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You are here > Home > What's On > Family Events > October Half Term Events

October Half Term Events

There's plenty to keep the kids entertained during half term. And don’t forget, with indoor and outdoor attractions now open across the county, there’s even more opportunities for fun family days out.

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  1. A Witch and a cat riding a broom.  Room on the Broom © 2001 Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler. Licensed by Magic Light Pictures Ltd.

    Add Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Bedburn , Hamsterley Forest

    This interactive family trail is packed with Room on the Broom themed activities, fascinating forest facts and plenty of hands-on fun. 

    Dates

    From:
    28 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest
  2. An Egyptian obelisk on a black background.

    Add Family Activities: Into the Afterlife to your Itinerary

    Family Activities: Into the Afterlife

    Type

    Type:

    Arts & Crafts

    Durham

    Find out about the ancient Egyptian obelisk on display and create your own 3D model to take home.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Oct 2026Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Family Activities: Into the Afterlife
  3. Two adults walk either side of a child holding hands down the pews of Durham Cathedral.

    Add October Half Term 2026 to your Itinerary

    October Half Term 2026

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Durham

    This October half-term, experiment with light art, join a free mini tour, explore the LEGO® Cathedral and dress up as a monk.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for October Half Term 2026
  4. A young child looks through the eyepiece of a telescope.

    Add Family Astronomy - North Pennines Stargazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Family Astronomy - North Pennines Stargazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    This is a great way to get children interested in astronomy and science. They will enjoy an interactive talk in the classroom and then will be able to see and touch rocks from space – meteorites. A stunning interactive talk on space stuff in the…

    Venue

    Grassholme Observatory, Teesdale

    Dates

    From:
    31 Oct 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    More info for Family Astronomy - North Pennines Stargazing Festival
  5. White painted pumpkins with bats, on a table surrounded by candles

    Add Little Ones Pumpkin Painting - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Little Ones Pumpkin Painting - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Darlington

    Celebrate the autumn season with a fun and creative pumpkin painting workshop! Little artists will receive their own pumpkin along with a variety of paints and brushes to design a unique creation – no carving required! From spooky faces to colourful…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026to25 Oct 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    From:
    29 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    More info for Little Ones Pumpkin Painting - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  6. Participants in warm clothing gather around a moth trap during a nighttime wildlife survey, illuminated by a bright light.

    Add Discover the Creatures of the Night - North Pennines Stargazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Discover the Creatures of the Night - North Pennines Stargazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Newbiggin

    Discover the hidden creatures of the night on a guided evening family walk from the Bowlees Visitor Centre in Upper Teesdale. Join the North Pennines National Landscape team as we explore the fascinating lives of moths, bats, owls and other…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Oct 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    More info for Discover the Creatures of the Night - North Pennines Stargazing Festival
  7. Small child playing with paint in a craft session.

    Add Halloween Craft Day - The Story to your Itinerary

    Halloween Craft Day - The Story

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    South Road, Durham

    Gather your little monsters for a spooktacular craft day at The Story!

    Dates

    From:
    26 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Halloween Craft Day - The Story
  8. Poster for Halloween scare nights, decorated with horror characters and circus tents.

    Add SCARE NIGHTS - Thorpe Farm Centre to your Itinerary

    SCARE NIGHTS - Thorpe Farm Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Barnard Castle

    Two Spooktacular Experiences – Choose Your Scare!

    Dates

    From:
    29 Oct 2026to31 Oct 2026Open 16:00 - 21:00
    More info for SCARE NIGHTS - Thorpe Farm Centre
  9. A handmade paper autumn wreath on a tree.

    Add Autumn Leaves - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Autumn Leaves - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Bearpark, Durham

    Ready for an Autumnal Celebration of Leaves at Ushaw? Join us this October Half Term for two days packed with autumn-inspired creativity, colour and craft.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Oct 2026to27 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Autumn Leaves - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  10. Two glass jars decorated with leaves, surrounded by autumnal foliage.

    Add Leaf Lanterns Workshop to your Itinerary

    Leaf Lanterns Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Durham

    Craft a magical autumnal lantern with our Learning Team. Forage for fallen leaves and get creative as you craft a glowing autumn lantern to bring a touch of seasonal warmth to your home. 

    Dates

    From:
    28 Oct 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Leaf Lanterns Workshop
  11. A beautiful silver ancient Persian bowl

    Add Family Activities: Bowl of Wonders to your Itinerary

    Family Activities: Bowl of Wonders

    Type

    Type:

    Arts & Crafts

    Durham

    Spot a 2500 year old silver bowl made by the ancient Persians and try metal embossing your own patterns.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Family Activities: Bowl of Wonders
  12. Halloween Fun at the Farm Poster, decorated with two pumpkins and a crow.

    Add Halloween Fun At The Farm - Down At The Farm to your Itinerary

    Halloween Fun At The Farm - Down At The Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Houghton le Spring

    Join us for some Spooky Halloween Fun! Choose from 17th/18th or 24th- 31st October. Visit our outdoor pumpkin patch and choose your pumpkin to carve or take home.(remember to bring your carving kits) Entry to the pumpkin patch is £3.50  on the day…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026to31 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Halloween Fun At The Farm - Down At The Farm
  13. Two individuals examining a large, circular mechanical device with intricate components, possibly an antique or scientific instrument.

    Add Wonder Workshop: Cloud Collage - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Wonder Workshop: Cloud Collage - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Barnard Castle

    A workshop for curious young people aged 10–16 who enjoy asking questions, looking closely and thinking creatively.

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    27 Oct 2026to28 Oct 2026Open 12:30 - 13:45
    More info for Wonder Workshop: Cloud Collage - The Bowes Museum
  14. An adult and small child walking hand in hand down an autumnal path.

    Add Leaves, Lanterns and Baskets, Family Crafts - October Half Term 2026 to your Itinerary

    Leaves, Lanterns and Baskets, Family Crafts - October Half Term 2026

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Durham

    Get creative and join our cosy, autumnal-themed drop-in crafts session. This October half-term, make lanterns and baskets inspired by autumn leaves, harvest colours, and pumpkins. Drop in for a hands-on activity that everyone can enjoy.

    Dates

    From:
    30 Oct 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Leaves, Lanterns and Baskets, Family Crafts - October Half Term 2026
  15. A Child digs at an archaeological excavation

    Add Eagle Eyed Excavators: Become an Archaeologist for the Day to your Itinerary

    Eagle Eyed Excavators: Become an Archaeologist for the Day

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Palace Green, Durham City

    Become an archaeologist for the day this half term at the Museum of Archaeology! Dig into a family-fun packed day on Thursday 29th October and camp out in our brand-new Archaeology Skills Tent in the newly refurbished upstairs gallery!

    Venue

    Museum of Archaeology at Palace Green Library, Durham City

    Dates

    From:
    29 Oct 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Eagle Eyed Excavators: Become an Archaeologist for the Day
  16. A colourful poster, with bold red, green and yellow font which reads 'Black History Month Celebration 2026,' with Durham Cathedral in the background a

    Add Black History Month Celebration to your Itinerary

    Black History Month Celebration

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Honouring Our Heritage, Heroes & Futures. Join us on Saturday 24 October 2026 for a vibrant afternoon celebrating Black history, heritage, culture, achievements and the people helping to shape the future of our communities. Organised by Wonderful…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026Open 14:00 - 18:00
    More info for Black History Month Celebration
  17. Children sat on hay bales decorated with pumpkins and plastic skeletons.

    Add Spooktown - Hopetown Darlington to your Itinerary

    Spooktown - Hopetown Darlington

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Darlington

    All Hallows’ Eve will soon be on us and something spooky is stirring at Hopetown Darlington. This Halloween, Hopetown transforms into Spooktown; a hauntingly fun destination packed with thrills, chills and ghostly goings-on for the whole family.…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Spooktown - Hopetown Darlington
  18. A view of Raby castle in the dark.

    Add Teenager Ghost Walk Tour to your Itinerary

    Teenager Ghost Walk Tour

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Staindrop, Darlington

    Dare to explore Raby Castle after dark? Join us at twilight for a spooky torchlit tour and discover the mysterious stories, strange happenings and ghostly legends that have been passed down through generations at Raby Castle. Your guides will meet…

    Dates

    From:
    30 Oct 2026to31 Oct 2026Open 16:30 -
    More info for Teenager Ghost Walk Tour
  19. Children dressed up in fancy dress walking around a spooky outdoor trail.

    Add The Haunted Forest: Trick or Trail - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    The Haunted Forest: Trick or Trail - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Staindrop, Darlington

    Join us for a spooktacular Halloween adventure at The Plotters’ Forest! Dress up, bring your family, and get ready for a Halloween experience like no other. Get ready to unleash your inner spookiness and dive into a world of double trouble…

    Dates

    From:
    3 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for The Haunted Forest: Trick or Trail - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  20. A small child wearing orange, drawing on a wall.

    Add Pumpkin Trail to your Itinerary

    Pumpkin Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    South Road, Durham

    Can you uncover the spooky word? Explore The Story, both indoors and outdoors, to find the hidden pumpkins and reveal the mystery word. Once you’ve completed the trail, collect your sweets before you leave.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Oct 2026to31 Oct 2026
    More info for Pumpkin Trail
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