What to Do in Hampshire in October: Halloween Events in Hampshire

Pumpkins are ripening, the nights are drawing in, and Hampshire’s attractions are getting ready for their spookiest season yet. Whether you’re looking for gentle autumn trails, wild animal encounters, or full-blown Halloween scares, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained. From ghost trains and torchlit adventures to museum trails and theme park spooktaculars, here’s our guide to what to do in Hampshire in October, including all the best Halloween events in Hampshire this half term.

Halloween Trails, Gardens & Woodland Walks

Beaulieu(opens in new tab)  – 24th October to 1st November 2026
Step into a world of autumnal magic and treasured memories this October half-term at Beaulieu! Explore their brand-new trail as you uncover a fascinating folklore tale and make magical potions! Plus, listen to spooky stories in Palace House and see fantastic displays around the attraction. There is something for everyone this half-term!

Gilbert White’s House(opens in new tab) – 24th October to 1st November 2026
Step into a world of myth, magic and nature this October half-term with our Folklore and Fable Autumn Trail. Discover fascinating folklore surrounding native trees, plants and birds as you explore Gilbert White’s beautiful grounds. Saturday 24 October–Sunday 1 November. Trail sheets £2, admission required. Suitable for ages 5+.

Butser Ancient Farm(opens in new tab) – 24th October
Step into a world of ancient tales at Butser Ancient Farm this October. Children aged 6+ can follow a storyteller around the site, hunting for clues to folklore stories of nature and hearing some ancient tales of our ancestors. They then finish the experience with making protective Saxon amulet beads to take home.

Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway(opens in new tab) – 25th to 31st October 2026
Exbury’ s infamous Ghost Train takes a trip to the circus this October half term with a fast-moving show that goes straight for the juggler!! Join the ghost of Ricardo the Ringmaster on a quest to break the curse of the haunted circus. You can also join a Creepy Crafts Family Workshops, carve a pumpkin and follow the Gruesome Garden Trail.

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens(opens in new tab) – 24th to 30th October 2026
Offering Halloween fun with a family trail packed with puzzles and delightfully dreadful characters. Join Family Bushcraft(opens in new tab) on 24 October for spooky songs and cooking around the campfire. Pumpkin Carving(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab) on 29 and 30 October, and discover spectacular autumn colours, outdoor adventures and exciting play areas. Booking essential for events and activities.

Mottisfont(opens in new tab) – 3rd October to 1st November
We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt™ this Halloween at Mottisfont. Come and join the fun! Can we find them all? Yes! Run, run, run! Based on the bestselling children’s books, this Halloween the Bunnies of Hoppity Hill are setting off on an adventure to find the ghosts hidden around Mottisfont with heaps of exciting things to see and do along the way. Pick your bunny name, play Halloween hoopla, race your broomstick, and watch out for the warty toads as you cross the stepping stones, before joining the celebration party and collecting your sticker. This trail is ideal for preschoolers and young children.

Furzey Gardens(opens in new tab) – 24th October to 1st November 2026
From 24 October to 1 November, children can join Larry the leaf in his playful search for autumn at Furzey Gardens. Designed for little adventurers, the trail costs £3 per child and offers a simple, seasonal way to explore the gardens as they change for autumn. Pre-booking is essential in school holidays.

Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary(opens in new tab) – 17th October to 1st November 2026
Halloween half term fun at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary! Open daily from 10am to 4.30pm, with free entry and dogs welcome. Meet over 100 donkeys and ponies, enjoy the free spooky pumpkin trail or join a free guided tour. The café and gift shop complete a wholesome family friendly visit.

Hinton Ampner(opens in new tab) – 17th October to 1st November 2026
Take in the plentiful pumpkin displays around the grounds. Spot the archway of gourds, wonder at the pumpkins growing plump in the Walled Garden and take advantage of seasonal photo opportunities with pumpkin displays being created from over 500 fresh pumpkins – spot them all around the grounds. Head into the spooky corners of Hinton Ampner’s gardens and discover a Halloween adventure packed(opens in new tab) with games and challenges for the whole family. Race your broomstick, toss eyeballs into the bubbling cauldron, see if you can land a ring on the shooting star and take on plenty more spellbinding challenges along the way.

Royal Victoria Country Park(opens in new tab) – 17th & 18th October
Join a fun-filled two-day festival celebrating all things pumpkins at Royal Victoria Country Park!
From the UK’s biggest Pumpkins to a Scarecrow Village, there’s something for everyone. Bring your family and friends to enjoy a host of activities, stalls, delicious food, and live music.

Staunton Country Park (opens in new tab)– 28th October
Staunton Country Park invites families to celebrate spooky season with Pumpkin Carving and Halloween Crafts on Wednesday 28th October 2026, with sessions running 10.00am-12.00pm or 1.30pm-3.00pm. Visitors of all skill levels can carve their own pumpkin using provided tools, plus enjoy a range of other spooky craft activities. Suitable for beginners and experts alike. Booking is essential.

Zoos, Farms & Wildlife Encounters

Marwell Zoo(opens in new tab) – 24th October to 1st November 2026
Animal lovers are in for a wild autumn adventure at Marwell Zoo, with pumpkin carving, an autumn maze, and spooky storytelling with Marwell’s friendly witch. Join in with pumpkin patch games and get into the spirit of the season with face painting.

Birdworld(opens in new tab) – 24th October to 1st November 2026
Step into Prof. Peck’s Theatre this October half term from 24th October to 1st Nov for Autumn Science Seekers! Enjoy exciting experiments, surprising discoveries, natural wonders and plenty of laughs as Prof. Peck and his cheeky puppet explore the world around us. Fun, educational and included with your Birdworld admission!

Manor Farm(opens in new tab) – 24th October to 1st November 2026
Get ready for a frightfully good time at Manor Farm this Halloween! Families can enjoy Mini Potion Makers, Magic Wand Workshops, spooky face painting and a silent disco. Packed with magical fun, it’s the perfect Halloween adventure for little witches and wizards.

Sky Park Farm (opens in new tab)– 26th – 28th October 2026(opens in new tab)
This October Half Term at Sky Park Farm! Monday 26th: Spooktacular Potions Science Workshop, with dry ice effects and hands-on experiments. Tuesday 27th: Amazing Animal World Experience returns for close encounters and fun animal facts – early booking recommended, as it sells out fast. Wednesday 28th: Racing Cars, Monster Trucks & Ramps, a high-speed play session for little speed fans. Fun for all ages!

Staunton Farm(opens in new tab) – 23rd October
Join Staunton Farm’s Spook-Tea Party on 23rd October. Expect frightfully fun teas, ghostly games, pumpkin carving, and a spooky farm walk (not too scary – we promise!) Perfect for littles ones with their friends and family!

Hawk Conservancy Trust(opens in new tab) – 24th October to 1st November 2026, plus 29th and 30th October
Celebrate “Owl-O-Ween” with mystical evening owl displays (29 and 30 October), alongside ghostly storytelling. Or for half-term family spookiness, enjoy “Spooky Owl Week” activities included in your day ticket, discover a spooky woodland owl display and solve riddles on the Pumpkin Trail around the Hawk Conservancy Trust (24 October to 1 November).

Castles & Country Parks

Hurst Castle(opens in new tab) – 24th October to 1st November 2026
Enjoy Halloween at 480-year-old Hurst Castle during October half-term (24 Oct–1 Nov). Families can explore a spooky maze, solve a treasure trail, and do arts and crafts. All activities are included with admission. Reach the castle by fun ferry from Keyhaven.

Stansted Park(opens in new tab) – 28th to 31st October 2026
Will you brave the Undercrofts of Stansted House this Halloween? Experience the eerie and mysterious tunnels that run beneath the lawns and discover the terrifying creatures that now call them home during Stansted Park’s Halloween Under the House. This event is the perfect Halloween experience for children aged 8+.

Royal Victoria Country Park(opens in new tab) – 17th to 18th October 2026
Get ready for a spooktacular adventure at Pumpkins in the Park! Enjoy giant pumpkins, pumpkin painting, live entertainment, street food, a bustling Scarecrow Village, funfair rides, bird of prey displays, tractors, crafts and more. With family fun around every corner, head to Royal Victoria Country Park this autumn.

Museums & Indoor Half Term Fun

RLC Museum(opens in new tab) – 27th to 31st October 2026
LEGO® Logistics – the Royal Logistic Corps Museum’s hands-on brick-based spectacular – is back for half-term. With free entry, free parking and the exciting world of military logistics to explore, there has never been a better time to visit.

The D-Day Story(opens in new tab) – 28th October 2026
Games, challenges and craft activities inspired by The D-Day Story’s collection. With objects from the museum’s handling collection, uniforms to try on and toys and games for under 5s there is something for everyone. Free with a museum admission ticket or annual pass, £3 per child if not visiting the museum.

Winchester Science Centre(opens in new tab) – 27th to 31st October 2026
Make October half term monstrously memorable. Winchester Science Centre comes alive after dark with three frightfully fun family events. Expect a curious mix of spectacular science, music, dancing and spooky surprises, as the Science Centre swaps daytime discovery for Halloween celebrations that are anything but ordinary.

Milestones Museum(opens in new tab) – 24th October to 1st November 2026
Explore The Strange Science of Jekyll & Hyde at an extraordinary Science Fair at Milestones from 24th October to 1st November. Witness weird and wonderful demonstrations to decide which of our scientists deserves a place working alongside Dr Jekyll himself. But is there something else going under the surface – you be the judge!

SeaCity Museum(opens in new tab) and Tudor House(opens in new tab) – 24th October to 1st November 2026
October Half-term is just around the corner and if you are looking for some indoor fun for the colder days, look no further than Culture Club for Kids in Southampton. There are days at SeaCity Museum and Tudor House to choose from. For Halloween come down to Southampton and enjoy a free day out at Tudor House(opens in new tab).

Army Flying Museum(opens in new tab) – 26th October to 1st November 2026
Get ready for a spooktacular October Half Term at the Army Flying Museum. Families can enjoy Halloween crafts, an Egyptian-themed trail, model making workshops, Meccano fun and a creepy-crawly encounter with reptiles, amphibians and insects. All activities are included with admission. Pay once and visit free for a year!

Jane Austen’s House(opens in new tab) – 30th October (Virtual Tour) and 31st October (House Tour) 2026
Head to Jane Austen’s House this Halloween for a spooky guided tour in the spirit of Jane Austen’s spoof-gothic horror, Northanger Abbey, and learn about traditional Halloween customs along the way! There’s also a virtual version of this tour available for those who can’t make it to the House.

Theme Parks & Family Fun Days Out

Paultons Park(opens in new tab) – 9th October to 2nd November 2026
Don’t miss Paultons Park’s Halloween Spooktacular on selected dates from 9th October- 2nd November with Peppa Pig World and Tornado Springs included in the spooky fun! New for this year, Valgard will be included in the celebrations with spectacular shows and even more late-night openings so that you can explore the new land in the dark!

The Watercress Line – 29th to 31st October 2026
The Watercress Line becomes a world of Halloween magic this October. Little ones can enjoy Witches of Watercress Woods, an intriguing story‑led adventure, while thrill‑seekers dare to board the Halloween Horror Train for an adults‑only fright night. Both run 29th – 31st October, offering unforgettable Halloween experiences for every visitor.

Blackgang Chine(opens in new tab) – 23rd, 24th, 27th, 28th and 29th October 2026
Celebrate Halloween with a Mexican-inspired twist at Blackgang Chine’s Fiesta of the Dead! Step into the Land of the Dead for an unforgettable evening of colourful lights, entertainment, family-friendly thrills and plenty of Halloween magic. Enjoy the park after dark on 23rd, 24th, 27th, 28th and 29th October 2026.

Robin Hill(opens in new tab) – 28th – 30th October
Robin Hill invites families to a spooky Halloween adventure this October 28th–30th (5–9pm). Visitors can brave the Trick or Treat Scare Route through darkened woodland before heading to the Halloween Party Tent for a DJ, flash mobs, pumpkin carving, face painting, circus skills, and a fancy dress competition. Costumes encouraged! And on 31st October don’t miss Fright Night Fancy Dress Ball(opens in new tab) – strictly for over 18’s!

Riverside Activity Zone(opens in new tab) – 30th to 31st October 2026
Bats & Blasters is back! Join the Halloween fun at Riverside Activity Zone on Friday 30th or Saturday 31st October 2026 – whichever night suits best! For just £12 per-child, they’ll enjoy unlimited Laser Tag, spooky music, a pizza buffet, squash, a Halloween goodie bag and a free Laser Tag membership. Arrival 6pm – 7pm. Costumes encouraged!

Outdoor Adventure Centres

Go Ape(opens in new tab) -16th October to 8th November 2026
It’s your time to shine. Go Ape’s unmissable autumn adventure is back this October, and it’ll be your highlight of the season. Take on tree-to-tree crossings illuminated by glowing lights. Feel the thrill of ziplines in the dark. It’s Go Ape’s signature tree top adventures taken up a level. On for a limited time from 16th October.

Calshot Activities Centre(opens in new tab) – 30th to 31st October 2026
Step into a spellbinding Halloween adventure at Calshot Castle! With family-friendly activities, spooky fun, and a unique historic setting, it’s the perfect way to celebrate Halloween with the children this October half term. Tickets include a free hot chocolate for children and 10% café discount!

Calshot Activities Centre(opens in new tab) – 24th to 1st November 2026
Experience the thrill of Calshot’s Action Adventure Days and Experiences this October Half Term! From climbing and skiing to track cycling and high energy challenges, there’s something for every adventurer. Perfect for school holiday fun, these exciting sessions help build confidence, skills and unforgettable memories.

Tile Barn Outdoor Centre(opens in new tab) – 24th to 31st October 2026
Enjoy an action packed half term this October at Tile Barn with archery, climbing, bushcraft adventures and more. Make the most of the holiday and stay in the New Forest with a short break in cosy camping pods – a perfect escape combining outdoor fun, fresh air and unforgettable experiences.

Runway’s End Outdoor Centre(opens in new tab) – 24th to 31st October 2026
Looking for a family day out packed with adventure? Head to Runway’s End Outdoor Centre and enjoy caving, archery, climbing, fire lighting and more. Extend the fun with an overnight stay in a woodland yurt or camping pod beside the beautiful Basingstoke Canal.

Theatre, Shows & Unique Experiences

Theatre Royal Winchester(opens in new tab) – 11th October to 1st November 2026
At Theatre Royal Winchester there’s puppetry in Max Fulham’s Monkey Business (11th); learn to draw with children’s writer and illustrator Nick Sharratt’s Once Upon A Drawalong (24th); ballet dancers perform Alice in Wonderland (29th); there’s magic in Kevin Quantum’s Anti-Gravity (30th); and lift-the-flap classic, Dear Zoo (31st – 1st Nov) is back!

Thruxton Circuit(opens in new tab) – 16th, 30th and 31st October 2026
October is packed with excitement at Thruxton, with three Driving Experience Days offering the chance to jump into a dream car and take it around the UK’s fastest circuit. There’s also plenty of adult and junior karting available throughout the month, giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy fast-paced, competitive track action.

Fareham Live – 23rd to 25th October 2026
Dog Man: The Musical brings Dav Pilkey’s beloved book series to life in a laugh-out-loud family adventure at Fareham Live! Join George and Harold as they create a musical about Dog Man, the part-dog, part-policeman hero. Packed with comedy, action and favourite characters, it’s a tail-wagging treat for kids and families alike.

Hovertravel(opens in new tab) – 4th, 11th and 29th October 2026
Discover what goes on behind the scenes at Hovertravel this October. This unique tour offers the chance to get up close to a hovercraft, explore areas passengers don’t usually see and learn more about these incredible machines. Tours take place in Ryde on 4th, 11th and 29th October.

eforea spa(opens in new tab) – throughout October 2026, ongoing offer
This October, families can enjoy a special pamper experience together with eforea spa’s Little Explorers offer. Designed for children aged 8–15, little guests can choose two 30-minute treatments, while accompanying adults can enjoy a manicure or pedicure too. It’s the perfect way to relax, reconnect and make special memories.

Plan Your October Half Term in Hampshire

From ghostly gardens and pumpkin trails to theme park spooktaculars and after-dark adventures, there’s no shortage of things to do in Hampshire in October. Whichever attractions you choose, it’s worth booking ahead as many of these Halloween events in Hampshire take place on selected dates only and popular sessions can sell out fast. However you spend it, we hope you have a spook-tacular October half term in Hampshire!

If you found this blog helpful, discover more family fun days out and places to visit in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, check out our blogs(opens in new tab), attractions(opens in new tab), things to do(opens in new tab), events(opens in new tab) and voucher(opens in new tab) pages. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook(opens in new tab), Instagram and TikTok !(opens in new tab) !

Header Image: Autumn at Hinton Ampner. 

Please note: Attraction features, facilities and offers or pricing are subject to change. Please always check their individual websites before visiting.