20+ Halloween Events in North East England

This post contains adverts and is in the process of being updated for 2024. Please always double check info with venues direct when booking and heading out as details can change. 

Please also check out the following posts: 

• A Guide to pumpkin picking in North East England  (will be updated for 2024 soon)
  
  
• 13 FREE Indoor Attractions to Visit in Autumn/Winter 
  
  

 

Make sure you follow North East Family Fun on Instagram here to be the first to hear of new Halloween events and follow our Hallowen themed days out. 

Remember to check out my October Half Term Guide (will be updated soon) if you are looking for non-Halloween themed days out and listings for what's on for every day of the holidays. 

This post shares ideas for Halloween days out across North East England and beyond. 

(ad) Scarefest at Alton Towers

Scarefest at Alton Towers runs on selected days and nights from 11 October - 3 November.

Visitors can enjoy the brand new 'Amigos in the Afterlife' walk through experience (recommended for ages 6+) and 'Trick or Treat Town' with Haribo where you'll find Haribo treats aplenty when you knock on doors in witchy woods. 

There will be a Monster Ball in CBeebies Land, spooky shows with Halloween character meet and greets, The Alton Ancestors, The Curse of Alton Manor and more..... 

The park is also open on selected dates in the evenings where you'll find a live-action scare maze (ages 12+), Daz Games Reloaded (12+), Tiny's Revenge, live music from the Sin Bins and Burial Grounds experience (12+). 

Book daytimes and evenings here: Alton Towers Scarefest Tickets 

Or why not extend your visit and stay over during half term? Half term breaks are available from £72pp and include free breakfast, free extraordinary golf, free car parking and more. 

Book an October short break here: October Half Term Breaks at Alton Towers 

(ad) Halloween in Amsterdam with DFDS 

HALF PRICE MINI CRUISES TO AMSTERDAM ARE BACK

I've found a deal for £45 per person leaving on Halloween. This includes 2 nights on board, time in Amsterdam and coach transfers and is based on 2A, 2C (see screenshot below - checked 5/9/24).

You can check prices yourself for other dates and here: https://prf.hn/l/aWLOooX

Not sure what to expect or need ideas for things to do? Amsterdam offers lots of Halloween fun including Ripley's Believe it Or Not and the Dungeons (English speaking tours available). This post has loads of info from food options on board to transfer times and things to do with kids plus video walk throughs: https://www.northeastfamilyfun.co.uk/2024/01/how-to-spend-5-hours-in-amsterdam-with.html

(ad) Spilmans Pumpkin Festival 

Spilman's Pumkin Festival opens on 28 & 29 September and this year and runs across selected dates across October. This year's festival is bigger and better than ever before.

Activities include: 

• Over 125,000 Pumkins to Pick including Ghost Pumpkins 
• Academy of Witches and Wizards Show 
• Skelebones Disco 
• Pumkinella Character Meet & Greet 
• Bale Mountain 
• Pumpkin Washing 
• Carving Barn 
• Spooky Walk 
• Giant Pipe Rolling 
• Barrell Train
• Corn Cannon 
• Pumpkin Slingshot 
• Tractor Rides
• Photo Opportunities
• Fairground Rides 
• Yummy Food & Drinks for Sale 

Plus there are evening events with live music and firepits and back to basics pumpkin picking options with no additional activities included if you prefer. 

Find out more and book your tickets here: https://www.spilmans.co.uk/pyo-pumpkins/

(ad) Halloween Spooktacular at Whitehouse Farm 

Running on selected days across October, Whitehouse Farm Spooktacular is a full day out with loads of activities included. Visitors can enjoy all of this fun included with their ticket: 

• Spooky Magic Shows 
• Witches and Wizards School 
• Fancy Dress Competition
• Indoor & Outdoor Pumpkin Patch (one free pumpkin per paying child)
• Pumpkin Carving Station
• Walkway of Terror 
• Storytime with Winnie the Witch

Plus all of the usual Whitehouse Farm Fun including small animal handling, crazy critter encounters, bird of prey meet & greet, interactive Meerkat talk, groom a goat/pony, indoor soft play, castle catapult, jumping pillows, feed the animals, go kart track and adventure playground. 

Find out more and book: https://www.whitehousefarmcentre.co.uk/events/halloween-spooktacular-2024/

(ad) Halloween After Dark Illuminated Trail in Plotters' Forest 

Enjoy a special after dark trail around Plotters' Forest. Don your spookiest costume and uncover the forest's magical mysteries. 

This special event takes place on evenings between 31 October and 3 November. 

Find out more and book: https://www.raby.co.uk/events/afterdarktrail/

(ad) Spooky Silent Disco at Discovery Museum 

There are two Spooky Silent Discos taking place at the Discovery Museum's impressive Great Hall on Friday 1 November. 

The first (2pm-4pm) is perfect for families with kids aged 4+ and the second (6-8pm) includes a paid bar and is perfect for families with children aged 9+. 

Tickets are a BARGAIN at just £3 each and babies aged 3 and under go free. 

Find out more and book: https://discoverymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/spooky-silent-disco

(ad) Spider Catapult Making at Discovery Museum 

On Tuesday 29th October, you can create your own Spider Catapult at Discovery Museum. Once completed, you can use your catapult to fire spiders back into their web. It's just £2 per child and best suited to aged 6+ but all welcome. 

Book here: https://discoverymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/curiosity-sparks-spooktacular-catapults


A spooky museum trail will also be running across the week. Find objects around the museum which have been covered in spider webs and crack the code to be entered into a prize draw. 

Psycho Path / Family Fright Fest 

Psycho Path Fearground (ages 13+) and Family Fright Fest (all ages) are back this year. Both are super popular attractions which receive excellent reviews. 

Scream Factory & Children's Twilight Tour 

The multi-award winning Scream Factory (ages 16+) will also return to Kirkleatham with over 100 live actors as well as the much more toned down children's twilight tour which is suitable for ages 3+

Luna Halloween Night Market

More details will be announced soon but save the dates for 6/10 (Sunderland), 13/10 (Newcastle) and 20/10 (Middlesbrough). Keep an eye on their page for ticket news. 

NERD Fright Fest

Fright Fest returns to Parks Sports Centre in North Shields on Sunday 20 October. All ages welcome. Expect cosplay, live music, retro gaming zone, movie props, the Harry Potter Car, special guests and more. 

Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nerd-fright-fest-tickets-879054966067

Horror Car Wash

This always sounds too terrifying for me but Sunderland Live Arena (aka Rainton Arena) return with the scariest car wash known to man. 

Expect lots of creepy characters to be helping out. Make sure your windows are closed and doors are locked. 

Find out more and book: https://sunderland-live.com/events/

Raven at Northern Stage 

Showing at Northern Stage from 26 Oct - 3 Nov, Raven is a beautiful and mischevious show for 5-11 year olds (and their grown ups). 

From the moment Raven was born, her family was forced to live in the shadows but as her 10th birthday looms, strange feelings begin to bubble inside of her. 

Join Raven as she breaks out of the shadows to discover her true beauty in a show which isn't strictly Halloween themed but does feature 'monster' puppets, live music and a talking gargoyle. 

Book here: https://northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/raven/

Frankenstein at Newcastle Castle 

And for families with older kids / teens (aged 12+), a new adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic is premiering at Newcastle Castle. Expect an electrifying performance which will keep you on the edge of your seat. Book now for performances between 1 & 15 November.

Book here: https://www.niltoni.com/event-details/frankenstein-or-the-modern-prometheus

Halloween Pop-Up Cocktail Bar 

Rusty's is hosting a pop-up Halloween Cocktail Bar in Newcastle. Expect ghoulish decor, themed drinks, goblets of potions, costume contests, a spooky playlist and more. 

Teens aged 15+ are welcome to join adults before 7pm (Halloween mocktails only for U18s though). This looks brill and I'm hoping to pop along with my lot. 

Book your slot here: https://halloweennewcastle.co.uk/product/halloween-in-newcastle/

Save the Date for these Drop-In Events 

(ad) Pumpkin Trail at Woodhorn Museum 

A drop-in Pumpkin Trail is running at Woodhorn Museum during normal museum opening hours from 16 October - 4 November. 

Can you find all of the pumpkins hiding in the dark corners of the museum? If you can, you'll be rewarded with a sweet treat. 

Find out more: https://museumsnorthumberland.org.uk/woodhorn-museum/event/pumpkin-trail-4

30th October - Birds of Prey at Woodhorn Museum 

Discover the fascinating world of birds with Ridgeside Falconry who will be visiting Woodhorn today. There will be a static display with an opportunity to ask questions between 11am and 3pm with flying displays (weather dependent) at 12noon and 3pm. 

No additional cost - all included with an annual pass (and under 18s always go free!). 

Ford & Etal Scarycrow Trail 

The famouse Ford & Etal Scarycrow Trail is BACK. Download a free map (available here from 25 Oct) and complete the trail between 29 Oct and 3 Nov - just drop in. 

This is a FREE event but donations are welcome and you can pick up a score sheet to rate the scarecrows too. Dogs on leads welcome and the trail is accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs.  

(ad) Witches Dance at Ormesby Hall 

Join the Cackling Ormesby Hall Witches on 26 Oct or 1/2/3 Nov and learn their special Witches Dance. Various drop-in sessions run across the day.

(ad) Brilliant Bats at Gibside 

A Brilliant Bats Trail is running at Gibside from 26 Oct - 3 Nov. No need to book, just drop in and complete the trail to learn more about these fascinating creatures which call Gibside home. 

Hexham Spook Night 

Hexham Spook Night is a brilliant drop-in event which takes over the town. Expect a fantastic atmosphere with funfair, entertainment, storytelling, parades and more. 

Don't forget, there's a train station in Hexham which makes this a brilliant afternoon / evening out by train. 

Halloween Activities at Newcastle Castle 

Newcastle Castle is hosting a range of drop-in Halloween themed activities across Halloween week. All included with admission too. Expect to meet characters across your visit including witches, an executioner and barber surgeon plus you can create your own clay monster and decorate a gracestone. 

Drop in between 26 Oct and 3 Nov. 

Halloween Market at Lumley Castle 

Lumley Castle is hosting a free-entry Halloween market on the afternoon of Sunday 27 October. Expect market stalls, kids crafts, face painting and more.