YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST OCTOBER HALF TERM ACTIVITIES
Find Out What’s On This Halloween & Autumn season Around the Ripon, Easingwold, Boroughbridge, and Thirsk Area
Don’t miss out on the best things to do this October half term holidays.
October half term is the perfect time for families to explore everything Yorkshire has to offer. With its mix of natural beauty, historic charm, and family-friendly attractions, there’s something to keep everyone entertained during the autumn break.
Enjoy crisp autumn walks through colourful woodlands, explore scenic countryside trails, or head to the coast for windswept beach adventures. Many parks and outdoor spaces offer themed nature trails, ideal for keeping young minds active and engaged.
Yorkshire heartland towns inlcuding Ripon, Boroughbridge, Thirsk, Easingwold, Masham, Bedale, and Knaresborough offer a rich history that also makes for learning disguised as fun. Castles, museums, and heritage sites often run hands-on activities perfect for curious kids. Indoors, you’ll find creative workshops, seasonal crafts, and interactive exhibits that make the most of the cooler weather.
For families who love a bit of Halloween fun, the October half term holidays are full of spooky-themed activities, from pumpkin patches and carving and bonfire night celebrations to ghost walks and haunted storytelling. Whether you’re seeking adventure or a more relaxed pace, Yorkshire offers countless options to make the school holidays memorable, with an array of days out and October half term holiday camps on offer.
Plan ahead, dress for the weather, and get ready to create some autumn magic with your family this half term in Yorkshire.
See our other pages for Pumpkin Picking Spots, Autumnal Colours, Halloween Events, Bonfire Night Celebrations, and October Half Term Holiday Camps.
Dark Skies Fringe Festival 2025, North Yorkshire Moors
Over the October Half Term, several stargazing, night experiences, and fun educational events are happening. Visit the North Yorkshire Moors website for more details.
Family Halloween Trail at Ripon Museums
Enjoy a spooky trail where children can hunt for hidden bats and rats around the museum sites. On from 26th October to 3rd November.
Fountains by Floodlight, Fountains Abbey, Near Ripon
The well-known Fountains by Floodlight ticketed event will be happening on Saturday 25 October, Sunday 26 October, Saturday 31 October, and Friday 1 November 2025. See the abbey lit up, explore by torchlight, and enjoy food and drinks from street vendors.
Frightwater Valley Spooktacular at Lightwater Valley, Near Ripon
The annual Halloween spooktacular, Frightwater Valley, returns on 11th October, 18th October, 19th October, and the 25th October to 1st November. This year, the theme is ‘Valley of the Clowns’. Children can enjoy exhilerating rides amongst a Halloween-themed park.
Halloween Adventures at The Fordbidden Corner, Leyburn
This October, enter a realm of enchantment, mystery, and Halloween mischief at The Forbidden Corner! From the 1st to the 31st of October, the famous folly will be given a haunting makeover, complete with spooky decorations, creepy creatures, giant spiders, ghostly visitors, and plenty of frightful surprises hiding around every corner.
Halloween at Mother Shipton’s Cave, Knaresborough
Explore themed displays, take haunting photos, enjoy the autumnal colours, and meet live actors who resemble a popular television gothic family. Wander the magical mile-long trail along the River Nidd, where dogs are welcome in all areas excluding the playground and gift shop (with the exception of guide/assistance dogs). Then tuck into hot dogs, pies, soup, coffee, and marshmallows toasted on our fire pits.
Halloween at Stockeld Park, Wetherby
Explore the Halloween themed forest trail with the help of the Woodland Witches, go pumpkin picking, explore the Monster Maze or go to battle in the Laser Zombie experience.
Halloween Outdoor Cinema at Harewood House, Near Wetherby
Choose from Beetlejuice (12A) on Friday 24th October or Hocus Pocus Spooktacular (PG) on Saturday 25th October.
Halloween Trail at Thorp Perrow, Bedale
Enjoy the autumnal colours of the arboretum, the bird of prey demonstrations, and a spooky halloween trail from 4th October to 2nd November.
Harvest-themed Family Craft Sessions at RHS Harlow Carr
On Monday 27th to Friday 31st October between 1.30 – 3.30 pm, the RHS Learning Centre are hosting some pumpkin-inspired, creative family workshops to celebrate the magic of harvest time. Suitable for ages 4+. Visit the RHS website for more details.
Knaresborough Knightmares Halloween Ghost Walk
This spooky, 90-minute tour takes place on Wednesday 29th October 2025, at 7.00 pm, starting from Knaresborough Market Place. The walk features local ghost stories, tales of hauntings, and historical figures like Guy Fawkes, with all proceeds donated to local charities. Tickets are £6 for adults and £3 for under 16s and can be purchased in advance. Visit their website or Facebook page for more details.
Knaresborough Scarecrow Trail 2025
The Knaresborough Scarecrow Trail for 2025 is returning this October half term with 24 “spooky” scarecrows hidden around town. Visitors can buy a £3 map from various local businesses, including Knaresborough Pop Up, Painting Pots Knaresborough, Ye Olde Chemist Shoppe, and The Crystal Buddha.
Made in Motor City Live Show, Masham Community Centre
Fancy being out of the house on Halloween but not trick or treating? Then watch an eight-piece band recreate the sounds of the Motor City. If you’re a fan of The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Martha Reeves, The Marvelettes, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson and the rest of Motown’s legendary, this is a show not to be missed. Tickets £15.00. Doors at 7.00 pm.
Make Your Own Broomstick at Brimham Rocks, Near Harrogate
Calling all witches and wizards! Who needs a broom this Halloween?! In this hands-on workshop held between 10.00 am and 3.15 pm on 29th and 30th October, children can craft their very own broomsticks using the natural materials felled on Brimham Rocks’ moor. Ideal for imaginative play and autumn adventures, the broom workshop costs just £7.50 each. Recommended age is 7+ and children must be accompanied by adults. Advance booking is highly recommended. Visit the National Trust website for more details.
October Half Term Saturday Crafternoon, Boroughbridge Library
On 1st November, 1.30 pm – 3.00pm, ages 4 – 9 years can enjoy fun Halloween themed craft activities at Boroughbridge Library. Booking ahead is advised. £2 per child.
October Half Term Saturday Crafternoon, Ripon Library
On 25th October, 12.30 pm – 1.30pm, ages 4 – 9 years can enjoy a free seasonal craft activity at Ripon Library. No need to book ahead.
Pop‑Up Pumpkin Patch & Trail, Ripon Market Square
Ripon’s historic Market Square will transform into a pop-up pumpkin celebration. Instagram-worthy shots and seasonal warmth – all for free on 30th and 31st October.
Pumpkin Patch Nights at Monk Park Farm, Thirsk
On the 17th, 18th, 24th & 25th October, from 5.00 pm – 9.00 pm, you can visit a glowing, lantern-lit, pumpkin patch wonderland with live music, a licensed bar, carnival games and after-dark fun.
Spooked Out! Family Ghost Trail at Ryedale Museum, Hutton le Hole
Find all the ghosts hiding amongst the museum between Saturday 18th October and Sunday 2nd November.
Spooky Scarecrow Mystery at Harewood House, Near Wetherby
From 25th October to 2nd November, Harewood House is hosting a spooky Halloween adventure for children aged 7 years and up. Kids will enjoy following the clues to solve the puzzles hidden at each scarecrow, and uncover the culprit behind the haunting spell, with a prize given to those who crack the code.
Sutton Bank Bikes 2025 Kids Time Trial Championship
Book your spot in this children’s cycling time trail event on Saturday 25th October. Suitable for balance bikes through to experienced riders.
War of the Cheeses, Grewelthorpe Village Hall
On Saturday 1st November at 6.30 pm, join the local community in a cheese tasting event where Yorkshire cheeses are pitted against Lancashire cheeses in this War of The Roses, cheese style!
Wizard Academy at Monk Park Farm, Thirsk
The much-loved Wizard Academy returns from 27th October to 2nd November, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm. Young witches and wizards can enjoy broomstick lessons, wand making, potion classes, and Squidditch! plus a full-day of farm activities.
Woodland School at Swinton Estate, Ripon
On 31st October, Yorkshire Forest Folk is hosting a woodland school interactive workshop at Swinton Estate.
Zoolab! Animal Encounters at RHS Harlow Carr
On Monday 27th to Friday 31st October between 11.00 am and 2.15 pm in bookable slots, you can get up close with some Halloween creepy crawlies and learn how they interact with the RHS pumpkins. Booking required. £2.50 per child. Must be accompanied by an adult. Visit the RHS website for more details.
October Half-term Activities in York, Harrogate, and beyond
Castle Courtyard Food Market, Ripley Castle
Hosted by Real Markets, this independent monthly food market showcases and celebrates local, small-scale producers and suppliers. It is happening on 26th October.
Castle Howard’s Amazing Autumn, York
Follow the pumpkin trail around the house, help the garden volunteers plant bulbs, watch The Skelves perform their play, The Great Pumpkin Adventure, or enjoy a night tour of the house. In addition, you can take in the beautiful and bold autumn colours, marvel at the magnificent art and architecture inside the house, explore the Skelf Island Adventure Playground, and enjoy the variety of food, drink, and seasonal shopping available.
Dark Saga Tours by Jorvik Centre, York
Adults add a fright to their date nights with a Halloween adult-only tour. These immersive storytelling events occur around a recreation of Viking-age Coppergate.
Dig York’s Dragon School
Dig have a brand-new exhibition, Cressida Cowell’s How to Train Your Dragon School, which brings the Isle of Berk vividly to life. This exciting exhibition is perfect for children aged 5–12 years, and involved a selection of fun, hands-on activities. If you’re looking for something less scary, this is a great option.
Echoes of Yorkshire: The Museum Illuminated by Luxmuralis, York
From Friday 24 October to Sunday 2 November 2025, between 6.00 pm to 8.30pm, you can enjoy a 1 hour multiple looping art installation. Experience the gardens’ history from the Roman period to its time as an Abbey, and discover the Yorkshire Museum collection spanning 60 million years. Suitable for the whole family.z
Gentle Halloween at Dreamery Gardens, York
Enjoy the Dreamery Gardens and museum into dusk and dark. Celebrate the season with lanterns, lights, and torches in the gardens, and our autumn grottos. Enjoy the Dreamery café bar or book onto a guided lantern walk.
Ghosts in the Garden, York
York BID’s award-winning Ghosts in the Gardens returns from Friday 19 September 2025 with nearly 60 ghosts set to be on display. This free family-friendly event attracts thousands of people to York each year. The ghostly sculptures, created by Unconventional Design, celebrate York’s fascinating history and encourage multiple visits to the city.
Halloween at Murton Park, York
This October half term holidays, enjoy a week of spooky family fun with a packed programme of Halloween activities! Follow a frightfully fun Halloween Trail, filled with creepy clues and seasonal surprises. On Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th, gather round for eerie tales during Storytelling with the Murton Hag. Brave souls can join the thrilling ‘Vampire Hunter’ Interactive Experience on Thursday 30th and Friday 31st, where you can help track down a mysterious creature of the night. For those with a creative spark, don’t miss Wand or Sword Making on Friday 31st October and Saturday 1st November.
Halloween Cellar Tours at Temple Newsam, Near Leeds
Dare you venture into the cellars of Temple Newsam House? Explore the dark and scary route below the creaking floorboards. Suitable for ages 12 and up. Access to the cellars is via a staircase only.
Halloween Painting at Rainbows Ceramics, York
Paint ceramic witches, hanging ghosts, a pumpkin or a Jack O’Lantern.
Halloween Parties at Agility York
On Friday 31st October, choose from the Tiny Terrors Fancy Dress Party (9.30 am – 11.30 am) or the Halloween Spooktacular (6.00 pm – 9.00 pm). Both parties enjoy access to the ninja warrior agility park (age dependent) with food and resident ghost appearances for the older children.
Halloween Workshops at Crafty Fox Kids Club, York
Crafty Fox Kids Club are hosting halloween themed arts and crafts holiday clubs on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of half-term. The activities include creating broomsticks and wands, building an Emerald City, potion making, and Halloween upcycling.
Hallowscream at York Maze
Winner of best scream park UK, Hallowscream is back this October, with five truly terrifying scare houses to explore, plus live entertainment, a bar and plenty of foodie options.
Haunted Hall at Barley Hall, York
This October half term, families are invited to experience an evening of chilling tales at Barley Hall, one of York’s most atmospheric medieval buildings. Part of York Ghost Week, you can step into the shadows of the past and gather in the Haunted Hall for a night of spine-tingling stories and eerie folklore. Please note this event is not suitable for children under the age of 5. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
The Little York Ghost Hunt by York Ghost Merchants
Join the hunt for Little York Ghosts each evening at dusk, as they mysteriously appear on the streets surrounding York Minster. This is a seek-and-keep adventure so if you spot a little ghost, it’s yours to take home! Over a hundred ghosts are hidden each evening, including some rare and quirky finds. From mid-October, you can pick up a free map from The York Ghost Merchants to help guide your search. The event happens on Monday 27th to Thursday 30th October 2025, from 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm.
Made in Yorkshire Halloween Festival, York
Held on Parliament Street, The Yorkshire Halloween Festival will take place on 23rd to 31st October. Browse the creativity and handware wares of local artisans as well as a unique series of Halloween and Autumnal themed workshops.
Monster Mash Bash at Oxygen, York
On 24th October, children can enjoy two hours of open-play, creepy games, party music, prizes, costumes, and tasty treats. It’s a Halloween-themed bounce meets boogie. Oxygen also have an offer for five one-hour open-play sessions for just £30, used over half-term.
October Half Term at RHS Harlow Carr, Harrogate
From 25th October to 2nd November, you can explore the pumpkin garden trail, embrace the autumnal colours, experience Zoolab animal encounters and family crafts, watch a pumpkin carving demonstration, and enjoy garden detectives. You can also enjoy some mindfulness with pumpkin colouring, wellbeing story time and yoga.
Pumpkin Trail at Bolton Abbey, Skipton
Bolton Abbey have created a family-friendly trail within Strid wood, Bolton Abbey. Follow the clues to spot lots of giant pumpkins as you explore the beautiful autumnal wood. Open 25th October to 2nd November.
Seasonal Colours at Beningborough Hall, York
Beningbrough is bursting with Autumn colours and family fun. Decipher the symbols around the Walled Garden, drop into one of the nature crafting sessions, discover harvest taster sessions, and explore the wilderness play area, with its climbing frames, slides, and space to build dens. The gardens are adorned with autumn foliage and wildlife and the popular café is serving up seasonal treats. Free entry to National Trust members and under-fives.
Spooky Skeletons: Scarytales at Lotherton Hall, Aberford
Wander the twisted fairytale trail through the eerie grounds, gardens, and house at Lotherton. Encounter a host of playful skeletons who’ve taken over the estate, putting their own spooky spin on classic stories, from Snow White’s chilling brush with a poisoned apple, to Little Red Riding Hood’s dangerous path through the woods.
Story Craft Theatre presents ‘Bat, Cackle and Pop!’ at York Theatre Royal
Following their appearance at Queen Mary’s School, Story Craft are performing shows in York over half term. The play is set on Winifred the Witch’s birthday, and Winifred believes everyone’s forgotten her. Join the fun as the group whip up a magical cake with three spooky ingredients, meet silly ghosts and ghouls, try a spot of spell-making and even fly with BAT Airways. A fun, not-too-scary Halloween show for ages 3 – 8 years happening on Wednesday 29th October to Friday 31st October.
Trick and Treat Walking Tour, York Dungeon
Join the Jester & Smedley for a spooky Halloween walking tour of York throughout October.
Web’oween at Web Adventure Park, York
Open on the 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th of October and then 25th of October until 2nd of November, this spooktacular event features Halloween-themed magic shows, unlimited fairground rides, Laser Lightyear Game Zone, and all of the usual indoor and outdoor play areas. There is also a pumpkin patch with a carving station and plenty of insta-worthy photo stops.
Villains Unleashed: Halloween at The Hole In Wand, York
Take on 9 magical holes and help defeat the villains this Halloween! From 22nd October to 2nd November 2025.
York Ghost Week Events by The York Ghost Merchants
In its sixth year, the York Ghost Week 2025 includes a selection of activities including the Guild Coin Ghost Trail, a Black Box Sale, The Starlight Club Launch Evening, The Seed Ghost Search, The Ghost Merchants Quiz, and a Charity Raffle. Visit their website for more details.
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