There are some fantastic activities for families in the North East to enjoy for Halloween and October half term – without breaking the bank. Most of the free and low cost activities below don’t need to be pre-booked, so are perfect for those last minute plans. There’s fun for all ages with pumpkin picking, Halloween parties, trails, doggy dress-up, and more!
You can also view a quick summary in 📆date order here, and can find 🎫more Halloween Events here – with pumpkin picking map, scare parks, circus and more! And if you’re looking for extra activities for babies and toddlers, lots of 👶play cafes & baby classes run special tots Halloween sessions (too many to list here, but just follow the links to check directly with organisers!).
Details are subject to change, some events may be weather dependent and may be subject to availability. Please note parking charges and fees for activities may apply. Make sure to check all details directly with organisers before travelling, using the purple links below – some organisers may also offer additional bookable events.
BALTIC – Family Days
📌 Gateshead Quays, NE8 3BA
📆 Wed 1st-Thurs 2nd Nov 2023
🎃 Two days of nature-themed activities, performances and workshops inspired by the exhibition Michael Rakowitz: The Waiting Gardens of the North. Including tea-making, spice-grinding, drumming, movement workshops, storytelling and more.
👉 Free, drop-in. More info here.
Brockwell Farm – PYO Pumpkin
📌 Lanchester, Co Durham, DH7 0TQ
📆 Open from 8th Oct 2023
🎃 Outdoors pumpkin patch.
🎫 Free entry/parking, pay for what you pick.
👉 Info & updates here.
Coach & Horses – Halloween Disco
📌 Birtley, DH3 1QF
📆 Sat 28th Oct 2023
🎃 Halloween party with party games, dress up, treats and prizes. Sweet treats and hot chocolate available. 4-7pm.
🎫 Free entry.
👉 Info & updates here.
The Cock Crow Inn – Kid’s Discos
📌 Mill Lane, Hebburn, South Tyneside, NE31 2EY
📆 Fri 27th & Sat 28th Oct 2023
📆 Tues 31st Oct 2023
🎃 Half term discos with games and prizes, plus special Halloween disco on 31st Oct (£5 per child, booking required).
🎫 Half term discos free entry. Tables can be booked on 0191 4285730.
👉 Info & updates here.
Dalton Park – Trick or Treat Trail
📌 Murton, Co Durham, SR7 9HU
📆 Sat 28 Oct 2023
🎃 Witch-led trail starting every hour from the Customer Service Desk 11am-2pm, or follow the event map to complete independently. Spot the ghostly stickers and roaming performers and collect some tasty treats, with free face painting.
👉 Free. More info here.
Discovery Museum – Half Term Events
📌 Blandford Square, Newcastle, NE1 4JA
📆 Mon 30th Oct – Wed 1st Nov 2023
🎃 A range of events including creepy crafts, spooky stories (age 3-5), and spooky silent disco (age 4+ / 9+). Advanced booking recommended, limited walk-in spaces for creepy crafts available on the day subject to availability.
👉 Free – £4.50, book here.
Durham Cathedral – October Half Term Activities
📌 Durham, DH1 3EH
📆 Mon 30th Oct – Fri 3rd Nov 2023
🎃 Animal hunt trail around the cathedral and craft table with animal colouring activities, plus make a bird or bat box (booking required, pay as you feel on the day).
🎫 Donations welcome.
👉 More info here.
Exhibition Park – Ghost Train Special
📌 Newcastle, NE2 4PZ
📆 Sun 5th Nov 2023
🎃 Miniature open air train ride running on the first Sunday of every month (seasonal & weather permitting), with the Tyneside Society of Model & Experimental Engineers. 11am – 3pm.
👉 More info here.
Galleries Washington – Monster Making
📌 Washington, NE38 7SD
📆 Sat 28th Oct 2023
🎃 Make creepy and cute monsters with clay and balloons in Wessington Square.
👉 Info & updates here.
Gateshead Libraries – Half Term Events
📌 Libraries across Gateshead
📆 Selected dates Mon 30th Oct – Sat 4th Nov 2023
🎃 A packed program of events, including Halloween Pumpkin Trail at Gateshead Central Library throughout half term, Halloween Rhymetimes for under 5s, Supertato Storytime, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, and Fly Ghosts and Witches with crafts & wind tunnel.
👉 £0-£1, more info here.
Great North Museum: Hancock – Half Term Events
📌 Barras Bridge, Newcastle, NE2 4PT
📆 Selected dates 21 Oct-5th Nov 2023
🎃 A packed program of events – four self-led museum trails, monster mask making, and join museum curators to discover spooky creatures and magical gems and investigate mysterious objects.
👉 Free, donations welcome. More info here.
Hamsterley Forest – October Half Term Activities
📌 Bishop Auckland, Co Durham, DL13 3NL
📆 27th – 31st Oct 2023
🎃 Self-led spooky trail around the Forest of Bones. Includes trail sheet, activity and hot chocolate. Complete after twilight up to 5pm for full effect of glowing bones (last hot chocolates 4pm). Plus falconry display (28th-29th Oct), fancy dress, pumpkin carving, adventure play, free Zog AR trail & activity pack available to purchase.
🎫 £2 per trail sheet.
👉 Info & updates here.
Hardwick Park – The Potion Explosion Trail
📌 Stockton-on-Tees, Co Durham, TS21 2DN
📆 Sat 28th Oct – Sun 5th Nov 2023
🎃 Self-led trail to find the potion bottles and collect all the letters to discover the magical word. Plus download the free Love Exploring App here for a virtual Halloween trail with dancing creepy characters (dates tbc).
🎫 £1 per trail sheet from café & gift shop.
👉 Info & updates here.
Hexham Abbey – Hexham Spook Night
📌 Hexham Market Place & Abbey Grounds, Northumberland
📆 Sat 28th Oct 2023
🎃 A free, fun filled, spooky family event, something for all ages, fancy dress competitions, fairground rides, hot & cold food, games and more. 2-9pm.
🎫 Free entry.
👉 More info here.
Hexham Old Gaol – Skull Trail
📌 Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 1XD
📆 Sat 28th Oct – Sun 5th Nov 2023
🎃 Count the Skulls lurking in the creepy corners of Hexham Old Gaol. Pick up a trail sheet at the museum Welcome Desk then claim a small sweet treat.
🎫 Included with Annual Pass, from £4.50 pp (under 16s free)
👉 More info here.
Kinley Hill Farm – PYO Pumpkins
📌 Hawthorn, Seaham, Co Durham, SR7 8SW
📆 Weekends from 30th Sep and 23rd-31st Oct 2023
🎃 Pick your own pumpkin from the outdoors pumpkin patch, plus Darcy’s Donuts and meet the Alpacas.
🎫 Free entry, no booking required.
👉 Info and updates here.
Land of Oak and Iron – Pumpkin Trail & Howl-O-Ween
📌 Winlaton Mill, Gateshead, NE21 6RU
📆 Sat 28th Oct – Sun 5th Nov 2023
🎃 Complete the trail to find the hand painted pumpkins hidden inside the Heritage Centre and claim a prize. Plus, Howl-O-Ween on Sun 29th Oct, especially for canine friends with doggie themed stalls and prize for best dressed dog.
🎫 Suggested donation at least £1 per trail page.
👉 More info here.
Laverock Hall Farm – PYO Pumpkin
📌 Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 4HE
📆 Weekends from 7th – 22nd Oct 2023
🎃 Outdoor pumpkin patch, free tractor rides and farm shop.
🎫 Free entry, pumpkins from £1, no booking required.
👉 More info here.
Northumberlandia – Halloween Trails
📌 Cramlington, NE23 8AU
📆 Sat 28th Oct – Tues 31st Oct 2023
🎃 Two self-led trails around the woodland, with a Pumpkin Trail (ages 3-5) to discover the pumpkins and the hidden codes, and a Wicked Wildlife trail (ages 5-11) to learn about weird and wonderful woodland wildlife. Claim a little treat at the end from the café.
🎫 £3 per child.
👉 Info & downloadable trail sheets here.
Preston Park Museum – Amazing Autumn Adventures
📌 Preston Park, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 3RJ
📆 Tues 24th Oct – Sun 5th Nov 2023
🎃 A packed program of events, including pumpkin trails and games, live music, spooky storytelling, themed arts and crafts, food demos and more.
🎫 Regular admission applies (annual family pass from £10)
👉 More info here.
Raby Estates – Halloween Events
📌 Raby Castle, Darlington, Co Durham, DL2 3AH / High Force Waterfall, Barnard Castle, DL12 0XH
📆 7th Oct – 5th Nov 2023
🎃 Mischievous Mog trail around Raby Castle Deer Park, Pumpkin Competition (28th-29th Oct) and School of Wizardry Trail at High Force Waterfall.
🎫 High Force: £9 per family. Deer Park: from £4.50 pp (under 4s free).
👉 Booking recommended, more info here.
Segedunum Roman Fort & Museum – Frightening Face Pots
📌 Wallsend, North Tyneside, NE28 6HR
📆 Mon 30th Oct 2023
🎃 The Romans used to decorate some of their pottery with faces – create your own Halloween inspired face pot or mask.
🎫 Regular admissions charges apply, £6.95pp (under 16s & NE28 residents free).
👉 More info here.
Souter Lighthouse – Halloween Trails
📌 South Shields, South Tyneside, SR6 7NH
📆 Mon 23rd Oct – Fri 3rd Nov 2023
🎃 Two self-led trails – outdoor Halloween ‘Guess Who’ Trail along the Leas to figure out the spooky characters described and claim a reward, and indoor Ghost Hunt to find the ghosts hidden around the lighthouse. Trail sheets available from admissions desk.
🎫 Leas trail – £2. Lighthouse trail – included in regular National Trust admission.
👉 More info here.
South Shields Museum – Scary Straws
📌 South Shields, NE33 2JA
📆 Tues 31st Oct 2023
🎃 Create your very own drinking straw decorated with creepy crawlies, or make a pumpkin shaped Halloween basket or coffin candy dish.
🎫 Free, donations welcome.
👉 More info here.
South Tyneside Libraries – Halloween Crafts & Gardening
📌 Libraries across South Tyneside
📅 Selected dates Mon 30th – Fri 3rd Nov 2023
🎃 Free drop-in activities, including Halloween-themed arts & crafts, spider-themed gardening and ‘Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice’ sessions to make your own tea, bouquet garni or bath bags.
🎫 Free
👉 More info here.
Stephenson Steam Railway – Halloween Events
📌 North Shields, NE29 8DX
📆 Sun 22nd & 29th Oct 2023
🎃 Create your own Halloween inspired clay models (29th Oct), Halloween pumpkin trail around the museum and colouring. Along with Heritage train rides (22nd & 29th Oct) and Halloween Ghost Train (29th Oct).
🎫 Museum activities: free. Train ride: £8 per adult (kids £0-£5)
👉 More info here. Booking recommended for train rides.
Sunderland BID – Fear on the Wear Trail
📌 Sunderland City Centre
📆 20th-31st Oct 2023
🎃 New augmented reality trail to find creepy creatures hiding across the city, download the free Sunderland Experience app. Plus community lantern parade on 27th Oct at 6pm from the Museum & Winter Gardens to Keel Square, and Sunniside Food Market with a Halloween twist and a number of performances on 28th Oct.
🎫 Free
👉 More info here.
Sunderland Bridges – Haunted Manor & Monster March
📌 The Bridges Shopping Centre, Sunderland, SR1 3DR
📆 Weekends from 7th Oct 2023, daily 23rd Oct – 3rd Nov
🎃 Take a spine chilling journey in the VR Halloween cart through the Haunted Manor. Experience the latest 4D technology in the first experience of its kind in the region (recommended for ages 8+). Plus, Trick or Treat Monster March on Tues 31st Oct, led by a spooky character around the shopping centre collecting treats from retailers (free, registration required here).
🎫 £5 pp
👉 Book online here, or on the door (first come first served basis, priority given to pre-booked slots).
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens – Trail & Crafts
📌 Sunderland, SR1 1PP
📆 11th Sep – 11th Nov 2023
🎃 Visit the Elmer and Friends exhibition and complete the self-led Trail of Rainbows around the Museum to claim a prize sticker, and spot the little Elmer elephants in the displays. Plus free drop-in sessions on 27th Oct to help make a giant rag rug Elmer.
🎫 Trail £1
👉 More info here.
St Mary’s Heritage Centre – Trail & Crafts
📌 Gateshead, NE8 2AU
📆 31st Oct & 2nd-3rd Nov 2023
🎃 Self-led Halloween Graveyard Trail – pick up an activity sheet to find spooky Halloween characters in the graveyard and claim a tricky treat. Plus, on Tues 31st Oct colouring and crafts – make your own paper pumpkin and spooky bat!
👉 Free trail, £2 crafts, drop-in. More info here.
Ideal for under 8s, all welcome
Ushaw Historic House – Halloween Trail & Awesome Autumn Animals
📌 Co Durham, DH7 9RH
📆 Sat 28th Oct – Sun 5th Nov 2023
🎃 Self-led Halloween Daytime Garden Trail through the haunted forest, and Awesome Autumn Animals hiding around the Main House.
🎫 Included in admission, £5-£8pp (under 5s free). Annual Family Pass £19.50-£39.
👉 More info here.
Watergate Café – Halloween Dog Walk
📌 Watergate Park, Gateshead, NE11 0BG
📆 Sun 29th Oct 2023
🎃 A spooky walk with a chance for adults, kids and dogs to get dressed up in your best Halloween outfits. There will be a prize for the best dog. Leaving from the cafe at 10am.
🎫 Free
👉 Info & updates here.
Weetslade Country Park – Autumn Trail & Doggy Spooktacular
📌 Wideopen, North Tyneside, NE23 7LZ
📆 Sat 28th Oct – Sun 5th Nov 2023
🎃 Self-led, downloadable family-friendly Autumn Trail with fascinating facts about Weetslade. Plus free Halloween Doggy Spooktacular on Sat 28th Oct – meet like minded people and join in on a short walk, costumes for pooches (and humans) welcome.
🎫 £3 per downloadable trail sheet.
👉 Info here.
Wheelbirks Parlour – Scary Orchard Scavenge
📌 Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7HY
📆 26th Oct – 5th Nov 2023
🎃 Scavenger hunt to find the many spooky items in the haunted orchard. Includes themed ice cream in a Halloween cone with scary sweets and sauce.
🎫 £6.50 per child. No booking required.
👉 More info here.
There’s plenty on Gateshead Mumbler to help keep little ones (and big ones!) busy, check here for more ideas and info for playgroups, classes and fun days out from tots to teens!
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