Discover a wealth of outdoor events, indoor activities, and spooktacular Halloween fun across South East England this October half-term. Watch out, you'll find some spooky adventures with a few jump scares, wizarding magic, and friendly ghosts along the way, along with the chance to enjoy the autumn colours and award-winning all-weather attractions.
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.
Use the search bar at the top of the page to filter events by specific dates or counties. You can find fiendish things to do in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Dorset, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire. If you're looking for something near you, or if you are travelling to a part of 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. Don't forget you can sign up below to receive October half-term events straight to your inbox.
Most schools in South East England break up for the October half term on Friday 25th October 2024, returning to school on Monday 4th November 2024. Schools in the Isle of Wight however get an extra week off with students breaking up a week earlier on Friday 18th October returning to school on Monday 4th November 2024. Halloween falls on a Thursday this year and as always is celebrated on the 31st October.
Don't forget our rainy day guide is also here to help whatever the October half-term holiday weather brings, ensuring you have a great day out.
Number of results: 289
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Comedy
Brighton
Brighton's longest running, and friendliest, new material comedy night.
Exhibitions
Henley-on-Thames
We have lift off for all you space enthusiasts out there with The Space Vault Exhibition coming to the River & Rowing Museum this July.
Using immersive audio and visuals, and comprising one of the UK's largest private collections of space…
Fireworks
Horsham
£12 per person | £7 for children aged 6-16 | Complimentary for children under 5
NEW: VIP Fireworks & Dinner experience £59 per person
Join us for a mesmerising evening of fireworks, and gourmet street food. This year, our fireworks night…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Lyme Regis
Have fun (re-)discovering Lyme Regis, spotting things you've never noticed before, with two quirky treasure hunt style heritage walks - a fun and affordable way to get some fresh air, whilst finding out more about this quaint seaside town. Curious…
Childrens Events
Chichester
Blast off into creativity with our Mars Makers workshop!
Inspired by Luke Jerram's Mars installation, we will be re-imagining sustainable space travel by crafting with recycled materials and creating visionary spacecraft models, engaging in fun…
Participatory Event
Didcot
Travel back in time to the golden age of the Great Western Railway and savour the sights, sounds and smells of steam as you explore this 21-acre living museum with trains dating from Victorian times to the 1960s.
Childrens Events
Southampton
Love the Boy Who Lived? Meander to magical Tudor House and create your very own magic wand, witness magic and search for the magical characters in our garden! You pay for the young people and join them for the ride!
This family session will be…
Walking
Hastings
Have fun (re-)discovering Hastings, spotting things you've never noticed before, with two quirky treasure hunt style heritage walks - a fun and affordable way to get some fresh air, whilst exploring this historic seaside town. Curious About…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Winchester
Are you ready for a family astro adventure? Head outside with us and discover the stars and planets of the night sky, live!
Have you ever looked up into the sky at night and wondered what you're seeing? Well now you don't have to! Begin your Night…
Halloween
Crawley
Prepare for a night you won’t forget, as Europe's largest scream park returns to Sussex this autumn!
Food
Milton Keynes
Experience the vibrant flavours of autumn with our tasty afternoon tea, where every bite celebrates the season's bounty amidst the relaxing ambience of Horwood House. £35 per person, or £42 per person with a glass of prosecco Maybe you are…
Fireworks
Fleet
Tickets on sale from 23 September for the fabulous Fleet Lions Fireworks Fiesta on 2 November. The Lions fireworks team will be putting on an incredible display at Calthorpe Park in Reading Road North in Fleet.
Halloween
Woodstock
There's a chill in the air at Blenheim Palace this Halloween...
Participatory Event
Maidstone
Go Ape Sundown Adventures are back for autumn 2024!
Tour
Chichester
Ascend through nearly 950 years of history, guided by knowledgeable volunteers, to the Cathedral's Spire.
The journey includes climbing 164 steps in winding staircases and exploring roof spaces previously closed to the public.
Offering…
Heritage & History
Faversham
Heritage Orchard Days & PYO
Dates: 21st, 22nd September & 5th, 6th, 19th, 20th October 2024
Come and join us for a fun family day out at Brogdale Farm. For three weekends at harvest time.
Each weekend, visitors will be able to delight in the…
Childrens Events
Southampton
A day of investigation, imagination and discovery for children aged 6 1/2 to 12yrs who love being creative and learning through fun activities. Led by the experienced cultural services learning team, at Kids' Club children will explore the past,…
Heritage & History
Portsmouth
D-Day 80 will be marked at Fort Nelson with a host of events including a special exhibition, artillery trail and a D-Day weekend.
Exhibition
Greenwich
Discover the history and irresistible appeal of chocolate at the Old Royal Naval College with the launch of their new immersive exhibition, Chocolate House Greenwich.
The 18th Century was hot chocolate’s heyday. Visitors can now step back in time…
Childrens Events
Rogate, Petersfield
Rogate Pumpkin Patch and all its wonders returns this Autumn. The annual pumpkin-themed outdoors event will magically reappear this October. The attraction is open every day from 18th October-3rd November at the family-run, nestled beautifully in…