October Half Term Events and Halloween

Discover the best October half term events and Halloween activities across South East England. From spooky Halloween events and pumpkin patches to family-friendly outdoor adventures, trails and half term activities, you'll find plenty of fiendishly good things to do this October half term in Hampshire, Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.

Halloween Events in South East England

From haunted railways and illuminated trails to wildlife parks, museums and family attractions, there are plenty of ways to make a great day out this October half term. Whether you're searching for family-friendly Halloween events, haunted attractions, ghost trains or spooky trails, South East England offers plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween during the October half term holidays.

• Bluebell Railway Ghost Train
  22 October - 1 November | Bluebell Railway, Sheffield Park Station, East Sussex
  Climb onboard for a spooky steam-hauled journey filled with Halloween surprises and family-friendly thrills. Look back at last year's sold out event!
• Blenheim Palace Halloween
  22 October - 1 November | Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire
  Take a daring journey through a newly imagined Halloween trail featuring immersive encounters, spooky surprises and spectacular installations.
• Owl-O-Ween
  29 October - 30 October | Hawk Conservancy Trust, Andover, Hampshire
  Enjoy storytelling, Halloween trails and spectacular owl flying displays beneath the autumn night sky. 
• Halloween Spectacular
  30 October | Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire
  Fire performance, story telling, live music, creepy crafts and monsters lurking in the shadows!
• Terror on the Thames (F)
  30 October | Henley on Thames Town Centre, Oxfordshire
  Free trick or treating, spook entertainment and Halloween fun around the town centre for families and younger visitors.

Fiendishly Good October Half Term Family Activities

Whether you're planning October half-term holidays by the coast, a countryside escape with the family, or simply looking for things to do this October half term, South East England is packed with events and attractions for all ages. From pumpkin hunts and Halloween storytelling to science shows, wildlife encounters and family attractions, there are activities taking place throughout the school holidays.

• Farmyard Frights and Trick or Treat Delights
  24 October - 1 November | Rare Breeds Centre, Ashford, Kent
  Spooky fun, silly surprises and fang-tastic activities with Effel Fartwaffer bringing mischief to the farm.
• HalloWellyWeen
  23 October - 31 October | Wellington Country Park, Reading, Berkshire
  Returning for its 13th year, its the biggest, friendliest Halloween yet with family shows, crafts, animal encounters, silent disco and more.
• Hocus Pocus Starlight Cinema
  29 October | Winchester Science Centre, Winchester, Hampshire
  Enjoy one of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters under the stars of the Winchester Planetarium.
• Winchester Spooky Letter Search (F)
  24 October - 1 November | Winchester City Centre, Winchester, Hampshire
  Follow the trail through Winchester City Centre, solve the clues and uncover the hidden Halloween messages for a frightfully fun family adventure.
• Creepy Crawly Themed Activities and Storytelling (F)
  24 October - 1 November | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
  Craft workshops and storytelling sessions on every day of October half term, free to join and drop in. Take a look below and what else you can see.

Outdoor Adventures This October Half Term

Make the most of the autumn colours and crisp countryside air with outdoor adventures across the South East. From treetop challenges and wildlife trails to laser tag and outdoor family activities, there's plenty to enjoy away from the crowds this October half term.

• Go Ape Sundown Adventures
  16 October - 8 November | Tilgate Park, Crawley, West Sussex
  Take to the trees after dark with illuminated aerial adventures, zip wires and treetop challenges across all nine South East Go Ape sites.
• The Creatures That Time Forgot Family Trail
  17 October - 1 November | Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Sandown, Isle of Wight
  Follow the clues around the sanctuary, enjoy Halloween face painting and take advantage of the special child admission offer.
• Miniature Pumpkin Hunt, Autumn Arts and Crafts
  26 October - 30 October | Bekonscot Model Village and Railway, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
  With tiny scenes, autumn crafting activities and special pumpkin hunt around the village.
• Autumnal Adventures at The Sculpture Park
  24 October - 1 November | The Sculpture Park, Farnham, Surrey
  Explore winding woodland trails, striking sculptures and autumn colours in one of Surrey's most unique outdoor attractions.
• BattleZone Apocalypse Laser Tag
  24 October - 31 October | New Forest Activities, New Forest, Hampshire
  Using infrared technology - spook your way to victory in this digital zombie shoot off!

From ghost trains and Halloween trails to pumpkin hunts, wildlife encounters and outdoor adventures, South East England offers hundreds of October half term activities for families, couples and groups of friends. Explore our spooktacular list for ideas and inspiration for things to do and places to visit over the October half-term and Halloween, or keep heading down to the bottom of the page to find hundreds of ghoulishly fun events to keep the whole family entertained.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the October Half Term 2026?

Most schools in South East England break up for the October half term on Friday 23 October 2026, returning to school on Monday 2 November 2026. Schools in the Isle of Wight however get an extra week off with students breaking up a week earlier on Friday 16 October returning to school on Monday 2 November 2026. Halloween falls on a Saturday this year and as always is celebrated on the 31 October.

What are the best things to do this October half-term?

Some of the best things to do this October half term include Halloween trails, ghost trains, pumpkin hunts, wildlife experiences, outdoor adventures and family-friendly attractions. Popular events include the Bluebell Railway Ghost Train, Halloween at Blenheim Palace, Owl-O-Ween at the Hawk Conservancy Trust and family activities taking place across Hampshire, Sussex, Kent, Oxfordshire and the Isle of Wight.

Are there family-friendly Halloween events in South East England?

Yes. Many Halloween events across South East England are designed specifically for families, with pumpkin hunts, character encounters, spooky storytelling, wildlife experiences and Halloween trails suitable for younger children. Look out for events marked as family-friendly or use the type filter above and select family to find the best ones.

What's on near me this October Half Term and Halloween?

To find out what's on near me, use the search bar at the top of the page to filter events by specific dates or counties. If you are travelling to South East England for a short break or day trip, use the 'map view' button to find something local to you, or head on over to specific county what's on pages in the navigation to find something right for you.