Kelly
Half term and Halloween are fast approaching and my Halloween guide has proved extremely popular already, however we have been receiving lots of messages asking for free/cheap ideas, so I have done a bit of digging and found some.
Let me know if you have an event running for Halloween that is free or cheap (under £6 per ticket please) You can fill in a form to have your event listed HERE
For more great ideas, check us out on Facebook, Instagram or twitter
To find out more or to book an event click the ORANGE link
FREE things to do
When: 29th October 2pm-9pm
Where: Beaumont Street, Market Place and the Abbey Grounds
What is it?: One of Hexham's biggest events is back for 2022. The town becomes the centre of all things spooky as thousands of people come together in fancy dress. Expect.. Fairground rides, Pumpkin trail, decorated shop windows, costume competitions, witches den and lots more.
When:24th October - 31st October
Where: Ford & Etal Estate (You will need a car to do all of the trail)
What Is It?: Follow the trail of the 'Weird & wonderful' Scarycrows around the villages. You can collect a score sheet from the visitors centre at Heatherslaw or you can download and print one at home.
When: 22nd-23rd October
Where Etal Village Hall - 10.30-4.30
What is it?: Learn all about fungi collecting and identification. Back at Etal Village Hall the finds will be displayed and there will be fungi related activities; quizzes, puzzles and much, much more.
Where: The Bowes Museum
When:29th October - Whilst the event is free, you still need to book.
What is it?: Craft activities, Pumpkin Trail and some spooky surprises
Where Seven Stories Ouseburn
When Daily
What is it?: Storytime on the hour, every hour! The centre is now free entry and they do have various things going on throughout half term but they are chargeable. (More than I set my limit at for this blog post)
Where: Discovery Museum
When 25th October
What Is it?: Free and Low cost spooky craft activities
Where Locations around Durham
When 25th - 27th October
What is it? A free Science festival with lots going on! (Too much to list)
Where Roker Pier
When 22nd October
What is it?: Help clean up the beach with other volunteers
KEEP SCROLLING FOR MORE IDEAS
Chargeable Events (I have tried to keep the cost under £6 per child)
Stories and Spells With Moss Troopers
Where Discovery Museum
When 27th October
Cost £3 per child + booking fee
What is it?: Spooktacular potion-making, spell-scribing and storytelling session in the Great Hall
Where Discovery Museum
When 28th October
Cost £2 per child and £1.75 per accompany adult
What is it?: Silent disco for the younger children
Where: Discovery Museum
When: 22nd - 30th October
Cost: £0.50
What is it?: Ghost Trail around the museum
Hullabaloo Darlington Events
Weird Wednesdays - Storytelling Sessions
Where Hullabaloo Theatre Darlington
When 26th October
Cost: £3 per child
What is it?: Ages 3-7 years can enjoy the Elves and the Shoemaker with a Halloween Twist Ages 6-10 years 1pm-1.30pm & 9-12 years 2.30pm-3pm can enjoy Rumpelstiltskin
Freaky Friday Silent Disco /Neurodiversity Silent Disco
Where Hullabaloo Theatre Darlington
When 28th October
Cost £5 per child
What is it?: Suitable for ages 3-10years - Pop on some headphones and have a dance! Also some gruesome games and costume competition
Where: Hullabaloo Theatre Darlington
When: 31st October
Cost £3.50-£5
What is it?: Play and craft session for ages 0-5years
Head Of Steam Railway Events - (Please note I have priced entry up and it is only £15 for the full year for 2 adults and up to 4 kids. They have a few things going on all included in admission)
Where: Head of Steam Railway -
When: 23rd October
What is it?: Visit the spookily decorated museum in your favourite Halloween costume for some Halloween themed fun
Where: Head of steam Railway
When: 26th October
What is it?: Arts and craft sessions - These must be booked in advance and is included in your admission
Where: Head of steam railway
When:28th October
What is it?: Meet the team from Animal Story who will be bringing along an excellent assortment of animals for handling and viewing.
Where: Head of Steam Railway
When 28th October
What is it?: jungle soft play bus - Must be booked in advance and is included in admission
Preston Park Museum & Grounds - The cost is £15 for a family ticket and this lasts the full year. It also includes most activities.
Where: Preston Park Museum
When: 22nd - 29th October
Cost: Free with admission
What is it?: Lots of craft activities going on including:
Build a house out of straw and bricks, Gingerbread house trail through the woodlands, spooky crafts, storytelling and lots lots more
Pop - up Pumpkin Patch
Where: Preston Park Museum
When: 22nd October until they run out
Cost included in admission (Small charge per pumpkin)
What is it? Pop up pumpkin patch set up in the walled garden
Where: Preston Park
When: 23rd-29th October
Cost: Included in admission
What is it?: Meet the owls everyday throughout half term
Where: Watergate Café Gateshead
When: 27th October
Cost £5 (Taken off the price of your chosen ceramic)
What is it?: Suitable for ages 1-10years Choose from 7 ceramics (individually priced) to create your spooky masterpiece. Fancy dress is encouraged, there will be a prize for best costume and there'll be Halloween treats for everyone.
Where: Woodhorn museum
When:22nd - 30th October
Cost Annual pass costs just £6 per child (£1 suggested donation for the trail)
What is it?: Pick up your trail sheet and then explore the museum and colliery buildings to try and find all the hidden pumpkins small reward at the end
Where: Hexham Old Gaol
When: 22nd - 30th October
Cost: Kids go free (£5 for adults) Suggested donation of £1 for the trail sheet
What is it?: Skull trail around the museum
Where: Berwick Museum & Art Gallery
When: 22nd - 30th October
Cost: Kids go free (Adults £5) Suggested donation of £1 for the trail sheet
What is it?: Count the bats as you go around the museum Ask staff about the terrifying Berwick Vampire!
Where: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
When:22nd - 31st October
Cost: £2.50 per trail sheet with a small gift at the end
What is it?: Follow the clues around the museum to find the answers to your trail questions
Where: Sunderland museum & Winter Gardens
When: 26th October 1pm - 2.30pm
Cost: Free drop in
What is it? Design & Make Halloween badges
Where: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
When:28th October
Cost: £5 per child
What is it? Spooky party with science demonstrations, experiments and glow in the dark slime making.
Where: Roker Park Sunderland
When:13th October - 12th November
Cost: £3.50 per person Discounts available for multiple bookings
What is it? Head along to Roker Park this Autumn and enjoy the park lit with magical displays. A Sunderland tradition for many families.
Where: National Glass Centre
When: 28th-29th October
Cost £5
What is it? Design and paint an image onto a hanging glass decoration
Where: Shipley Art Gallery
When:25th & 27th October
Cost: £3 per child
What is it? Fun and creative activities inspired by the paintings, textiles, ceramic and glass artworks on display.
Where: Bowlees Visitor Centre Durham
When: 21st October
Cost: 50p
What is it? Complete the self guided trail for the chance to win a prize!
Little Monsters Halloween Party
Where: Queen Vic Sunderland
When: 31st October
Cost:£6
What is it? Children's Halloween party with games & prizes
Where: Birtley Community Centre
When:29th October
Cost:£5 per child includes hot dog, butter beer and sweets
What is it? Children's Halloween party
Where: 17nineteen Sunderland
When:28th October
Cost: £6 per person
What is it? Join in with crafty makes to decorate in time for Halloween this half term.
Where: Blyth The South Beach
When: 28th October
Cost: £6
What is it? Children's Halloween party
KEEP SCROLLING FOR MORE IDEAS
National Trust Members can enjoy a range of free events such as:
Ormesby Hall - House is decorated for Halloween with Free trail to do around the house (we love visiting and they do a fab job decorating)
Seaton Delaval Hall - Usually do a Halloween parade which has yet to be announced so keep an eye out here for more details
Souter Lighthouse - Halloween pumpkin trail and crafts (extra charge for these on top of membership)
Gibside - Halloween Trail - Look out for our review coming soon.
English Heritage Members Can enjoy:
Tynemouth Priory - Ghost Tours 28th- 31st
Belsay Hall - Halloween Half Term Fun (included in admission)
Belsay Hall - Spooky Woodland Walks (extra on top of membership)
Whitby Abbey - Halloween Half term fun
Whitby Abbey - Illuminated abbey 21st-31st Oct
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