39 things to do in York this half term holiday, October 2017
Here’s a frighteningly good selection of activities for this Halloween half-term.
Don’t forget to check our full events guide, Things To Do York.
Halloween
The Great York Ghost Search
Grab a map from VisitYork on Museum Street, and see if you can find all the ghost lamps hiding in shop window. And look out for the mini-ghosts secreted in the shadows from 4pm daily…
York Maze
If you’d like to ‘go large’ on Halloween, head to the York Maze where they have created the world’s biggest Jack O’Lantern. There’s also 20 themed rides, attractions and shows.
12 Clifford St, York YO1 9RD
Till Oct 31 at various times
Walking tours £4-£5; Dungeon from £10.50
Lots of spooky activity at the York Dungeon, with new Trick Or Treat walking tours, and special late night events – including on Halloween night itself.
Ghost Cruises
If you thought ghosts were scary enough on land, imagine them floating on a boat! City Cruises have teamed up with York Dungeon to deliver Ghost Cruises along the Ouse. Here spooky tales from Old Mother Shipton and Roman soothsayer Tiberius Fabius Bibulus.
Barley Hall
Medieval townhouse Barley Hall opens its doors this Halloween for two nights of spooky themed events specifically aimed at little terrors. There are special guided tours starting every 30 minutes, but can your youngsters solve a spooky mystery?
Hallowscream
If being chased around a cornfield by a chainsaw weilding homicidal clown is your idea of a bracing night out, then Hallowscream is the place to be. Haunted house attractions and spooky happenings for adults only…
York’s Chocolate Story Trick or Treat
Join ghoulish Count Fectionery for his Trick Or Treat Walking Tours round York. He’ll tell you about ghastly sweets like the KitBat and Terry’s All Ghould…
Web Adventure Park’s Halloween Ball
Wigginton Road, York, YO32 2RH
Sat Oct 28-Tues Oct 31 @ 7pm
£5.25-£7.25 per child; adults £2
As well as the usual daytime climbing and sliding fun, the Web Adventure Park is staging evening Halloween events. There’s a torchlight trick or treat trail, disco and games.
Treasurer’s House Ghost Tours
Where better to get that spooky Halloween feeling than on the site of York’s most famous ghost story? Tour the cellars where a workman saw the spirits of a Roman legion march straight past him… Then head to the top of the house for spooky stories in the attic.
Creepy Halloween at Castle Howard
Explore the ‘haunted’ Burnt Out Wing of Castle Howard – uninhabited and out of bounds to visitors for many years… And for the little ones, there will be a Halloween trail, a themed sweet shop and a dressing up competition.
Ghost Stories Through The Ages
Hosted by The Churches Conservation Trust, this is an evening of spooky stories by candlelight. Your storyteller will recall the ghostly tales of medieval times that still send a shiver through us today, all in the atmospheric interior of Holy Trinity Church.
Zombies In York
Scientists have discovered that a mystery virus is turning people into zombies. Children aged 8-12 are needed to help them to work out how to stop the virus spreading and infecting everyone in York…
Door 84’s Halloween Event
A community event with lots of fun events, from pumpkin carving to fancy dress. Plus they have cakes!
Pumpplefest at Brunswick Nursery
Brunswick Organic Nursery and Craft Workshop, Appleton Road, Bishopthorpe, York, YO23 2RF
Sun Oct 29 @ 11am
Lots of Halloween fun, including a trick or treat trail, apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, stalls and games.
Are you brave enough to follow the haunted family trail? Go along for special family ghost tours.
Pumpkin Festival at Piglets Adventure Farm
Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe Moor Lane, Towthorpe YO32 9ST
Sat Oct 21-Sun Nov 5 @ 10am-5.30pm
£7.95-£9.95
Lots of spooky attractions and a free pumpkin for every child. There’s Mischief Manor, a mysterious maze and the Magic Hatter.
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Magical Beasts for Halloween
Askham Bryan Wildlife & Conservation Park, Askham Bryan, York YO23 3FR
Sat Oct 21-Sun Nov 5 @ 10am-4pm
£4.95-£6.95
Among the events at Askham Bryan Wildlife Park are creepy crafts, spooky storytime and behind-the-scenes tours.
Death at the Dig
Crime writer Kate Ellis presents a 1920s murder mystery in which the audience must play detective to discover who murdered distinguished archaeologist Professor Digson.
Stories, art and tech
York Minster animation
Deangate, York YO1 7HH
Mon Oct 30-Fri Nov 3 @10am-4pm
Free with normal admission; York residents free admission
Budding artists are invited to help create a giant sketch of York Minster as part of the cathedral’s special animation week. Sketch your favourite part of the Minster beneath the 13th century Five Sisters Window, and it will be added to a huge floor plan with the progress being captured by a time-lapse video.
Art&York 2017
If you love art, head to York Racecourse. The Art&York show features more than 120 artists, art for sale from £10, workshops and demonstrations.
Halloween Sand Art Pictures and Crafts
Get crafty in Acomb and make spooky sand art pictures and crafts.
Magnus Chase Comes to Jorvik
To celebrate the publication of the third and final instalment in the Magnus Chase trilogy, Magnus Chase and the Ship of the Dead, visit Jorvik Viking Centre this half term for your chance to pick up exclusive ‘Magnus Chase’ merchandise.
Rowntree Park Rocks!
Painted rocks will be hidden all over the park. Some of the rocks will have a golden underside and a number written on them, which wins you a prize.
Half Term Spooky Science at Huntington
Orchard Park Community Centre, Badger Paddock, Huntington, York YO31 9EH
Fri Nov 3 @ 10am
£14
Gooey pumpkins, pop up ghosts, spidery slime and lots of other truly gross experiments to keep your 5-11 year olds happy.
DigiFamilies Workshop
A team of techies, coders, digital makers and artists are tooled up with 3D printers, robots, arduinos and invention kits. And they’re ready for your whole family to drop in to play, code, game and create.
Halloween Stories and Crafts
There will be a ghostly ghoul hunt around the library and various spooky crafts to make. For 5-11 year-olds – bring a pumpkin to carve.
Family fun
Future engineers at the NRM
Fun and fascinating live shows and workshops for the whole family as the Future Engineers project returns for a second year. Includes dance workshops and science turned into rap!
Trip Trap Troll at the Yorkshire Museum
Museum Gardens, York
Sat Oct 28-Sun Nov 5 @ 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm
Children free admission, adults £7.50
Help your Vikings escape from the evil trolls this October half term as you make and play the traditional Viking game, Trip Trap Troll. During the final week of the exhibition, Viking: Rediscover the Legend use clay to mould your own miniature Viking warriors and terrifying Trolls along with your own game board to play this traditional game from the time of the Vikings.
York Castle Museum activities
Have your picture taken with Edwardian photographer Professor Lenskapp and his fantasy car, go on an entertainment trail and make Yorkshire Parkin at the Castle Museum.
Half term fun at Beningbrough
Half-term will be a real hoot as they celebrate all things owl at Beningbrough. Join a nature walk, pick up a family trail, explore the gardens for hidden sculptures or meet the real thing.
Fairfax House After Dark
Fairfax House opens its doors after dark for a candlelit performance by the mansion’s ‘original Georgian inhabitants’. You will be taken through the House by Lord Fairfax and members of his household staff by candlelight and given an unvarnished insight into 18th-century life.
Get cosy by the fireside or follow the Terry’s trail. Find out more about the Terry’s family and their chocolate business and have a go at making a chocolate box.
Cockleshell Heroes at York Army Museum
The Black Faced Villains head to York Army Museum to share the story of the Cockleshell Heroes. Come along and view their pop-up exhibition.
Further afield
The Halloween Adventure At Stockeld Park
Stockeld Park, off the A661 Wetherby Road, Yorkshire
Daily till October 31 @ 10.30am-8.30pm
£10.50-£19
There’s a woodland trail, enchanted forest, maze and ice rink. Plus special spooky events, including eerie science and witches in the forest.
Have-a-go holidays at North York Moors National Park
Sutton Bank National Park Centre, North Yorkshire YO7 2EH
Sat Oct 21-Sun Oct 29 @ 11am-4pm
Themed crafts, trails, treasure hunts, walks and talks, tasting sessions and more. There are strange things happening at Sutton Bank – help shed light on some favourite myths and legends.
Halloween at Flamingo Land
Kirby Misperton, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 6UX
Daily till Sun Oct 29 @ 10am-4pm
£32-£38
As well as the theme park rides and zoo, there are a whole host of themed tricks and treats on offer. Hop aboard for a spooky indoor train ride at Mischief Mansion or visit the Black Heart Galleon.
Frightwater Valley
Lightwater Valley, Water Lane, North Stainley, Ripon HG4 3HT
Thu Oct 26-Sun Oct 29 @ 10am-4.30pm
£5-£20
Ghastly ghouls and beasties lurk around every corner this Shocktober….as once again Lightwater Valley becomes Frightwater Valley.
Gruffalo Spotters Trail at Dalby Forest
North York Moors National Park
Daily till Nov 30. Visitor Centre 10am-4.30pm
Parking £4
Download The Gruffalo Spotter app at home, then visit Dalby Forest. Along the trail look out for clues which lead to footprint marker posts – point the app at these and watch Mouse, Fox, Owl, Snake and the Gruffalo appear before your eyes!
Illuminated Whitby Abbey
See Bram Stoker’s inspiration in a new light as Whitby Abbey is bathed in dramatic illuminations. Plus see the story of Dracula brought to life before your very eyes within the abbey ruins all aglow at 8pm.