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 broomstick making, 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 – 23rd Sep to 5th Nov
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 £5.95 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 – 21st Oct – 5th Nov
The bonus about visiting Yolk is that they have a dedicated carving barn 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 £5 and that includes £3.50 towards a pumpkin. If you spend more you just pay the difference.
Pop Up Patch – YO61 1EN – 7th & 8th, 14th & 15th, 21st – 31st October
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 – Weekends in October and all of half term week
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 £7.50 which include £5 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?
Entry to Yorkshire Pumpkins is £1.50 and must be booked in advance. Their pumpkins range from £1 to £10 depending on the size.
There’s a café on site and a pizza van as well as play areas for the kids and places for photo opportunities.
And now some additional events for those who don’t do mud….
8 More Spooky Halloween Activities for Kids in Harrogate
The Villains Lair
The Sanderson Sisters are returning for one night only, on All Hallows Eve Weekend! They have invited all their friends to join them in the Masonic Hall Harrogate, where they plan on hosting “the best Halloween party ever!” Tragedy strikes when (to their dismay), they find some important pieces of the recipe are missing from their Spell Book! Will you help them track down the missing pages and follow the instructions in order to complete the spell?
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! Shows will take place at 1pm and 5pm on Sunday, October 29th 2023 in the Masonic Hall, Harrogate.
Tickets on sale now! £24.95 for a childs seat and up to 2 accompanying adults. 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 28th 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 3:45pm.
£5 for children £8 for adults.
Harrogate Stray Bonfire & Fireworks 2023
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 4th 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 signature Halloween Spooktacular. Frightwater Valley. ‘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 £22.50 over 90cm and free for under 90cm.
They also have an amazing offer on at the moment, whereby if you visit between the 23rd September and the 22nd October you get a free ticket to return during half term!!
Knaresborough Castle ‘Tween Scream’ and ‘Creepy Castle Trail’
Well done NYCC! I do love it when there’s something on offer for the tweens as they are often overlooked. (Keep scrolling because I’ve found another too). If you struggle for ideas for teen and tweens, check out my other blog for all year round ideas to keep the awkward tween ages happy!
Tween Scream
Creep though the castle if you dare! Aimed at tween monsters aged 8-14 who like to be scared a little bit more. All children must be accompanied by an adult ticket holder. The event is on the 27th October 6pm – 7pm. Read more about it here.
Creepy Castle Halloween Trail
This family fun trail takes around 40 minutes and is aimed at children between 4 – 10 years old. There will be a magic show, face painting and some spooky surprises too.
The Halloween trail at Knaresborough Castle runs at various times from the 28th to 30th October.
Both the Knaresborough castle events are priced at £5.00 for Adults and £7.50 for children.
Broomstick Making at Brimham Rocks
Every witch and wizard needs a broom! Be quick and book your tickets for the traditional broomstick making at the National Trust Brimham Rocks.
Various times are available to book on the 30th and 31st October priced at £7.50 per broom. Normal car parking charges still apply (around £6 per car).
Stump Cross Caverns
And another event available for the older kids! The Cavern of Lost Souls is aimed at ages 14+. (There are other events for the youngsters too)
200 years ago, 6 miners were killed when a naked candle flame shook the core of the caves causing an explosion that brought boulders crashing and trapping every last soul to their fateful demise.
The cries of the miners can be heard daily, echoing throughout the caverns, but every 100 years the stars align and the miners are brought back to life in their physical form, in the hope that they will be found and their souls freed from the caverns. The one and only rescue attempt 100 years ago ended fatefully when history repeated itself and the caverns collapsed once again, taking more lives. This October, we are seeking another rescue team brave enough to go into the Caverns and release the dead miner’s souls.
Book this exclusive event for the 27th and 28th October. Tickets are £20 each.
Mother Shipton’s Creepy Carnival
28th October – 5th November
Mother Shipton’s is a great day out all year round but it really comes into its own at Halloween.
‘Deep within the spooky forest a world of eerie enchantment awaits…
Step right up and prepare to be thrilled and amazed by hauntingly captivating displays and spine-tingling surprises.
Explore abandoned circus tents as they whisper ghostly secrets from their forgotten past and meet a host of creepy characters who are waiting to steal the show in our festival of frights.
Roll up, roll up! Join the parade, come dressed in your spookiest costumes and share your photos with us to be in with the chance of winning tickets to come back again’.
Normal admission prices apply at £33 a car.
Read more about our recent visits to Mother Shipton’s here.
In conclusion, I hope you like my Halloween round up. There’s so much more available but these are definitely our chosen highlights (and 13 seemed like a perfect number).
Got an event you want adding? .. please don’t hesitate to get in touch via the contact us tab or on our socials.
