
What to do in Oxfordshire this October half term and Halloween
We’ve scoured the length and breadth of Oxfordshire and put together a list of the best October half-term and Halloween activities, events and things to do in Oxfordshire.
There are loads of things to do with kids – even if a downpour threatens to send you inside - including child-friendly shows and great things to do indoors with the kids over the October half-term in Oxford and across Oxfordshire.
And dare we mention that 'Trick or treat' season is also upon us. What to do with little ones dressed up for a celebration that may very well look and feel a little bit different this year due to the "rule of six" as well as local lockdown restrictions across many parts of the country.
Have a look at our suggestions below and get planning. We hope this list will help you to find all the half-term activities near you that you need to experience truly amazing half term days out this October from 24 October to 01 November.
1. Pick your own pumpkins
It’s that time of the year. Put on your boots, and head to one of these pick-your-own PYO pumpkin patches in Oxfordshire and beyond.
2. Explore science and creative activities for everyone
The IF Oxford science and ideas Festival brings together hundreds of researchers with thousands of people in a festival every year - with science, ideas and creative activities for everyone to explore.
3. Join a spooky halloween trail
As Halloween creeps closer and the days shorten, join with family and friends during the October half-term holiday to explore any one of these fun and spooky Halloween trails in Oxfordshire.
5. Visit one of the most haunted places in the UK
Are you brave enough to visit one of the most haunted places in the UK? Discover the stories that are too dark to be included in daytime tours!
Tour the vaulted well chamber, visit the punishment cells and go underground into the dark, damp Crypt.
6. See Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man live on stage
Stick Man live on stage at Oxford Playhouse is a touching, funny and utterly original, Freckle Productions’ delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man. This award-winning production is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves.
7. Explore the science behind magic
Join Science Oxford for an entertaining and intriguing family show at the Museum of Oxford this half term and explore the science behind some of our favourite magic tricks.
8. Roll up, roll up to the circus
Roll up, roll up! John Lawson’s Circus is back at Millets Farm Centre this October Half Term with a thrilling, fun family show featuring all-new and popular acts especially for you, including the award-winning Popolinos!
9. Meet Little Amal
Amal meets Alice
Little Amal is a young 9-year-old refugee girl - in the form of a 12-foot tall giant puppet representing all displaced children. On Tuesday, 26 October, Little Amal will be travelling through Oxford, where she will be greeted by Alice - The Story Museum’s own giant puppet - in an outdoor procession through the city centre. Join the procession on Broad Street at 1.45pm or the mass participation dance event at 2.30pm in Christ Church Meadow.
10. Conjour some spooky science
Visit the Science Oxford Centre this October half term for a spell of spooky science for all the family. Conjure up chromatography-bats and explore the science of colour, and brave the pumpkin trail in our forbidden forest to figure out the magic word and win a prize.
11. Visit a spooky Victorian station
Young visitors are invited to come along dressed as witches, wizards, ghosts, ghouls, zombies and skeletons for this spellbinding Hallowsteam event on 27, 28, 30 & 31 October.
12. Bones. Bones. Bones.
Make your own skeleton puppet, handle some real Medieval bones and discover some of the amazing objects in the museum’s collection, including a painting of dancing skeletons and a pavement made from sheep bones. The event is free, session but a £1 donation per child for craft materials is suggested.
13. Enjoy an enormous fireworks display
Enjoy an enormous fairground, choreographed flame display, light show, hot air balloons, and a jaw-dropping, quarter-mile-wide ‘low noise’ fireworks display.
14. Take a ride on a miniature train
Cutteslowe Park Miniature Railway
The Cutteslowe Park Miniature Railway reopened for the 2021 season in April and will be running miniature locomotives for passenger carrying rides on various dates in 2021.
15. Unearth new outdoor adventures
Too much time indoors? Need to get outside for a little bit of fresh air? Pander to their wild side with a visit to one of these outdoor attractions.
Visit an indoor themed attraction
The fun doesn’t have to stop if the rain starts - afterall it’s that time of the year to expect the unexpected shower.