Since the spooky season will soon be upon us I’ve created a handy round up of Halloween events in the Harrogate area. Including Pumpkin patches to creepy carnivals, ideas for tiny terrors to older monsters, I’ve tried to cover all bases and all ages.
Not keen on traipsing around in the mud picking up pumpkins? (I feel you) You might want to skip the first 5!
5 of the Best Pumpkin Patches near Harrogate
Birchfield Farm – HG3 4JS
Starts 28th September. 10-4, 7 days a week.
I love the fact that if you’re just pumpkin picking it’s free to enter, you just pay for what you pick. We picked 3 pumpkins which came to £12 which is dear if you compare them to the shops but its all about the whole experience in my opinion and can provide a cheap day out if you’re on a budget.
There is a little play park just by the entrance to the fields which is free and there are plenty of props dotted around the fields, perfect for photo opportunities!
Once you’re there and into the swing of things it’s hard to resist not going into the farm itself. Entrance is £7.95 pp no matter what age and allows you to see all the animals as well as access to the bouncy castles, go carts, sand pit, football pitch and more play areas.
There’s something for all ages at Birchfield which is great if you are taking a mix of toddlers and older children.
Yolk Farm – YO51 9HY
Weekends in early October then daily from 19th – 31st. 10am – 3pm.
The bonus about visiting Yolk is that they have a dedicated carving area with all the tools and decorations you might need, most importantly it means all the mess stays there and not all over your kitchen table!
There are also plenty of animals to see and don’t forget to feed the pigs! The goats are my favourite though, there’s always at least one up to mischief, climbing where it shouldn’t or eating the hedges or fencing lol.
So many people rave about the food too. Personally it’s not for me, it always feels too spiced and seasoned when I think they should keep it simpler and show off their fresh, tasty produce. On the other hand if you haven’t tried it, don’t let that put you off, I’ve heard lots of positive comments.
Entrance is £6.50 and that includes a medium pumpkin. Entry is free if you’re not picking a pumpkin.
Pop Up Patch – YO61 1EN
The Pop Up Patch is a cute little place just on the outskirts of York. There is a small playground and café on site too. They also offer free entry and a carving tent. We recently visited to pick sunflowers, the pumpkins were coming along nicely in the field opposite.
Spilmans – YO7 3NB
Starts 28th September
A little bit further a field but I’ve heard Spilman’s is one of the best places to go. Some of my friends won’t go anywhere else.
This year they are also offering ‘Late Night Date Night’. Street food, live music and bar. I won’t lie, I like the sound of that but it would probably have to be a girl date because my other half is boring ha ha.
Tickets from £6.50 which include £4 voucher to spend on activities on the farm.
Yorkshire Pumpkins – YO61 2RN – Weekends in October and all of half term week
Another YO postcode! Is there super pumpkin growing soil in York? Well actually this one is more towards Boroughbridge..
Entry to Yorkshire Pumpkins is £1.50 and must be booked in advance. Their pumpkins range from £1 to £10 depending on the size.
Izzy and I LOVED Yorkshire Pumpkins. The variety of pumpkins was incredible and they are all planted and grown on site by the lovliest family.
There’s a very reasonably priced café on site and a pizza van as well as play areas for the kids and places for photo opportunities. Pumpkin bowling was great fun!
And now some additional events for those who don’t do mud….
More Spooky Halloween Activities for Kids in Harrogate this October Half Term..
The Villains Lair
BACK FOR 2024!! We have a line up of your favourite, fabulous villains including the return of that rogue Gaston, the dancing queens Mal & Evie from Descendants, and the notorious Captain Hook! Joining them this year will be the most stylish of the villains – Cruella de Vil, and the most famous Sea Witch of them all – Ursula!
Join us this Halloween for an immersive, spellbinding experience in The Villains Lair! Musical numbers, dance routines, trick or treats, at least 6 of your favourite mischievous characters and plenty of fun, fun, FUN! More silly than scary, this fantastic family event is ideal for anyone who enjoys the lighter side of Halloween, with lots of good humour! The 2 hour show will take place at the Masonic Hall, 1pm on Sunday, October 27th 2024.
Tickets on sale now … £23.95 for a child’s seat and an accompanying adult. Includes sweets, refreshments, tea/coffee, trick or treat goodie bag, and immersive show.
Fancy Dress Ghost Walk
The fantastic Paul Forster of The Harrogate Ghost Walk is hosting a family friendly fancy dress ghost walk on the 27th October in addition to his regular Friday night gatherings.
”Discover the history and ghost stories about some of Harrogate ‘s most haunted locations. This fun and light hearted ghost walk is perfect for families. Wear your most gruesome and scary outfit to be in with a chance of winning a prize”.
The walk lasts an hour and is suitable for all ages. Meet outside the royal pump room museum at 4:00pm.
£5 for children £8 for adults.
Harrogate Stray Bonfire & Fireworks 2024
OK so this isn’t technically Halloween but it’s close and always draws a big crowd.
This year the bonfire and fireworks are on Saturday 2nd November. Entertainment starts at 5pm, the bonfire is lit at 6:30pm and fireworks start at 7:15pm.
Get there early as is always gets busy and its a nightmare to get parked anywhere close!
Frightwater Valley
Head to Lightwater Valley in October half term for their Creepy Carnival Halloween Spooktacular. ‘As a cloak of supernatural delight shrouds the adventure park you’ll find all manner of creepy ghouls and beasties lurking in the shadows of the valley. There will be friendly frights plus mini and mega scares for the whole family to enjoy’.
There are character meet and greets, spooky sing-along show, live scare maze, trick or treat trail, freaky fancy dress, and fearsome face painting.
Tickets are £26.50 over 90cm and free for under 90cm.
Stump Cross Caverns
There’s loads going on at Stump Cross Caverns this October half term.
We can highly recommend the UV cave experience. It’s a new and exciting way to discover the caves and keeps the kids entertained all the way around looking for the colours in the rock formations.
Mother Shipton’s Hocus Pocus
26th October – 3rd November
Mother Shipton’s is a great day out all year round but it really comes into its own at Halloween.
It’s just a bunch of Hocus Pocus! Get ready to be spellbound this Halloween at Mother Shipton’s, visit this Halloween for a bewitching adventure with a ‘Hocus Pocus’ themed event, inspired by the iconic, spooky Halloween film.
Step into a world of enchantment as you explore themed displays featuring witches, mysterious cauldrons and magical spells being cast by our characterful actors. Engage in SPOOKTACULAR activities and capture the magic of the season with our terror-ific photo opportunities.
Normal admission prices apply at £33 a car.
Read more about our recent visits to Mother Shipton’s here.
Knaresborough Knightmares Ghost Walk
Wednesday 30th October 7pm.
Join the Knaresborough Mummers for a harrowing Halloween ghost walk around the town, with spooky tales of hauntings and witchcraft. You’ll hear about Murderous Knights, Frightful Friars and Vampire Bumble Bees. All revenue will be donated to local charities.
Adults £5.00, under 16’s £2.50. Get your tickets here.
Harewood Halloween House Hunt
Saturday 26th October – Sunday 3rd November 2024. 10am – 4pm.
Wander through the ghostly halls of the State Floor and see if you can spot our hidden Halloween creatures lurking in the shadows!
Pick up a free eye-spy trail worksheet from the Entrance Hall and start your spooky adventure.
Perfect for all ages, this is a hauntingly fun way to explore the house this Halloween season.
Will you find them all? Book your Harewood House tickets here.
Wicked Plants at RHS Harlow Carr
Sat 26th October – Sunday 3rd November
Discover deadly plants on a family garden trail, take part in spooky craft activities and Forest School, meet some weird and wonderful creatures with ZooLab and enjoy enchanting tales from the Garden Dectectives.
Follow our family garden trail and spot the ingredients for a witch’s potion to cast your own magic spell! Learn about beautiful but toxic flowers, insect-munching carnivorous plants, freaky fungi called deadman’s fingers and plants used for spells and potions.
Normal garden admission applies. Book on the RHS Harlow Carr website.
Harrogate Indoor Funfair
Sat 26th October – Sunday 3rd November
With jaw-dropping rides and amazing inflatables for all ages, Harrogate Indoor Funfair is back this October half term and offers all the fun of the fair in an indoor, climate-controlled and family-friendly environment.
Wristbands are £12.99 online or £15.00 on the door. 2 sessions every day from 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm.
Halloween Sip & Paint Parties from The Glitter Bar
We love the girls at The Glitter Bar so we just had to give them a shout out.
There’s parties for kids and grown ups with painting, drinks and of course….glitter! The best thing is that the kids one is early enough on Halloween so they can get all face painted up before they go trick or treating.
You can find them on Facebook and Instagram – just drop them a message to book your place.
Harrogate Halloween Trail & Pumpkin Patch
New from Harrogate BID is the Halloween trail which runs from 25th October to 5th November around the town centre.
There are 10 locations to discover…pick up a trail sheet from the Everyman cinema and find all the hidden letters.. fill in your sheet and hand it back in for the chance to win a family ticket for the Harrogate Ghost Walk.
On the 29th and 30th, the Library Gardens will be transformed into a pumpkin patch where you can exchange your trail sheet for a free pumpkin.
All the details can be found on the Harrogate BID website.
Ghosts in the Garden – York
21 September – Early November 2024
This year’s display in York is set to be bigger and better than ever, with 45 ghosts to discover in some of the city’s beautiful public gardens and green spaces. From monks to Victorians, and cats to a famous highwayman, there’s plenty to discover while enjoying Ghosts in the Gardens.
Halloween Activities in Ripon
Treat the small ones to some slime making at the Claro Lounge with Rascals Entertainment this half term or take a cruise on the canal with Ripon Scenic Cruises…one of our favourite local days out!
Find the owls and squirrels in the trees, the beautiful colours of the leaves whilst the fairy doors unlock the clues to solve the puzzle! Enjoy a wonderful autumn cruise for all the family this half-term – no scary Halloween frights in sight – instead a canal boat trip to solve the creature critter cruise quiz! With a prize for every child (up to 14yrs).
Adults £6, Children £4, Family Tickets £18.
I hope you like my Halloween round up. 13 seemed like a perfect number but actually I think we are well past that now!!
Got an event you want adding? .. please don’t hesitate to get in touch via the contact us tab or on our socials.
