Things to do this October half term

Come and scare yourselves silly at one 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. Hallowe'en events in Cardiff include St Fagans National Museum of History's Halloween Nights. 

Here's a selection of our regular favourites.

Head to Carew Castle & Tidal Mill, in Pembrokeshire for family fun, with events including family-friendly ghost hunts and tours, the Creepy Mill Haunted House, and live interactive adventures with The Shadow of The Vampire show. More details and booking information are on the Carew Castle Autumn Events page.

28 October 2023. The Porth Eirias 1K Kids Halloween Fun Run is a fun and friendly run along the North Wales Coastal path for 3-15 year olds. The 1K route is way-marked and extremely flat. There will be a kids' medal, with superb event centre facilities and of course, some truly inspiring running. Runners are being encouraged to dress up in their most wacky Halloween costumes!

28 and 30 October 2023. 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.

As well as visiting Llancaiach Fawr Manor, and discovering what life would have been like back in the 17th century, there are family friendly ghost hunts on Halloween on 31 October 2023, suitable for aged 12 - 16 year olds. Hear stories about the interesting apparitions and creepy happenings in the manor. For younger children, there's the Halloween Potions Workshop on 01 November 2023. See Llancaiach Fawr Manor's What's On page for details.

30 - 31 October 2023. All aboard for terrifying tricks and terrific treats! Put your best Halloween outfits on and catch the Talyllyn Railway's spooktacular Steam & Scream! train ride to the haunted Dolgoch Woods. Dare you walk through the screaming, howling, fright-filled woods at night? 

As well as enjoying Fonmon Castle, during the day, there's fun during the evening, with a Halloween Night Scare trail, taking place from 14 - 31 October 2023. 

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.

• Cardiff Pumpkin Festival has over 30,000 pumpkins in every shape and size imaginable, plus plenty of family entertainment. There are day and twilight festivals and a scare fest for those age 14+.
• Head to Porthcawl's pumpkin patch - the Picking Patch - for a pick your own session with a difference. Choose from over 20 varieties of pumpkin, solve the murder mystery in the Halloween Maze, crack an escape room, enjoy a steam train ride around the site and book in for arts and craft sessions.
• Vale Pick Your Own in Bonvilston have 30 varieties of pumpkin, lots of photo opportunities, with day and twilight sessions.
• 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 Moylgrove. Children can play hide and seek among the spooky hay bales and visit the wooded area for a Halloween experience.
• Pick your own pumpkins at Bryneithyn Farm (Cambrian Trees) in Ystrad Meurig, Ceredigion.
• Kerry Vale PYO near Newtown has a pumpkin patch ready to pick from October.
• Investigate the spooky maize maze at Bellis Brothers Farm near 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, Anglesey. While you're there, head to the farm shop to stock up on tasty seasonal local produce or warm up in the café.

28 October - 05 November 2023. The Welsh Museums Festival offers a variety of events in museums across Wales. Find out what happens behind the scenes at your local museum. Events include fun family friendly Halloween happenings, interactive science, object handling and crafts sessions, lectures and conservation sessions.

Autumn half-term 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. 

Enjoy family garden walks and stunning autumn colour, with the chance to discover incredible tropical plants in the world’s largest glasshouse at the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

While you're there, check out the British Bird of Prey Centre, housing over 20 native birds of prey and offering guests close encounters with hawks, falcons, kestrels, kites, buzzards and a golden eagle. 

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. These include Chirk Castle's Halloween trail from 21 October to 05 November 2023, plus there's storytellering and marshmallow toasting on selective dates. On 27 October there's a waxcap fungi walk, which is suitable for older children and adults. At Erddig, Wrexham there's an apple harvest celebration on 14 and 15 October and 21 and 22 October, plus an autumn apple trail from 14 October to 5 November. On 25 October and 01 November little ones can have fun with spooky sketching and finger painting.

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 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.