October half term activities Lancashire 2026
There are loads of October half term activities Lancashire in 2026 to choose from. There are plenty of Halloween themed ones and some that have nothing to do with Halloween. This post will focus on those that aren’t about Halloween but it will link to my guides on Halloween events and Pumpkin picking locations in Lancashire too. Find more October half term activities North West here.
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I have done my best to make sure this post is up to date and accurate but please check the organiser’s website before travelling as events may be cancelled at short notice, details might be changed and mistakes happen. I have included links to the event organisers so you can check the up to date details and terms and conditions before boking or travelling. Most of the events need pre-booking.
As always, I will be updating these guides right up to and October half term. Please do send me details if you have an event that I have missed. I can be reached by emailing info@northwestforkids.co.uk
If you love finding new family days out and events in the North West then you need to follow me on Facebook or Instagram. If you use Facebook you might like to join my Family Days out North West group.
Blackpool illuminations
When: until 3rd January 2027.
Blackpool illuminations are on currently and they will be switched on every evening including throughout half term. If you are in the area, you could drive through them one evening or perhaps catch a tram or even walk part of the lights.
Full details here – Blackpool Illuminations
Lightpool festival, Blackpool
When: 21st – 31st October 2026.
Enjoy a spectacular programme of light-based art installations, live performances, 3D projection shows and family-friendly activities.
Find out more & book some events here – Lightpool Festival | Visit Blackpool
Sundown, Go Ape, Blackburn
When: 16th October – 8th November 2026.
Navigate the high ropes and zip lines in the dark. The forest will be illuminated with colourful lighting.
Book here – Sundown Go Ape
Scarecrow Festival, Rufford Old Hall
When: 23rd October – 8th November 2026. Closed Wednesday and Thursday
The theme for 2026 is ‘Rufford Rocks: pop stars and music legends’, giving you a chance to bring some iconic singers, musicians and bands to life in scarecrow form!
Free entry for National Trust members.
Full details here – Scarecrow Festival 2026 | National Trust
Stranger Folk app, Ruffed Old Hall
When: 13th October – 1st November 2026
Free app, admission applies to none National Trust members
Download our new Stranger Folk app and begin an immersive adventure inspired by British folklore. The interactive game features goblins and other creatures who lurk around the house and gardens.
The app is designed for children aged 7-12 and can be downloaded for free from Apple and Google app stores. You can download the app ahead of your visit, just search Stranger Folk in your app store. It can also be downloaded via QR code on arrival in our second-hand bookshop.
Families only need one mobile phone to play the game and can work together to heal a rift between the human and spirit worlds. Volume 1, ‘Crone Calling’, starts with a message from a mysterious Old Crone. As the story develops, you can meet sneaky goblins and cunning boggarts, while learning of strange goings-on.
The game can be played at a fast pace for around 20 minutes or you can take the whole day to complete the adventure, pausing for lunch then picking up where you left off.
Alongside your app-based adventure, look out for mysterious figures lurking around Rufford Old Hall, dress as a detective to help us spot any unusual creatures and take part in some Stranger Folk games across site.
Full details here – Stranger Folk
October half term at Horse and Bamboo 2026
Shorts for Wee Ones and craft. 28th October, booking required. £6 per ticket
Free family board games, 27th October 2026
The Magic Stick (theatre show), 30th October – booking required
Free Paper Puppetry and Cardboard Creations, suitable for age 11-18yrs – booking required, 1st November
Edgeside Park Pumpkin Trail, 1st November 2026
Book here – October half term at Horse + Bamboo
Xplorer at Brockholes
Where: Brockholes nature reserve, just off Junction 31 of the M6, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 OAG
When: 24th October – 1st November 2026
Cost: £5.50 if booked in advance, £6.50 on the day
Summary: Explore Brockholes, find the markers, complete the challenge and have fun together! Brought to you in partnership with British Orienteering, Xplorer is the perfect outdoor activity to get the whole family outside in the fresh air together! There are certificates for those completing the challenge along with a sweet treat!
There are 2 courses available, one is pram-friendly and the markers are in number order in a circular route. The other course is more challenging and not pram-friendly. Families will need to use navigation skills to find markers across the reserve.
Book here – Xplorer at Brockholes
The Evolution of Magic show, Blackpool Pleasure Beach – book now for 2026
When: 14th – 30th October 2026
The Evolution of Magic is one of Blackpool’s most popular live magic shows, now celebrating 10 years at the Horseshoe, Pleasure Beach Resort .
This fast-paced, immersive live experience stars magicians Craig Christian and Elizabeth, a two-time Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist, who combine illusion, mind reading, visual magic, and powerful storytelling.
Performed in an intimate setting right at the entrance of the Pleasure Beach Resort, audiences are seated close to the action — making every moment feel personal, surprising and unforgettable.
The show is highly interactive, with many audience members experiencing the magic first-hand. These close-up moments create powerful reactions and make each performance feel unique, adding an extra layer of excitement to the live experience.
Book here – The Evolution of Magic show
Halloween events Lancashire
There’s loads more going on across Lancashire this half term but everything else has a spooky theme.
Find all the best Halloween events Lancashire here.
Here are the big events but find many more in the main guide (linked above).
Supernatural at Martin Mere – 2026 event, no need to book
Where: WWT Martin Mere, Fish Lane, Burscough, Lancashire, L40 0TA
When: 24th October – 1st November 2026
Cost: included in admission fee
For one week only make magical memories and experience the wonder of wetlands through enchanting activities:
- Pick up a super natural log book and go on a wetland adventure.
- Weave a little magic with a handmade willow wand
- Examine an owl pellet to find out what they eat for breakfast
- Mix a magical potion and cast a spell for nature.
- Search for Search for spotted tops, giant domes and more on a mysterious fungi hunt
- Carve a pumpkin from 24-30 October, 12-3pm (£3.50 per pumpkin)
- Set off on a mystical canoe adventure (additional cost)
- Get your costumes ready for the fancy dress competition on 31 October
Find out more here – October Half Term | WWT
Farmer Teds Pumpkin Festival – book now for 2026
Where: Farmer Teds Adventure Farm, Ormskirk
When: Selected dates 2nd October – 1st November 2026
Cost: from £41.50 per family, pumpkins available to purchase
Summary: Expect dinosaurs, new pumpkin village, a dead scary maize maze, fancy dress competitions, spooky ghost stories, sorcery school and loads of photo opportunities. Designed for young children, spooky not scary
Find out more and book here – Pumpkin Festival | Farmer Teds
Mrs Dowsons Farm Park’s Pumpkin Festival – 2026 tickets on sale now
Where: Hawkshaw Farm, Longsight Road, Clayton-le-Dale, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 7JA
When: Selected dates from 3rd to 31st October 2026.
Cost: Children £13.57, Adults £11.48. Every ticket includes a pumpkin token. You can also stay an explore the farm included in the ticket price.
Summary: explore 3 acres of pumpkins including homegrown and 12 imported varieties of pumpkins. They also offered adult-only evenings (see below).
Book here – Pumpkin Patch 2026 | Mrs Dowsons Farm
Find out review of Mrs Dowsons farm here – Mrs Dowsons farm park review
Pumpkin picking at Greenlands farm village – Book now for 2026
Where: Greenlands Farm, Tewitfield, Carnforth, LA6 1JH
When: 3rd – 31st October 2026
Cost: Various price options. Child with pumpkin £16.50, Adult including pumpkin £16.50. See website for more options.
Summary: Choose your perfect pumpkin and get creative in the carving station to carve your fiendish face! Leave the mess behind and take your pumpkin home to decorate for the spooky season! Every child ticket also includes a Trick or Treat Trail.
Book here – Pumpkin Picking on the Farm
Halloween ghost trains, East Lancashire Railway – book now for 2026
Where: The East Lancashire Railway, Bolton Street Station, Bury, Lancashire, BL9 0EY
When: 29th, 30th and 31st October 2026, evenings from 5:30 pm
Cost: from £15-£20
Summary: Something VERY strange is happening along the tracks of the ELR this Halloween, and Zombie Bob and the Monster Squad need your help to get to the bottom of it!
Prove you have what it takes by making your way through the haunted Halloween Walkthrough at Bury Station; beware jump scares.
Once you’re on the platform, prepare yourself to face the terror-rific singing and dancing of Vampire Brian and Veronica The Witch.
Finally you will board the Scream Train, which has had a spooky makeover. Expect flickering lights, eerie sounds, creepy surprises and perhaps a VERY unwelcome visitor climbing aboard… Only with the help of the Monster Squad will you make it safely back to Bury.
Book here – Halloween Ghost Trains
Wizarding Adventure at East Lancashire Railway – 2026 tickets on sale now
Where: The East Lancashire Railway, Bolton Street Station, Bury, Lancashire, BL9 0EY
When: 29th & 30th October 2026
Cost: from £17.50 – £20 per ticket
Summary: Your adventure includes a steam train ride from Bury to Rawtenstall and back, a roughly two-hour wizard experience with our madcap magicians, wizard themed activities and plenty of photo opportunities
Book here – Wizarding adventure
Pumpkin Festival, Ridgeway farm, Blackpool – book now for 2026
Where: Ridgeway farm, Peel Road, Blackpool, FY4 5JX
When: Selected dates from 10th October – 31st October 2026
Cost: from £8.94 per ticket (no pumpkin) or £10.52 with a pumpkin
Full details – Meet the animals, pick your pumpkin from the patch and decorate it in the orchard whilst eating an ice cream.
Book here – Ridgeway Farm
Asquarium, Blackpool sea life centre – book now for 2026
Where – Blackpool Sea life centre
When – 12th October – 2nd November 2026
Cost – Included in admission fees
Follow an immersive trail to help them keep their fellow sea creatures safe and look after the ocean. Complete the ‘spook-splash-tastic’ challenges to join their army of Sea Defenders.
Book here – Ascarium: Tricks & Treats Event | SEA LIFE Manchester
Wild magic at Brockholes nature reserve – book now for 2026
Where: Brockholes nature reserve, just off Junction 31 of the M6, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 OAG
When: 28th – 30th October 2026
Cost: £9 per child
This Halloween, come along to our woodland school of magic nestled deep in the bewitching Brockholes woods. Using natural materials, you can design an enchanted cloak, build your very own broomstick from scratch, create magical wild potions and choose a wand to conjure your spells! Are you ready to be spellbound?
Book here – Wild Magic at Brockholes Nature Reserve
Pumpkin carving at Brockholes – details for 2026
Where: Brockholes nature reserve, just off Junction 31 of the M6, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 OAG
When: 24th – 31st October 2026
Cost: £10.50 includes 1 pumpkin, a cookie and hot chocolate or juice
Summary: Includes 1 pumpkin for carving in the pumpkin carving space.
Book here – Pumpkin Carving
Halloween at Blackpool zoo – Details for 2026
When: 24th October – 1st November 2026
Expect wizard talks, magical classes, spelling adventures and much more
Full details here – Wizarding wildlife school
Hoghton Tower school of witchcraft & wizardry – book now for 2026
Where: Hoghton Hall, Hoghton, Lancashire, PR5 0SH
When: 27th – 29th October 2026
Cost: £7 adults, £18 children (7-12 years)
Summary: For hundreds of years, Hoghton Tower School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has been training some of the greatest Witches and Wizards in Lancashire.
Now, a new trouble is brewing within the walls of Hoghton Tower. Teachers talk about a monster lurking through the corridors and students are determined to reveal the truth!
Join us in this story led event, where pupils will have their imaginations ignited, taking part in magical lessons including; divination, herbology, spell casting and potion making!
Suitable for children age 7-12 years old. No younger siblings allowed. All children must be accompanied by an adult with a ticket.
Book here – Hoghton Tower School of Witchcraft & Wizardry
Free Creepy Before Christmas – details for 2026
Where: Affinity Lancashire
When: 24th – 31st October 2026
Meet the Creepy Before Christmas crew, including Jack Skellington, Sally and Oogie Boogie, and join in with Oogie Boogie’s Silent Halloween Bash and Glitter Goo Lab. Take part in the Spellbound Search, meet the spooky Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus, discover the School of Spells and Secrets, then say hello to Wednesday, Morticia and Thing from the Addams Family!
Full details here – Creepy Before Christmas
Halloween at The Gruffalo and friends clubhouse, Blackpool – details for 2026
When: 26th September – 2nd November 2026
Cost: included in admission fee
Summary: Join us for a special Halloween Dance Party, where you can dance along to some family-favourite songs with Witch from Room on the Broom. As we celebrate 25 years of this much-loved story, it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy a special Halloween experience with one of its most beloved characters.
You’ll also have the chance to meet Witch herself, making this a memorable celebration for Room on the Broom fans of all ages.
Book here – The Gruffalo and friends clubhouse
Pumpkin picking Lancashire
Some of the pumpkin patches across Lancashire have additional activities on this autumn. Find your nearest here – Pumpkin picking Lancashire.
Nearby October half term activities guides
If you are happy to travel a little further there is plenty going on in Liverpool, Greater Manchester and Cumbria too which aren’t too far away.
October Half term activities Liverpool
October half term activities Manchester
October half term activities Cumbria
More things to do with kids in Lancashire
Find out all about this great children’s farm – Mrs Dowsons farm park review
This is a great family walk at the time of year – Pendle sculpture trail
Find some of the best parks in Lancashire here
