Did you know that York has more ghosts than anywhere else in Europe? Although we don’t know who counted all the ghosts, we do know that York’s a haunted city that takes Halloween equally seriously. In fact we’d go so far as to say it’s the best place in the UK to celebrate Halloween, making it the perfect place for a family trip at October half term. York offers tricks, treats and spooky encounters for all ages, as well as some lovely autumn days if you don’t want to run the risk of nightmares. We think York is the best place to visit at Halloween, and here’s why.
🎃 October half term in York 2024
💰The best free and cheap things to do in York
🧙♂️The best Harry Potter things to do in York
🛌 The best places to stay in York with kids
🥴 The best unusual things to do in York
👶🏼 The best things to do in York with a baby/toddler
📗 Read the Little Vikings Family Guide to York
😎 The best things to do with older kids and teens in York
1. See The Ghosts in the Gardens
One of York’s best Halloween events returns for 2024: Ghosts in the Gardens! There are 39 horribly convincing wire mesh sculptures to find in many of York’s most stunning spaces, and you can find all the locations on the York BID website. The perfect Halloween photo opportunity, it’s free and an enchanting way to explore York this October half term.
Ghosts in the Gardens – 21 September to Early November 2024 – Visit the York BID website
2. Scare yourselves silly at The York Dungeon
Lurking beneath York’s candy-coated surface is a murkier, more murderous past that will make you see the pretty city gates in a whole new light (just imagine them decorated with decapitated heads…). None of this is for younger children, of course, but older kids who find blood and guts funny rather than frightening will relish discovering York’s darker depths. And there’s no better place to do that than The York Dungeon, one of the city’s top attractions, and definitely the most frightening. Read our review of The York Dungeon here.
The York Dungeon, 12 Clifford St, York YO1 9RD – Visit The York Dungeon website
3. Go on a spooky Trick and Treat Walking Tour
York Dungeon offers The Little Peasants Walking Tour, a family-friendly offering for those with younger children this Halloween. The tour takes in some of York’s most iconic sites, delving into all the frightful history of the city with the Dungeon’s dynamic duo Jester and Smedley. Read our review of the York Dungeon Walking Tour here.
The York Dungeon, 12 Clifford St, York YO1 9RD – Visit the York Dungeon website
4. Jump scares and gore at York Maze‘s Hallowtween
Calling all fearless 10-15-year-olds and adults of a more nervous disposition: York Maze’s Hallowtween is back for 2024! The UK’s only Halloween scare event for younger children, it’s great fun for kids who love a jumpscare and a dollop of gore. Venture into a new dimension of spine-tingling fun this Halloween, as York Maze invites you to explore the farm’s most mysterious buildings, each with its own twisted history you will discover for yourself once you step inside. Nothing is what it seems and you will need to keep your wits about you as you experience all the shocks and thrills of four Scare Houses: Corny’s Cornevil, The Singularity, The Flesh Pot and Necropolis!
Hallowtween, York Maze, York YO19 5LT – 26th to 31st October 2024 – Visit the York Maze website
5. Do the Little York Ghost Hunt
Each night 100 numbered Little Ghosts will be lurking on window ledges and hiding in crevices along the route marked on the York Ghost Merchants Ghost Week map. The ghosts will appear each evening as darkness falls between 6pm and 8pm. See if you can locate them all and discover the snickelways of York in the process.
The Little York Ghost Hunt 2024 – 28th to 31st October 2024 – Find out more
6. Enjoy autumn family fun at Piglets Adventure Farm’s Pumpkin Festival at Piglets Adventure Farm
Get ready for stacks of family fun at the Piglets Adventure Farm Pumpkin Festival. Pick a free perfect pumpkin from their homegrown Pumpkin Patch and then have a go at carving it, find your way through the Mysterious Maize, run wild in the indoor play bar, tackle the outdoor play areas and enjoy some live entertainment.
Piglets Adventure Farm, Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe Moor Lane, York YO32 9ST – Visit the website
7. Be spellbound at Mother Shipton’s Hocus Pocus Halloween event
Get ready to be spellbound this Halloween at Mother Shipton’s! Step into a world of enchantment as you explore themed displays featuring witches, mysterious cauldrons and magical spells cast by friendly characters. Try some spooktacular activities and capture the magic of the season with terror-ific photo opportunities. Don’t miss the outdoor play area, cave and petrifying well, too.
Halloween at Mother Shiptons – 26th October to 3rd November 2024 – Visit the website
8. Pick a pumpkin at Castle Howard
The Castle Howard Garden Centre Pumpkin Patch is back for 2024! From 1st to 31st October, explore the patch and choose your perfect pumpkin. Whether small, medium, or large, they’ll have various sizes and colours for carving, decorating and making the most of the spooky season. Head to the Garden Centre when you arrive and follow the signs for PYO pumpkins. Keep your eye out for more Halloween activities at Castle Howard to be announced.
Halloween at Castle Howard – Castle Howard, York YO60 7DA – Visit the website
9. Have a sweet Halloween experience at York’s Chocolate Story
From hands-on fun learning how to make gory chocolate treats in a Halloween Family Masterclass to a special upgraded tour with some added spooky extras, York’s Chocolate Story has a range of spooky activities this Halloween. You can also join a Trick or Treat Trek where you will walk the streets of York as a spooky host uncovers terrifying tales within the grizzly walls.
Halloween at York’s Chocolate Story – York’s Chocolate Story, King’s Square, York YO1 7LD – Visit the York’s Chocolate Story website
10. Pick your own pumpkins at The Balloon Tree
It’s much more exciting to pick your own pumpkin than just chuck one in your supermarket trolley, so why not visit The Balloon Tree and choose your own? They’ve got a huge selection of homegrown pumpkins just waiting for you to pick them and take them home to carve, cook or decorate. While you’re there, don’t miss the lovely cafe and little play area.
The Balloon Tree – The Balloon Tree Farmshop and Cafe, Stamford Bridge Road, Gate Helmsley, York
YO41 1NB – Visit the website
11. Find magical creatures on The Wizard Walk of York
For younger children, why not embark on a magical tour of York? Don your cloaks and pointy hats and let The Wizard of York lead you on a quest to find magical creatures as you wand-er the alleys and snickelways of York. This child-focused smash-hit walking tour is an entertaining and award-winning alternative to the ghost tours, and is really good fun. Early booking advised.
12. Experience the unexpected at Whitby Abbey’s Illuminated Abbey
See Bram Stoker’s inspiration in a new light as Whitby Abbey is bathed in dramatic illuminations once again. Have your camera at the ready as you explore the gothic splendour of the ruins lit up with all the colours of the rainbow. Experience an unforgettable evening of Victorian Gothic entertainment beneath the soaring Illuminated remains of Whitby Abbey.
Illuminated Abbey – 24th October to 2nd November 2024 – Whitby Abbey,
Abbey Lane, Whitby, YO22 4JT – Visit the website
13. Have a round of wizard golf at The Hole in Wand
The Hole in Wand is a marvellously magical mini-golf experience in York city centre, opposite the JORVIK Viking Centre. It’s a brilliantly immersive experience complete with bubbling cauldrons, puzzles to solve and a free potion for every player. Shorter clubs are available for younger players.
The Hole in Wand, 14-16 Coppergate Walk, York YO1 9NT – Visit The Hole in Wand website
