14 Oct 2026
Find family friendly activities this October half term
Looking for family friendly things to do over the October half term? Look no further.
Whether you’re after a Halloween haunting or a day of creativity and crafting, there’s something for all ages over half term in Leeds.
Pumpkin Patch at Lotherton
Saturday 17 to Saturday 31 October
Experience Lotherton’s award winning Autumnal experience. Pick your perfect pumpkin and enjoy frightfully fun photo opportunities in their patch. Available on weekends from Saturday 3 October and on weekdays from Monday 19 to Saturday 31 October.
Cost: £4 (plus general admission)
Pumpkin Competition at Leeds City Museum
Thursday 1 October to Sunday 1 November
Unleash your imagination at Leeds City Museum’s pumpkin design competition. Pick up your entry sheet and design your dream pumpkin using art materials of your choice. The museum’s team will select the lucky winners and transform their ideas into real pumpkins, which will go on display at the museum over Halloween.
Whether it’s spooky, funny or completely bonkers, have a go at designing your own during your visit to Leeds City Museum.
Cost: Leeds City Museum is a give what you can museum.
Halloween at Temple Newsam Home Farm
Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November
Get ready for a spooky half term at Temple Newsam Home Farm. Pick up a trail sheet and complete quizzes and activities across the estate, see the farm transformed with spooky displays and seasonal colour, follow the pumpkin trail, and get creative with self-led crafts in the Joiner’s Shop where you can make your own paper-chain skeletons.
Cost: included in admission.
The Walled Garden will also be given a spooky makeover, complete with a pumpkin themed fact trail. Bring along your own pumpkin and carve them for free on Tuesday 27 and 28 October. Gardeners will be on hand to help with carving, with tools supplied.
Cost: free but booking is recommended.
Scarecrow Trail at Leeds Industrial Museum
Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November
Say ‘hay’ to the scarecrows that have made Leeds Industrial Museum their home over half term on this autumnal trail.
On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, you can also get creative with autumn leaves to create beautiful masterpieces and get involved in other seasonal crafts.
Cost: included in admission.
Nocturnal Creatures Trail at Kirkstall Abbey
Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November
Find out more about the nocturnal creatures that live in the Kirkstall Abbey ruins on a fun family trail. Learn about the animals that call the Abbey home and spot different creatures on a trail as you walk around the ruins.
Cost: give what you can.
Glow in The Dark Week at Leeds City Museum
Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November
Join a week of glow in the dark activities at Leeds City Museum, including a glow in the dark trail where you can pick up a trail and learn about all the objects in the museum that glow in the dark. There’s also a glow disco happening on 27 October and a shadow art workshop on 27 – 29 October.
Cost: Leeds City Museum is a give what you can museum. Please note, some events require prebooking.
Halloween Hauntings at Temple Newsam House
Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November
Meet the past residents of the estate including the notorious Blue Lady who is said to roam the corridors at night.
Explore the house to discover its hidden histories and hear tales of spooky goings on. There will also be crafts and activities suitable for the whole family to enjoy.
Don’t forget to dress up in your Halloween best to keep the Blue Lady at bay!
Cost: included in admission.
Looking for something scarier? Cellar Scares is an immersive experience in Temple Newsam’s cellar.
Expect screams, surprises, and moments that will stay with you long after you’ve escaped back into the daylight.
Cellar Scares is suitable for those 12 and above, all under‑16s must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Cost: £5 (plus general admission)
Spooky Streets at Abbey House Museum
Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November
Wander the museum's authentic spooky streets to encounter residents of the Victorian shops. Think witches brewing potions, skeletons pulling pints, and other creepy creatures!
You can even dress as your favourite spooky character to pose for petrifying pictures in the photography studio.
Cost: included in admission.
Junior Ghost Walk at Temple Newsam Home Farm
Wednesday 28 to Saturday 31 October
Experience the magical mysteries of Halloween without any of the frights, enjoy a cauldron-full of silly tales that will send shivers down your spine and deliver plenty of fun and laughter along the way.
Cost: included in the admission fee but must be pre-booked.
Spellbound at Lotherton
Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November
Every autumn the witches of Lotherton cast a special charm that gathers the last of the summer's warmth and stores it so the village comes through winter. But this year, their heart-warming hex has come undone and its ten words have scattered, one to each witch across the estate.
Using your very own 'spellbook', search the estate to find the ten willow arches belonging to each witch - together with the scattered words. Gather all ten to mend the charm back at the great cauldron.
Cost: included in admission.
Monkey Madness at Tropical World
Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November
Get ready for a week of monkey-themed madness at Tropical World. Learn fun monkey facts, take part in monkey bingo, brave the monkey tucker trial, test your aim at their banana toss, and hear expert keeper talks.
Cost: included in admission.
400 Stories at Leeds Libraries
Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October
Young artist aged 4 and above are invited to take in a hands-on workshop to create their own artwork all about stories.
The workshops are part of the city’s Leeds 400 celebrations and are taking place at libraries across the city.
Artwork created as part of the sessions will be placed on display at part of the 400 Stories exhibition at Leeds City Library.
Cost: free
Holiday Clubs at Herd Farm and the West Leeds Activity Centre
Monday 26 to Friday 30 October (various dates)
Enjoy holiday clubs at Herd Farm and the West Leeds Activity Centre where young people can enjoy fresh air, get active, have fun and unforgettable adventures in the outdoors.
Cost: £45 at the West Leeds Activity Centre and £48 at Herd Farm.
Find out more about the holiday clubs at Herd Farm. Find out more about the holiday clubs at the West Leeds Activity Centre.
Half Term Madness at Leeds Kirkgate Market
Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October, 10.00am to 4.00pm
Take part in Lego, Duplo and colouring activities at Leeds Kirkgate Market. On 29 and 30 October, there’s also be ‘Lotions and Potions’ with optional fancy dress where you can take part in different activities to celebrate Halloween.
Light Night Leeds
28 and 29 October, 6.00pm to 9.30pm
See some of the city’s most recognisable spaces transformed by spectacular illuminated artworks, taking place across half term for the first time.
Using light, projection, performance and immersive experiences, families are invited to see the city in new ways, celebrating everything that makes Leeds unique through the theme of ‘A City Speaks…’
This year’s festival will form part of Leeds 400, marking 400 years since Leeds was granted its first Royal Charter by King Charles I.
Cost: free
Spooktacular Family Day at Leeds City Library
31 October, 10.00am to 2.30pm
Join Leeds Libraries for a frightful mini-festival for young readers and their families, featuring children’s authors and theatre company Fladam, who will be performing their hilarious show, Hallowbean. Also expect devilish draw-a-longs and eerie activities in the mysterious corners of Leeds City Library.
Recommended for children 6+, spooky outfits are encouraged.
Co-produced by the British Library and Leeds Libraries.
Cost: free.
For media enquiries contact:
Communications Team
communicationsteam@pr.leeds.gov.uk