Top October Half Term Events 2024
24/09/2024
October Halloween half term brings lots of fun festivals and events to the Yorkshire Coast region, including both spooky and spectacular days out. Here are our top picks for 2024.
Best place for Pumpkin Picking – Castle Howard
Pick your favorite pumpkin at Castle Howard’s Garden Centre pumpkin patch and take part in their exciting pumpkin trail around the historic house, where you can also explore the stately home dressed in its Halloween best.
The pumpkin patch is open throughout October and the hidden Pumpkin Trail takes place between the 8th – 31st October.
Best Halloween Light Show – Illuminated Abbey
Visit Whitby Abbey between the 24th October and 2nd November to see the haunting abbey ruins lit up in soaring colourful illuminations. The local theatre group Time Will Tell will take you on a Victorian Gothic journey of the Dracula-inspiring abbey’s dark history. Pre-book tickets on their website and save 15%. 20% Whitby Abbey vouchers are available from Crows Nest reception.
Love light shows? Try these too:
Peasholm Park’s Moonlight on the Lake, taking place over the weekend of the 25th in Scarborough, with an artistic display of lights and lanterns reflected across the park’s lake.
Dark Skies Fringe Festival in the North York Moors, offering a spectacular starry night of stargazing and night walks.
Top Local Festival – Whitby Goth Weekend
The famous Whitby Goth Weekend is incredibly popular every year and its autumn instalment is the best time to visit. Visitors from far and wide descend upon the town dressed in gothic costumes and Victorian outfits to enjoy this alternative festival, its huge indoor market and street events.
Best Family Event – NYMR’s Halloween Fun
Visit the North Yorkshire Moors Railway over half term for lots of magical family activities including wand crafting, broomstick making and potions classes at the famous Goathland Station (seen in Harry Potter as Hogsmeade). Join in at the Spooky Station Stories and uncover Pickering’s history as part of this family-friendly fun day out.
Visit our What’s On page for a full list of events for both 2024 and 2025 (updated regularly).