Halloween falls right at the end of October Half Term holiday this year and there are lots of spooktacular events happening in Cheshire and Manchester.   If you’re looking for ideas of where to go with the kids over October Half Term 2025 and family friendly Halloween activities, then look no further.

If it’s pumpkin picking you’re after, skip straight to our guide to the best pumpkin patches in Cheshire.

October Half Term Activities in Cheshire 2025

SPOTLIGHT – COCKFIELDS FARM PUMPKIN PATCH

Cockfields have 3 fantastic pumpkin picking events on the farm. Wander through the HUGE outdoor Pumpkin Patch or explore the adorable mini indoor Pumpkin Patch – thousands of pumpkins in every shape, size & colour you can imagine… and guess what? Every ticket includes your very own pumpkin to take home!

For something a little different try Pumpkins After Dark, with pumpkin picking under magical festoon lighting, and live musical entertainment.

Alton Towers Scarefest (27th – 28th Sep, 3rd – 5th, 10th – 12th Oct, 17th Oct – 2nd Nov)

As nights get longer, get ready for creepy scares, shocks and thrills as Alton Towers Resort celebrates the return of award-winning Scarefest with frantically funny and seriously spooky attractions for all ages.

Reddish Vale Farm Halloween Festival (Reddish, near Stockport)

Head down to Reddish Vale Farm for a spooktacular time this Halloween, visit all the animals and indoor/outdoor play area and then join in some ‘fangtastic fun’. Head to the pumpkin patch grab a wheel barrow and search amongst 1000s of pumpkins, don’t forget to visit the Halloween Village and take lots of photographs!

As the sun goes down, Reddish Vale Farm Pumpkin Patch glows up with Moonlight Pumpkin Evenings.

• Gaia at Blackburn Cathedral (Blackburn) 6th Oct – 16th Nov FREE
• Bolton Abbey Welly Walk (Bolton) until 2nd November
• All Things Autumn Trail at National Trust Lyme (Disley near Stockport) 27th Sep 2nd Nov
• Maize Maze & Pumpkin Patch at Magical Malpas PYO Farm (Malpas) exact dates tbc
• Halloweenville (Warrington)  3rd – 31st October
• Halloween Festival at Reddish Vale Farm (Reddish, near Stockport) 4th – 31st October
• Halloween on the Farm at Lancaster Park (Oldham) select dates 4th – 31st October
• Magical Woodland Halloween Light Trail (Northwich) 10th – 2nd Nov

The Crocky Trail (Waverton, Chester) weekends 6th – 28th October

Packed with challenges and adventures, it’s a great fun family day out.  The special discount code has been set up through Danglebids and might look a little strange but it’s all totally verified.

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• Gandeys Spooktacular Circus at the Trafford Centre (Manchester) 10th October – 2nd Nov
• Fright Fiesta at Gulliver’s World (Warrington) select dates 11th – 31st October
• Illuminated Sundown Adventures at Go Ape! (Blackburn) 17th October – 9th November

The Ultimate Pumpkin Experience at The Lambing Shed (Knutsford) 18th, 19th and 25th & 26th October

Step into The Lambing Shed‘s premium pumpkin adventure.  There will be character Meet & Greets, storytime sessions, wand making workshop, pumpkin carving demos and if you find the golden pumpkin, win a seasonal prize.

The Greatest Spooky Show: Halloween at Castaway Play (Congleton) 18th-19th Oct + 25th – 31st Oct

This Halloween, Castaway Play invites you to join The Greatest Spooky Halloween Show 2025, a magical mix of thrills, laughter, and family fun.

From the moment you arrive, little ones will be given their very own Halloween Passport to begin the Ghoulish Graveyard Trail, with a sweet treat waiting at the end. Pick a free pumpkin from the patch, paint ta Halloween figure & create a spooky pot of slime to take home. Sing and dance along with the Greatest Showman and meet some frightfully fun characters. There will also be a spooky animal handling show,  Halloween Themed Globe and Haunted Disco room.

Spooky Saturday (Macclesfield) 25th October FREE

Get Halloween-ready in Macclesfield Town Centre with plenty of spooky activities and entertainment to occupy monsters of all ages!

• Family Trail at Dunham Massey National Trust 25th Oct – 2nd Nov
• Origami workshop at Blackburn Market (Blackburn) 25th Oct FREE
• Nixon’s Farm Halloween Disco (Heald Green) 25th October

Trick or Trail at Alderford Lake (Whitchurch) 24th – 31st October

Under 8s can ollow the Trick or Trail as it winds around Alderford Lake and through the spooky woods. Along the way, hunt for hidden letters to solve the secret word

Spooky Island at Alderford Lake (Whitchurch) 24th – 26th October

A spooky experience speckled with small frights for older children and not-so-brave adults at Alderford Lakes. Designed for children and faint-hearted adults who crave a thrilling experience without the heart stopping terror. Nestled deep within the misty woods, you will be met by some unexpected twists and turns and don’t forget those pesky prisoners!

• Halloween Trail at Blakemere Village (Northwich) 18th – 2nd Nov
• Halloween at Seven Sisters Ice Cream (Knutsford) select dates 25th Oct – 2nd Nov
• Halloween at Quarry Bank (Wilmslow) 25th Oct – 2nd Nov
• Spooky Saturday Halloween Event (Macclesfield) 25th October FREE
• Brereton Heath Nature Reserve Halloween trail (near Congleton) 25th Oct – 2nd Nov
• Teggs Nose Country Park Halloween trail (Knutsford) 25th Oct – 2nd Nov
• The Smeds and the Smoos at The Lowry (Manchester) 27th Oct – 1st Nov

Cinderella Ice Cream Seller at Z-Arts (Manchester) 29th Oct

In this new musical for families and children, join Talvi and Caldwell, loyal employees of Cinderella’s, as they share her rags to riches tale, and confront their own desires, hopes, and the magic that lies within each scoop of Cinderella’s legendary ice cream at Z-arts.

Perfect for children and families alike, this exciting musical retelling of a fairytale classic promises a delightful blend of storytelling, stunning live music, and theatrical magic that will capture your heart and tickle your taste buds.

• The Wizarding Adventure at East Lancashire Railway (Bury) 29th Oct
• Myth, Magic & Mystery at Tatton Park (Knutsford) 30th Oct
• Ministry of Science Live at Buxton Opera House (Buxton) 30th Oct
• Knutsford Pumpkin Path Halloween trail (Knutsford) 31st Oct FREE
• Cinderella Ice Cream Seller at Buxton Opera House (Buxton) 31st Oct

Z-Arts Big Birthday Fun Day (Manchester) 1st Nov FREE

Get stuck into arts and crafts, make your own party hats, decorations, and more – everything you need for the ultimate birthday bash! Then hit the dance floor, play party games, and help celebrate 25 years of fun at Z-arts.

• Patchworks puppet theatre at Blackburn Market (Blackburn) 1st November FREE
• Teenage Mutant Turtles meet & greet at Castaway Play (Congleton) 1st Nov
• Shrek & Donkey meet & greet at Castaway Play (Congleton) 1st Nov

If you’re on the hunt for just a great fun family day out, check out all the honest Mum reviews of places to visit with kids in Cheshire

Find all the best bonfire night and firework displays in Cheshire

Where to go Pumpkin Picking in Cheshire