Staffordshire October half term and Halloween 2026 events

Autumn in Staffordshire is a wonderful time to get outdoors. Enjoy long walks through colourful leaves before warming up with a hot chocolate or coffee in a cosy café or pub. Alongside the seasonal scenery, October half term 2026 brings a host of Halloween events and family activities across the county. Here’s our round-up of what’s on in Staffordshire.

October half term 2026 in Staffordshire runs from Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October

This list will be updated regularly as more venues release their details, but always double-check directly with each location before travelling.

If you are looking for ideas for general days out, rather than specific events, please do check out our guide to the best things to do in Staffordshire. October half term can be a little wet and cold so do also check out our guide for things to do on a rainy day in Staffordshire for more inspiration.  

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1. Scarefest at Alton Towers

Selected dates from 26th September – 1st November
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The award-winning Scarefest returns to Alton Towers this Halloween. The resort transforms for the spooky season, with family-friendly Halloween fun during the day and frightening experiences after dark. There are spooky shows, meet and greets, photo opportunities and trick-or-treat experiences for younger visitors, while older visitors can brave the scare mazes and enjoy rides including The Smiler, Nemesis Reborn and Wicker Man in the darkness.

New for 2026 is Dine with the Dead, an immersive Halloween dining experience featuring a three-course banquet and live entertainment. There are also new scare mazes including Final Exhibit and Edge of the Forest.

2. World of Wedgwood

Open every day over October half term
Click here for more information and to book tickets
READ OUR REVIEW: World of Wedgwood

Visit the World of Wedgwood in Stoke-on-Trent during October half term and get creative in the Decorating Studio with pottery painting. Choose from a range of shapes and sizes to paint, including hanging decorations, pots, vases, lanterns, animals and unicorns, subject to availability. You can opt for water-based paints and take your creation home the same day, or have it glazed and fired to collect at a later date.

3. Tunstall Farm Park Pumpkins & Alpacas

2026 October half term dates not yet announced

Click here for our review
Click here for more information and to book tickets

Bring your wellies and head over to Tunstall Farm Park Pumpkins & Alpacas with over 2000 pumpkins to choose from and then say hello to Wetley Moor Alpacas. You can also add a mini alpaca treks around the farm for an additional fee. There will be farm animals to meet, face painting, photo opportunities, and crafts too. Food and drinks will be on site, and an undercover seating area is available too.

4. Halloween at SnowDome Tamworth

23rd October to 1st November
Tickets: Hocus Snowcus £12.45 per child | £6.45 per adult; Frights on Ice £15 per person
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Visit the SnowDome this October half term, as it transforms into a world of spooky snow and chilling ice. From magical family adventures to daring thrills on the rink, discover two unmissable Halloween experiences – Frights on Ice and Hocus Snowcus!

Hocus Snowcus is a snow-filled Halloween experience just for little ones and their grown-ups. You can slide and play in real snow, experience the witches world, and there are treats for little monsters.

5. Screamfest at National Forest Adventure Farm

9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, then 21st to 31st October
Tickets: From £34 per person
Click here to book tickets

Screamfest is a Halloween attraction at the National Forest Adventure Farm, with five scare attractions to experience, plus the option to add Area 52, an alien-themed paintball tractor trailer ride. There are also fairground rides, street food, drinks, live music, dancers and roaming performers to keep you entertained between the scares.

Please note, this is a scary experience and not recommended for under 16s. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 21 or over, with a maximum ratio of four under-16s to one adult. Photo ID may be required. Tickets should be purchased online in advance as many nights sell out.

6. Blazing Halloween at Drayton Manor

October 2026
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Drayton Manor transforms for Blazing Halloween this October, with spooky surprises, thrilling rides and family-friendly Halloween entertainment. Little ones can follow the new Trick or Treat Trail around the park, collecting sweets from themed locations, while the Revenge of the Haunted Express offers a family-friendly fright for brave guests aged 4 and over.

There is also a Thor vs Loki Fire Show, spooky entertainment including Thomas Land shows and Rory’s Day of the Dead Disco, plus an end-of-day lake show featuring water, lights and fire. On 31st October and 1st November, the Halloween celebrations culminate with spectacular fireworks.

7. National Memorial Arboretum

24th October to 1st November
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Head to the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas during October half term for a range of autumn-themed family activities. Follow Arbie’s i-Spy Autumn Trail through the grounds, searching for colourful leaves and other autumn treasures, and keep an eye out for wildlife along the way.

There will also be interactive storytelling sessions, free drop-in arts and crafts from 11am to 3pm, and the chance to use the Explorer’s Passport to collect stamps and earn a special prize.

The Arboretum also has two outdoor play areas, making this a good option for families wanting to combine a seasonal activity with plenty of time outdoors.

8. Trentham Estate Halloween Half term in the gardens

24th October to 1st November
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Visit Trentham Estate this October half term for spooky family-friendly fun! Follow the Pumpkin Trail, meet the Mad Scientist, enjoy fairground rides, face painting and family entertainment, and look out for special appearances from the K-pop Demon Hunters. There will also be plenty of opportunities for spooky photos and tasty treats along the way.

Children can take part in Witch and Wizard School, completing magical tasks to graduate and receive their very own certificate. The Shaun the Sheep Find the Flock Trail will also be running throughout half term, with 12 giant Shaun the Sheep sculptures to discover around the gardens.

There will also be a Gandeys Halloween Spooktacular under the Big Top at Trentham from 23rd October to 1st November. Expect a family-friendly Halloween circus packed with circus acts, comedy, spooky production numbers and plenty of Halloween atmosphere.

The Trentham Halloween Festival takes place on 31st October and 1st November, when the gardens come alive after dark with live entertainment, fairground rides, circus skills, spooky trails and walkabout performers.

9. Tamworth Castle

Open Thursdays to Sundays
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10. Staffordshire Wildlife Trust

2026 October half term dates not yet announced

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Staffordshire Wildlife Trust runs a range of family-friendly events and activities during the school holidays, with sessions taking place at locations including The Wolseley Centre, Hem Heath Woods, Biddulph Grange Country Park and other nature reserves across Staffordshire.

11. Keele Student Union: HALLOWEEN FAMILY RAVE (Happyface)

Sunday 25th October, 1pm-3.30pm
Tickets: £9 adults/16+ | £8 children | under 12 months free
Click here to book tickets

Happyface brings the energy of a nightclub to a family-friendly setting at Keele Student Union, with club DJs playing Halloween tunes, 90s and 00s dance classics and modern anthems. Expect a full audio and light show, Halloween fancy dress, bubbles, confetti, balloons, face painting, circus skills, crafts, games and a parachute dance finale.

There will also be character meet and greets, a tuck shop, food and drinks, including a licensed bar for adults. The event is aimed at families with children up to around 12, although all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult and all tickets must be purchased in advance. Please note that this is a nightclub-style event with loud music, flashing lights and a large crowd.

12. Stafford Castle Halloween Craft and Trail Workshop

Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October, 11am-3.15pm
£5 per child
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Head to Stafford Castle over October half term for a spooky children’s craft workshop. Create your very own Halloween craft to take home, then follow the spooky trail around the Castle site.

There is no need to pre-book; simply drop in any time between 11am and 3.15pm. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The workshop takes place in the Stafford Castle Visitor Centre, while the trail takes you around the castle site.

13. Halloween at Trentham Monkey Forest

23rd October to 1st November
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Head to Trentham Monkey Forest this October half term for a spooky adventure among the free-roaming Barbary macaques.

Mac the talking scarecrow will be making his debut at Monkey Forest, with seasonal decorations, witches’ hats hanging in the trees and plenty of autumnal photo opportunities. Children can also take part in a free Halloween Quiz through the Monkey Forest app, with a sweet treat for those who complete it.

The Halloween activities are included with standard admission, so there are no extra charges or add-ons. The forest is home to around 140 free-roaming Barbary macaques, making for a pretty unique Halloween day out!

14. Shugborough Estate

Halloween activities from 17th October to 1st November
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There are plenty of Halloween activities taking place at Shugborough Estate this October, including the Great Big Halloween Hunt Trail, running throughout half term. Explore the Walled Garden and Farmyard as you search for spooky surprises.

There are also Halloween Craft Sessions from 29th to 31st October, where children can make their own Halloween-themed creation. The sessions run from 10.30am to 1.30pm and are free with normal admission to the estate. No booking is required.

Older visitors can also brave the Ghost Tours at Shugborough Mansion, running from 29th to 31st October.

15. Go Ape Cannock Chase

16th October to 6th November
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Take on the treetops after dark with Sundown Adventures at Go Ape Cannock Chase. This special autumn experience sees the high ropes course lit up as the sun goes down, creating a completely different way to experience Cannock Chase Forest.

The experience takes place on the Treetop Adventure Plus course and is suitable for children aged 6 and over, with a minimum height requirement of 1.2m.

It’s a great option for adventurous families looking for something a little different from the usual Halloween activities.

16. Lower Drayton Farm, Staffordshire

Saturday 24th to Saturday 31st October
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Head to Lower Drayton Farm in Staffordshire over October half term and discover their pick-your-own pumpkin patch, with a huge variety of pumpkins, mini pumpkins and white pumpkins. Even better, you can carve your pumpkin in the indoor carving barn, meaning absolutely no mess at home!

There is also the Indoor Pumpkin Village, outdoor play, plenty of October half term photo opportunities, festival-style street food and the chance to meet the farm animals.

Your ticket includes all the fun, plus picking your own pumpkin and vegetables.

17. Statfold Scream Park

22nd, 23rd, 24th, 29th and 30th October
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Looking for a seriously scary Halloween experience? Statfold Scream Park returns to Statfold Country Park in Tamworth on selected dates over October.

The event is aimed at those looking for a more intense Halloween experience, with the Scream Park taking over Statfold after dark. It’s one for older children, teenagers and adults rather than younger families.

Statfold Country Park also has its heritage railway, museum and other attractions, although these aren’t necessarily open as part of the Scream Park event, so check the event details before booking.

18. The McDougalls: Halloween Party Show, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

Tuesday 27th October, 1pm
Tickets: £15
Click here for more information and to book

Get into the Halloween spirit with The McDougalls: Halloween Party Show at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre. Max and Auntie Aggie are hosting a Halloween party, complete with costumes, pumpkins, trick-or-treat jokes, singalong songs and plenty of ghoulish games.

The show includes favourites such as the Hokey Cokey, Incy Wincy Spider and Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, making it a fun introduction to live theatre for younger children. There’s nothing too scary, so it’s suitable for little ones who prefer their Halloween with more laughs than frights.

The show lasts approximately one hour.