Things to do in Wales for Halloween and during October half term

As Halloween falls during the school half term break, come and scare yourselves silly at one of the many entertaining family-friendly Halloween events taking place across Wales. We've got loads of creepy ghost tours, spooky train rides and pumpkin picking patches to choose from. 

The Cadw website has details about all of their brilliant events, including pumpkin decorating, Halloween trails and dark fairy tale storytelling sessions. 

Here's a selection of popular events. Book ahead to avoid disappointment, as these experiences sell out quickly!

02 October – 01 November 2026. At Golden Sands Holiday Park in Kinmel Bay, 31 Days of Halloween offers family-friendly activities including pumpkin carving, creepy crafts, potion mixing, Trick or Treat Trails and live entertainment. Children can join the Boo Crew, collect badges and take part in the Halloween Jam-BOO-ree.

09 October - 01 November 2026. Forests are spooky enough as it is in the dark and the Zip World Betws-y-Coed team have ramped up the fear factor for Halloween in North Wales. Join them on a cursed coaster ride through the gloom, the trapdoor drops into the darkness below and a screamride swing. Dare you take on a net full of horrifying clowns? Or stalk through the Halloween Paintball Range in the eerie woods? Aimed at aged 9+ years, Ffear Fforest is sure to be a memorable experience. 

For a truly terrifying scare-fest in South Wales, visit Zip World Tower in Aberdâr (Aberdare) to meet monsters from the underground and experience unique night-time adventures... The Terror Coaster, Cursed Climber and Fear Flyer will test the bravest of souls as you speed or clamber through the unknown darkness. There's also an option to spectate, enjoy Halloween cocktails and tasty food while everyone else scares themselves silly. For more details and how to book, head to the Zip World Tower website.

15 October – 01 November 2026. Set within the grounds of Margam Country Park, Screamtime is a 1km immersive Halloween trail with live actors, themed scare zones and atmospheric horror attractions. Visitors can choose between the intense Screamtime experience (15+) or the Spookytime trail (7+), with lighter scares for younger audiences. A Scare Village adds food, drink, entertainment and fairground rides.

Celebrate Calan Gaeaf with events inspired by Welsh folklore and traditions at National Trust Cymru properties across Wales.

17 October – 01 November 2026: Calan Gaeaf at Erddig explores creatures and stories from Welsh folklore, with seasonal crafts and marshmallow toasting.

17 October – 01 November 2026: Calan Gaeaf at Chirk Castle and Gardens explores Welsh folklore on an autumn family trail. On 31 October, Chirk Castle and Gardens' Calan Gaeaf after-dark experience brings characters from Welsh myth and folklore to life with performers, lighting and sound.

23 October – 01 November 2026: Calan Gaeaf at Dyffryn Gardens invites visitors to discover the Tylwyth Teg (Welsh fairies), with fairy doors, games and mythical stories.

24 October – 01 November 2026: October Half Term Calan Gaeaf at Powis Castle and Garden features a pumpkin trail inspired by the legendary Hwch Ddu Gwta, spooky storytelling and autumn-inspired mask making.

24 October – 01 November 2026: Calan Gaeaf at Penrhyn Castle celebrates Welsh harvest traditions with an autumn trail and the story of Stwmp Naw Rhyw.

24 October – 08 November 2026: Calan Gaeaf Trail at Bodnant Garden invites visitors to hunt for monsters from Welsh legends through games, challenges and stories.

17 October – 01 November 2026. Have fun at Fonmon Castle with family-friendly daytime Halloween activities and evening Scare Nights. The Scare Nights feature Halloween entertainment and the Scare Run. There is no lower age limit, although some areas may upset younger visitors and under-16s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.

24 October – 01 November 2026. GreenWood Family Park transforms into SpookWood for a family Halloween and pumpkin adventure. Activities include pumpkin carving, a pumpkin trail, Dragon in the Dark, a best-dressed costume competition, Forest Theatre shows and creative activities.

24 October – 01 November 2026. Halloween at Picton Castle & Gardens offers a spooky family day out with a ghostly woodland trail, spooky decorations around the gardens and arts and crafts for children.

26–31 October 2026: This October half-term, the Swansea Bay Rider Land Train gets a Halloween makeover for 45-minute journeys along Bae Abertawe (Swansea Bay). With seasonal surprises, Halloween costumes encouraged and six departures each day from Blackpill Lido, earlier journeys are particularly suited to younger children, with later rides becoming more atmospheric as evening falls.

24–31 October 2026. Join the team at Llandegfedd for pumpkin carving and spooky craft sessions. Families can also follow the free Nature’s Cauldron Halloween Trail along the Pike Walking Trail, collecting spooky ingredients before claiming a prize. The trail is available between 10am and 3pm and does not need to be booked in advance.

29 and 30 October 2026. All aboard the Talyllyn Railway in Tywyn, for terrifying tricks and terrific treats! Put your best Halloween outfits on and catch the spooktacular Steam & Scream! train ride to the haunted Dolgoch Woods. Dare you walk through the screaming, howling, fright-filled woods at night? 

30 and 31 October 2026. Be prepared to be scared! All aboard the Halloween Trains on Llyn Tegid Bala Lake Railway for a terrifying trip along the lakeside. Two special services will run at 5.30 pm and 6.45 pm from Llanuwchllyn to Flag Halt. Feel free to dress up! More details on the Llyn Tegid Bala Lake Railway website.

30 October 2026: Celebrating Welsh myths, legends and the traditions of Noson Galan Gaeaf, Haverfordwest Lantern Parade features handmade lanterns, music and performances, alongside three-metre-high illuminated puppets inspired by Cerridwen, Rhiannon and the White Stag of Annwn.

30 and 31 October 2026. Families can enjoy a Halloween-themed archery experience at Llys-y-frân Lake. After decorating pumpkins in the visitor centre, participants can test their aim against spooky targets including zombies and ghouls, before taking part in the Pumpkin Head Showdown. There’s also a Halloween Nature Trail, spooky biscuit decorating and a kids eat free offer in the café throughout half term. Suitable for ages 6+. Advance booking recommended via the Llys-y-frân Lake website.

31 October 2026. Spooks in the City: Day of the Dead returns to St David's Place in Abertawe (Swansea) from 1pm to 6pm for a free, family-friendly Halloween celebration, with live music, dance, face painting, crafts, circus acts and colourful characters inspired by El Día de los Muertos.

There are farms and pumpkin patches throughout Wales where you can pick a perfect pumpkin, ready to carve a scary Jack-o'-lantern. Several places go all out to make it a fun experience for all ages. Family-friendly events include pumpkin festivals, spooky trails and mazes to explore, and animal encounters. Read on for our list of pumpkin patches you can visit across Wales.

• Head to Porthcawl's pumpkin patch for a pick your own session with a difference. With over 20 different varieties of pumpkin, a play area for kids, face painting and farm animals to pet, you'll find plenty of fun.
• Vale Pick Your Own in Tresimwn (Bonvilston) have 30 varieties of pumpkin, lots of photo opportunities, with day and twilight sessions.
• PYO Pumpkins At Forage Farm Shop near Y Bont-faen (Cowbridge) has thousands of homegrown pumpkins to pick, plus a maize maze, farm animals and Halloween entertainment.

• Pick your own pumpkin and enjoy a day out at Clearwell Farm in Michaelston-y-Fedw, with daytime picking, twilight sessions with live music, and plenty of food and entertainment.
• The Black Cat Pumpkin Patch in Llanelli has a trick or treat tunnel, maize maze, animals and a hot food stall.
• Explore the creepy trail in the wild flower meadow at Pembrokeshire Pumpkins in Trewyddel (Moylegrove). Children can play hide and seek among the spooky hay bales and visit the wooded area for a Halloween experience.
• The Pumpkin Festival at Cantref Adventure Farm, near Aberhonddu (Brecon), includes pumpkin picking and carving, Halloween games, pumpkin launching, Wizard School, spooky boat rides, live shows and marshmallow toasting. Each child can pick a pumpkin from the patch as part of their paid visit.
• Kerry Vale PYO near Y Drenewydd (Newtown) has a pumpkin patch ready to pick from October.
• Investigate the spooky maize maze at Bellis Brothers Farm near Wrecsam (Wrexham) before picking your own pumpkin. Follow up with a hot drink and snack from the on-site restaurant. 
• Manorafon Farm in Abergele celebrates all things pumpkin during their Pumpkin Fest, with a variety of pumpkins to pick yourself, or buy from their pumpkin market. Activities include the pumpkin carving tent, Trick or Treat Show, meet creepy critters, and you can find out what exactly is in the 'horrid hollow'... if you dare! Entrance price includes a free pumpkin with each child ticket, access to the activities and the farm park. Check out the Pumpkin Fest Nights for their evening entertainment. 
• Pick your own pumpkin at Hooton's Homegrown, Ynys Môn (Anglesey). While you're there, head to the farm shop to stock up on tasty seasonal local produce or warm up in the café.

24 October - 01 November 2026. The Welsh Museums Festival offers a variety of events in museums across Wales, many of them are free. Find out what happens behind the scenes at your local museum. Events include fun family-friendly Halloween happenings, history trails, craft sessions, storytelling sessions, workshops and talks.

24 October – 01 November 2026. The Big Draw at Plas Newydd offers family drawing activities inspired by artist Rex Whistler and his work at the property.

The autumn half term break is a fabulous time for families to get outdoors and burn off some pent-up energy. We've got plenty of outdoor space to explore on our footpaths, beaches and outdoor attractions. Discover the best places in Wales to see autumn leaves, where to find dark skies for stargazing, and family walk inspiration. There are lots of family-friendly places to visit with special events on over half-term, or just enjoy the freedom of being outside. 

Dates TBC. The South Wales Makers’ Market fills St Fagans with stalls of handmade Welsh crafts, including pottery, jewellery, textiles and artisan treats.

Explore a National Trust property in Wales, with lots of autumn walks and fun family days out. Many properties have special events on over half-term including Calan Gaeaf.

Enjoy the wide open space at WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre and see wildlife including world’s rarest ducks, swans, kingfishers, cranes and geese. 

Children will enjoy Ramble and Scramble, child-friendly self led walks, which start and finish at railway stations. There are walks from Burry Port, Llanelli, Pontarddulais and Fishguard & Goodwick railway stations. Download a map in Welsh or English and enjoy the suggested activities for each walk.

All week, across Wales.

Tech and the great outdoors come together in the free Wales Coast Path app for the 870-mile Wales Coast Path. It uses augmented reality to bring the coast to life. Use it to uncover wondrous legends through interactive learning, play family-friendly games and wander along paths to particular points of interest along the Welsh coast. Get some outside inspiration from the itineraries page on the Wales Coast Path website.

There's plenty more happening across Wales during October - head to our October events page for more info.