Read on for a roundup of the spookiest Halloween events in Derbyshire this October 2023 half term. Typically, the October half term in Derbyshire schools runs from Saturday 28th October 2023 to Sunday 5th October 2023 – but do check directly with your own school as holidays and INSET days can vary from school to school.
All of these events have been advertised as family friendly and suitable for the whole family (unless specific ages are mentioned). For adult Halloween activities please see my general What’s On guide as well.
Events are organised into ones that are happening daily (or most days) throughout the half term week and then a day-by-day calendar.
Where admission prices apply, I’ve generally quoted the price for a family ticket so you can compare events at a glance. All information provided in good faith but please do double check details, especially before making a special journey.
Click here for the best pumpkin patches in Derbyshire
Click here for 40 Things to do in Derbyshire for families
Halloween events on daily throughout the October half term school holidays in Derbyshire
Halloween Festival at Bluebell Dairy, Derby
October 14th and 15th, 21st and 22nd, 28th – 31st October 2023
A pumpkin picking patch with tens of thousands of pumpkins, Halloween trail, and daily spooky shows and lots of spooky activities including: Pumpkin Village with lots of selfie spots, Witch’s Potion Class, Trick or Treat Training Show, The Secret Life of Bugs, Scarecrow Maize Maze, Piggy Apple bobbing, Spooky Sheep race, fancy dress parade, ghoulish play barn. Don’t miss the Halloween Ice Scream flavours! Plus all the usual farm fun. Limited tickets available to book online. Read our previous review of Bluebells.
2023 Halloween Festival at Matlock Farm Park
21st to 31st October 2023
Enjoy spooky goings on at Matlock Farm Park including a fun, spooky woodland trail and meet some familiar characters, join in with Witch Wanda’s craft workshops and roam the pumpkin patch. More information coming soon.
Half term Halloween fun at Chatsworth Farmyard, near Bakewell
23rd October – 5th November 2023*
Various creepy Halloween themed activities such as visiting Chatsworth’s pumpkin patch to and choose your own pumpkin to carve and decorate, Halloween themed face painting and spooky Halloween themed crafts. If you’re feeling brave take a mysterious journey on the spooky tractor and trailer ride (small additional charge applies for tractor rides and pumpkins – otherwise all the activities are included in the admission price). Activities throughout each day, check the noticeboard on arrival for specific timings. Plus all the usual daily activities, such as animal feeding and milking demonstrations – read what to expect at Chatsworth farmyard and playground here. Book tickets.
Halloween Trail at Carsington Water, near Ashbourne
Saturday 28th October – Sunday 5th November 2023, 10am-5pm
Family friendly Halloween trail at beautiful Carsington Water. Willow the Witch has left a trail of questions with clues hidden in the Halloween scenes. Collect your spooky trail sheet from reception in the Visitor Centre to start your Halloween adventure. Once you’ve completed the trail, head back for a prize. Don’t be afraid to dress up for this spooktacular Halloween event. No booking required, non-dairy prizes available. More info.
Halloween Trail at Rosliston Forestry Centre, South Derbyshire
30th October – 5th November, 10am – 4pm
Explore the trail using clues and activities to learn about wildlife, myths and legends and look out for a spooky surprise or two! See here for more information (coming soon).
(Un)Natural Trail at Shipley Country Park, Heanor
29th October – 5th November 2023, 10.30am-3.30pm.
Search for the clues that aid learning about spooky nature and receive a sweet treat! Fancy dress welcome. Trail is approximately 1 mile so perfect for little legs. Small charge per child. No booking required. Turn up any time. Self-led activity.
Frightful Folklore Trail at Ilam Park
28th October to 5th November 2023
Be inspired by local legends and stories and create your own frightful folklore as you explore Ilam Park this October half term. £2 per child, no booking required. NT members park for free, for non-members it is £5 for 4 hours or £7 for all day. Trails are available from the welcome hut or second-hand bookshop.
Halloween Half Term at Thornbridge, near Bakewell
21st October to 5th November 2023
Spooktacular activities at Thornbridge Hall including fancy dress, Halloween trail, freaky food, pumpkin carving for kids, Lego Printing workshops for kids and pumpkin patch on 28th & 29th October. Workshops and pumpkin patch are an additional charge with garden entry included in the ticket price (booking essential). Access to the garden trail and other kids activities are included with standard garden entry tickets. All-day garden access family ticket is £18, save 20% by booking in advance.
Halloween Half-Term Fun at Bolsover Castle
Saturday 28th October to Sunday 5th Novemver 2023
Gather your little monsters for a ghoulishly good-value family day out. Follow the trail to solve creepy clues and gather round to listen to spooky stories. Halloween activity included in general admission prices and free to English Heritage members. Family tickets £41.50 . Booking not essential but recommended for the best price and guaranteed entry.
Halloween Grotto at Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath
21st – 31st October 2023
Enjoy scarecrow displays and an immersive story-telling experience for children. Join Magnus the Magnificent Monster Hunter on the ultimate quest to complete his monster collection by capturing a troll! Head deep into the troll’s creepy cavern lair and see what mischief awaits…
The Monster Mission Halloween Grotto is suitable for children aged 3-10 and includes a gift for every child. The experience is an additional cost of £4.50 and includes a theatrical performance inside the Rutland Cavern at the Heights of Abraham, with lighting, sound, and special effects. The experience is approximately 20 minutes long. Advanced booking strongly recommended.
Autumn Fun at Crich Tramway Museum
Monday 30th October 2023 to Friday 3rd November 2023
Join in the half term party show. Ghostly Family Theatre Show for Halloween with Notice this Notice Theatre Company. Daily face painting for the children and crafts each day. Puppet shows with Pinxton Puppets and Storyteller on a tram Wednesday to Friday. Family tickets £49.50 and includes free return visits.
Spooky Halloween Fun at Denby Pottery Village
21st October – 31st October 2023
Halloween Creepy Crafts – Hourly themed children’s craft sessions between 9 am – 4 pm. Lots of creative Halloween fun in Denby Craft Studio. Choose from one of the following activities on the day: Paint a Spooky Plate, Create a Scary Clay Monster or Craft a Spider’s Web Hoop. £7 per child. Book here Plus, between 27th and 31st October, indulge in a Halloween Spooky Tea.
Family Autumn Trail at Clumber Park, nr Worksop
21st October to 5th November 2023, 10am – 3.30pm
Pick up your trail sheet from the Discovery Centre – £3 per trail. Use the map to find the different activities and record your answers. Help Rupert find his carrots for winter in the Rabbits Warren, or mix up a potion or 2 with Willow, Rowan & Hazel in the Witches Kitchen. Then return to the Discovery Centre to collect your prize. Normal admission charges also apply – family ticket £13.75.
Click here for the best pumpkin patches in Derbyshire
Halloween Calendar for October half term 2023
FREE Nature Tots at The Avenue, Wingerworth near Chesterfield
Friday 27th October 2023, 10 – 11am
Nature Tots with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust for 5 year olds and under and their parents or carers. Enjoy a short walk with your tot for nature connection activities. Meet at the Avenue Country Park carpark. No need to book. More info.
Halloween screening of ‘Hocus Pocus’ at Calke Abbey, South Derbyshire
Saturday 28th October 2023
Experience Halloween family favourite ‘Hocus Pocus’ on the big screen, set in the spooky backdrop of the Pleasure Grounds at Calke Abbey. The film starts at 7.30pm but you can arrive from 6pm to enjoy a picnic, or purchase a range of hot and cold refreshments. Book tickets.
Halloween Night at Uppertown Social Centre
Saturday 28th October 2023, from 6.30pm
Family friendly Halloween Night with fancy dress and a disco. Adults and children £5, under 5’s are free. Free parking. S45 0JF
FREE Spooky Tuesday at High Peak Junction Visitor Centre
Tuesday 31st October 2023, 10am – 4pm
Prepare for Halloween and try your hand at making a large circular knitting cobweb. Take part in a Halloween trail and collect an autumn tree seed to plant and grow. No booking required, drop in any time 10am-4pm.
Halloween Family Bushcraft, Carsington Water Visitor Centre
Tuesday 31st October 2023, 10 – 12 or 1.30 – 3.30pm
Basic bushcraft skills with a Halloween twist! All outdoors so dress for the weather. £10 per person and needs booking.
Shine a Light, Cromford Mills
Thursday 26th and Friday 27th October 2023, 6 – 9pm
A brand new after-dark experience for the whole family, bringing together awe-inspiring animations and live musical performances in stunning audio-visual displays reflecting on the Mill’s transformation since Arkwright’s time, through fire, paint, poison and hydropower. Celebrating the return of waterpower, today’s community and the remarkable nature the wider UNESCO World Heritage Site the show is not to be missed. centred around the themes of climate change and water. Adults £9, children £6. Book in advance.
Chatsworth Bonfire and Fireworks
27th October 2023 and 28th October 2023
An evening of family-friendly fun, food and fireworks celebrating bonfire night in the spectacular setting of Chatsworth. Each night sees two spectacular fireworks displays in the garden, including an earlier display designed especially for our youngest visitors. Expect spooky entertainment and music providing ‘frightful’ family fun. Tuck into a selection of delicious seasonal food, from tasty hog roasts to churros plus mulled wine or cider! Adults £19.90, children £13.50. Book tickets here.
Halloween Trail at Renishaw Hall
Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th October 2023
Frightfully fun for all of the family, the spooky Halloween Trail is a quest to solve a pumpkin puzzle in the beautiful gardens at Renishaw Hall. A tasty treat awaits in the Visitor’s Centre for all that succeed. The Swords of Mercia Society will re-enacting historical battles in the gardens throughout the Halloweekend. Family ticket £22.50. Booking essential.
FREE Halloween Weekend at Peak Village, Rowsley
Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th October 2023
Spooky face painting, make-up and hair special effects to become your favourite scary character. FREE event with free parking. Dogs welcome. If you fancy combining this activity with breakfast or lunch at the fabulous Chatsworth Kitchen I’d recommend booking there.
Halloween Trail & Pumpkin Parlour, Elvaston Castle, near Derby
Tuesday 31st October 2023, 10.30am-3.30pm.
Complete the spooky trail to earn your certificate, then head to the courtyards to visit our pumpkin parlour and carve your very own pumpkin to take home! Fancy dress encouraged. £2 per trail sheet, pumpkin and other activity prices vary, free admission to Elvaston, car park charges apply. No booking required and turn-up any time.
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