🗞️ Top picks this Ghoulish October Half Term

Autumn has well and truly arrived, which means it’s time for little ones across the country to enjoy a well deserved half term. With Halloween festivities cropping up throughout Leeds, and indoor venues opening their doors, there’s a scaresome amount of events to pick from during such a busy period. Stick around and we’ll tell you the best to-do’s for this October half term…

October At Thackray 

28 October – 5 November | Thackray Museum of Medicine

Thackray Museum of Medicine has a treat in store for the Halloween lovers amongst you, putting on three exciting events to enjoy throughout the October half term. Their Halloween extravaganza invites families to hear the story of surgery, and dissect the chilling stories of those who once lived in the workhouse. The October event will be offering a giant game of operation, a crafts session in the haunted Thackray graveyard, and an up close and personal look at how dissection was done historically. 

Museum goers this October can also enjoy a free puppet show on the 29th October – 2nd November, seeing storytellers reenact the tales of those who once lived in the workhouse that once stood before Thackray opened its doors. As well as this, older kids can get a first hand glimpse at life as a medical student, and even watch a real life heart dissection take place throughout the event. With limited spaces available, these events are certainly not one to miss this October. 

To find out more about these events, please visit the website HERE. 

Harry Panto Outdoor Theatre 

27-29 October | Kirkstall Abbey 

This half term, Kirkstall Abbey is inviting all young magicians to relish in a parody pantomime of the iconic Harry Potter. This family event showcases a tale of good versus evil, combining a spellbinding story with mystical illusions and everyone’s favourite pop songs. Brought to you by the team who pulled together this summer’s sold out Panto at the Abbey, this magical live special will be taking place between the 27th – 29th October. 

Tickets for this event can be found on the link HERE. 

Spooky Skeletons Trail 

27 October – 5 November | Lotherton

Halloween comes to Lotherton this year, as the country estate is putting on a ghoulish trail for the whole family to enjoy. Inviting you to put on your best Halloween costumes, Lotherton has set up a trail of spooky skeletons for you to chase, concluded by a visit to the haunted house. As well as this, those who aren’t frightened too much can even visit the nocturnal house to see real life bats in action! 

Filled with scary surprises throughout, the Spooky Skeletons Trail will offer a whole lot of fun for you and the little ones this October. 

To book tickets for this event, please follow the link HERE.

Pirates and Highwaymen 

8 October – 5th November | The Royal Armouries Museum 

The Royal Armouries is famed for its fantastic storytelling and historical reenactment, and this October you can find them transporting you to the land of Pirates and Highwaymen. Telling fantastic stories from the era, this immersive experience will feature live combats and loads of fun activities to keep the little ones entertained. You can also rest assured that there will be no daylight robbery from these historical crooks, as admission to the museum is completely free. 

Tickets for Pirates and Highwaymen can be found on the eventbrite link HERE.

Halloween At This Green Moon

31st October – 1 November | Swillington Organic Farm 

The environmental haven that is ‘This Green Moon’ is welcoming families to celebrate Halloween with them this October half term. For two days only, the team are inviting young and old alike to reconnect with nature in their paranormal forest, for an event filled with exploring, dancing and treats. The venue will be hosting the Yorkshire Pizza Co. and The Woodchip Store to provide savoury goods alongside a range of sweet treats. Tickets for this spooktacular event can be purchased on the website, though be warned: no humans will be admitted. 

To book this experience, please follow the link HERE.

Pumpkin Picking 

18th – 31st October | Kemps Farm 

Kemps Farm in Horsforth is opening the gates to its pumpkin patch, allowing you to come along and pick from their gorgeous autumnal harvest. With tractor and trailer rides included in the price of every ticket, you can choose from a selection of the 70,000 pumpkins that have been planted this year! For the Halloween weekend, you can also expect to see a selection of ghoulish photo opportunities, and can even take your pick of blue, yellow, white and pink pumpkins! You can book to pick your pumpkins on the link HERE.