October Half Term 2026: 50 Things to Do in the North East & North Yorkshire
- Kelly
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
October half term is one of my favourite weeks of the year. There's always loads of events running, as I have slightly changed how I work NEFA I am not going to do the generic What's on for Half term guide because I think too many people are doing this these days and it causes more issues with too much to choose from. So instead I have put together this handy guide of 50 ideas and I will also share on my Facebook page 10 ideas for each day of the October half term. Which should give you plenty of ideas.
The leaves are changing, Halloween is just around the corner, pumpkin patches are opening and there are loads of opportunities to get out and enjoy autumn before winter properly arrives.
Whether you're looking for Halloween events, pumpkin picking, free days out, walks, indoor activities or something to do with teenagers, I've put together 50 ideas across the North East and North Yorkshire.
School holiday dates vary, so check with your child's school before booking.
🎃 Halloween & spooky days out
1. Visit a pumpkin patch
Pick your own pumpkin and make a day of it. Brocksbushes, East Grange, Whitehouse Farm and several North Yorkshire farms have seasonal pumpkin experiences in 2026. Check out my Pumpkin Picking Guide HERE
2. Explore Belsay at Halloween
Belsay's Halloween half term runs 24 October–1 November 2026, with spooky activities, storytelling, games and seasonal entertainment.
3. Visit Whitby Abbey after dark
Illuminated Whitby Abbey runs 23–31 October 2026.
4. Take a ghost walk in York
A great option for older children and teenagers.
5. Visit Mother Shipton's Cave
The Hocus Pocus Halloween event runs 24 October–1 November 2026.
6. Explore Scarborough Castle at Halloween
Halloween half term runs 24 October–1 November 2026.
7. Try a family-friendly scare attraction
Family Fright Fest at Lintz Hall Farm is one option, or for the older kids (over 14) Psychopath on the same site is an absolute must.
8. Have a Halloween cinema trip
Look out for classic Halloween films and family-friendly screenings.
9. Dress up and have a Halloween tea
You don't need a ticketed event to have fun.
10. Go on a spooky evening walk
Take torches, dress warmly and choose a safe route. You might get lucky and see some bats!
🍂 Autumn days out
11. Walk through Hamsterley Forest
Take a flask, collect autumn leaves and explore the woodland.
12. Visit Cragside
The gardens and woodland are beautiful at this time of year.
13. Explore Fountains Abbey
One of the best places in Yorkshire for autumn colour.
14. Visit Dalby Forest
Make a full day of it with a walk, cycle or adventure activity.
15. Explore Gibside
Take a family walk and enjoy the changing woodland.
16. Visit Wallington
Explore the estate, gardens and woodland.
17. Walk around Jesmond Dene
Perfect if you want autumn colour without travelling miles.
18. Visit Kielder Forest
Go during the day and stay until dark for some stargazing.
19. Walk around Durham
Explore the river, cathedral and historic streets.
20. Visit the North York Moors
Wrap up and head out for a proper moorland adventure.
🆓 Free and cheap ideas
21. Visit a free museum
Try the Great North Museum: Hancock, Discovery Museum or Sunderland Museum.
22. Have a beach day
Head to Roker, Seaburn, Seaham, Tynemouth, Druridge Bay, Whitby or Filey.
23. Make an autumn scavenger hunt
Give the children a list of things to find.
24. Go leaf collecting
Take paper and crayons and make leaf rubbings.
25. Have an autumn picnic
Don't let the cooler weather put you off.
26. Explore Northumberlandia
A great free countryside adventure.
27. Visit Durham riverside
Walk along the river and explore the city.
28. Go on a nature hunt
Look for fungi, conkers, acorns and signs of wildlife.
29. Have a photo challenge
Give teenagers ten autumn photographs to capture.
30. Visit a local park you've never explored
You might discover somewhere brilliant on your doorstep.
🌧️ Rainy-day ideas
31. Visit Beamish
You can easily spend several hours exploring the living museum. Halloween evening event tickets will be released soon
32. Visit the Great North Museum Hancock
A brilliant wet-weather option in Newcastle.
33. Go swimming
Find a local pool with slides or a leisure pool.
34. Go bowling
Ideal for older children and teens.
35. Try an escape room
Great for families with teenagers.
36. Go pottery painting
A lovely alternative to another soft-play trip.
37. Have an afternoon tea
Rainy weather is an excellent excuse for cake.
38. Visit an art gallery
Try the Laing, Shipley or galleries in York.
39. Go to the cinema
Pick something everyone wants to watch and make an afternoon of it.
40. Have a café crawl
Pick three cafés and rate their hot chocolates and cakes.
👩🦱 Things to do with teenagers
41. Visit Whitby
Explore the Abbey, shops, beach and spooky history. Whitby Goth Weekend is also taking place in October
42. Try a Halloween experience
There are plenty of options aimed at older children and teens. Check out my guide HERE
43. Go and do some night photography
Take cameras or phones and photograph castles, coastlines and city lights.
44. Go stargazing
Northumberland and the North Pennines are brilliant for dark skies.
45. Try an escape room
A great option when everyone is old enough to actually solve the clues!
🚂 Something different
46. Ride a heritage railway
Look at seasonal services on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and other heritage lines.
47. Visit a castle
Bamburgh, Alnwick, Raby, Auckland, Richmond, Helmsley and many more.
48. Go deer spotting
Try one of the region's estates or parks where deer can be seen. Fountains Abbey & Raby Castle woul dbe my top picks
49. Take an autumn road trip
Pick a destination you've never visited and stop at three places along the way.
50. Make your own autumn adventure
Choose somewhere on the map you've never been, pack a picnic and go.
You don't always need a big attraction booked in advance.
Sometimes the best half-term days are the ones where you simply get in the car and see where the day takes you.
Don't forget to follow us on socials to see our daily top 10 picks for Half term events
