It only feels like yesterday the kids returned to school and another holiday is almost upon us. If you are looking for local things to do this October half-term, Love Basingstoke has you covered with our ‘fang-tastic’ guide to what’s on in Basingstoke and Deane.

Free spooktacular fun

The Love Basingstoke Presents programme returns this half-term with lots of free fantastic spooktacular fun such as potion making, pottery painting, trails and much more for those aged two to 16 years-old. Join the Love Basingstoke team every day from Monday 28 to Friday 1 November 2024 between 11am and 3pm across the Top of the Town to take part. 

There will be lots of spooky fun at The Malls on 30 October. Take part in free activities including a Halloween Lanterns Workshop and you may bump into the funny dancing skeletons who will be walking about. Plus on 31 October, Arachnobot the giant spider will be weaving his way around the shops!

Join Festival Place for a Trick or Treat Takeover! Running from 28 to 31 October, head to Porchester Square from 11am to 4pm, for a spooky pumpkin hunt around Festival Place with brilliant Halloween characters. Trails run every half an hour.  Or you can enjoy a self-led trail by collecting a trail map from the customer lounge from 26 October to 3 November.

Boo’kable indoor fun

For a full-filled Halloween Party Experience head along to Lush Cosmetics' workshops from 26 to 31 October where people of all ages are able to make their own bath bombs, play spooky games, practice potion making and take a goody bag home! Pre-booking advised and costs £10 per person. 

Not so spooky but tonnes of fun, The Anvil has performances for younger audiences such as Milkshake! Live on Holiday on 27 October and Dear Zoo Live!  A perfect opportunity for little ones to explore the world of theatre.

Fright at the Museum!

Have a ghoulishly good time at Milestones Museum this October half-term. Put on your best costume and follow the Halloween trail around Milestones eerie streets to see if you can spot who is haunting the museum's buildings. It be run from 26 October to 3 November, full of creepy effects and traditional Halloween decorations as you wander over the cobbles. The Halloween trail is £2.50. Top tip: Don’t forget, with your admission ticket you can return to Milestones Museum as many times as you like for a whole year.

For some spooky fun, there will be a Halloween treat trail running at the Whitchurch Silk Mill, where each child will receive a bag and trail sheet so they can collect 15 treats from various locations around the mill. It is £4.50 per ticket and dairy-free options are available with an email request to info@whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk. For more BOO-tiful Halloween fun over the October half-term at the mill, there will be the chance for children aged between five and 12 years-old to make a pencil case and a tote bag using lots of fun Halloween themed materials. Cost is £3 per child and it will take place on 30 and 31 October, 11am to 12pm and 1pm to 2pm. Pre-booking is essential.

Put your best Halloween costume on and head down to Basing House for a truly scary ghost tour, running from 25 October to 2 November. Find out more about the historic site, exploring places such as the ‘Bloody Barn’! Tickets are £18.75 per person and whatever you do, don’t forget your torch! 

For £2 per sheet there will be a Halloween Pumpkin Trail running from 26 October to 3 November at the Willis Museum. Discover all the pumpkins hidden around the museum and win a prize! Additionally, there will be Halloween Mask Making on 30 October for £3. Children can make their own masks for personal use or to take along to the Willis Museum’s Torchlight event that will take place later that evening between 5.30pm and 7pm. The cafe will be serving warming hot chocolate but remember to bring your torch for an exciting experience. 

Fa-boo-lous outdoor fun

There’s a Halloween half-term spooktacular special at Four Kingdoms Adventure Park. It will be open from 6pm to 9pm and include Dino's in the Dark, laser tag, soft play, a lantern maize trail and a spooky train ride. There will also be some spooky characters! Additionally, if you fancy picking your own pumpkin and creating special memories, 4 Kingdoms Pumpkins Patch will be open from 5 to 31 October.

Bourne Valley PYO pumpkin picking season kicks off, with a Family Fun Colour Run on Saturday 12 October. Head down and chose your special pumpkin to take home.

For train lovers head over to Viables as The Basingstoke and District Model Engineering Club is holding a special Halloween run on Saturday 26 October between 2pm and 8pm. Don't miss out on a really lovely experience children and adults will certainly enjoy. 

The Vyne has a Halloween pumpkin trail running daily from Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3  November. Explore the ground-floor of the huge historic house and locate 10 vibrant suncatchers featuring all kinds of mysterious and magical pumpkins. Inspired by the jack-o'-lantern, in the gardens, have a go at the pumpkin patch bean bag and ring toss as well as a giant noughts and crosses. 

Spectacular Oakley Hall invites you and your little ones for a Spooky Scavenger Hunt around its beautiful gardens and grounds from 25 October to 3 November. Head on a hunt to find all the items from a list, little ones will receive a trick or treat if all items are ticked off. No booking is required, simply turn up on the day and hunt away.

We are so lucky in Basingstoke and Deane to have lots of play areas to help the kids burn energy and get active outside.  Pull on your wellies, wrap up warm and head out to splash about in puddles or take their bikes and scooters and visit one of the many skate parks in the borough.

Halloween is not just for little ones!

Spooky fun is most definitely not just for kids, here’s some events just for adults:

For the horror lovers, The Haymarket will be running a performance of Dracula from 24 to 16 October. The theatrical masterpiece blends Victorian gothic with the contemporary, featuring a haunting soundscape, powerful performances, and innovative design.

Dance music event series La Casa Discoteca, translated from Italian as “The Disco House”, will host its launch event upstairs in Harry’s Bar, Royal Exchange, Basingstoke on Friday, 25th of October. Entry is free and the first 50 people through the door will receive a mystery merch gift pack.

Bombay Sapphire has two Halloween Cinema nights taking place on 27 and 31 October. Enjoy a complimentary gin and tonic on arrival and get comfy with a great classic scary film. There will be sweets and popcorn on hand. Pre-booking is essential for this fun event.

Autumn walks are undoubtably the perfect way to get outside, connect with nature and enjoy the crisp air and golden sunlight. Not only is it great for your physical health, but the benefits of getting out as the daylight hours reduce can be so important mentally as well. Crunch through the fallen leaves and get inspired with our ideas page on the best Autumn Walks in Basingstoke and Deane.

Further afield

There are also plenty of places within easy reach of Basingstoke. Take a look at Beyond Basingstoke and Deane for inspiration.

If you have any other half term ideas then drop us an email: hello@lovebasingstoke.co.uk

Please note the inclusion of any business within this listing should not be seen as an endorsement of their services. While the information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information. 

September 2024