Halloween 2026: 10 frightfully fun family days out across the UK

From haunted castles and monster-filled theme parks to pumpkin patches and ghostly adventures, here’s where to take the kids this October half-term, whether they love a proper scare or prefer their Halloween with a side of sweets.

Halloween family days out in 2026 have become much more than a night of trick-or-treating. Across the UK, castles are opening their haunted doors, theme parks are getting spectacularly spooky and historic houses are inviting families to meet some rather unusual residents.

Whether you’re entertaining excitable little monsters, hard-to-impress teenagers or a mixture of both, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the October half-term. We’ve rounded up some of the best Halloween family days out for 2026, from gentle autumn adventures to experiences with genuine spine-tingling potential.

1. The Haunted Castle, Warwick Castle, Warwickshire

With more than 1,100 years of history, Warwick Castle hardly needs help creating a spooky atmosphere. From 24 October to 1 November, its Haunted Castle event brings mysterious mazes, live entertainment and Halloween surprises to the medieval fortress.

New for 2026 is the Scarecrow Disco, a family-friendly silent disco reached via a trail of character-themed scarecrows. For older children who fancy something considerably scarier, the separate Castle After Dark experience is recommended for ages 10 and over.

When: 24 October–1 November 2026
Best for: Families with primary-school children and older
Book: https://www.warwick-castle.com/explore/events/the-haunted-castle/

2. Scarefest, Alton Towers, Staffordshire

Alton Towers knows how to make Halloween a big production. Scarefest combines colourful family entertainment with the sort of thrills that might persuade even a reluctant teenager to put their phone away.

Younger visitors can enjoy spooky shows and character encounters, while the Amigos in the Afterlife attraction takes families on a colourful journey inspired by Día de los Muertos. Older thrill-seekers can tackle the resort’s more frightening attractions and experience selected rides after dark.

When: Selected dates until 1 November 2026
Best for: Mixed-age families, particularly those with teenagers
Book: https://www.altontowers.com/explore/events/scarefest/family-fun/

3. Howl’o’ween, Chessington World of Adventures, Surrey

For children who prefer their scares on the playful side, Chessington’s Howl’o’ween strikes a good balance between thrills and treats.

Expect Halloween shows, themed entertainment and rides at dusk, along with the new Stone Watchers: Vampire’s Lair scare zone. Little ones can meet PAW Patrol favourites Marshall and Skye in Halloween costumes, while Enchanted Hollow offers an optional trick-or-treat experience for an additional charge.

When: 17 October–1 November 2026
Price: Day tickets from £34; Enchanted Hollow from £9 extra
Best for: Younger children and families with a range of ages
Book: https://www.chessington.com/explore/events/halloween/

4. Halloween at Hampton Court Palace, London

If your children have a taste for horrible history, Henry VIII’s former residence makes an atmospheric setting for a Halloween outing.

From 24 October to 1 November, Hampton Court Palace invites visitors to discover its haunted side, with seasonal experiences included in the usual admission price. The Tudor corridors, grand courtyards and centuries of royal intrigue provide plenty of atmosphere without needing a horror-film soundtrack.

There is also the palace’s famous maze and gardens to explore, making this a particularly good choice for families who want a full day out.

When: 24 October–1 November 2026
Price: Standard admission from £30 adult, £15 child aged 5–15
Best for: Curious children, history lovers and multigenerational outings
Book: https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/whats-on/

5. Halloween family days out 2026: Brick or Treat, LEGOLAND Windsor, Berkshire

Some Halloween events are so frightening that younger visitors spend most of the day hiding behind Dad’s legs. LEGOLAND’s Brick or Treat is firmly at the more cheerful end of the spooky spectrum.

Expect LEGO monsters, costumed characters, themed shows and plenty of opportunities to embrace the season without genuine terror. Lord Vampyre and his monstrous friends bring a playful Halloween atmosphere to the resort, while the usual rides provide plenty of additional entertainment.

When: Selected dates from 17 October–1 November 2026
Price: Tickets advertised from £34 per person
Best for: Younger children and LEGO enthusiasts
Book: https://www.legoland.co.uk/explore/special-events/brick-or-treat/

6. Halloween Family Festival, Muncaster Castle, Cumbria

A castle reputed to have its own ghosts seems an obvious choice for Halloween, and Muncaster Castle certainly makes the most of its supernatural credentials.

This year’s festival has a Zombies and Boggles theme, combining local folklore with spooky entertainment, a scary maze, pumpkin patch, parades and bird-of-prey displays. Families can also explore the haunted castle rooms and catch the Zombie-Boggle Apocalypse show with an upgraded ticket. There’s even a torchlight march to round off the experience.

When: 24 October–1 November 2026
Price: Festival admission £24.50 adults, £16.95 children aged 3–15; under-threes free
Best for: Families who enjoy folklore, castles and theatrical fun
Book: https://www.muncaster.co.uk/halloweenfamilyfestival

7. Halloween Adventure, Stockeld Park, North Yorkshire

Pumpkin picking is practically a Halloween rite of passage, but Stockeld Park adds considerably more to the experience.

Its Enchanted Forest becomes home to four live-action woodland witches, while families can tackle the Monster Maze and test their courage with Laser Zombie battles. For something more traditional, head to the pumpkin patch for autumnal photographs and pumpkin picking.

There’s also an evening Pumpkin Nights experience on selected dates, complete with entertainment, food and games.

When: October weekends and daily 24 October–1 November 2026
Best for: Energetic children and families who prefer outdoor adventures
Book: https://stockeldpark.co.uk/activities/season/halloween/

8. Halloween at Caerphilly Castle, South Wales

For a Halloween outing with a historical twist, Wales’s magnificent medieval castles offer a suitably eerie backdrop.

Caerphilly Castle hosts Halloween activities throughout half-term, while Cadw’s wider programme includes Castell Coch’s Creepy Quest, monstrous myths at Caerleon’s Roman Baths and spooky tours at Conwy Castle.

It’s a chance to introduce the kids to Welsh history while indulging their appetite for ghosts, legends and the occasional gruesome tale.

When: 24 October–1 November 2026 at Caerphilly Castle
Best for: Young history buffs and castle-loving families
Details: https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/whats-on/find-a-cadw-event

9. Derry Halloween, Northern Ireland

For sheer Halloween spectacle, few places can compete with Derry~Londonderry. The city celebrates the festival’s 40th anniversary in 2026 with five days of events inspired by folklore, history and ancient traditions.

Families can explore the atmospheric walled city, discover the Awakening trail and enjoy street entertainment before the main event: the Halloween Carnival Parade on 31 October at 7pm, followed by fireworks.

With so much happening across the city, it’s a particularly appealing choice for a Halloween-themed family break.

When: 28 October–1 November 2026
Best for: All ages, particularly families who love festivals and spectacle
Details: https://www.visitderry.com/whats-on/derry-halloween

10. Halloween family days out 2026: Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, Northern Ireland

Not every child wants a zombie jumping out from behind a tree. At Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, Halloween takes a gentler approach, with seasonal storytelling, autumnal games and family workshops.

The gardens also host a Scarecrow Parade, featuring creations by local schools and community groups alongside the autumn colours. It’s a lovely option for younger children and anyone who enjoys the atmosphere of Halloween without the nightmares afterwards.

When: 24 October–1 November 2026; Scarecrow Parade until 8 November
Best for: Younger children and families seeking gentler Halloween fun
Book: https://www.hrp.org.uk/hillsborough-castle/whats-on/

---

Halloween family days out in 2026 don’t have to involve expensive tickets or elaborate costumes. Local pumpkin patches, community trails and National Trust properties are also worth checking for seasonal activities closer to home. Whether you’re after witches and wizards, spectacular scares or simply an excuse to get the family outdoors, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained this October….muaahhahaha.