Our Spooktacular guide to Halloween Events across the North East
Updated: Sep 23, 2021
I am so happy to be putting this guide together, I just love Halloween and everything about it. The movies, costumes, attending events and just enjoying being silly for a bit. There are so many events already announced this year and after not attending any events, due to the pandemic, I am so happy to see so many. Now we just have to choose some to attend!
Ford & Etal Scarecrow Trail
We love visiting Ford & Etal estate. When we were living in Scotland we used to visit quite a lot and my favourite time of the year to do so would be in the Autumn. It is super pretty, they also hold an annual Scarecrow Trail which the boys always loved getting involved in.
The trail starts on 25th Oct - 31st Oct. Free to take part but they do ask for a small donation.
You can collect a score chart from the village shops and you can then give each scarecrow a score to help determine a winner. Some of the entries are located in harder to reach locations so if you want to see them all be prepared to drive around the estate. Dogs are welcome. Find out more HERE
Floors Castle Spooky Halloween Trail
(Little further but totally worth it)
22nd Oct - 31st Oct
Halloween Pumpkin trail through the castle ground. Pre Booked tickets available.
The Rosedene Sunderland - Halloween Party 30th Oct 2pm-5pm
£5 per child includes a drink, sweets and entertainment.
Ormesby Hall - National Trust.
We recently visited Ormesby Hall for the first time and it has zoomed to the top of my favourite National Trust properties so far. We have been granted special access to attend the Haunted house trail before it opens for the half term, so look out for the review.
The house will be decorated from Thursday 21st October, with witches activities from Saturday 23rd, Also a trail to take part in. The event will have various things going on including Witches dance, Spooky story telling, Creepy Crawlies and lots more. Normal admission charges apply
Check out the website for more info HERE
National Trust usually hold events throughout October/half term so keep an eye out for this updated post with full details once they have been released.
English Heritage have yet to release full details but I do know that there will be Cressida Cowell inspired Wizard of Once adventure trails, and spooky woodland walks. They also have spooky woodland walks you can take part in. This year English Heritage have added a few adult only events, again once I receive full details I will update this post.
Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Grounds
Room on the Broom Trail - starting October - included with admission
Witching Hour Wednesdays - 6th & 20th October - booking required.
Halloween at Ushaw: Illuminated trail - 30th & 31st October - booking required
Rainton Arena Spooktacular Halloween Party
Booking is essential, lots going on including a costume competition, Pumpkin carving, meet & greet characters, A disco and lots more
Teesside window trail - Find more info HERE
The Big Neighbourhood Pumpkin Trail 2021 Find out more HERE
Sunderland Lights out festival - The Mackem Monsters will be returning this year, there will be 10 inflatable monsters to find across the city centre. Also a parade and Spooky stories. 22nd Oct- 31st Oct. Please note, 6 creatures will be installed on the buildings the other 4 will be available on the augmented app. The app is fab and also contains some great deals from local businesses.
Find out more HERE
Beamish Hall - Halloween Spooktacular, with top hats and Heels. 31st Oct. This includes a 3 course meal and live entertainment packed with a live comedy show, dancing and lots more. Booking is needed.
Find out more HERE
Ushaw Historic House, chapel and grounds are rumoured to be holding Room on the broom Halloween activities
Nothing has officially been announced yet but I will update when I have the full info.
Panda Cubs Learn & Play have a Halloween Hunt taking place in Hetton Lyons Country Park ages 1.5 - 4 years. Keep an eye out for more info HERE
Souter Light House Trail and Crafts - The trail is free to do but there is a £3 charge for the crafts. 30 Oct-31 Oct
Hall Hill Farm - Spooky Half Term. 16/17 Oct, 23-31 Oct. Extra activities including a haunted sheep race, giant Scarecrows, Monster Maze, treasure hunt, pick a pumpkin. and lots more. Small additional charges for the pumpkins and barrel rides. Tickets on sale early October. Find out more HERE
Down at the farm - Pumpkin Week 23- 31 Oct. No other info is available yet, but this usually involves carving Pumpkins, magic show, snake show, haunted house, tractor rides and more
Whitehouse Farm Halloween Spooktacular. 16/17 & 23 - 31 Oct. This event is pre book only and from what I have seen it is a really popular event. Ghostly grim grotto, witches, wizards, magic shows, kids can enter a fancy dress competition, free pumpkins for every full paying adult. There is absolutely loads going on here.
Find out more HERE
Preston Park Museum & Grounds -
Magical Creatures - Help find the 6 creatures that are lurking in the Victorian street. Also owls every day throughout October half Term For more on this event HERE
Halloween Spooky Walks - Taking place 31st October, Family friendly walk with activities & entertainment. Find out more HERE
Beamish Museum - Unfortunately it looks like the evening events wont be going ahead. We have visited every year since it started and tickets are usually on sale by now. If I do hear anything I will update this post.
Raby Castle -Halloween half term trail in the walled garden. Collect an activity sheet from the coach yard and see if you can find the hidden creatures, solve the clues and complete the puzzles. Further details to follow.
After Dark Halloween Trail - 29- 30Oct, Experience a Halloween Trail in the dark, collect clues around the walled garden and then head back for a tasty cup of hot chocolate in the coach yard. Must be pre booked. More info HERE
Holmside Park - Forbidden Forest. Magic will be taking over Holmside park with lots of wizard and witches activities, pumpkin carving. Head into the forbidden forest where experts will teach the kids how to become a fully qualified witch and wizard. Lots of activities going on. Find out more HERE
Tynemouth Park Pumpkin Trail 23-31 Oct, Pumpkin trail through the maze, meet & greet special spooky guests, pick your own pumpkins, trick or treat goodie bag, ice scream with vampire blood. Find out more HERE
Keel Row Seaton Delaval - Halloween Breakfast 30th October. Booking needed. Find out more HERE
Saltwell Park - The Not So Scary Halloween Trail
30th - 31st October Booking is needed. Find out more HERE
Events further away
We love a good Halloween event and have been known to travel for a decent scare. I have found a few events that I think are great alternatives if you are looking at heading a bit further away.
York Maze are back with Hallowtween this one is for families with older kids 10-15
They do another event Hallowscream but this is not suitable for kids. Find out more HERE
Spillman's pumpkin festival - Pick your own pumpkins, various shapes & sizes, whites available too. Farm activities including carving, corn cannons, fairground rides and lots more. Booking is needed. Opens 2nd October.
Find out more HERE
Mother Shipton's The Witching Hour - 23 - 31 October. Make a wish in the wicked well, witches, ghosts & skeletons around every corner. Booking is essential Find out more HERE
Alton Towers Scarefest is back with various activities and rides open. Booking is essential Find out more HERE
Lightwater Valley is back with spooky Halloween fun throughout half term. Booking is essential
Find out more HERE
I will be updating this post and adding more once attractions have announced details, I am guessing more will start to announce events once the kids go back to school.
Are you holding a family friendly Halloween event? Let me know so I can add it to the list.
Check out these other posts
A healthy delicious lunch : My luxurious Slow Cooker Pumpkin soup ~ Perfect for Halloween!
Traditional Halloween Games you can play with your family. Blogtober day 13
How to have a Fang~tastic Halloween on a budget. Blogtober day 12 (This post was written when we lived in Scotland)
How to make a Halloween graveyard cake.
Halloween Movies to watch with Kids all ages this October.