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Writer's pictureKelly

Free/Cheap things to do this Halloween Half Term




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)


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

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


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!


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

For more great ideas, check us out on Facebook, Instagram or twitter


Check out these other posts



Have a spooktacular Halloween








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