Last Updated on 8 October 2026 by Colette
[I am updating this post regularly with suggestions of things to do this Halloween in York as information and reviews become available but do check with individual venues!]
If Halloween is your thing, then York and the surrounding area has got plenty to offer this October! With days out for toddlers through to teens, York can scare you silly or just provide you with a nice pumpkin to carve – take your pick! Some of the events listed have strict guidance on the age of guests they are able to welcome or require adult supervision so do check carefully before you book! (Click through here if you’re looking specifically for places to go pumpkin picking in York.)
Check out these handy links to plan your next adventure …
I’ve tried to organise this list chronologically to make it easier to navigate but of course some events will run right through October so it’s worth scrolling right through to check what’s on!
Please note that, to the best of my knowledge, all information is correct at time of publishing but do check directly with individual venues to confirm!
Check out our list of Halloween days out if you’re looking for spooky things to do in York this October!
Contents - Click here to jump to the section you need
Ghosts in the Gardens, Museum Gardens – Saturday 19th September to Sunday 1st November 2026
Cementing York’s reputation as one of the ghostliest cities in Europe, the York BID (Business Improvement District) is bringing back Ghosts in the Gardens for 2026. The eerie sculptures have been installed in Museum Gardens for the last few years and this year there will be even more ghosts, with 70 ghosts to discover across 32 locations in some of the city’s beautiful public gardens, green spaces and historic sites.
This is a completely free event – more details here.
Pumpkin Fest at Spilmans, Church Farm, Thirsk YO7 3NB – Weekends from Saturday 26th September and then Friday 23rd to Saturday 31st October 2026
Spilmans Pumpkin Patch near Thirsk have got 125,000 pumpkins grown on site a their family-run farm, ready for you to pick as well as a whole range of Halloween things to do – including giant pipe rolling, barrel train, carving barn, corn cannon, pumpkin sling shot and tractor rides.
Spilmans offer a range of free and paid activities rather than an “all-in” entrance fee which allows you to plan ahead and manage your budget for the day. If you book now, you’ll receive a £5 per person credit to spend on pumpkins or activities.
Spilmans also offer a “back to basics” pumpkin picking experience for those who’d like enjoy a quieter pumpkin picking experience without all the activities.
And, for something a bit different, this year Spilmans are bringing back their “twilight picking evenings” with live music, a bar, street food and cosy fire pits.
Pre-book your PYO experience at Spilmans
Pesky Pumpkin Trail at Castle Howard – Thursday 1st to Saturday 31st October 2026
This October, a gaggle of pesky pumpkins have been causing mischief around Castle Howard! Younger visitors are invited to explore the house and hunt for the silly squash, giggling gourds and pesky pumpkins hiding along the way. Use your best spotting skills to find them all and earn yourself a sticker!
This event is included in your Castle Howard House and Gardens admission ticket.
Home of Halloween at York Dungeon – Saturday 10th October to Sunday 1st November 2026
This autumn, join The York Dungeon as they set the scene for one of Yorkshire’s darkest and most infamous historical tales.
Brand new for Halloween 2026, Mother Shipton: The Great Prophetess takes you back to the 16th century to discover the story of Yorkshire’s infamous prophetess from Knaresborough.
Born in a cave on a stormy night, Mother Shipton was feared as a witch, but was there another side to her story? Step inside her shadowy hideout where flickering fires tell tales of the past and the line between prophecy and reality begins to blur.
Face Mother Shipton this Halloween, if you dare!
Entry to the York Dungeon Halloween events must be pre-booked. The Halloween show is included in standard admission.
Hallowscream at York Maze – Selected nights from Friday 9th October to Sunday 1st November 2026
The award winning Hallowscream returns to York Maze this October half term. Bringing five haunted houses to life with over 100 actors, Hallowscream promises an intense scare experience (for younger or more nervous guests, check out Hallowtween above!). Hallowscream runs on selected evenings from 6.30pm (because let’s face it, everything is more scary in the dark!)
New for 2026 is Corntagion, an additional scare experience taking visitors into the cornfield to encounter ‘The Infected’. Additional charges apply.
Check out the Hallowscream FAQs for details on age restrictions and health warnings!
Tickets for Hallowscream must be booked online and are on sale now. Hallowscream is an over 16s event – anyone under 16 will be refused entry, even if accompanied by an adult. Proof of age will be required for anyone who appears under 21. Ticket prices vary depending on the date, with an additional £2 per person booking fee.
Hallowtween at York Maze – Saturday 24th to Saturday 31st October 2026 (closed Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th)
The multi-award winning Hallowtween runs between 12.30pm and 5.30pm and offers “frightening fun” for families with children aged 10-15 who are too old for trick or treating, but too young for Hallowscream!
Easily one of the best things to do in York for Halloween, Hallowtween offers four haunted house attractions, music, live stage acts and Halloween characters that promise to shock and thrill this October half term (whilst offering a milder level of scare than the original Hallowscream event!). Fairground rides are also available at an additional cost.
Check out the Hallowtween FAQs for details on age restrictions and health warnings! Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets for Hallowtween are available now and must be booked online. Prices vary depending on the date and when you book, with an additional £3 booking fee per transaction.
You can read more about Hallowtween at York Maze here:
Hallowtween at York Maze – North East Family Fun
Web’oween at The Web Adventure Park, YO32 2RH – Saturday 10th / Sunday 11th / Saturday 17th / Sunday 18th October then Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November 2026
This October half term at The Web expect live Halloween-themed entertainment from Dazzling Darren, appearances from Wicked’s Glinda and Elphaba, unlimited fairground rides, two bouncing pillows and an award-winning indoor play space. There will also be a pumpkin patch where you can pick and carve your own pumpkin (additional charges apply for pumpkins), animal encounters, laser tag and plenty of outdoor play.
Tickets for October half term at The Web Adventure Park are available now priced at £20.50 for children (£18.50 if under 0.9m tall) and £14.50 for adults. Under 1s are £4.95.
Sine Dominis: Without Masters – Ghost Week at Fairfax House – Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November 2026
This October half term you are invited to join Fairfax House for a special Ghost Week experience. With the Fairfax family expected to return home for Allhallowtide, the servants are busy preparing the house, but things have fallen into disarray! Explore the house, solve clues and answer questions as you help restore order before the family arrives. You’ll also be in with a chance of winning an exclusive Knave Ghost, handcrafted by the York Ghost Merchants.
There will also be special candlelit evenings on Monday 26th, Wednesday 28th and Friday 30th October from 5pm to 7.30pm.
Tickets for Ghost Week at Fairfax House are priced at £9.50 for the daytime experience, with candlelit evening tickets costing £15 for adults and £6 for children aged 16 and under.
York Halloween Night Market, Castle Museum – Saturday 24th October 2026
This October, York Castle Museum plays host to Black Phillip’s Castle Museum Night(mare) Market. Put on your best fancy dress and head down for an evening of spooky, alternative Halloween-themed shopping!
Keep an eye on the York Halloween Market Instagram for details!
Book tickets for the York Halloween Night Market. The event runs from 7pm to 11pm.
York Dungeon Halloween Walking Tour – Saturday 24th to Saturday 31st October 2026
Returning for 2026, The Little Peasants City Walking Tour is a 60-minute, family-friendly walking tour of York. Led by Jester and Smedley, it’s packed with laughs, famous landmarks and cheeky tales of York’s most infamous characters – the perfect alternative if your children aren’t quite ready for the Dungeon itself!
Tours depart from outside York Dungeon at 11.30am, 1pm, 3pm and 4.30pm each day.
Tickets for the York Dungeon Halloween Walking Tour must be pre-booked and are priced at £9.95 for adults and £7.95 for children. Under 3s go free.
Spooky Saturday in Rowntree Park – Saturday 24th October 2026 | SOLD OUT
The popular ‘Spooky Saturday in Rowntree Park!’ event returns offering Halloween-based fun for the family, all with a natural twist! There is a range of activities on offer including potion creating, a haunted hunt, wand making and making tree gargoyles with clay as well as craft / story activities to entice and intrigue little witches and wizards! The activities are mostly suited to ages 2-11, with each age range getting something different from it.
There are staggered start times at 10am and 10.30am, with activities lasting approximately 90 minutes. Tickets are required for children only, with accompanying adults attending free of charge.
To find out more and book your place head to: www.rowntreepark.org.uk/events/booking (this event will sell out quickly).
Tour and Halloween Truffle Rolling at York’s Chocolate Story – daily from Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November 2026
This Halloween you can upgrade your Chocolate Story tour with a 15 minute hands-on chocolate making experience where you’ll get the chance to roll, dip and decorate four Halloween-themed chocolate truffles with a range of spooky toppings. You’ll also get to decorate your own chocolate lolly during the tour.
Tickets for the Halloween Tour and Truffle Rolling at York’s Chocolate Story are available to book online now and are priced at £25 for children and £27 for adults. This event is recommended for children aged 4+ and their grown-ups! Under 4s go free but don’t receive their own truffles. Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult.
October Half Term Trail at Beningbrough Hall – Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November 2026
This October half term, head to Beningbrough Hall to celebrate autumn with a special trail around the gardens.
Explore the beautiful gardens and enjoy the autumn colours as you take part in seasonal activities and discover more about nature along the way.
The October half term activities at Beningbrough Hall are free, however normal admission charges apply.
The Little York Ghost Hunt, Walking Route Around the Minster – Monday 26th to Wednesday 28th October 2026
As night falls on the city of York, the Ghost Merchants invite you to join the search each evening for 250 Little York Ghosts, along the atmospheric ancient streets that surround York Minster. The hunt takes place between 6pm and 8pm each evening, with 30 rare glow-in-the-dark Willo Ghosts hidden amongst the others.
This is a seek and keep hunt – free to take part in with no booking required. Maps will be available from The York Ghost Merchants from mid October or a printable version will be available here nearer the time. The Ghost Merchants do rightly request that everyone takes part with kindness and good humour, taking just one ghost per person to give others a chance of finding one.
Halloween Family Masterclass at York’s Chocolate Story – Monday 26th / Wednesday 28th / Friday 30th / Saturday 31st October 2026
Join the chocolatier at York’s Chocolate Story for some hands-on Halloween fun and learn how to make gory chocolate treats including chilling chocolate truffles, a spooky chocolate skull slab, a chocolate lolly and your own personalised chocolate bar. The 90-minute experience includes a delicious hot chocolate each for you all to enjoy.
Ideal for children aged 4+ (and their grown-ups). Under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult. Sessions take place at 2.15pm.
Tickets for the Halloween Family Masterclass at York’s Chocolate Story are available to book online now and are priced at £37.50 per person.
Trick or Treat at Murton Park – Thursday 29th / Friday 30th October 2026
This Halloween, Murton Park are hosting a brand new interactive evening event. Madame Bling, the village fortune teller, has accidentally brought a handful of characters from Murton Park’s past back to life! As you make your way through the spooky village, you’ll meet historical characters with a Halloween twist, taking part in mini challenges and collecting treats and surprises along the way as you help send everyone back where they belong!
Book tickets for Trick or Treat at Murton Park priced at £5 for adults and £10 per child (children’s tickets include trick-or-treat goodies). Sessions take place at 5pm and 6.15pm and last around 45 minutes. This event is recommended for children aged 6+ and must be pre-booked.
York Witch Walk: Samhain Tales for Halloween – Friday 30th October to Sunday 1st November 2026
Join Ragnell Hagathorn for a spellbinding walk through York’s haunted streets. Witches, ghosts, monsters and eerie tales await!
It’s worth noting that the Witch Walk is recommended for mature audiences aged 14+. This experience includes jump scares and is not for those of a nervous disposition! Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
The walk starts at 7.30pm from St Helen’s Square and lasts approximately 90 minutes.
Book tickets for the York Witch Walk priced at £15 for adults and £7.50 for children and concessions.
Haunted Hall: Dark Tales at Barley Hall – Friday 30th / Saturday 31st October 2026
For something a little darker this Halloween, Barley Hall is hosting Haunted Hall: Dark Tales, an adult-only evening of spooky storytelling, and it’s not for the faint-hearted!
Join Edwyrdian Tales as he uncovers the darker chapters of Barley Hall’s 600-year history, with ghostly encounters, chilling folklore and plenty of eerie tales from the past.
Tickets for Haunted Hall: Dark Tales must be pre-booked and are priced at £20 per person. This event is strictly 18+ and takes place between 7pm and 9.30pm.
Ghosts After Dark, York Museum Gardens – Wednesday 4th to Sunday 8th November 2026
This November, York Museum Gardens will be transformed into a spooky after-dark experience with all 70 of the Ghosts in the Gardens sculptures brought together in one place. Visitors can explore the gardens after dark, with atmospheric lighting and live storytelling adding to the eerie atmosphere.
Tickets for Ghosts After Dark are priced at £10 for adults and £2 for children.
The Wizard Walk of York, York city centre – Selected dates all year round!
For more family fun than fright, why not try the award winning Wizard Walk of York this October. This “whimsical wand-er” around York features absolutely no spooky ghosts and no scary stories – just spellbinding magic, comedy and just a dash of York’s history on this quest to find magical creatures in the city.
The Wizard Walk of York begins at the bottom of The Shambles by St Crux Churchyard, over the road from The Golden Fleece pub. It finishes in Kings Square back near The Shambles.
You can book your Wizard Walk of York tickets now priced at £12 per person (under 3s go free) – tickets must be pre-booked as group sizes are limited to ensure everyone has a magical time. You can also add a Wizard Wand Kit to your booking.
Follow @wizardwalkofyork on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
Ghost walks in the city centre – 8pm every night, all year round
Whilst taking a Ghost Walk is not specifically a Halloween activity – October seems like as good a time as any to trek around the city scaring yourself with tales of spooks and ghouls! I’ve always felt the Ghost Walk is best done in the Autumn when the evenings are drawing in – it’s not really as spooky when it’s broad daylight! You’ll laugh, jump and learn all sorts of random stuff about the history of York and its inhabitants! I think I was about 12 the first time I did this. I’ve been promising to take Dave on a Ghost Walk for the last 22 years – maybe I’d better do that this year!
York Dungeons – open daily all year round
Again, The York Dungeon is not specifically a Halloween adventure but it’s definitely full of gore!
The York Dungeon is so much more than a dusty old museum – this unique actor led experience means you will see, hear, feel and smell the history of York – featuring the Minster, Guy Fawkes (he was born in York and went to St Peter’s school don’t you know!), The Shambles and Yorvik to name but a few.
Is York Dungeon scary? I haven’t been to York Dungeon since I was about 10 but I remember screaming and laughing a lot!
Sam from North East Family Fun visited York Dungeon with her tweens recently and said,
“My children are aged 9,10 and 13 and love anything scary – they LOVED York dungeons. I would say you do need to be brave though as there are moments when you are plunged into darkness and actors will jump out at you. The special effects are really good and at one point, I really did feel as if we were being chased by Vikings. York Dungeons is very much like Horrible Histories with the gore levels cranked up a few notches. You will watch human dissections, feel leeches crawl over your skin and witness historical torture techniques. If your tweens and teens are not of a sensitive nature, I can highly recommend York Dungeons as an educational trip which does not take itself too seriously.”
It’s worth mentioning that York Dungeon is a Merlin attraction so entry is free with your Merlin pass
Below you’ll find a list of Halloween events in York that took place last year but which have not yet been confirmed for 2026:
The Halloween Adventure at Stockeld Park at Stockeld Park – October 2026 TBC
The information below relates to last year’s event and will be updated as soon as details become available.
Stockeld Park comes to life this October half term bringing family-friendly spooky fun and some new surprises in the Enchanted Forest. The Playhive will be open to explore (we definitely recommend adding this to your booking -it’s by far the most impressive indoor play space we’ve ever seen). NEW FOR 2025 – Take a free Tractor & Trailer ride to the brand new home-grown pumpkin field.
Tickets for Halloween at Stockeld Park must be pre-booked and vary according to your chosen activities – a basic “Halloween adventure” ticket allowing access to the Enchanted Forest, five playgrounds, the Magical Maze and Pumpkin Patch costs £17 per person. If you’d like to visit the Playhive too, there’s a choice of Playhive tickets depending on whether you want a fixed slot or all day access.
Spooktacular at Piglets Adventure Farm – October 2026 TBC
The information below relates to last year’s event and will be updated as soon as details become available.
This October half term, Piglets Adventure Farm have refreshed their Halloween offering with a brand new Spooktacular including petrifying portraits and a frightfully fun stage show and an all-new spooky Build a Teddy Bear experience
Every Spooktacular ticket also includes entry to Farmer Ed’s Pumpkin Patch and a free pumpkin for each child – making this year’s event more exciting than ever!
Tickets for Piglets Adventure Farm Spooktacular must be pre-booked online but not yet on sale. Last year they were priced from £15.95 for children including a pumpkin and from £14.95 for adults (a £3 per person increase on last year!)
BOO!!!-tle Bank Farm at Beetle Bank Farm – October 2026 TBC
The information below relates to last year’s event and will be updated as soon as details become available.
Don’t miss the Beetle Bank Farm Spooktacular this half-term! Packed with pumpkin picking, carving, ghoulish games, ghost hunts, apple bobbing and more plus a fancy dress competition on 31st October. Avoid the FEAR of missing out and get your tickets now.
The event is suitable for all ages accompanied by an adult!
The website suggests there is a “small fee per activity” with no more information so go prepared to pay for extras!
You can book tickets to Beetle Bank Open Farm online.
What is there to do in York this Halloween?
That’s quite the list of Halloween events in York this October but if you know of anything else happening that you think should be on this list then drop me a message and I’ll include it!
And, if you fancy pumpkin picking – then here’s a list of the best places to go pumpkin picking in York this October!
Please note that, to the best of my knowledge, all information is correct at time of publishing but do check directly with individual venues to confirm!
Why not read one of these posts next:
Pumpkin Picking in and around York
Halloween things to do in Leeds
Things to do in Manchester this Halloween
Things to do in York that have absolutely nothing do with Halloween
Bonfire Night events in Manchester
Where to visit Father Christmas in York
Christmas days out in the York area
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