Bekonscot Model Village & Railway, 26 - 30 October
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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Number of results: 281
, currently showing 21 to 40.
Walking
Brighton
Explore Brighton’s big sights and hidden corners, uncover quirky stories, and enjoy 1–2 hours of fresh‑air exploring on each fully wheelchair and buggy‑friendly route.
Portsmouth 100
Portsmouth
In 2026, Portsmouth celebrates its 100th anniversary of becoming a city with a wide round program of events and activities for both visitors and residents to enjoy. Visit the city, join the events and discover more of Portsmouth's fascinating…
Festival
Edenbridge
The Festival Theatre events run throughout the year in our gorgeous locations at: Hever Castle – including our flagship stunning theatre re-built in 2024, Chiddingstone Castle and Penshurst Place & Gardens.
Vineyard / Wine
Gravesend
Discover English wine at Silverhand Estate in Kent with a guided tasting experience featuring a selection of still and sparkling wines. Set within a historic vineyard, this experience combines expert guidance, award-winning wines and insights into…
Childrens Events
Telegraph Way, Winchester
Step into our Halloween laboratory at Winchester Science Centre for a brilliantly fun evening where science meets the dancefloor, packed with music, glowing lights, spooky surprises and spectacular science.
Arts
Lower Beeding, Horsham
Get into the festive spirit with a relaxed session creating your own Christmas crackers, greeting cards and gift tags.
Walking
Hart Street, Henley on Thames
Curious About Henley on Thames takes you to the famous sights and the hidden gems, with surprises tucked around every corner. Each walk takes 1–2 hours, and both are wheelchair and buggy friendly.
Festival
Haddenham Aylesbury
Come and join us on Sunday 18th October, 12pm–4pm at Haddenham Village Hall, Banks Road, Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8EE, for a spooktacular Halloween family event packed with creepy crafts, thrilling games and ghostly fun for all ages. This…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Brockenhurst
Treat (not trick) your little swashbucklers to some scarily good fun on the Beaulieu River this Halloween.
Food
Whitchurch
Enjoy an afternoon at Bombay Sapphire Distillery, with an upgrade to add a Bombay Sapphire gin cocktail.
Free Event
Basingstoke
Head to Basingstoke, Hampshire this October half term for a host of free fun activities and events for kids from 3 - 13 to enjoy.
Music
Maidenhead
As the songwriter and voice behind Black Lab, Paul Durham has spent nearly three decades crafting unforgettable rock songs that have become the soundtrack to countless lives.
Outdoor Event / Activities
Farnham
Take on the Halloween Potion Hunt, a ‘spell-tacular’ addition to Go Ape Alice Holt’s Treetop and Nets Adventures. Combining nets, high ropes crossings, zip wires and a seasonal trail, this special event adds an extra twist to the Go Ape family…
Food
Horsham
Celebrate 15 years of The Velvet Rooms with an unforgettable evening inspired by the dazzling decadence of the Roaring Twenties. Slip into your finest flapper dresses, fedoras, and feathers, and prepare to become part of an immersive, interactive…
Shopping
Queen Street, Oxford
Autumnal dressing is all about layering looks for the season. Join the John Lewis Oxford Personal Stylists for a masterclass in how to layer your pieces.
Halloween
Maidstone
Dare to spend an evening inside one of Maidstone's museum buildings? Join this rare opportunity to explore the museum's historic spaces in the company of expert ghost hunters.
Indoor
Turners Hill, Crawley
Escape to the multi award-wining Utopia Spa at Alexander House in the West Sussex countryside.
Childrens Events
Maidenhead
Elvis Schumacher, cobbler and craftsman, has worked all his life creating the most beautiful footwear.
But now he's hit hard times... Everyone's buying boring shoes from the evil businessman, Bunyan Sole-less. Time is running out for Elvis. With…
Music
Maidenhead
The award-winning Dark Side Of The Wall celebrate their heroes Pink Floyd in well over 2 hours of spectacular live music and visual effects at Norden Farm Centre for Arts.
Tour
Oxford
Explore the best of Oxford with a combined ticket from City Sightseeing Oxford, including a hop-on hop-off bus tour and entry to some of the city’s top attractions. Perfect for a day out in Oxford, this bundle offers a convenient way to discover…
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