Things To Do In October Half Term 2025
Image Credit: Bee Felten-Leidel
When October Half Term is here there is a good chance that you are probably looking for some ideas too keep the kids entertained now that they are not at school.
October Half Term 2025 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland falls between Monday October 27th to Friday October 31st 2025.
In Scotland it runs from Monday 13th October 2025 to Friday 17th October 2025.
A few schools in the other parts of the UK have two weeks holiday at this time, always check your individual school to confirm the dates.
As October Half Term is close to Halloween, lots of October Half Term activities are combined with spooky Halloween events for kids, so be prepared for a plethora of pumpkins, a gaggle of ghosts and a veritable wave of witches and wizards!
There is lots to do this October across the UK. Whether you like adventure, the theatre, a movie or to get into the great outdoors there is something for everyone.
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October Half Term Holiday Events Across The UK
Family events happening across the whole of the UK during the school October Half term holidays this year.
- The Big Draw 2025
The Big Draw is a festival of drawing held during the whole of the month of October.
This year's theme is Drawn Together. The Big Draw encourages everyone, young and old, to pick up a pancil, pen, marker whatever and get drawing, even if, or especially of you haven't drawn for years.
This year's event is being launched in Bradford, which is the 2025 City of Culture.
You can find out about events taking place near you and all across the UK at thebigdraw.org
- Ascarium at SEALiFE!
This Halloween The Sea Witch is back at Sealife for 2025!
Every Sealife centre opens a window into the magical world beneath our seas and offers close encounters for all ages with everything from humble shrimps and starfish to seahorses, sharks and stingrays.
Help the Sea Witch and join her army of Ocean Defenders from 11th to 2nd November at SEAiFE in Birmingham, Brighton, Hunstanton, Loch Lomond, Manchester , Scarborough and Weymouth
- The National Trust
The National Trust have an exciting programme of Halloween and autumn themed activities at many of their properties for the school half term holidays.
- What's On At The Cinema This Autumn?
Are you thinking of heading off to the Cinema this October Half Term. Here is what's on at the cinema right now with all the family friendly movies on release in September and October 2025.
- Go to the Panto? Oh Yes You Can!
Halloween pantos are definitely a thing!
You can find all the October Half Term pantomines for 2025 at Big Panto Guide and even get a look at all the pantos for Christmas 2025 that you can look forward to.
- Get Your Skates On!
Christmas skating rinks are back for winter 2025, and lots of them are opening in time for you to take the kids for some October half term fun.
Find your nearest Christmas Ice Skating rink and at some of them you can also enjoy snacks, hot drinks or even a Christmas Market.
Follow a wildlife trail, discover historical stories or get creative with natural materials. Join in at family events across the country this October half-term. Find out more
There are events that are happening across the UK, then you can find out what is happening where you live.
- October Half Term Events in England
- October Half Term Events in Scotland
- October Half Term Events In Wales
- October Half Term Events in Northern Ireland
October Half Term Holiday Events In England
Family events happening across England during the school October Half Term holidays this year.
- Legoland Discovery Centres
At the Legoland Discovery Centres in Manchester and Birmingham, October 2025 sees the return of the hugely popular their Brick-or-Treat Monster Party Halloween event for the month of October!
There is going to be fang-tastic activities including Halloween-themed LEGO build & play zones, spooktacular soft play areas and a brand new 4D Halloween movie ‘The Great Monster Chase!’ at the ultimate indoor LEGO® playground.
- Scarefest at Alton Towers
For the 16th year Alton Towers Resort in Staffordshire is running it's annual Scarefest. Expect spine tingling creepy scares, spooktacular fun and thrills and brave your favourite rides in the dark! For the brave, add the Alton Towers Dungeon to your visit for the extra ghostly experience - the park opens late for these events.
Day Passes start from just £34 per person when you book at least 1 day in advance, and you can also book an October Half Term breaks which includes accomodation in CBeebiesland, Enchanted Village or Stargazing Pods.
- Go Into Space at The Science Museum
Science Museum London's Space exhibition opens on 20th September 2025. Discover inspiring stories of human achievement in space travel, and discover significant space objects from a new perspective!
You can also visit Wonderlab, which is free to visit. This unmissable interactive gallery is perfect for curious minds aged 7-14 to experiment and play with 50 eye-opening exhibits that help them feel like real scientists. They’ll explore the science behind everyday life to imagine the world around them in new and exciting ways.
- Phantom Peak London
Phantom Peak is a fully immersive, open world experience - a living, breathing town where mystery lurks around every corner. Part escape room, part immersive theatre, part real-life videogame. Steampunk costumes are encouraged
Explore the town, collect clues, and go sightseeing at your own pace for up to five hours. Uncover the mysteries that lie within the town. Under 16’s welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. Children up to 3 years old may go for free.
- Howl'o'een Chessington
Chessington World of Adventures Surrey's theme park and zoo, perfect for daredevils and animal lovers alike.
Things are getting spoOoky once again at Chessington this October, with a FaBOOlous Halloween event for the whole family. On select October weekends and during half term there will be entertainment for all ages, rides at dusk, Halloween fancy dress competitions AND a brand new trick or treat experience, Enchanted Hollow… we dare you not to miss out!
- Halloween in the City Manchester
- National Railway Museum
Steam along to the National Railway Museum in York, where ther are a host of October Half Term events. This year the museum is celebrating it's 50th birthday with lots of special celebratory events and exhibitions throughout the year.
Plus try out lots of STEM based activities, the Flying Scotsman VR Experience and a chance to find out just what a rail engineer does. Plus you can step inside the only Japanese bullet train that's not in Japan!
- Bradford Science Festival
Little Peasants Walking Tour
Image Credit: Karl Moran
For any Little Peasants who are too young (or scared!) for The York Dungeon, they will be running a Little Peasants City Walking Tour on selected dates in October.
This one hour tour of York City will give families the chance to walk, laugh and learn while you explore York's famous sights including Clifford’s Tower, York Minster and The Shambles.
English Heritage
Grab your broomsticks for a ghoulishly great day out at English Heritage's Halloween Events taking place across the country this October.
Need fiendish family fun to entertain your little monsters? English Heritage have creepy castles galore to visit and lots of spookey events for October Half Term. Join storytellers for family-friendly spooky woodland walks through the shadowy grounds of these historic places.
Image Credit:William McCue
Join the MCR Monsters for a weekend of shockingly good events across the city centre for Halloween In The City.
From a giant rooftop monster invasion and Monster Party Procession, to the brand-new family-friendly Monsters Rock! Music Festival. Plus, a fancy dress competition, creepy carnival, arts and crafts and much more, all in Manchester's City Centre.
Bradford Science Festival returns from 25th October to 2nd November 2025 with an unmissable programme of hands-on experiences and exciting events.
It is a celebration of surprising science and fascinating fun, with events at the National Science and Media Museum and various locations across Bradford. The festival is free, events must be pre-booked online.
October Half Term Holiday Events In Scotland
Family events happening across Scotland during the school October Half Term holidays this year.
The October half term holiday is usually a little earlier than the rest of the UK to reflect the fact that the Autumn term begins in August, and may also be two weeks long.
- National Trust For Scotland
- Party Time!
Join the Halloween Family Party at Glasgow Science Centre on 24th October. There will be plenty of spooktacular tricks and treats in store for the whole family - so dig out your best Halloween costume and join the party, if you dare, for a hauntingly great night!
On Saturday 13th October you can explore the cosmos after hours, from 7-8pm. These amazing Planetarium Lates are live presenter-led shows, where our team of expert astronomers will fly you on a tour of the cosmos, show you the latest amazing images, and bring you cutting-edge astronomy news. Whether you're looking for a way to kick-start your evening, or as a special treat for the kids, our planetarium will amaze you.
- Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Scottish International Storytelling Festival takes place each October and brings together a large number of Scottish and international storytellers and musicians.Inspired by the Scottish ceilidh tradition and its sense of togetherness, it is a community gathering full of tales, anecdotes, music, songs and ballads. It takes place in and around Edinburgh from 22nd October to 1st November 2025.
This year's theme is "Lights of the North", and storytellers from Scotland will be joining storytellers from Norway, Finland, Sweden, Germany and Iceland.
- Stirling Science Festival
The Stirling Science Festival takes place at a variety of locations in Stirling and is held between 13th and 18th October 2025.
There is a variety of free and paid events including codebreaking, fossil handling, crafts, storytelling, LEGO events and more.
This year's theme is Stirling 900 which celebrates 900 years of The Royal Burgh of Stirling.
The word Halloween itself is Scottish, so you can bet that there will be lots of ghostly fun at the National Trust For Scotland's locations! They have lots of their properties which are reputed to be haunted including Crathes Castle, Falkland Palace and Culzean Castle.
October Half Term Holiday Events In Wales
Family events happening across Wales during the school October Half Term holidays this year.
- Mini Pumpkin Decorating in Chepstow
This Half Term head down to Chepstow Castle for some fun Mini Pumpkin Decorating where you choose your pumpkin then transform it into a spooky Halloween decoration to take home.
You can join in from 26th October to 2nd November. There’s no messy carving here - just felt pens, stickers and stick-on gemstones!
- Meet The Gruffalo In Llanarthne
Image Credit: NBGW
A new Gruffalo Trail opened last year at the National Botanic Garden of Wales in Llanarthne Carmarthenshire.
It features five larger-than-life sculptures of characters from the ever-popular books created by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler: Mouse, Fox, Owl, Snake and the Gruffalo.
- Blaenafon Ironworks Spooky Halloween Week
Blaenafon Ironworks is a historic former industrial site that played a crucial role in the development of the iron and steel industry.
As well as learning about this important part of Wales' industrial heritage you can join in on the Spooky Halloween Week at Blaenafon Ironworks from 25th to 31st October 2025.
Throughout the week, there'll be a children’s trail and a chocolate prize in their spookily-themed cottages.
October Half Term Holiday Events In Northern Ireland
Family events happening across Northern Ireland during the school October Half Term holidays this year.
- Belfast Halloween Days
- A Mouse Took A Stroll...
- In Otter News....
There's monster mayhem family fun across the city centre this Halloween with Belfast Halloween Fun, scarily good fun for all the family including pumpkin patches, enchanted gardens and ghost trails.
Check individual events for booking requirements.
For a super day out try the Gruffalo Trail at Colin Glen Forest Belfast, where sculptures of characters from The Gruffalo can be seen as you walk along the trail. The walk takes a toddler-friendly 20 minutes. Colin Glen Forest park is home to Northern Ireland’s only official Gruffalo Trail.
Fans of Julia Donaldson are in for another treat as you can also join the trail of The Stickman, another story from this much-loved author.
In Co Down, Northern Ireland, the WWT's Castle Espie is having a series of events for Halloween.
Enjoy the thrill of The Mystery of Ollie the Otter, an animal nature based ‘whodunnit’ for Halloween at WWT Castle Espie. It takes place on Saturday 25th October and Sunday 26th October both days 11am and 2pm sessions. Pre-booking essential.
Allow up to an hour and a half or so to complete your investigation.
Even More Half Term Ideas
- Visit the Top Aquariums in the UK for an aquatic day out. See Fish, sharks, eels, rays as well as otters and sealions at coastal locations. Here are the best the UK has to offer.
- If you are near London you can check out the Best West End Shows for Kids 2025. See a favourite like Wicked, Matilda or the Lion King or a newer show such as Mrs Doubtfire or the return of an old favourite, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express.
- Enjoy the great outdoors and meet some farmyard friends at one of Top UK Farm Parks. Meet cows, sheep, goats and pigs and learn about everything that goes on at a farm.
- For more ideas here are 5 Things to Do in any Town, City or Village and they are all things that you can do for free.
As Halloween falls during half term week (except in Scotland - sorry Scotland), it is a fantastic opportunity to do some goulishly fun things! How about these Spooky Days Out For Halloween at some spine-chilling locations across the UK?