October half term in York 2025: Monday 27th October to Friday 31 October 2025 (for most schools). Always check your school’s dates!
October half-term in York is glorious, with so many things to do with kids. There’s a wide variety of activities going on, from pumpkin festivals to pumpkin picking and even the odd event NOT involving large root veg! Seek out spooky events, head out on a ghost hunt and huddle around the bonfire (not too close, mind). Here’s our pick of the best things coming up in and around York this October half term – do keep an eye on this guide as we’re updating it all the time. And make sure you subscribe to our newsletter, too, so you never miss a thing.
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🎃 October half term in York 🎃
Ghosts in the Gardens (FREE!)
Back by popular demand this October half term in York, Ghosts in the Gardens sees ghosts popping up in York Museum Gardens and at other green spaces across York. This year promises to be the best yet, with more ghosts than ever, and it’s a great way to explore the city.
19th September to early November 2025 – Across York – Visit the website
Creepy and Kooky Halloween at Mother Shipton’s
They’re creepy and kooky… Celebrate Halloween at Mother Shipton’s! Explore spooky displays, meet live actors and snap haunting photos. Discover the petrifying well, legendary cave, woodland trail and quirky gift shop. With autumn vibes, a fab adventure playground and marshmallow toasting, it’s a fiendishly fun family day out. Mother Shipton’s, High Bridge, Knaresborough, HG5 8DD – 25th October to 2nd November 2025 – mothershiptons.co.uk
Pumpkin picking at The Balloon Tree
Nothing says ‘autumn’ more than a giant orange root vegetable, so celebrate the season with a spot of pumpkin picking. The Balloon Tree, just outside Stamford Bridge, is our top spot so we can combine it with a trip to the Little Vikings Award-winning cafe and play area while we’re there. The Balloon Tree, Stamford Bridge Rd, Gate Helmsley, York YO41 1NB – Visit the website to find out more
The Halloween Adventure at Stockeld Park
Celebrate spooky season at Stockeld Park! Complete a forest trail with the help of the Woodland Witches, go pumpkin picking, explore the Monster Maze and go to battle in the Laser Zombie Experience. Visit Stockeld Park for a thrilling family day out every October weekend and daily from 25th October to 2nd November 2025 – Stockeld Park, Wetherby Road, Wetherby LS22 4AN – Visit the Stockeld Park website for more info and to book
The Little York Ghost Hunt (FREE!)
The ever-popular Little York Ghost Hunt returns for 2025 and is one of the most popular free events in York during October half term. Each evening a hundred of York Ghost Merchants’ little ghosts are hidden along the atmospheric streets that flank York Minster and if you find one, you can keep it! The Little York Ghost Hunt 2025 – Across York – Monday 27th to Thursday 30th October, 6pm to 8pm – Find out more
Halloween at The Hole in Wand
Visit The Hole In Wand York this Halloween for a magical and spooktacular time! The wizard-themed attraction will be dressed to impress, with additional seasonal surprises. Prices start from only £6.99 per person and every player gets a magical potion to take away! Show your Little Vikings Family Card for a FREE Premium upgrade. The Hole in Wand, 14-16 Coppergate Walk, York YO1 9NT – Open daily – Visit the website for details
Autumn fun at Castle Howard
Make memories this autumn at Castle Howard, only 30 minutes from York. Families can discover Skelf Island Playground, watch The Great Pumpkin Adventure (25th October to 2nd November), hunt for pumpkins around the house and join bulb planting sessions. There’s plenty for grown-ups too, from autumn walks to late-night house tours and seasonal shopping. With tasty treats and activities for all ages, it’s a lovely half-term day out. 25th October to 2nd November 2025 – Castle Howard, York YO60 7DA – Visit the Castle Howard website
Visit The Potions Academy for a potion class
Why not book The Potions School at The Potions Academy? It’s a 30-minute immersive journey into the world of alchemy led by skilled actors. Suitable for kids aged 5+, delve into the art of potion-making while savouring the renowned elixirs crafted by The Potions Cauldron. The Potions Academy, 1st Floor (entrance to rear), 37-38 Shambles, York YO1 7LX – Visit The Potions Cauldron website to book
Meet a Viking at the award-winning JORVIK Viking Centre
At JORVIK, visitors stand on the site of the famous Coppergate dig, which revealed astounding archaeological discoveries. Hop aboard a time capsule for an unforgettable trip back to 10th-century York. Hear a Norse couple arguing over what to have for dinner, take in smells from fish to woodsmoke and spot the famous Bogar, who has been sitting on the toilet since the day it opened! Chat to friendly Vikings who can tell you more about life on Coppergate and get up close with some of the most beautiful Viking artefacts in the world (including a fossilised Viking poo!). Save 20% with our special Little Vikings discount. JORVIK Viking Centre, 19 Coppergate, York YO1 9WT – Open daily – Visit the JORVIK Viking Centre website
Discover a hidden medieval gem
The Beasts at Barley Hall exhibition tells the stories of animals in medieval life, from domestic pets (and pests) and livestock to lions, bears and even dragons, using artefacts found in and around the city of York. Hands-on activities for children, new accessible interpretation boards, audio stories and much more make Beasts at Barley Hall a must-see if you are in York! Barley Hall, 2 Coffee Yard, York, YO1 8AR, United Kingdom – Open daily – Visit the Barley Hall website
Dig after Dark at JORVIK Dig
If you’re looking for something fun and creative to do with the family in York this October half term, why not try Dig After Dark? Gather around the campfire and listen to some spooky ghost stories appropriate for the whole family. Cosy around the campfire with snacks and a hot drink, all included in the price. DIG St Saviour Church, St Saviourgate, York YO1 8NN – Open daily – digyork.co.uk
Dark Skies Fringe Festival 2025
The Dark Skies Fringe Festival is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge, start your stargazing journey and truly appreciate the delights of the night. There’s a host of fun events, from stargazing to night experiences and much more. 24th October to 2nd November 2025 – Visit the website for more
Hallowtween at York Maze 2025
Calling all fearless 10-15-year-olds, and adults of a more nervous disposition…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…25th to 31st October 2025 (closed Monday 27th) – York Maze, Elvington Lane, York YO19 5LT – Visit the Hallowtween website
Halloween at York’s Chocolate Story
Enjoy special Halloween Family Masterclasses and Halloween Truffle Rolling at York’s Chocolate Story, where you’ll hear the story of York’s chocolate history too. York’s Chocolate Story, King’s Square, York YO1 7LD – Open daily – Visit York’s Chocolate Story website for details and to book
Discover Wonderlab at the National Railway Museum
Head to the National Railway Museum this October half term and discover the fantastic Wonderlab, an interactive exhibition that’s completely inspiring for children. Admission to the museum itself is free, and Wonderlab tickets are available separately. National Railway Museum, Leeman Road, York YO26 4XJ – Open daily – Visit the Railway Museum website for details.
Illuminated Abbey at Whitby Abbey
One of the best October half-term events on the Yorkshire coast returns for 2025! Camera phones at the ready as Whitby Abbey, the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, is bathed in dramatic illuminations once again for Illuminated Abbey this October half term. It’s an unforgettable, Instagrammable evening that families will love, with Victorian Gothic entertainment thrown in. Whitby Abbey, Abbey Lane, Whitby YO22 4JT – 24th October to 1st November 2025 – Visit the website
Piglets Pumpkin Festival
Where can you go this October half term where you can get lost in a mysterious maze, watch a magic show, enjoy oodles of indoor and outdoor play AND pick and carve your own pumpkin? Piglets Adventure Farm, that’s where! Piglets Adventure Farm, Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe Moor Ln, Towthorpe, York YO32 9ST – Selected October weekends and the whole of half term – visit the website for more
Little Vikings I Spy Trail – A free family walking trail of York
Recommended by The Sunday Times, the Little Vikings I Spy Trail is a fun, free walking trail around York. We’ve designed it to help families explore the best bits of York, with lots to see along the way. Download a map from our website or pick one up from the Visit York Information Centre.
Bolton Abbey Pumpkin Trail
The Bolton Abbey Pumpkin Trail is returning for 2025! Navigate your way through Strid Wood using the map and the giant pumpkins. Keep your eyes peeled for clues hidden in the mystery boxes along the way and help to solve the puzzle. The trail is included in the car park fee (pre-booking of car park spaces recommended).
Saturday 25th October to Sunday 2nd November 2025 – Bolton Abbey
Skipton BD236EX – Visit the Bolton Abbey website for more info
Go for an autumnal family walk
It’s a beautiful time of year for a family walk around York. Read our guide for the pick of the best, from a walk around York’s city walls to the Little Vikings I Spy Trail and woodland walks.
