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Half Term And Halloween Fun

Half Term and Halloween Fun

Date Posted: Friday 14th Oct 2022

With the kids looking forward to being off school for the autumn half-term break, and Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to get ready for some serious family fun!

Whether you can’t wait for Halloween, or if the spooky stuff isn’t your bag, you’ll find heaps of exciting days out, family-friendly activities and fun-filled experiences to enjoy across the Harrogate district that both the little ones and older kids will love.

From free family fun-days to ghost walks, autumn arts and crafts, a thrilling family-friendly stage musical and much more, this half term in the Harrogate district is guaranteed to lighten your mood, even as the evenings darken.

Looking out over Druids Temple Swinton Estate

Halloween at Swinton

Head to the Swinton Estate for an ideal escape for the family this half term. Follow the spooky Halloween Trail, with route sheets available from Swinton Bivouac café between 10am and 5pm, 22-31 October. Don’t forget your spookiest Halloween costume! Not a fan of Halloween?

On 26 October, youngsters aged 7-11 can take part in Swinton Bivouac’s Woodland School, making forest crafts from materials gathered on the estate. While budding young chefs can head to the Cookery School for children’s cookery courses, with mini (6-9 years) and junior (10-14) sessions to learn valuable kitchen skills and enjoy making delicious creations.

Visit the Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park at Grewelthorpe near Ripon this half term and uncover nature’s autumnal delights as you explore the great outdoors. With Earth Art experiences running from 22 – 31 October, and Fungus Forays taking place on 26 and 28 October, it is a fabulous way for youngsters to have fun in the fresh air at this magical time of year.

Ice Caving

Looking for a fun, free, family-friendly event in the Harrogate district? Shimmy along to Knaresborough Castle on 22 October and let the little ones have a go at ice caving! This artificial caving experience offers an exciting taster of what real caving is like, with penguins popping up to say hello! What a cool way to kick off the half-term fun! Available for children over 5 years old.

Creepy Castle as Knaresborough Castle

From 27-29 October, Knaresborough Castle takes on a new spooky vibe with the Creepy Castle “Spooktastic” Halloween Trail. With face painting, story-telling, quirky characters to meet and greet you and a bit of Halloween magic conjuring up a great family-friendly experience, it’s a wizard way to spend an afternoon this half term.

Half-term Art Workshops at the Mercer Gallery

Art workshops for families are taking place this half term at Harrogate’s stunning Mercer Gallery in the heart of the spa town. View the Mercer Open exhibition through “slow looking” and take inspiration from the creative sessions that explore a variety of art techniques.

Mercer Open Events

Halloween Fun at the Great White Food Festival

While Harrogate gears up to host celebrity superchef Marco Pierre White, whose career began in the spa town 45 years ago, for the inaugural Great White Food Festival, you can look forward to family fun as part of this fantastic festival celebrating all things foodie. Taking place from 28-30 October, the food festival includes Halloween fun with pumpkin carving, face painting and more. Don’t miss the grand finale with the pop choir singing Thriller, pumpkin dancers, the Pumpkin King and street dancers – plus a competition for the best carved pumpkin and best fancy dress.

Ogretastic Musical Wonder

See the stage show telling treasured tales of everyone’s favourite ogre, Shrek, Princess Fiona and the magical fairy-tale characters from Far, Far, Away, at Harrogate Theatre from 26– 29 October.

Pateley Bridge Ghost Walks

Uncover the darker side of Pateley Bridge as you head out on a ghost walk to explore the sinister tales and spooky legends of the town! Walks last around an hour and take place between 18.15 and 19:55 on 28 and 29 October.

Halloween at Henshaws

Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre in Knaresborough invites you to their family-friendly fun day on Saturday 29 October, which includes arts and crafts, live music, a spooky trail and much more. Entry is free!

Hocus Pocus Halloween at Mother Shipton's

Head to this mysterious family attraction over half term and you will find it has a spooky theme with ghostly silhouettes, giant spiders and scary skeletons in the trees. Come along in fancy dress for the chance to win a spooktacular prize.

If you’re feeling inspired to spend a little longer with family in the Harrogate district, why not have a look at our accommodation pages? We’ve some great options for places to stay while you’re here!