Halloween arrives in Yorkshire with pumpkin fields, ghostly tales, enchanted forests and family-friendly spooky adventures. Whether you're searching for autumn colour, after-dark thrills or activities for younger children, this year’s line-up offers everything from lantern-lit castle tours and Halloween trails to pumpkin festivals packed with seasonal fun.
Pumpkins & porches in Pontefract, Farmer Copleys
Farmer Copleys is embracing the growing trend for full-scale pumpkin porch displays, with more than 40 varieties of homegrown pumpkins and chrysanthemums available to help visitors create their own seasonal showstopper.
From perfectly round traditional orange pumpkins to muted whites, deep greens, unusual shapes and striped varieties, Farmer Copleys’ Pumpkin Festival 2026 will feature more than 300,000 homegrown pumpkins across over 40 varieties.
Think large statement pumpkins mixed with mini varieties, creamy whites alongside sage and dark greens, striped gourds and classic autumnal orange, all grouped together.
September 26 to November 1,
farmercopleys.co.uk
Haunted happenings, Bolton Castle
Bolton Castle, near Leyburn, is the perfect spot to step into spooky season. Historical re-enactors will be on site bringing haunting stories alive on October 24, 25, 26, 30 and 31, with storytime at 1pm and a witches’ trial at 2.15pm on each of these days.
Castle by Lanternlight is taking place on October 26 from
6 to 8pm (£23pp). At one point, lanterns will be the only source of light as darkness closes in. The evening concludes with a drink by the fire where spooky tales can be shared. Minimum age 18.
There’s a special event perfect for younger visitors on October 29
from 4.30pm to 6.30pm – family fun, but with a good dose of spookiness. Tickets are £12.50 per adult and £5 per child.
boltoncastle.co.uk
Pesky pumpkins, Castle Howard
At Castle Howard, silly squash, giggling gourds and pesky pumpkins are up to mischief around Castle Howard throughout October. Younger visitors and their families are invited to search for them during their visit and use their wit and great spotting skills to discover each one. The best pumpkin-finders will get a sticker.
Over at the Arboretum, it’s full-on autumn with glorious colours and the chance to join a Fungi Foray on October 17. Join expert Malcolm Greaves for a guided exploration as you search for hidden fungi nestled among fallen leaves and woodland paths on this relaxed and informative walk.
castlehoward.co.uk
World of woodland magic, Stockeld Park
Halloween is brewing at Stockeld Park, near Wetherby. At the heart of this year’s event is the Woodland Witches experience, transforming the Enchanted Forest into a magical world where young adventurers can meet mischievous witches and take part in hands-on challenges. For those looking for an extra-special Halloween experience, new Pumpkin Nights will take place on October 17 and 24. As darkness falls over the patch, visitors can enjoy live folk music, roaming entertainment, a fire-eating show and seasonal games amongst the pumpkins.
Stockeld Park owner Peter Grant says: ‘We’ve created an adventure that captures the fun of Halloween without being too frightening for younger visitors.’
stockeldpark.co.uk
York Ghost Week, Fairfax House
With the Fairfax family expected home for Allhallowtide, the servants are busy preparing the house for their return. But disorder has taken hold. Rooms have been neglected, accounts misplaced and more than a few mischievous knaves have been at work. Explore the house, follow the clues and solve a series of puzzles to restore order.
Visitors who answer every question correctly will be entered into a prize draw to win the exclusive Carte Blanche Knave Ghost figurine (pictured) created by The York Ghost Merchants.
It runs from October 24 to November 1.
Admission £9.50, concessions £8.50,
16 and under, free.
yorkghostmerchants.com/ghost-week, fairfaxhouse.co.uk
Spooky & sheepish, Bradford’s National Science and Media Museum
Inspired by the release of new Sky Original film Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom and the museum’s own collections, Mossy Bottom Laboratory will bring Shaun’s Halloween adventure to life.
On Halloween, the museum will host an enhanced day of spooky activities for all ages. Families can get Halloween-ready and take part in a spooky silent
disco and join family-friendly tours exploring related objects in the museum’s collection, including horror film props and Victorian spirit photography, alongside the wider programme of Shaun the Sheep-inspired activities running throughout October half term.
scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk
Ghoulish ghost tours, various locations
Looking for a spine-tingling experience for Halloween? Yorkshire Ghost Tours run in Otley, Skipton, Hebden Bridge and Leeds city centre. Each tour is an hour-long walk with a character guide who tells stories about the locations and the history of the buildings, streets and people. ‘The fear on our ghost tours come from the truth,’ say Yorkshire Ghost Tours. ‘You see, all of our tales – be it a local’s paranormal experience or a story about a genuine local eccentric – come from absolute historical fact. Many of our tales don’t make rational sense whatsoever, which we reckon is far more unnerving than a one-off fright – every time you walk past a building in your own town after our ghost tour, you’ll feel a sense of unease with the knowing what really happened there.’
yorkshireghosttours.com
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