The school holidays will soon be here again, which means you'll most likely be on the hunt for things to do with the kids.
With Halloween weekend falling at the end of the break for most people, there's lots of spooky fun on the cards for families.
From pumpkin picking and The Trafford Centre's Spookfest, to the Scare Skate ice rink in Manchester city centre, there's no shortage of things to do.
We've pulled together a list of activities across the region, with something for kids of all ages to enjoy.
Read more: Where to go pumpkin picking in and around Greater Manchester
Take a look at what's happening in and around Greater Manchester this October half term and Halloween
Manchester
Scare Skate - Scare Skate is returning to Manchester's Cathedral Gardens as part of the annual Halloween in the City event. As ghoulish monsters take over Manchester, one of the iconic MCR monsters will take centre stage at the 813 sqm rink, where there'll be Halloween-themed music and lighting for added effects. The event runs from October 22 to 31 and promises to 'bring frightfully good fun to half term festivities'. Tickets for Scare Skate are available now, with prices starting at £14.50 for adults and £12.50 for children, with discounted family, group bookings and season tickets also available. Visit the website here to book.
Halloween in the City - The giant inflatable monsters are back! Prepare to see some familiar, albeit scary faces, taking residence on Manchester’s most well-known buildings this October as Halloween in the City returns. The family friendly art trail will feature monsters around every corner as well as live entertainment and activities across the Halloween weekend. The MCR Monsters will be back in the city from October 25 to 31 and have previously appeared in locations including the Arndale, Printworks, and Kampus. New for this year is Monsters Rock! Music Festival, featuring monster bands, scary DJs, a glow in the dark dance party, plus Halloween vogue balls and a pumpkin patch chill out zone, spanning the city’s St Ann’s Square, Market Street and Exchange Square. There will also be a Monsters Rock Procession courtesy of Walk the Plank, the team behind the Manchester Day Parade.
Halloween Spooktacular at New Century - Manchester's newest social destination New Century is playing host to its own monster as part of the trail and will be hosting a 'Halloween Spooktacular' event on Sunday, October 30. Grown ups and kids alike are promised a fun-packed day of Halloween activities that will take over the whole of the New Century space, including the events hall upstairs and downstairs kitchens, which serve up everything from pizza and burgers, to sushi and plant based Asian food. The event, between 1pm and 5pm, will feature a bogey man bouncy castle, frightful face painting, spooky dancing and more. Visit the website here for more details.
Palace Theatre - The Lion King starts its run at the Palace Theatre during October half term. Follow Simba and all of your favourite characters on his epic adventure to becoming king of the Pridelands. The show is running from October 27 to February 19. See here for more details and to book.
Manchester Science Festival - The renowned festival is returning to the Science and Industry Museum from October 21 to 30. The venue has unveiled the full line-up of its biennial science extravaganza, which is returning this autumn as a live event for the first time in four years. Two headline events include new exhibition Turn It Up: The power of music, where families can explore music together and play with beat, melody and harmonies in a newly commissioned musical playground, and Giant Leaps, 'a fun, playful experience' discovering how humans' movements are impacted by different atmospheres. Free festival fun aimed at families is on offer daily from 10am to 4pm, including hands-on activities, drop-in workshops and immersive experiences. There are also some one-off events, including Get Curious, offering STEM activities on October 21 and then 27 to 28. Visit the website for more details.
HOME story time workshops - HOME is running some workshops in Manchester libraries which are all about storytelling and story-making. Alongside the digital Storytime Sessions, three family-friendly workshops will take place at Central Library on October 24, Longsight Library and Learning Centre on October 26, and at Powerhouse Library on October 27. See the website here for more details.
Salford
Ordsall Hall - There's all sorts of Halloween and half term fun on offer at the historic hall. Activities include everything from a Fairy Tale Trail to wand making, clay monsters and Horrible Halloween Heads - making a gruesome head out of an apple. See the website for more details and to book.
RHS Garden Bridgewater - Families are invited to 'delve into the world of deadliest plants and bugs' with a week of fun family activities. Explore the half term trail and discover more about the creepy-crawlies and super-smart plants that fight back. There's everything from autumnal storytelling sessions for babies and toddlers, to creepy crawly crafts and (on October 27 and 28) there's Du Iz Tak? - a family-friendly theatre performance by Long Nose Puppets. It’s a tiny tale told by tiny critters... with big ideas. Finish off the week and celebrate Halloween with a weekend of mushroom exploration and interactive story walks all about the magic in the undergrowth. For specific times and to book, visit the website here.
Salford Museum & Art Gallery - There's lots more spooky fun on offer at the museum. The famous museum street will be decorated for Halloween with lots of spooky things to spot. Activities to book include a Spooky Afternoon Tea, Spooky Peg Dolls and lots more. Visit the website for more details.
The Lowry - There's more theatre on offer at The Lowry over half term. The Tiger Who Came to Tea is heading to the venue from the West End as part of its UK tour. An Olivier Award-nominated smash hit show, it's running from October 27 to 30 and promises a performance 'packed with magic, sing-a-longs and clumsy chaos as this beloved book is brought to life'. Tickets cost from £18 and can be booked online.
Trafford
Inflata Nation - Visitors can enjoy Inflata Nation at a reduced rate over half term. Anyone booking in advance using the code SPOOKYMANC will get 15% off the price. The 'UK’s largest inflatable theme park brand', the site at Trafford Park boasts a range of state-of-the-art inflatables such as huge drop slides, assault courses, Gladiator-style duels and climbing walls. It will have a Halloween-themed makeover and there'll be a range of fun and games happening. Visitors also have the chance to win a lifetime pass of unlimited visits to the centre, with an estimated value of £17,000. Find out more and book tickets on the website here.
Dunham Pumpkin Patch - Thousands of pumpkins to pick from. Various photo opportunities to get those all-important snaps and this year there's the addition of a new giant chair, as well as vintage tractors and a new wagon train for families to enjoy rides around the orchards. Open 10am to 4pm each weekend starting October 1 and then daily from October 22 to 30. Book on the website here.
The Trafford Centre - Spookfest returns this half term and Halloween with a spooky circus and fairground. The funfair, which was last in action as part of the mall's Summer Daze event, will be back with everything from the ghost train and haunted house, to the popular Rock Rage and cruise ship rides. New this year is the Mach 5, an 'adrenaline-pumping ride that spins speedily at soaring heights of 55m above the ground'. Gandeys Circus is also back with 'a brand-new action-packed legendary' Halloween Spooktacular Big Top show. The event will also feature a Pumpkin Tower installation, boasting 250 pumpkins and reaching a towering five metres in height. On selected dates there will be Halloween Movie Screenings, free to those with a fairground wristband, as well as face painting and character appearances. Read more here.
Dunham Massey Ice Cream Farm - Around 30,000 pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are ready for the picking at Dunham Massey Ice Cream Farm at Ash Farm. You don't need to book a slot, just turn up on the day and head out onto the fields. There's no entry fee, so you only pay for the pumpkins you take home - as well as any Halloween flavoured ice creams you may well be tempted to buy whilst there, or hot food or pumpkin spiced lattes from the giant tee-pee. Picking is available from October 1. Visit the website here for more details.
Legoland Discovery Centre - Brick or Treat is back at Legoland for half term. Lego fans can join in a whole host of fun from building their own Lego pumpkin and helping to make a spooky garden, to watching the brand new Halloween 4D movie The Great Monster Chase. There's a scavenger hunt, the chance to help the master builders create a giant Lego vampire and meet and greets with characters including scarecrow and Lord Vampyre. Little ones are encouraged to 'bring your best monster moves and join them for a Halloween dance party'. Brick or Treat Monster Party activities take place on weekends and in school holidays from October 1 to 31. Tickets from £17.50. Book online.
SeaLife Manchester - The Sea Witch is back in Sea Life's Ascarium: Tricks & Treats event. Follow an immersive trail to help her keep her fellow sea creatures safe and look after the ocean. Complete the ‘spook-splash-tastic’ challenges to join Serafina’s army of Sea Defenders. The event is included in usual admission and visitors get a reward for completing the trail. Tickets cost from £17.50. Book online.
Stockport
Reddish Vale Farm - Halloween Festival with pumpkin picking. Families can grab a wheelbarrow and head out to pick their own pumpkin off the pumpkin patch before taking it to carving cavern to create their masterpiece. There's a Halloween Village offering plenty of photo opportunities, a Spooky Express through the haunted woods (for £2 a ride), a haunted straw maze and more. The event's running from October 8 to 30 and tickets - £16.50 for children and £12 for adults - can be booked online. One pumpkin included per paying child.
Merseyway and Redrock - Halloween Celebrations, trick or treat trail in Halloween costumes, 12pm to 3pm on October 29. Craft sessions and character appearances. From 5pm head to Redrock and grab a trick or treat bag for a trail around the complex. Enjoy exclusive performances from the Spooky Band and play games with Olga the Witch and friends.
Bolton
Smithills Open Farm - A Pumpkin Picking event is running at Smithills over the weekend of October 15/16 and then daily from October 22 to 30. It's suitable for children of all ages and farm staff will be in fancy dress helping to keep them entertained. Tickets cost £6 each and you buy tickets for the number of pumpkins you want to pick, not the amount of people attending. You need to buy separate tickets for the other Halloween events at the farm, including the Halloween Special, with a spooky sweet hunt, and Halloween Fright Night, a one-night only running on October 29 with 'ghoulish guided tours'. To book, visit the website here.
The Hive at Moss Bank Park - Little Monsters sessions are running at The Hive on various dates over half term. Wanda the witch needs your help to ward off scary monsters at The Hive. Families are invited to join in the 'magical and spooky adventure' to help Wanda by creating a magic potion, making your own magical wands and going on a pumpkin hunt. Tickets are £7.50 per child. Additional adults are charged at £3. Visit the website here for more details and to book.
Oldham
Summit Up Climbing Centre - 'Creep n Climb' sessions are running at Summit Up this Halloween. Available from October 28 to 31, there's an hour's climbing, with 'creepy pizza, scary slushies, a costume competition and spooky disco', as well as some hidden treats. Usual climbing sessions are also available to book throughout half term. Visit the website for more details.
Lancaster Park and Animal Farm - Pumpkin picking is including in the attraction's Halloween On The Farm event. Families can pick their own from the pumpkin patch and there's space to carve your special creation. There's loads more fun to enjoy there too, including a haunted house and spooky tales with the wicked witch. Youngsters can pet and feed the animals, ride the caterpillar barrel ride, drive the mini quads, dig in the sand pit at digger corner and lots more. The event is running over the weekends of October 8/9 and 15/16 and then daily from October 21 to 30. For tickets - £9.50 adults, £12.50 children - book online. Under 12 months are £6.50, or free if no pumpkin required.
Bury
Treetop Manchester - It's all about 'frights and heights' at Treetop in Heaton Park this half term. Kids heading to the popular attraction are in for an extra Halloween treat as they explore the array of super slides, walkways, tunnels and giant trampolines at Treetop Nets. Ghostly goings-on will see adventurers solving some creepy clues on the search for some 'spooktacular objects' hidden beneath the tree canopy. To solve the puzzle, they’ll have a special bats-eye view as they explore the bouncy nets and aerial walkways. The Halloween Hunt at Treetop Manchester is included with any two-hour session on Treetop Nets between Friday, October 21 and Monday, October 31. Book online.
Bradley Fold Garden Centre - VR Haunted Hayride. Climb aboard this virtual reality haunted hayride, which promises to take you on a spine-tingling journey where you may just encounter some ghastly ghouls, petrifying pumpkins and startling scarecrows. It's all fun and games but organisers do advise anyone who suffers from car sickness to maybe give this one a miss, and parental discretion is advised for children under the age of seven as there are parts where they will need to jump. It's running from now until October 23 and you can book on here , tickets £5. There's lots more spooky fun on offer too, from a walk-through tunnel of terror to a visit from some birds of prey.
East Lancashire Railway - The popular ghost train is back at ELR this Halloween. Climb on board and help the Monster Squad banish the ancient railway curse, with plenty of tricks, treats and fun along the way. Show off your best Halloween fancy dress and meet some spooky characters along the way. The Halloween Ghost Train runs from October 27 to 29. Book online.
Tameside
Cockfields Farm - The Pumpkin Festival. Grab a wheelbarrow and head out to the Pumpkin Patch before taking it to the Carving Cave to create the spookiest or funniest face they can. Your pumpkin is included in the ticket price and there's lots more Halloween fun to enjoy too, from a Scarecrow Scareshow to the chance to get hands on with snakes, lizards and rats in the Animal Barn. If that's not enough there'll be tractor rides, animal feeding, marshmallow firepits and lots of the usual play equipment from the giant jumping pillow and indoor sandpit, to the swings, slides, climbing frames and lots more. The event's running from October 8 to 30 and tickets, costing £20 each (pumpkin included), can be booked online.
Wigan
Haigh Woodland Park - There'll be hundreds of pumpkins ready for the picking at Haigh Woodland Park this year. Its event is running from October 27 to 30 and tickets are already selling fast. Every ticket holder will have 30 minutes to pick their pumpkin and have photographs with their pumpkin and the special live Halloween characters (child friendly) who will be roaming the woodland pumpkin arena. The session will be then be followed by a 15 minute song and dance show with the Halloween characters. This event forms part of Haigh's Halloween Fest 2022, with more details to be released on the Facebook page here over the coming weeks. Tickets cost £5.50 each and one ticket is required for every attendee, including adults. Every ticket holder gets access to the show and will be able to take a pumpkin home. Book online.
Roby Mill Pumpkin Patch - Tickets have already been selling fast for Roby Mill Pumpkin Patch, which is opens on October 8 and will open daily until Halloween, except for October 10 and 17. There's a huge range of pumpkins and minikins ready for the picking and photo opportunities and activities to get involved with. In a spooky tent on site there'll also be a range of Halloween merchandise, including knitted pumpkins, candles and more. For the first time, Roby Mill has also teamed up with local pub The Fox Roby Mill, who will be on site selling hot food and drinks from a pop-up food truck. At quieter times you can just turn up without booking, but you need to book free tickets for busier weekend periods and during half term, October 24 to 28. Free tickets can be booked online. A ticket is required for each person attending the Pumpkin Patch, except any children under the age of 2. Parking and entry are free. Pumpkins are priced differently according to size.
Rochdale
Fireground - Half term is the perfect time to check out the Fireground Museum. The attraction replaced the Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum in Rochdale's old fire station last year. As well as fully restored fire engines, historic horse-drawn fire carriages and manual hand-operated pumps, there's an immersive Victorian street scene and a scene from the blitz, complete with lighting and sound effects. But perhaps the best bit for little ones is the many interactive display elements, including a play area with a fireman's pole to slide down. It's open every Thursday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm and tickets for under-fours are free, with children and concessions £5, adults £7, or family tickets for £20. Visit the website for more details.
Elsewhere
Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Eight scare zones await at Blackpool's Journey to Hell Freak Nights. Billed as 'a terrifying, experience-led event', it features live actors through eight themed areas of the Pleasure Beach and promises to 'take your terror to levels that you have never experienced before'. Face your worst fears with silent assassins, evil carnival dwellers, undead sorcerers and even aquatic terrors lurking around every corner. Journey to Hell Freak Nights take place on selected nights from October 7 to 30 after the amusement park has closed to the public. Some scare zones incorporate thrilling ride experiences including intense high-speed rollercoasters. Visit the website to book.
Alton Towers - Alton Towers Resort will celebrate 15 years of its award-winning Scarefest and this year, guests can expect more scares and shocks than ever before. The event will host even more live entertainment across the resort for all ages, including a brand-new scare attraction for the bravest of souls, plus guests can experience the rides and attractions in darkness. The Resort has confirmed the return of three multi-award winning, terrifying mazes, and the family favourite Trick O Treat Town. Also returning for 2022 is the opportunity to experience the Alton Towers Gardens as it comes to life. Garden Lights Walk: Whispering Souls is free for guests to enjoy as part of the event’s family-focused fright line-up of live entertainment including the Freaky Five and CBeebies Land Monster Ball. Scarefest takes place October 7 to 9 and October 14 to 30 You can find out more and book your tickets here.
Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience - the event returns to Cheshire's Arley Hall and Gardens for a second year. Inspired by the iconic Forbidden Forest and featuring creatures from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series, 'mesmerising lights' transform the landscape into 'a magical outdoor trail'. From October 15, visitors will once again be able to discover some of their favourite moments from the Forbidden Forest, encounter mystical creatures such as Hippogriffs, centaurs, unicorns, Nifflers, and practice casting their very own spells. For more details and to book, see here.
Kenyon Hall Farm - Pumpkin picking is back at Kenyon Hall Farm, also in Warrington, this Halloween and there's a bumper crop of more than 15,000 to pick from this year. The event will run every day throughout October and while there's no carving this year, there are lots of cute photo opportunities to take advantage of, including the giant 'pumpkins' sign that's been installed on the patch (main image). Tickets are £2.50 per person for adults and children - infants under 18 months go free - and can be booked online. The entry ticket does not include a pumpkin. These are available to buy and are priced according to size. This year the attraction has also teamed up with two professional photographers for those wanting to get some unique family portraits. Sessions are on selected dates. For more information and to find out how to book, see here.
Chester Zoo - A new interactive Halloween trail. In a first of its kind for the attraction, Luna’s Lost Spell Halloween Trail will be indoors with visitors encountering animals including the Komodo dragon, Gaboon viper, poison dart frogs, blue Komodo viper, tarantula and the upside-down Jellyfish. Guests are encouraged to visit six animal stations to learn spellbinding facts about the hair-raising species whilst collecting letters to form a word. Once they manage to uncover the magic word, they’ll be rewarded with a sweet treat. The trail - running from October 1 to 31 - is free to all visitors who purchase admission tickets and will take around two hours to complete. For more details and to book, see here.
Knowsley Safari - An animal themed Spooktacular Safari Trail is taking place over half term. With a free Spooktacular Safari Trail map, guests will learn about 'boo-tiful' Halloween animals including spiders and cats. Families can take part in a range of interactive activities together, such as solving riddles, selfies with ghosts and counting spiders. The event runs 11am to 4.30pm from Saturday, October 22 until Sunday, October 30 - and it’s included in the general admission price. Book online.
Grange Farm - Pumpkin Festival is back for 2022. The patch opens from October 8, with ticket prices including entry, as well as children's entertainment, Halloween crafts and games. It costs £10 per family for a maximum of five people, any extras £2.50 each. There's loads more on site too, from a spooky maze and sunflower maze, to face painting, a haunted bus, characters to meet and greet and a children's entertainer. A carving barn for little ones to carve their creations will also be open throughout the event, which runs until October 31. Pumpkins and all other activities are a extra cost on the day. On selected dates - October 14, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 - there is none of the added entertainment, so family tickets are half price. Pumpkin picking and the maze will still be available. Visit the website here to book.
Farmer Bertie's Pumpkin Patch - Open from October 14 to 31, visitors don't need to book for this pumpkin patch and there's no entry fee - you simply pay for the pumpkins you pick. After two years of trying to grow pink pumpkins, this year it's been a success and for every one sold Farmer Bertie has decided to give the proceeds to Cancer Research UK for breast cancer research. There are some more new additions this year too - with a Coffee Stop serving brews, cold drinks and tray bakes and The Mobberley Ice Cream Company serving up its homemade ice cream. There's also a seated picnic area and an indoor pedal tractor area for children of all ages. Pumpkins cost £12 for any three sizes. Pink ones are £8, with proceeds to charity. See the Facebook page here for more details.
Libby's Pumpkin Patch - There are four pumpkin patches to pick from at Libby's in Macclesfield, with thousands upon thousands of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. The patch launched just two years ago, but has quickly become a favourite with families, and Dan and Bethan Thornicroft are hoping for similar success with 2022's crop. It costs £5 per car to visit and then pumpkin prices depend on the size. The site's open throughout October and there's hot and cold refreshments, including fresh baked pizza and homemade cakes, being served. Book online.
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