descendants, and the notorious Captain Hook! Joining them this year will be the most stylish of the villains – Cruella de Vil, and the most famous Sea Witch of them all – Ursula!
For high quality costumes and performance from our dedicated team of actors, spend the Halloween weekend with these silly spooky villains and kick off the half term by joining us, at The Villains Lair!
Thinking about October half term already? So are we!
Start planning your visit to Fountains Abbey. Head on a mystical hunt and make some autumnal magic. The monks of Fountains Abbey used plants to heal illness and injuries… but what if plants had more than healing powers? What if a fallen conker, a prickly pinecone or a crisp fallen leaf were more than they seem? Bring your object back to Swanley Grange to discover what magic it might make and learn more about the magic of autumn.
There’s lots to do but don’t worry if you can’t fit it all in this time – we’ll be here another day! Become a member on your first visit and come back for free as many times as you’d like. For everything you need to know about visiting Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal this October half term – visit Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal | Yorkshire | National Trust
The BID has partnered with Odin Events to bring this new experience to the North Yorkshire town, transforming Library Gardens into a spooky Halloween haven.
The event, running on October 29th and 30th, will bring a traditional pumpkin patch right into the key town centre location, making it highly accessible for residents and visitors. Featuring plenty of pumpkins, straw furrows, picket fencing and decorative hay bales, it’s set to bring the feel of a traditional pumpkin patch into Harrogate.
A spooky trail will be placed in key areas of the town centre from October 25th until November 5th, which must be completed to access the pumpkin patch on the dates it is running. On the other dates, those that complete the trail can hand in their leaflet at the Everyman Cinema in Harrogate to be entered into a prize draw with a chance to win a family ticket for the Harrogate Ghost Walk.
Spooky street entertainment will also be on show for a series of mysterious performances during the Halloween period.
Morning sessions 10am-1pm, afternoon 2pm-5pm.
With jaw-dropping rides and amazing inflatables for all ages, Harrogate Indoor Funfair offers all the fun of the fair in an indoor, climate-controlled and family-friendly environment.
A huge inflatable obstacle course is coming to Harrogate for the first time later this month after being added to the line-up for Indoor Funfair.
The 200ft long course, Lava Zone, was enjoyed by thousands on a recent tour of the UK, and joins a range of fairground rides for the event at Yorkshire Event Centre this half-term.
There is also a cafe and baby changing facilities for families on-site.
Tickets on the door will be limited. We recommend booking online to avoid disappointment.
*Quieter session will be held onSunday 27th October at 10am
Football Freddie | TUE 29 OCT | 11am & 2pm | Ages 3-9
A warm and witty new show for children and their grown-ups about football, team-work and the joy of joining in.
Football Freddie tells the story of Freddie Farren, a little girl who loves football but is too nervous to join in a game in her local park. Out of a magical photograph steps Freddie’s Great-Great-Great Uncle Fred, a real footballer from the olden days. Uncle Fred takes Freddie back in time and they re-live footballing glories of old. With Uncle-Fred’s encouragement, Freddie renews her confidence and enthusiasm and everyone joins in a good old-fashioned kick around.
Football Freddie is a magical new show for children and their families. The production features playful storytelling, friendly audience participation and integrated audio description alongside original sound design and vibrant set and costumes.
Pumpkin picking at Horsforth Pick Your Own – opening on Saturday 28th September with dates throughout October right up to Halloween. With over 70 thousand pumpkins planted this year and lots of different varieties to choose from, pick your pumpkins from the field where they were grown. Whether you wish your pumpkin mini, small or even jumbo, warty, white, pink, blue, yellow or orange of course, the choice is yours.
The Kemp family have been farming in Horsforth for over 70 years. Come along to their pick your own and join in the Halloween fun – the tractor and trailer ride will take you down to the picking fields to start your pumpkin adventure. Pick up a wheelbarrow and off you go. There are lots of Halloween photo opportunities around the farm to add to the occasion. Afterwards our talented face painters are ready to transform you (for an additional cost) into your Halloween favourite. Our pop-up café will also be open for refreshments.
Online booking is required with all dates, opening hours and prices detailed on the book now page of our website. Ticket prices include car parking, entrance and the tractor and trailer ride.
Come along and experience some Halloween magic with us.
Horsforth Pick Your Own, West End Lane, Horsforth LS18 5ES.
Saturday 26th October
Join us for a spooktakular event this Halloween and enjoy a festive day filled with pumpkin picking, tricks, treats and lots of autumn magic.
Enjoy a wonderful family event this spooky season and help make a difference and brighten children’s lives in Leeds!
Our Pumpkin Festival is a ticketed event with all proceeds directly supporting Leeds Children’s Charity at Lineham Farm and the young people we work with. All ticket donations will support us in welcoming as many children as possible for a Halloween Holiday event throughout October Half Term!
Hocus Pocus Halloween at Mother Shipton’s: 26th of October to the 3rd of November 2024
It’s just a bunch of Hocus Pocus! Get ready to be spellbound this Halloween at Mother Shipton’s, from the 26th of October to the 3rd of November, join us for a bewitching adventure with our ‘Hocus Pocus’ themed event, inspired by the iconic, spooky Halloween film.
Step into a world of enchantment as you explore themed displays featuring witches, mysterious cauldrons and magical spells being cast by our characterful actors. Engage in SPOOKTACULAR activities and capture the magic of the season with our terror-ific photo opportunities. Share your haunting photos with us on social media using #mothershiptons for a chance to win free tickets to come back again!
As England’s Oldest Tourist Attraction, Mother Shipton’s offers something for the whole family. Explore the birthplace of the Yorkshire Prophetess Mother Shipton, marvel at the incredible Petrifying Well, and let the little ones unleash their imagination in our Adventure Playground (weather permitting). Indulge in scrumptious treats from our vintage-style kiosks, including hot dogs, sweet treats, and warming beverages.
Take a moment to relax, with plenty of covered picnic benches offering scenic views of the autumnal landscape. And don’t forget to bring your furry friends along for a picturesque mile-long walk along the River Nidd.
Booking is essential
Two Spooktacular Halloween Parties, Sunday 27th Oct 2024.
We have two of the most Spooktacular Halloween themed Parties for you with fun awarding winning entertainment, fabulous engaging characters & fabulous theming.
Look what they Include:
( Please note this year the music will be reduced for this Under 5’s party)
Face Painting not included* ( Please purchase separate ticket)
Characters included at the unders 5’s party will be Stitch, Wizards, Marshmallow Man, Winnie and Dracula Mickey plus others
Over 5’s Characters include BeetleJuice, Descendants Mal, Ghostbuster, Winnie plus others
Early Bird Tickets available now Only £12.50 per child Tickets
Ready to Pedal learn to ride classes come to Harrogate this October Half
Term
Do you want your child to ride a pedal bike without stabilisers?
Ready Steady Pedal classes are coming to Harrogate (at Oatlands Infant
School) this October Half Term. Thanks to opening schools’ facilities
funding we can offer 2 hours of learn to ride training for only £18.
During this time your child will learn to balance, then pedal and if
able will move on to additional skills such as setting off, braking &
steering.
Bike hire available on request. Open to primary school aged children.
To book your place visit our website www.readysteadypedal.co.uk, click
on ‘Camps’ and ‘Harrogate Holiday Ready Steady Pedal’
Ready Steady Pedal Ltd are an experienced cycle coaching company who
have taught over 10,000 children to learn to ride a bike. All coaches
are British Cycling or National Standards qualified.
26 October – 3 November 2024
Have a wicked half term at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, with Halloween-inspired activities for your little monsters!
Discover deadly plants on a family garden trail, take part in spooky craft activities and Forest School, meet some weird and wonderful creatures with ZooLab and enjoy enchanting tales from the Garden Detectives.
Garden admission applies; free to RHS members and children under 5. Activities are included with garden admission (unless marked *).
Spilmans Pumpkin Festival 2024
Included in your event ticket (£6.50 per person, Under 2s free – 10% discount for groups of five or more):
Pre-booking/time slot is required but you can stay on the farm for as long as you like to enjoy the event.
Dates: 28 & 29 September, 5, 6, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 30 & 31 October 2024
More information & book tickets here
Additional activities (£6 for 4 or £8 for 7) include Giant pipe rolling – Barrel Train -Carving tent – Tractor & trailer rides – Corn Cannon – Pumpkin Sling Shot – Spooky Walk
PLUS! Fairground rides (charges apply) – On-site car parking – Take-away food & drink options!
Wear warm clothing and suitable footwear as the farm can get muddy and if it’s rained, very slippery underfoot. Wellies and waterproofs are highly recommended!
In addition, we also have Back To Basics dates, Pumpkin Nights, and a very special Fireworks Extravaganza on 27th October (pumpkin picking experience with a live orchestrated firework display) – further details on the Mumbler blog here
Church Farm, Sessay YO7 3NB
Stone Age Workshops
Listen to captivating stories about early human life, make stone age crafts using traditional methods and see first-hand what tools were used in the Stone Age demonstrations.
Halloween Trail
Venture into the shadowy depths of the ancient caverns, find the clues and solve the spooky riddles to win a prize! (The trail quiz is included with every child’s ticket)
Ultraviolet Caves
After 3pm the lights in the caverns are turned off and you can explore the glowing caves in the dark. You are provided with a UV torch that reacts with the calcite causing it to fluoresce.
Fossil Digs
Our fantastic fossil digs take place in our cosy cinema between 12:30-1:30pm every day throughout the half term. See our impressive fossil collection and press your own clay ammonites!
Best Costume competition
Come dressed in your spookiest, most creative Halloween costume and you could win a special prize! We’ll be awarding a prize to the best costume, so make sure you bring your A-game and join in the fun.
Sunday 20 October Huddersfield Town Hall
Tuesday 29 October Leeds Grand Theatre
Recommended for families with children aged 5 to 12 years old
Can you help to stop a struggling theatre from closing? The final show is over and it’s time to lock up the building. But a whole host of operatic characters are on a mission to save the theatre, and they need your help! Solve clues, unravel riddles and sing along in this new interactive show, as you meet fairy tale characters, animals and even a grandfather clock. With music from the Orchestra of Opera North, this is a fun and engaging opportunity for families to dive into the world of opera.
Tickets Adults from £12, Under 16s from £6*
Running time Approximately 50 minutes
Language Sung in English with English subtitles**
Accessibility BSL interpreted performances
*Prices vary by venue. Booking fees may apply.
**Excluding 20 Oct.
The Harrogate Bus Company operates buses in and around the city of Harrogate and across north Yorkshire. In particular, it runs the award-winning line 36, which connects Harrogate, Ripon and Leeds with buses every 10 minutes throughout the day.
Our signature style and attention to detail is all about giving you, our customer, a relaxed, enjoyable and great value journey – and, as a research-led business, with all our decisions handled quickly and locally, we always welcome your feedback about everything we do.
With regular buses running to Leeds, Knaresborough, Wetherby, Ripon, Pateley Bridge, Knaresborough and throughout Harrogate catching the bus is the perfect way to start your family day out.
All fares are no more than £2.
For little ones we have our own free to join Bright Sparks Club .
Join today and you’ll get your Bright Spark’s Club bus pass in the post within a few weeks!
As the spooky season approaches, we are excited to announce our October half-term schedule, packed with fun-filled activities for your little ones! There’s something for everyone, from thrilling Halloween discos to specially designed camps for different age groups. Here’s what we have lined up:
Pre-Walkers Halloween & Under 3’s Halloween Party
Thursday, 24th October. Price: £15 per session. Pre-Walkers: 11:30 – 13:00, Walkers under 3: 13:30 – 15:00
Bring your little pumpkins to a special Halloween celebration just for them! These gentle, engaging sessions are perfect for introducing your little ones to the spooky fun of Halloween in a safe and age-appropriate way.
Halloween Disco/Party – all ages under 12.
What better way to celebrate Halloween than with a spooktacular disco? Come dressed in your favorite costume and prepare for an evening of dancing, games, and Halloween Fun!
Tuesday 29th or Wednesday 30th October: 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm. Price: £15 per child.
Both discos are filled with fun activities to get your child into the Halloween spirit. Book early to secure your spot, as spaces are limited!
With Tropical World decorated for Halloween, come and explore our indoor zoo. Uncover a host of spooky animal skeletons hidden in our mangroves, rainforest and enclosures, and discover interesting facts along our trail.
There’s keeper talks at 2pm daily in the Activity Room, with children’s crafts to keep the little ones busy. The shop will feature a host of scary spiders and snakes, as well as toys, books and games.
Halloween treats and drinks will be on offer in the Tropical World Café and Tropical Lookout will have freshly made stone baked pizzas – weather permitting! Find out more at https://bit.ly/TropicalWorldEvents
Download the free Love Exploring app by visiting https://loveexploring.co.uk and take part in our Halloween Trail in Canal Gardens, where spooky creatures come to life and entertain you with their antics! While you’re visiting, why not check out the new sculpture trail in Roundhay Park. A series of eight beautifully carved, felled beech trees, created by local artist Shane Green who specialises in chainsaw carving. Each piece representing the animals and wildlife you can discover in the park. Pick up a trail sheet map in Tropical World and enjoy the short walk to the start of the trail, inside the park.
Tropical World is ideal for both adults and children, with under 3s having free admission. There’s free parking a short walk away, and disabled parking on Princes Avenue just outside the entrance. Find out more at https://bit.ly/TropicalWorldEvents
The Yolk Farm PYO Pumpkin Patch Is Back!
It’s that spook-tacular time of year again and Yolk Farm are pulling out all the stops. Pick your own pumpkin in the amazing pumpkin patch, complete with spooky selfie spots and surprises galore. Fancy dress encouraged! Last year, this event was super popular, so book earlier to avoid disappointment! Then spend the day enjoying free range fun, a delicious brunch in the cafe or stock up on seasonal produce in Minskip Farm Shop. It’s a brilliantly affordable day out for the whole flock.
Weekends only: 5th/6th October, 12th/13th October 2024
Then daily from 19th October- 31st October 2024
TIMES: 10am-3pm
Price: £6.50 per child (including a medium pumpkin to take home!) OR book with Yard Play Barn entry for only £9.00. Adults don’t pay unless they are picking a pumpkin to take home.
Grab a wheelbarrow and enjoy a wander through our beautiful pumpkin patch to find your perfect pumpkin. Whether you’re after a ginormous orange pumpkin to carve, a delicious eating pumpkin to cook with, or a quirky candle pumpkin to decorate we’ve got the pumpkin for you – keep an eye out for our beautiful leopard print ones! We grow all our pumpkins here on our family farm and farmers David and Rob will be in the field to answer all your questions about how we grow them.
There are picture perfect backdrops throughout the pumpkin patch – enter through our famous pumpkin door, then wander through the patch and spot our vintage tractor, bale sofa, and our new pumpkins house!
We’ll have our huge bale mountain to climb (adults welcome!) so you can get the best view of the pumpkin patch. We also have our pumpkin wash, toy tractors and pumpkin games for all the family to play together!
Our pop up pumpkin café will be back, as well as the delicious Stable Pizza Co.
Please book your tickets in advance online, tickets are £1.50 per person and include all activities (pumpkins extra). Everyone needs a ticket except babes in arms.
Yorkshire Pumpkins is open 5th & 6th October, 12th & 13th October, 19th & 20th October then every day 24th-31st October from 10am to 4pm.
Lodge Farm, Cundall, York YO61 2RN
A great place to visit at Halloween! Billy Bob’s really know how to put the spook into SPOOKtacular!
Open daily from 9am – 6pm. Booking essential.
01756 711826
Join us for an unforgettable outdoor Halloween Silent Disco on Sunday 27th October from 3:00-5:00pm at The Kingfisher Kiosk at Conyngham Hall! Dance to your favourite spooky sounds with wireless headphones, enjoy great company, and experience an afternoon of music like never before. All ages welcome! Food and drink available from The Kingfisher Kiosk. £7.50 per person
Join us for an unforgettable outdoor Halloween Party on Thursday 31st October at The Kingfisher Kiosk at Conyngham Hall! Lots of party games, arts and crafts, and fun! All ages welcome. Food and drink available from The Kingfisher Kiosk. £2 per child.
Join us for a spooktacular half-term packed with magical family activities. Kids Go Free (0-15). Create Halloween memories at the NYMR with thrilling events at our stations which are sure to enchant any young witch or wizard.
Pickering Station Park Street Pickering YO18 7AJ
T: 01751 472508
Open every October weekend and daily 26 October- 3 November 2024
All the fun and excitement of the Wild West in a safe enclosed space!
