Get your spook on and enjoy these events and activities for all this pumpkin season!
Halloween is just around the corner, and if you haven’t started to get excited yet, we think we’e got the events that might just turn that around. Yes, there are events and activities happening for Halloween in Staffordshire 2020 despite the blood-curdling pandemic we face in reality.
And while things may be a bit different to usual this year, there’s still plenty to do to celebrate the festival. So, carve those pumpkins, paint those faces and bring out the ghouls and ghosts for this year’s array of events happening in the county.
Drayton Manor Park
Drayton Manor Theme Park is bringing more treat than trick this year as it runs its Halloween events from October 17 to October 31.
It promises plenty of ‘fang-tastic’ activities, treats for the little ones and over 100 of its rides and attractions, including a 15-acre zoo and Thomas Land, in operation.
Plus, it’s currently running a 4 for £90 offer which works out at £22.50 per person. But you must book before midnight the night before you intend to visit.
You can find out more about the park and its Covid-19 safety measures at draytonmanor.co.uk.
Halloween Specials at Rudyard Lake
The Rudyard Lake Steam Railway will be running a number of Halloween Specials on Saturday October 31 and Sunday November 1. The special trains which are going to be run in the early evening to add to the spooky atmosphere are promising to both scare and amaze all visitors.
To find out more about the special train journeys at the lake contact 01538 306704.
Warwick Castle
If you don’t mind travelling a little further then Warwick Castle has some great activities for the family this Halloween.
With attractions by day and night a visit after dark for its Halloween fest – complete with live music, entertainment and street food – is sure to impress!
Running from October 24 to November 1, you can venture around a haunted castle, watch wicked witches on stage and even brave a ‘Dead of Knight Scare Maze’ if you dare!
There is also a bird of prey show, towers and ramparts to climb and archery to have a go at. You can also visit the castle’s dungeon.
The Haunted Castle costs from £20 per person for daytime entrance (10am to 5pm) and The Castle After Dark from £19 per person for evening entrance (6pm to 11pm on selected dates when booked online in advance).
Book entrance and activities online at www.warwick-castle.com.
Alton Towers
Alton Towers brings its Scarefest back for Halloween in Staffordshire 2020. Running from October 9 to October 11; and then from October 16 to November 1, it has all the spine-tingling fun and adventure it usually does with rides decked out for the festival and special Halloween attractions throughout the park.
New for this year is the Freak Show: Toxic Junkyard – another live action scare maze to conquer on your visit. Venture into a hidden den and discover psycho clowns among other things – definitely not one for the faint hearted! And the gardens will become an attraction all on their own as the setting for the new Garden Lights Walk: Whispering Souls.
Check it all out and book your tickets online: www.altontowers.com/explore/events/scarefest/.
Spooky World
Based in Warrington, Spooky World has attractions for kids and families in the day, but gets scarier at night.
The day events are aimed at 4 to 11 year old children, and is open on the weekends in October and early November and during half term.
The farm will come alive with Halloween characters and has plenty of entertainment for the whole family, including inflatable drop slides, kids archery, a spooky trailer ride and racing zip lines. And there are things to enjoy indoors if the weather turns too, such as a ball blaster, soft play inflatable slides and entertainment shows.
‘Scary at Night’ opens from October 9, and includes six scare attractions aimed at children over 14 and adults. Including scare mazes, and a house of horrors, tunnel of terror and the field of screams.
All visits must be pre-booked. Most activities are included in the entrance fee. Visit: www.spookyworld.co.uk/.
Cadbury’s World
Ok, for those who love the treat side of Halloween a whole lot more than being scared to death… why not enjoy a spellbinding day out at Cadbury World.
The attraction will host its Halloween Spooktacular every day from Saturday October 17 to Sunday November 1.
There will be live entertainment from Freddo with a Halloween-themed show in the marquee, where visitors can enter the famous frog’s Haunted Mansion to help him uncover a mystery ghost.
Children are encouraged to get dressed up to for their visit and have a go at the many chocolate-themed activities too like the 4D Chocolate Adventure Zone and Experience, riding the Crunchie Rollercoaster and visiting the Cadbury’s cinema.
Pre-booking for Cadbury World this Halloween is essential, for more information and to book tickets, visit www.cadburyworld.co.uk.
National Forest Adventure Farm
Set in 40 acres of countryside, the National Forest Adventure Farm, located near Burton upon Trent, will be hosting a long list of events including pumpkin picking and broomstick training, running every day from October 17 to November 1.
New for Halloween in Staffordshire 2020 is the launch of the Moonlight Harvest and pumpkin festival with live music, performers and funfair rides. Visitors can pick pumpkins or explore the maize maze by torchlight too. The Moonlight Harvest will run from 7pm till 9.45pm on Friday and Saturday evenings from October 9, and will also run Sunday October 25 and Thursday October 29 too.
All children under 18 must always be accompanied by an adult and supervised. The indoor space, including a three-storey soft play centre and restaurant will remain closed in October.
Online bookings are required with tickets available at www.adventurefarm.co.uk.
Trentham Estate
Trentham Gardens has got plenty to suit all age groups this Halloween – from treetop adventures in the dark, to kid-friendly activities and a trickery trail all running on selected dates this month.
The Treetop Adventure area will be open at night for those daring to conquer the obstacles and challenges after dark. Visit on October 30 and October 31 with a child session from 5pm to 6pm and an adult session running from 7pm to 8pm for £19.99 each. Book in advance.
Other Halloween activities include crafting wizard wands and witches broomsticks and mixing magical spells to sprinkle in your garden. Cost is from £2 per activity running all day from October 24 to October 31. Plus you can embark on a trail around the gardens from October 17 to November 1 to catch sight of the ‘magical mischief’ left by witches and wizards.
To find out more, visit: www.trentham.co.uk.
