For a round up of the latest Halloween events in Yorkshire for 2024 (or more specifically within an hour of Skipton) then look no further!
Halloween and October half term events are being advertised earlier with lots already selling out. Here though you will find a mix of some of those large scale events that we recommend but more importantly the smaller local events that need your support.
Halloween doesn’t need to be expensive though. Don’t forget there are also gorgeous autumn walks, pumpkin crafts and plenty of dressing up and decorating that cost very little when you get a little bit thrifty.
Make those amazing memories at these Halloween events in Yorkshire this year!
Also, if Halloween is not your thing then there are still lots of events happening this October. Scroll down to the bottom to find out more or head over to our ‘Days Out’ pages to get some inspiration.
Halloween events in Yorkshire 2024
Low cost events
Birchfield Farm Pumpkin Festival
Back again this year the Birchfield Pumpkin Festival is our favourite pumpkin patch. It is opening from 28th September daily through October. There is no requirement to book, however check social media the weekends around half term as this may change. The pumpkin patch is bigger and better than ever with lots of photo opportunities. It is free to enter, you only pay for the pumpkins you pick.
Brichfield is a family run working farm located between Harrogate and Pateley Bridge (postcode is HG3 4JS). If you did want to visit the farm attraction then this is well worth it. With animals, go karts, bouncy castles, a construction zone, playground, woodland activities and outdoor games you can spend a full day there. They make and serve their own ice cream too in the cafe & parlour, which is a must try.
Hesketh Farm
Hesketh Farm, Bolton Abbey is celebrating Halloween over half term from Saturday 26th October. After that the farm will close for the Winter months. You do not need to pre-book tickets, you can just turn up.
Expect a Halloween grotto, pumpkin carving (pumpkin provided), a witch hunt and decorations galore. This is all included with the general admission so you will be able to play at the farm, indoor and outdoor, as well as see all the animals. Hesketh again is a great day out – read our full review here of a day at the farm.
Bolton Abbey Pumpkin Trail
Now this is a halloween events in Yorkshire that everyone has heard of. Back again for another year, this Bolton Abbey Halloween trail runs from Saturday 19th October at The Cavendish / Riverside and goes up through Strid Wood along a pram friendly route. Pre-booking is essential – booking is per car. Follow the pumpkins to find the clues that are hidden in mystery boxes. These will help you to solve the puzzle.
If you are feeling very energetic you can also tag on the Welly Walk from the Priory as this is open until the end of October.
Billy Bob’s Fall & Halloween Festival
Every year Billy Bob’s, near Bolton Abbey go all out on their Fall decor in true USA Pumpkin Patch style with cute photo op’s aplenty. You will find a Candy Scramble (pay extra), Carnival Games, visits with Hilda the Friendly Witch in her Crooked Hovel, get spooked in the Haunted Trail (pay extra) and take home a pumpkin to carve (pay extra). There will be spooky treats available to eat too in the Diner. Booking is a necessity since they fill up fast. Decorations will be up from the 28th September. With events on every weekend and then daily through the half term holiday. Play in the barns is limited to 1 hour and for diners only (at weekends and holidays) at £3 per child. There will also be a number of toddler only sessions in the week to ensure it’s a little less rowdy for them!
Mrs Dowson’s Pumpkin Patch
Mrs Dowson’s Ice Cream Farm is near Clitheroe, Lancashire. We have attended the last few years and it is brilliant!
The PYO pumpkin patch has actors dressed up to entertain you on your way round. My little man loved this and really got in to the spirit of things. The pumpkin patch is a mix of natural and placed ones, the pumpkins are really good quality and were the ones that lasted past Halloween. Entry also gives you access to all the fun of the farm including the indoor natural play area. You do need to pre-book tickets. It will be open weekends from the 5th October then daily through half term. They even do adult only pumpkin picking evenings!
Spilmans Pumpkin Festival
Spilmans Pumpkin Patch, near Thirsk is huge! There are also other attractions such as a small fairground, corn cannon, pumpkin slingshot, tractor ride, bale mountain, a pumpkin carving area and a spooky walk. New for this year is the musical theatre show ‘The Last Pumpkin’. These are a mix of payed for and free activities to enjoy.
The pumpkin festival runs every weekend from 28th September then daily from 22nd to 31st October. You do need to pre-book tickets however, entry does include a £4 voucher to spend. Plus the new ‘Wizfords Academy of Witches & Wizards’ show and the brand new halloween fancy dress disco with Skelebones is included.
Horsforth PYO
Pumpkin picking tickets for Horsforth PYO farm are now available. From the 28th September they are open on selected dates and then daily from 16th October to get your pumpkins.
There are over 18 different varieties of pumpkins this year, giving you plenty of choice whether you wish white, blue, orange, green, warty big or small one.
A tractor ride will take you to and from the picking fields. There will also be face painting, a small children’s play area, pop up cafe and plenty of photo opportunities.
Skipton Town Hall – Family Fun
Such an exciting mix of events happening at Skipton Town Hall throughout this October. From Halloween performances to free art clubs there is something for everyone.
On Saturday 12th October watch Top Secret – The Magic of Science at 2pm. Fusing the mystery of magic with wondrous and miraculous feats of science. Hang on to your seats as the Town Hall is transformed into a real life science laboratory. Experience the non-stop action packed interactive magical science experiments that will capture the imagination. Top Secret is a fast moving colourful magical science show filled with mystery, suspense, lots and lots of mess! Top Secret will inspire and educate every young budding magician and scientist, as well as proving fun and exciting entertainment for all of the family.
On Tuesday 29th October book a slot between 10am and 3pm to see WonderDome Planetarium Experience. Immerse yourself in the mysteries of the universe to celebrate the North York Moors Dark Skies Festival. Enter an inflatable planetarium dome to enjoy a captivating 360 degrees film screening. There are three shows to choose between – or if you are a super space fan why not come to both! We Are Aliens! (All Ages) Allows the opportunity to explore the important questions in the Universe. Are there other civilisations out there? Will we one day connect with them? Or is it just us? In other words, are we alone? Narrated by Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley, Harry Potter). Forward to the Moon (Most suitable for Age 7+) takes you on a journey with the Artemis missions, the next step in our exploration of the cosmos, as NASA plans to land the first woman, and first person of colour on the Moon in the next decade. Narrated by Kari Byron (Mythbusters). There will also be Audible Solar System (for SEN Visitors)
SEN planetarium shows are adaptable & versatile meaning all learners can enjoy the immersive experience with a soothing experience with gentle music as the shapes and colours of the Universe dance around the WonderDome.
Wednesday hosts 2 (morning and afternoon) FREE Halloween Make and Take sessions which are drop in events.
On Thursday 31st October at 2pm watch Spooky Shakespeare by Hoglets Theatre for the perfect Halloween family fun! Hags, hauntings, hobgoblins, and more emerge from the spooky suitcase of Lady Macbeth (Dotty to her friends). These spectres from performances past must retell their stories to find peace in the literary afterlife. Join Gemma Curry from Hoglets for a funny, energetic, and unique children’s theatre experience. Enjoy a world of handmade puppets, music, and storytelling, all performed from a single suitcase. This enchanting performance is captivating for all the family – aimed as children age 4 -11.
On Friday 1st November watch Skipton Kidz Comedy Live. Kidz comedy is an inclusive, laughter filled show for all the family. The event is best suited for children between the ages of 6-12, however, there is plenty for all ages to enjoy, even the adults! Featuring four top professional comedians (to be announced soon), games, silly songs and bags of fun along the way, Kidz comedy is a great value way to spend an afternoon. Best of all, is that the finale of the first half sees the reigns handed over to any kid in the audience who wants to come up onto the stage and tell us a joke.
All the performances will require pre-booking through their website. Photo credits to Skipton Town Hall Facebook page.
Stump Cross Caverns
Throughout half term enjoy all the fun of the caves with stone age workshops, fossil digs and cave tours but with the added spook factor. Head underground for the Halloween trail as well as the UV cave tour after 3pm. Lots of Halloween treats on offer for a spectacularly spooky halloween.
Spooky Skeletons Trail at Lotherton
From 26th October, daily through half term, the Spooky Skeletons: Scarytales is on at Lotherton. This is a daytime event perfect for all ages. Follow the twisted fairytales trail through the haunting grounds, gardens and house at Lotherton, but all is not as it seems. Rattle your bones as you come face-to-face with a series of skeletons – making themselves at home and reimagining classic tales with a Halloween twist. From Snow White’s eerie encounter with the poisoned apple, to Little Red Riding Hood’s perilous journey through the woods, enjoy a fun and slightly spooky exploration of Lotherton that’s perfect for families and younger visitors.
New this year there is also a Pumpkin Patch where you can take a thrilling ride on the the Pumpkin Patch trailer on at weekends throughout October and all of half term.
Included in general admission to Lotherton is the wildlife area where you can see the bats in action!
The playgrounds are also fab so you can easily make a day of it.
Leeds Scare Trails Pumpkin Trail
This FREE Pumpkin Trail is a family friendly trail through the woods of Golden Acre Park during the day on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th October.
Follow a trail of over 200 pumpkins to find loads of fun games and activities, with prizes to be won as well. This is a FREE event, though there will be some paid for activities as well as donation buckets fundraising for Leeds MIND.
There is also a not so friendly trail – Frightmare Trail on from 6pm on the Saturday. This is £10 per ticket.
Halloween events in Yorkshire that are more of a treat day out
Frightwater Valley presents Creepy Carnival at Lightwater Valley
This October half term enjoy a frightening event at this amazing theme park for kids. For the full review of a day out click here.
Daily throughout half term there will be all the usual rides available as well as friendly frights plus mini and mega scares for the whole family to enjoy! You do need to pre-book tickets and if you book to go before half term you can visit again for free during!
Thorp Perrow Halloween Trail
Thorp Perrow Arboretum, near Bedale has its Halloween trail on daily, from 5th October through to 3rd November. The trail is through a section of the grounds which includes scary stations along the way and clues to find. Put on your cloak, grab your broomstick and head out into the Arboretum in search of spooky creatures. You’ll stumble across tombs and skeletons and many more Halloween frights. The trail is included in general ticket price or you can purchase the trail map for £2.50 to complete the mission and get a free gift.
Thorp Perrow is a great day out regardless and you must explore the gardens further to discover the playground and the birds of prey centre too. You can read our full review here to see what else there is on offer.
Thornton Hall Farm Spooks
Thornton Hall Farm are again putting on a mega event.
The (mud free) Pumpkin Patch is open on select days from 5th October. Pumpkins are additional charge on top of Farm & softplay entry. On 14th and 15th October there will also be a dedicated Toddler Halloween Party including party games.
From weekends from 12th October and through half term SPOOKS! returns for some creepy goings on. A spook-tacular jam packed family day out. new for 2024 is Mischief Manor and Slime Workshops. There will also be a Live Show ‘School of Evil’, interactive activities on Trick or Treat Street and on the Halloween Hunt. Join the mischievous madness across the farm. Tickets must be pre-booked online for every event and also include full day entry to the farm park.
Stockeld Park Halloween Adventure
Stockeld Park comes alive for the Autumn Half Term so join them for a spooky adventure.
Truly the ultimate Halloween day out, Stockeld Park boasts a wide range of terrifying activities for all ages in this year’s Halloween adventure!
Explore the Enchanted Forest and encounter the Woodland Witches or test your adventurous spirit in the mummy maze. With so many fun activities on offer, don’t forget to visit the pumpkin patch and select your perfect pumpkin. Remember to dress up in your spookiest attire as the best dressed will win a prize.
The park will be open every weekend in October then daily from Saturday 26th October. Make sure you visit the Playhive too. You will need to pre-book tickets.
In addition you can book the family friendly Zombie laser experience and the Halloween Spooky MAsquarade Ball show. So many Halloween events in Yorkshire all rolled into one.
Mother Shipton’s Hocus Pocus
Mother Shipton’s Hocus Pocus event is the ultimate destination for those seeking the spookiest family-friendly Halloween experience. Prepare to be bewitched, amazed, and thoroughly entertained in equal measure. Running from Saturday 26th October to Sunday 3rd November.
Step into a world of enchantment as you explore themed displays featuring witches, mysterious cauldrons and magical spells being cast by our characterful actors. Prepare to be captivated by the petrifying well, a place where the unthinkable becomes a reality. Witness objects turning to stone and beware its otherworldly power. Wander deeper into the heart of darkness as you step inside the cave, the birthplace of a real witch. Channel your inner sorcerer and cast a spell in the mystical wishing well, where dreams and nightmares collide
Alternative Halloween events in Yorkshire this October
Fountains Abbey by Floodlight
This Autumn the Fountains Abbey by Floodlight event is on every Friday and Saturday in October. You do need to pre-book tickets in advance – they are on sale now.
Watch as the night sky falls over the Abbey and ruins start to glow with light. Don’t forget your torch so you can chase your shadows around the ruins. Between 7pm-8pm listen to the choir singing in the cellarium.
Seeing the Abbey all lit up is quite surreal and very very different to the daytime. Fountains Abbey is a wonderful place to explore – read my full post here.
Leeds Light Night
In the evening of 24th and 25th October, Leeds City centre will be all lit up in a masterpiece of light shows, projections and art work. The Light Night event is free with installations all over the city so you can enjoy it by just wondering round taking it all in.
Check back as more Halloween events in Yorkshire will be added over the next few weeks. Know about an event that I haven’t mentioned? Let me know!
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