SEASONAL · 7-21 OCT
4 NEW THIS WEEKHalloween, done properly 🎃
Pumpkin patches, torchlight trails and just-scary-enough shows across Manchester, each one sorted by how frightening it gets so nobody ends up carrying a sobbing four-year-old back to the car.
THE FRIGHT-O-METER
How brave is your crew?
Every event on this page is filed by how scary it gets, going on the organiser's own description and age guidance. Check the listing before you book the wobblers in.
Cute, not scary
Little ones · no jump scares
Pumpkins, fancy dress and friendly ghosts. Nap-safe.
Show me these
Spooky fun
Ages 5-10 · mild shivers
Torchlight trails and theatrical spooks. Giggles > screams.
Show me these
Actually scary
Ages 10+ · real jump scares
Scare mazes and after-dark shows. Not for wobblers.
None listed yet
START HERE
If you only book three things
One per venue, soonest first. The popular evenings sell out weeks ahead.
🎃 CUTE, NOT SCARYAscarium: Tricks & Treats
SEA LIFE Manchester · 7-20 October · daily
Halloween-themed family event at SEA LIFE Manchester, running from 26 September to 8 November.
from £16Details
👻 SPOOKY FUNFREESecret Society skeleton activity
People's History Museum · 7-21 October · daily
Free drop-in Halloween activity at People's History Museum: meet the Secret Society skeleton this autumn.
FreeDetails
👻 SPOOKY FUNTORCHLIGHT TOURS
Samlesbury Hall · Wed 7 October · 20:30
An after-dark torchlit tour of Samlesbury Hall, giving visitors a chance to explore the historic house once the sun's gone down.
from £18Details
OCTOBER HALF TERM · 19-31 OCT
A plan for every day of half term
- Mon196 on
Journey to Hell · free
- Tue206 on
Journey to Hell · free
- Wed212 on
Sundown Spooktacular Halloween 2026
- Thu220 on
Nothing listed yet.
- Fri230 on
Nothing listed yet.
- Sat240 on
Nothing listed yet.
- Sun250 on
Nothing listed yet.
- Mon260 on
Nothing listed yet.
- Tue270 on
Nothing listed yet.
- Wed280 on
Nothing listed yet.
- Thu290 on
Nothing listed yet.
- Fri300 on
Nothing listed yet.
- Sat310 on
Halloween itself. Nothing listed yet.
Pumpkin patches
2 placesTorchlight trails & evenings
2 eveningsEVERYTHING ON
11 things on for Halloween 2026
Cute, not scary · 7
- from £16
7-20 October · daily
Ascarium: Tricks & Treats
SEA LIFE Manchester · Manchester
Halloween-themed family event at SEA LIFE Manchester, running from 26 September to 8 November.
Indoors
FreeThu 8 October · 17:30
Witches & Healers. Something that was Ours - New Work by Rosie Reed Hillman: Launch
The Portico Library · Manchester
Free launch evening at The Portico Library for the new Witches & Healers exhibition, booking essential.
Indoors
from £4.2510-20 October · daily
Pumpkin Picking & Carving
Wentworth Garden Centre · Rotherham
Pick a pumpkin from the patch at Wentworth's Family Farm, then carve it for free in the craft area.
from £1910-20 October · daily
Fright Fiesta
Gulliver's Valley · Rotherham · ages 2-13
Halloween festival at Gulliver's Valley with costumes, music and friendly frights for younger children.
4 dates · 10-18 October
Carols by Candlelight
Treak Cliff Cavern · Castleton · ages 0+
Candlelit carol singing in the Witch's Cave at Treak Cliff Cavern, with mulled wine and mince pies after.
Indoors
Mon 12 October
Monday Night Talk: The Lady in the Bay Window
Manor Fields Park · Sheffield
A Monday night talk on The Lady in the Bay Window, a true account of paranormal goings-on in a haunted Sheffield house.
from £20.7517-21 October · daily
Sundown Spooktacular Halloween 2026
Sundown Adventureland · Retford
Kids hunt five Halloween characters on a mild Trick or Treat trail, then stamp for a chocolate treat.
Spooky fun · 4
- Free
7-21 October · daily
Secret Society skeleton activity
People's History Museum · Manchester · ages 5-12
Free drop-in Halloween activity at People's History Museum: meet the Secret Society skeleton this autumn.
Indoors
- from £18
Wed 7 October · 20:30
TORCHLIGHT TOURS
Samlesbury Hall · Preston
An after-dark torchlit tour of Samlesbury Hall, giving visitors a chance to explore the historic house once the sun's gone down.
Indoors
Free17-20 October · daily
Journey to Hell
The Big One · Blackpool
Blackpool Pleasure Beach's Halloween event, with family rides by day and scare mazes, zones and night rides after dark.
- from £5
Sun 18 October · 10:00
'Eerie Encounters' Guided Tour
Samlesbury Hall · Preston
Ghost hunter Joanna Walpole leads a guided tour of Samlesbury Hall's reputedly haunted rooms.
Indoors
PLAN A DIFFERENT DAY
What's on, when you need it
Everything open and on in Manchester today, with times and prices.
TOP PICKHuman Natures · free- Fri33 things · Toddler Mornings
- Sat26 things · King Lear