Let’s go on a half-term adventure… it’s nearly Halloween!
Here’s our guide of attractions and events that are completely FREE!
You’ll find festivals, motorcross and museums full of history,
You’ll be spoilt for choice with this much to do and see!
Manchester Science Festival at Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester
Until 29th October 
Bring the kids along for a thoroughly entertaining time seeing science in action and the chance to interact with lots of brilliant exhibits. They can create scribble bot’s, get messy in quicksand or even take a robo-dog for a walk! How amazing does that sound! Free admission but charges will apply for some events. Find out more.
Day of the Dead, World Museum, Liverpool
Sunday 29th October, 1 – 4pm
Come Death is a lively, colourful celebration in Mexico. During the celebrations Mexicans fill their cemeteries and streets with skeleton and skull decorations, bright flowers and candy. Celebrate as World Museum prepare special foods, play music and dance to honour the spirits of those who have died. Find out more.
Paisley Halloween Festival, Paisley
28th – 29th October, Various Times
There’s halloweeny happenings galore in Paisley! Details are released closer to the time but previous events have included an illuminated parade down the High Street led, a fire garden with sculptures made from flames, street entertainment, scary storytelling and more! Find out more.
Metropole Street Market, Bournemouth
29th October
A new exciting market is coming to Bournemouth on select Sundays, every month, from September to December. Expect a fascinating collection of fayre, talented artists and creative craft experts as well as brilliant live music, street performers and an array of fun from the world of performing arts. Look out for the special Christmas Gift market in November! Find out more.
Tim Peake’s Spacecraft at National Media Museum, Bradford
until 19th November
Credit: National Media Museum
This is a fantastic free opportunity for kids to get up close and personal with the historic space craft that Major Tim Peake made his decent to earth in last year, complete with scorch marks from it’s re-entry through the atmosphere. Find out more.
Halloweekend! Manchester City Centre
28th – 29th October, 10am – 7pm
Credit: Visit Manchester
Thousands of pumpkins lanterns transform the shopping streets and Manchester’s iconic buildings glow an eerie green as dark falls. During the two-day family friendly spooktacular events include the Haunted Maze with creepy creatures inside, the Trick or Treat Hunt with a sweet or scary surprise behind every (giant) door and a Day of the Dead-style parade with puppets, street performers and freaky dancing! Find out more.
Natural Sciences Halloween Open Day, National Museum, Cardiff
31st October, 10am – 4pm
Halloween is when the museum curators bring out the icky, pickled and preserved things in jars for you to see. Discover some of the creepier objects in the collection and chat to the people behind the jars about the specimens. Hands-on Halloween games and activities too, including a Halloween quiz trail of weird and wonderful objects. Find out more.
Museum of Liverpool, Liverpool
23rd October – 29th October 2017
© Mark McNulty
Head to Liverpool Museum this October half term and take part in the family friendly Archaeology Week where kids can get hands on with archaeological crafts, handling, tours. They’ll even get a chance to try their hand at a bit of archaeology too. Find out more.
Library of Birmingham, Broad Street, Birmigham
This ultra modern library is located in Centenary Square and is a major cultural destination in Birmingham, with 400,000 books for the public to read, a studio theatre and gardens. In the gardens there’s an outdoor Amphitheatre, two outdoor terraces, children’s spaces and a panoramic viewing gallery. There are 10 floors for you to explore, with plenty to see! Find out more.
The Tallship at Riverside, Glasgow
The beautiful tall ship is one of many that were originally built in Glasgow’s shipyards, and if one of the few surviving today. Bring the family here to explore the refurbished interior that is now a museum where you can grab an audio guide, which is a fun way to learn the history. There is a mini cinema and an under 5s play area in the cargo hold. There are numerous events and activities throughout the year for families so make sure you check out their website. Find out more.
Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds
This beautiful abbey is definitely worth a visit and is one of the most complete examples of a medieval Cistercian abbey left in Britain. Set along the banks of the River Aire, Kirkstall Abbey is a great place to spot wildlife and to enjoy a family walk. If you visit at the weekend you will get to enjoy great outdoor markets in the Abbey ruins selling hand-made crafts and local produce. Find out more.
What have you been up to? We’d really love to know! Someone else might love it, and really want to go! If you’ve got ideas, suggestions or reviews, you can shout all about it on whatever channel you choose!
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