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20 (or so) brilliant October half term & Halloween activities in Oxfordshire
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Are you looking for what to do in Oxford and across Oxfordshire this October half term and Halloween?
Look no further. We’ve scoured the length and breadth of Oxfordshire and put together a list of the best October half-term and Halloween activities, events and things to do in Oxfordshire.
There are loads of things to do with kids – even if a downpour threatens to send you inside – including child-friendly shows and great things to do indoors with the kids over the October half-term in Oxford and across Oxfordshire.
And dare we mention that ‘Trick or treat’ season is also upon us. What to do with little ones dressed up for a celebration that may very well look and feel a little bit different this year due to the “rule of six”.
Have a look at our suggestions below and get planning. We hope this list will help you to find all the half-term and Halloween activities near you for a truly amazing half-term from Friday, 23 October through to Monday 02 November, including Halloween on Saturday, 31 October.
The Pumpkin Picking Patch at Rectory Farm
Rectory Farm is delighted to bring back The Pumpkin Patch for 2026. Families can wander through the pumpkin field to pick their own farm-grown pumpkins and squashes in a rainbow of colours, perfect for Halloween. Tickets are priced at £8.50 per person. Children under 2 go free and require no ticket for entry.
Pick your own Pumpkins at Millets Farm
Millets Farm has been nurturing a large number of pumpkins in their fields this year, and now’s the perfect time for picking a pleasingly plump one. The pumpkin patches are open at weekends from Saturday 03 October, then daily from Thursday 22 October. The patch costs from £4.00 to enter, and then you pay for what you pick before leaving. Pumpkin and squash prices vary depending on the size and variety.
The Midnight Moon – Halloween Adventure
The Midnight Moon Halloween Adventure at High Lodge Farm invites families to explore a spooky woodland trail, solve a magical mystery, pick pumpkins, enjoy crafts and games, ride the ghost train and discover plenty of autumn fun.
Halloween at Tumblestone Hollow
Children are invited to join Halloween at Tumblestone Hollow as they weave through Stonor’s gardens and into the woodland adventure playground, completing wild and mischievous challenges along the way, to win a Magical Mayhem Certificate, together with a chocolate treat.
Waterperry October Snake Hunt
Take part in the Waterperry Halloween Hunt throughout this October half term. It costs £4.50 per child with a prize. Children must be accompanied by an adult for whom the garden entrance fee applies. Open from 10.00am till 5.30pm daily.
IF Oxford Science + Ideas Festival 2026
IF Oxford returns in 2026 with events from 17 to 31 October. It is a thought-provoking and interactive science and ideas festival that creates an opportunity to bring together hundreds of researchers with thousands of people every year – with science, ideas and creative activities for everyone to explore.
Howl-O-Ween Half-Term at Stowe House
Howl-O-Ween Half-Term at Stowe House promises a frightfully fun family day out, with a Pug in a Pickle trail, Halloween treasure hunt and spooky make-and-take crafts to enjoy this October half-term.
Dracula Spooktacular – Halloween at Cogges
The Manor House is mystically transforming into the home of the most famous Vampire in history – Dracula. Step inside his castle and enjoy an immersive experience as you journey from room to room, experiencing the daily life of the charismatic count and meeting some of his friends along the way. It’s a spooktacular and entertaining experience – perfect for all the family.
Halloween at Blenheim Palace
As Halloween creeps closer and the days shorten, there’s a chill in the air at Blenheim Palace, where ghosts, ghouls and witches get ready to deliver a whole host of tricks and treats along a spooktacular trail. Your very spookiest Halloween starts here…!
Didcot Railway Centre Steam Days
Experience the magic of historic rail travel at Didcot Railway Centre this season. Enjoy unlimited steam train rides during October’s family-friendly Pumpkin Express events, or book a timed slot in December to experience the festive Steam Into Christmas program.
Haunted Half Term at Blenheim Palace
Get ready for a frightfully fun family adventure at Blenheim Palace this October. Haunted Half Term brings creepy creatures, magical activities and plenty of spooky entertainment to the Walled Garden. Meet friendly snakes, tarantulas, giant snails and frogs at the Zoolab show, then enjoy circus workshops, witchy storytelling, wizard walkabouts and more.
Ghost Fest: Potion Making
Ghost Fest: Potion Making at Oxford Castle & Prison invites families to uncover magical ingredients, solve clues and create drinkable potions with Merlin’s apprentice. You can also craft a wand, enjoy magical demonstrations and explore an interactive experience inside a real medieval crypt.
Mystic Pets: Halloween Crafting
Come along and create your own spooky friend based on the animals that appear alongside witches in tales from English folklore. Join in crafts and try out the new spooky Halloween gallery trail.
Fam Jam
This Halloween, families are invited to join a fun-filled, fancy dress Fam Jam. Guests can come dressed as their favourite spooky characters and enjoy Halloween-themed games, creative activities, and dancing — all set within a lively Halloween party atmosphere perfect for little ones and grown-ups alike.
Halloween Slime Lab at Stowe House
Halloween Slime Lab at Stowe House is a hands-on Halloween workshop perfect for creative children who aren’t afraid to get a little messy, mix their own gloriously gooey creation, choose between bubbling cauldron slime or playful pumpkin slime and then take their finished creation home to enjoy.
Ghost Fest: Spooky Tours
Oxford Castle & Prison’s annual spooktacular Ghost Fest is back with Spooky Tours! Do you dare visit for one of their evening Spooky Tours? Hear the haunting stories of their 1,000-year past and let their gruesome history come to life! It won’t be too long before their ghosts reveal themselves!
Musical Theatre Workshop – Annie
Join this Musical Theatre Workshop for an engaging and high energy musical theatre workshop run by Scott’s Performing Arts, where you will learn the number ‘Hard Knock Life’ from the musical Annie ahead of the show coming to New Theatre Oxford this December.
JukeBox: Halloween Special
JukeBox Halloween Special brings decades of feel-good music, singalong favourites and spooky fun to Oxford for a night of dancing with friends.
Dance in the Dark
Come in your favourite PJs for a slumber party in a giant sleepover den and a playful night-time adventure. You’ll meet friendly nocturnal creatures, some slithering slugs, magical moths, and fantastical fireflies. Discover the magic of the dark, whirl and twirl, catch a shooting star and learn to be brave at bedtime.
The Spooktastic Halloween Show
Dantastic Productions and the hilarious panto comic Dan Whitley return to the Kenton theatre with a brand new high energy, interactive, musical, Halloween adventure – The Spooktastic Halloween Show.
Half Term Halloween Crafternoon
Join a frightfully fun afternoon of creativity at this Halloween Crafternoon packed with Halloween-themed arts and crafts, creative activities and plenty of seasonal fun.
Stars at Stowe Stargazing
Experience an unforgettable night of stargazing at Stowe with UK Astronomy. Enjoy a captivating talk on the mysteries of our solar system, then explore the night sky through telescopes on the South Front. Perfect for astronomy enthusiasts and curious minds alike.
The Halloween Red Light Boiler
The Halloween Red Light Boiler is an adult-oriented indoor Halloween club night featuring techno and garage music.
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Discover more
Pumkin picking in and around Oxfordshire
It’s that time of the year. That’s right, pumpkin season is here. Whether you associate it with Halloween or not, Pumpkin picking, a somewhat American concept, has taken off in the UK, with patches and pick-your-own farms springing up all over the place. Here are our favourite places to go to pumkin picking in and around Oxfordshire.
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