October Half-Term Events: Things to do in the Peak District & Derbyshire
From spooky Halloween fun to Bonfire Night events, there's plenty to see and do for the whole family.
Bluebells School of Witchcraft and Wizardry- 11th to the 31st of October 2025
From broomstick flying school and squidditch, to pumpkin carving and herbology. Bluebells School of Witchcraft and Wizardry runs through weekends right up until Halloween, so make sure you step into this spell binding world that will invite your little one’s imaginations to run wild!
Fright Fiesta at Gulliver’s Kingdom- 11th of October to the 1st of November 2025
A lively fiesta style carnival, the Fright Fiesta at Gulliver’s Kingdom is all about joy and colour with a mist of eerie encounters and friendly frights. Showcase your fancy dress costume or delve deep into the theme park and discover their spooktacular rides. Explore the creepy caves and venture the haunted house that is sure to give you goosebumps!
Light up the Torrs at Torr Vale Mill- 18th of October 2025
Brought to life by the incredible fire and light installations, Light up the Torrs at Torr Vale Mill commemorates the 25th anniversary of the iconic Millennium Walkway. View the most cherished landscapes on this gorgeous evening that will be sure to leave you feeling magic.
Pumpkin Picking by Torchlight at Bluebell Dairy- 18th to the 25th of October 2025
Book an enchanting evening under the stars at Bluebell Dairy with their Pumpkin Picking by Torchlight event! Wander through the moonlit pumpkin patch with the soft glow of your torch or follow the lantern-lit trail to seek out hidden ghosts. Don’t forget your torches so you can get the most out of your spooky experience and dance the night away at the monster mash bash!
Little School of Sorcery at Haddon Hall- 22nd of October to the 31st of October 2025
One of the UK’s most enchanting and historic houses, Haddon Hall welcomes visitors again to the Little School of Sorcery. Come in your best fancy dress and take part in broomstick making, spell writing and so many other spooky crafts that are suited to both young and old!
Halloween Fun at Crich Tramway Village- 25th to the 31st of October 2025
From stories on the trams to face painting and Halloween crafts, Crich Tramway Village invites you to take part in their Halloween fun once again! Through the woodland discover treats (or tricks) if you dare… And start spooky season off the right way!
Reinshaw Hall Halloween Trail- 25th to the 26th of October 2025
Weave around the spooky woodlands and gardens of Reinshaw Hall and experience family fun on their Halloween trail! Grab your tickets and you witch hats for this event and be sure not to miss out, solve their puzzle and if you may succeed there are tasty treats just around the corner!
Tropical Butterfly House, Witches & Wizards Magical Trail- 18th of October to 2nd of November 2025
With so many chances to win, join in with the family fun at the Witches & Wizards Magical Trail! From spellbinding creatures to Morpho the wizard extrordinaire, crack codes and compete to see what you could win and have frightfully good family fun!
Peak Wildlife Park Oktobearfest - 25th of October to the 2nd of November 2025
Join every weekend in October and throughout half term for a variety of fun activities for the whole family at Oktobearfest! Help to raise vital funds in support of Polar Bears International and protect these incredible creatures. Enjoy delicious bratwursts and pretzels, refreshing draft beer, the perfect way to enter into spooky season!
Spooktacular Sips and Treats at Peak Rail- 25th of October 2025
Travel through the beautiful Derbyshire countryside and experience spooktacular Sips and Treats at Peak Rail. Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea as you travel through the picturesque Derwent Valley, from homemade scones with clotted cream and a well-deserved complimentary glass of prosecco, make sure you don’t miss the train!
Matlock Bath Illuminations- 6th of September to the 26th of October 2025
Experience a spectacular parade of illuminated boats along the River Derwent in Matlock Bath that will leave you feeling magical and festive just in time for the spooky season. Please take note that weekends can be especially busy so be sure to BOOK NOW!
MAGIC: Charms, rituals and superstition in Elizabethan England at Haddon Hall- 20th of September to the 31st of October 2025
MAGIC: Charms, rituals and superstition in Elizabethan England will explore the magical folklore, rituals, fears and superstitions that were an everyday part of life in the second half of the 16th century. Step inside and you’ll find witch marks carved into doorways, protective grotesques overlooking the courtyards and ancient poems scratched into the stained glass.
Calke Abbey Bat Discovery Half Term Trail - October 18th to the 2nd of November 2025
Explore the world of bats this halloween season with Calke Abbey and their Bat Discovery Trail! Some of them call Calke 'home', others come out especially for Halloween so explore, discover and see if you can spot the more unusual Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox!
Hallowtide at Hardwick Hall - 25th of October to the 2nd of November
Elizabethan themes are weaved around this Hallowtide half term with witches hat hoopla and broomstick barefoot walk, there's much fun to be had! Enjoy a quieter family adventure in the Fruiting Orchard and follow Old Mal's tale of Apple Jack if you purchase a House and Gardens ticket.
The Children's Country House Sudbury Myths and Legends - 25th of October to the 3rd of November 2025
Follow the trail of the ancient Gods and discover hidden stories, Myths and Legends offers a range of indoor and outdoor activities. Including the fun maze and nature weaving with Minerva, the perfect Halloween day out.
Halloween Week at Thornbridge Hall - 27th of October to the 2nd of November 2025
Prepare for a fang-tastic half-term with Thornbridge Hall and their Halloween Week! Their line-up is bound to keep the whole family entertained with access to the garden trail, pumpkin patch and other kids’ activities that are included in standard garden entry ticket. Join their ghostly guides for amazing workshops on selected dates.
Half Term Spooky Fun at The Heights of Abraham - 27th of October to the 2nd of November 2025
Ditch the broomstick for now and travel by cable car above the trees and magical lit up caverns with The Heights of Abraham. Listen out for those naughty Tommyknockers, who have escaped the caverns and are now on the run to play a trick or two, and brace yourself for witchy scarecrows!
Matlock Farm Park’s Fang-tastic Halloween Festival – 25th of October to the 2nd of November
Don’t miss this popular event at Matlock Farm Park and let your little one’s imaginations run wild! There are prizes for the best dressed to be had, pumpkin picking, spooky trails as well as the appearance of Matlock’s Headless Horseman! Depending on the dates, from ghostbusting to broomstick flying lessons book your tickets now!
Bonfire and Fireworks at Chatsworth - 31st of October to the 1st of November 2025
Including a blazing bonfire and two spectacular displays in the garden alongside a gentler display designed for little ones, Chatsworth is again hosting their amazing display, including seasonal food and drink for the occasion.
Space Safari at The County Ground Derby - 18th of October 2025
This immersive sound and light experience offer a dazzling journey through Derbyshire’s first ever drone light show! It’s fun for all the family, narrated by Bafta-award winning wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan, with a food village and fairground rides offering amazing entertainment throughout the night.
Halloween Pottery Making Fun at The Clayrooms in Matlock - 25th of October 2025
Make ghosties, ghoulies or pumpkins at The Clayrooms in the Peak Village and have a go on the pottery wheel! The perfect workshop event to get you into the spooky season.
Scream Fest at National Forest Adventure Farm – 10th of October to the 1st of November 2025
Hurry and grab tickets for the ultimate Scream Fest and National Forest Adventure Farm! Offering unlimited entry to 5 attractions, see how brave you really are… Make the most out of spooky season and visit this award-winning Scream Park!
Halloween Street Party at Derby - 30th October 2025
Dress to impress and walk the streets of Derby city, with a host of live music and a trick-or-treat trail that involves gothic market stalls with ghoulish games and more! The Halloween spirit will come alive at this spooktacular event!
As the leaves start to change colour, search walking trails on our website and discover more of what the Peak District and Derbyshire has to offer this Autumn!
Family Friendly Trails
Belper Heritage Walk
Learn more about this industrial community and how it has changed in the past 200 years.
Tissington Trail
A popular Peak District route running for 13 miles from Ashbourne to Parsley Hay where it is joined by High Peak Junction
Edale to Kinder Scout Walk
This circular walk takes you from the pretty village of Edale to the windswept moors of the Kinder plateau, the highest point in the Peak District.
More great Halloween events this October
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Spookytime at Elvaston Castle
Spookytime is a family-friendly, PG-rated 1km adventure trail weaving through enchanting castles and houses, with playful actors and gentle spooks…
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Renishaw Hall Halloween Trail
Grab your broomsticks because our annual Halloween Trail Weekend is just around the corner!
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Calling all budding Witches and Wizards! at The…
Spooky surprises and mystical mayhem at the Tropical Butterfly House Wildlife Conservation Park!
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Little School of Ecology at Halloween- Haddon…
We are very happy to be bringing back our popular Halloween Little School of Ecology to Haddon Medieval Park!
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Fright Fiesta at Gulliver's Kingdom!
Join our festival-style Halloween that’s bursting with colour, costumes and music.
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Halloween Fun Day at Peak Village
Dive into the Halloween spirit with a variety of interactive themed crafts and exciting activities
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Little School of Sorcery at Haddon Hall
Experience real family magic this Halloween at Haddon Hall – one of the UK’s most enchanting historic houses.
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Pumpkin Picking by Torchlight: Magic Meets the…
Join Bluebells for a truly enchanting evening of pumpkin picking under the stars!
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Spooktacular Sips and Treats at Peak Rail
Join us for a very spooky Afternoon Teacservrd on a heritage train travelling through the wonderful Derbyshire Countryside
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Bluebells School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Are you ready to step into a world of magic, pumpkins, and spellbinding fun? your favourite Farm Park in Derbyshire, is being transformed into the…
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