October Half-Term and Halloween Events

Are you and your family ready to have a spooktacular time this Halloween in Essex? Look no further, as we’ve got you covered with a fantastic list of exciting events happening throughout October in the area. Whether you’re a fan of halloween walking trails that will give you goosebumps or prefer pumpkin picking and crafting activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Essex this Halloween.

But the fun doesn’t stop there! We’ve pulled together a list of family-friendly events that are perfect for younger ghouls and ghosts across October half-term holidays. We’ve even found some free halloween events happening in Essex…from costume parades to trick-or-treating adventures, your little ones will have a blast as they collect treats and show off their spooktacular outfits.

1. Ghost Painting, The Book Nook, Maldon

24th October 2023 1pm – 3pm

Free to attend

Have you seen the “ghost thrift store painting” trend? We have and we love it! So ready for Halloween we are getting some thrift store paintings ready for you to paint some ghosts on them. You can take your finished pieces home, or we can keep them and hang them on our walls to celebrate your creativity.

Paint, painting and brushes are supplied – just bring your creativity.

2. Halloween Fun, Rayleigh Library, Rayleigh

28th October 2023

10am – 2pm

Free to attend

Join us for some spooky fun and crafts.

Spooky fancy dress welcome!

3. YourFamily Hallowe’en party, Centre Place Family Centre, Southend

23^rd October 2023, 1 – 2:30pm 

Free to attend.

Come and join the YourFamily Team for a Spooktacular Under 4’s Hallowe’en party, and to celebrate their 2nd birthday. The afternoon will include spooky-themed snacks and a children’s entertainer, so come along with your little ones in their best costume for some Hallowe’en fun!

4. Spook Out, Play Out!, Priory Park and Shoebury Park, Southend

24^th October 2023, 10 – 11am, Priory Park

26^th October 2023, 10 – 11am, Shoebury Park

Free to attend for those in ABSS wards, to check your eligibility click here:https://abetterstartsouthend.co.uk/locations/

Come and join the ABSS Creche Team for a morning of spooky-themed fun and games with your little ones during the Autumn half term! The sessions are suitable for the whole family to enjoy but are aimed at under 4’s.

5. Southend Halloween Parade, Southend Seafront

28th October 2023

6pm – 8pm

Free to attend

The 3rd annual Southend Halloween Parade returns on Saturday 28th October 2023!

Join us for a frightfully fun (and free!) evening of music, dancing, amazing costumes and huge light up puppets at our spooktacular Halloween parade. Don’t miss the fireworks finale at 8pm!

6. Halloween Party, Greenstead Library, Colchester

31 October 2023 10:00am – 2:00pm

Free to attend

Join us for a spooktacular day – costumes welcome!

Library Trail (all day) Colouring and activity pages (all day) Themed crafts (10am – 2pm)

7. Stubbers in the Dark, Stubbers Adventure Centre, Upminster

26th – 27th October 2023 9am – 7pm

Adults from £3.00

Children from £4.00

Under 5’s Free

A Seasonal festival at Stubbers Adventure Centre

Included in your general admission: Marshmallow Toasting, Silent disco, Adventure Play Park, Woodland Discovery Trail Sand Play and Paddle Beach (suitable for under 5’s)

8. Pumpkin Picking Village, next-door to Marsh Farm, Chelmsford

28th – 31st October

1st – 21st October

From £3.99 – 5.99 per person

Visit Essex’ premium pumpkin picking village & Halloween shopping experience – next door to Marsh Farm in South Woodham Ferrers, Essex.

We’ve gone Pumpkin Picking Mad! We have more varieties of Pumpkins, Gords and Squashes than you ever knew existed. Enjoy a visit to the Pumpkin Village from the 28th September 2023, free parking available.

Be the best dressed house in Essex this Halloween.

9. Pick Your Own Pumpkin, Basildon & Colchester Foxes farm locations

Dates from 1st – 29th October

From £4.00 per person

We have over 30 different pumpkins and squash varieties this year which we hope that you will all enjoy picking, carving, creating, or cooking with! In addition to our pumpkins and squashes, there will be:

Pick your own pumpkin patchReady cut pumpkin picking from the fieldLarge 5 acre corn maze with game Straw bales sofaBale mountainWheelbarrowsLots of exciting new photo opportunitiesField of fun area to include- Farm obstacles, slide, hula hoops, throwing games, football goal and sack races.

10. Halloween at The Museum of Power, Maldon

25th – 31st October 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Adults £7.00, Concessions £6.00, Children (5 to 15) £3.50, Children under 5 £1

Bug Hunt – join Essex Wildlife to find the bugs and creepy crawlies in our grounds

Autumn Arts and Crafts – have fun painting, hiding and finding rocks around the Museum grounds.

Exciting engineering – can you build the strongest bridge or tallest newspaper tower? A prize will be given to the bridge that is strongest and the tower that reaches the highest heights

Thursday 26th October ONLY: Professor Dean the Steampunk Scientist and Magician will be here as well as Royal Society of Chemists & Let’s Get Crafty Walk in activities, Miniature Railway Running & Astaria Model Village open.

Other activities will run from Wednesday 26th to Sunday 30th October

Let’s Get Crafty Workshops to be confirmed

11. Ingrebourne Halloween Potion Party, Hornchurch

26 Oct 2023 10am-12pm

Child ticket: £7.00

Come along for Halloween festivities including potion making, pumpkin carving and wand whittling.

Meet at the Ingrebourne Nature Discovery Centre. We wil endeavour to be outside so we can host a campfire as part of the activities, so please come dressed appropriately. We may hold activities inside the Centre if heavy rain/high winds are forecast.

The activities are suitable for children aged 3-10 years. Advance booking is essential. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

12. Pumpkin Trail, Markshall Estate, Colchester

22-30 October, 2023 10am -4:30pm

Adult £9.00 1 Adult family £18.50 (up to 4 children) 2 Adult family £27.50 Child (under 3) FREE Child – (3 – 16yrs) £4.75

The Pumpkin Trail is back! Adventure through the Arboretum, venturing past the Screaming Oak and witches hat tree in your quest to find the 30 wooden pumpkins.

Grab your walking shoes, put on your favourite Halloween outfit, and discover trees from across the world, natural play areas and autumn colour at its best. All whilst searching for the 30 carefully painted pumpkins which have been hidden this spooky season.

13. Halloween Festival & Spooky Nights at Barleylands, Billericay

26th-28th October

Daytime opening & evening for Spooky Nights 5:30pm – 9pm

Halloween Festival: From £14:45pp

Spooky Nights: From £13.00pp Members / £17.00pp Non-Members

This year we have lots of fun activities planned for a hauntingly good half-term, including singing, dancing and a spellbinding story time with Witch and Cat. There will also be pumpkin decorating – your little ones can pick a pumpkin from our paddock to decorate, ready for Halloween! There will be a spooky walk through labyrinth, a ghostly trail, as well as all the usual farm favourites.

Our family-friendly Spooky Nights include with child-friendly fairground rides, safe trick or treating around The Village, spooky disco with Skittleman, creepy critter handling*, indoor play, animals and much more!

Please note the full event starts at 6pm each evening, however trick or treating and entry to the event begins from 5.30pm. The Farm Park will close at 9pm. Remember to dress up and bring along your trick or treating bucket or bag!

So, mark your calendars and get ready for a frightfully fun Halloween in Essex. Whether you’re seeking thrills and chills or prefer a more lighthearted celebration, there’s an event for you and your family to enjoy. With so many events happening across the county there’s plenty of opportunity to embrace the spirit of Halloween in Essex. We hope you have a wonderfully spooky month!