October is upon us and with it comes Halloween, half term, and an array of events and activities for families to sink their teeth into. From spooky trails, to creepy creatures, Bristol has it all.
There’s even some events in the calendar which will act as nice pitstops in between all of the spooks and scares you can emerge yourself in. And, what’s more, everything in the list below is kid-friendly and, in most cases, fun for all of the family.
This spooky season, Bristol is playing host to haunted ships, deadly sea creatures, terrifying turnips, train rides featuring wizards and birds of prey, dance parties, scary movie screenings, arts and crafts workshops – and much much more.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the events taking place in the city this month, below. If you’re after pumpkin patches – check out this list instead.
SS Great Britain – haunted ship, ghost tales and turnip trail
When: October 26 to November 3
This October half term, Brunel’s SS Great Britain will be packed with family fun and ‘ghoulish activities’ for all ages. Events take place from October 26 to November 3 and include ‘Woeful Wounds’, which is back by popular demand with a botanical twist to continue the ship’s ‘Plants Crossing Continents’ theme for 2024.
During the Victorian period, steamships brought curious new plants to Britain, which found their way into makeup, medicines, food, and even home decor. Shockingly, many of these plants were poisonous, causing terrible symptoms to those who encountered them.
Special effects makeup artists from SGS College will be recreating these ailments with realistic cuts, rashes, and blisters, for brave young sailors to show off to their family and friends.
There will also be a quirky family trail, ‘Terrifying Turnips’, which will see glowing turnips lead you around the dockyard and ship, each revealing fascinating facts about Victorian Halloween traditions. Plus, families can settle in for a new spine-chilling storytelling experience on board, where a costumed Victorian will share ghostly tales with those who dare to listen.
You can also expect a modern twist on a spooky Victorian parlour trick, Pepper’s Ghost. This optical illusion, popularised by scientist John Henry Pepper in the 19th century, uses light, glass, and reflections to conjure ghostly apparitions.
Book your tickets online here.
Avon Valley Railway ‘It’s A Hoot’ event
When: Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27
Avon Valley Railway’s Bitton station is taking visitors on a steam-hauled train ride where they will be entertained by Gizmo the Magic Wizard. When they make it back to Bitton, they’ll be able to enjoy an autumnal trail around the station and also see birds of prey from Pitcombe Rock Falconry.
Find out more and book tickets here. Children who dress up for Halloween will travel for free.
Bristol Beacon Family Dance Party
When: Thursday, October 31
Bristol Beacon is inviting families down to the cellars this half-term Halloween morning for a ‘spellbinding’ family dance party. Two artists, DJ Quest and Lotte Nørgaard, will lead you through a high energy session of music, dance and movement games, with props and lights.
Though this is an event aimed at children between the ages of 3-8, the whole family can get involved, and fancy dress is strongly encouraged. There will also be a quiet space for children who need time out or have additional sensory needs.
Find out more and book your tickets here.
Luke Gerram’s Gaia at Bristol Cathedral
When: Tuesday, October 15 – Saturday, November 9
If you need a break from the spookier events taking place in Bristol, then you can get some respite at Bristol Cathedral, where Luke Gerram’s 7-metre Earth artwork will be on display. The renowned Bristol-based artist, who has also created such works of the moon and Mars (as well as that Park Street slip n slide) has created a replica Earth which is scaled to a size 1.8 million times smaller than our planet, and which features detailed NASA imagery.
It will be suspended within the Cathedral, offering a unique opportunity to see our home world from an extraordinary perspective, and it will be illuminated from within and situated against the backdrop of an immersive soundscape composed by BAFTA award-winning composer, Dan Jones. Find out more here.
Howl-oween – Bristol Zoo Project trail
When: October 25-November 3
Visitors can follow the ‘Myths and Legends’ trail around the zoo to discover fun animal myths and their animal personality. They’ll tiptoe through the lemur walkthrough, spot real wolves, enjoy myth-busting talks led by the Zoo’s animal experts.
What’s more, the return of the popular interactive biofacts experience, in the Lodge of Legends, gives Zoo-goers the chance to see and touch real animal artefacts – from skulls to skins – and learn all about animals and their connection to mythical creatures.
The Cauldron of Creation will host a ‘trick and treat surprise’, and there will be art activities where you can create your very own mythical beast. On October 31 there will be a ‘spooktacular’ art session led by the creative team at Let’s Make Art. You’ll be able to create your own ceramic tile, while exploring what endangered means and how art can be used as an important tool to illustrate ideas and notions.
Kids in fancy dress get 50 per cent off their ticket price – find out more and book yours here.
October at Bristol Aquarium
When: October 24-November 3
This October half term, Bristol Aquarium is talking about all of the different ways that its animals can be deadly. From poison to pincers, barbed stingers to gnashing jaws, it will be exploring some of the deep and deadly creatures in the sea.
There will be a trail of deadliest creatures as you venture around the aquarium’s seven different habitat zones, and you’ll even be able to get up close with a real squid dissection at ‘Deadly Discoveries’. What’s more, the aquarium will also be hosting some ‘after dark’ sessions throughout the month, an adults-only evening on October 30, and ‘Freaky Family Tours’ like Blackbeard’s Return on October 29.
Find out more and book your tickets here.
Halloween at The Grand Pier in Weston
When: October 26-November 3
The pier will be dressed up in a Halloween theme during the half term, and packed with games and rides – you’ll even be able to meet The Wicked Witch of Weston and take a broomstick flying lesson. There will be free face painting and train rides all half term, and a Halloween wristband will give visitors savings on entry, admissions, rides and more.
Book yours here.
Hocus Pocus screening, workshops and tours at Arnos Vale Cemetery
Arnos Vale Cemetery has a diary packed full of spooky and autumnal events and activities for the month ahead. These include the screening of the classic witchy film ‘Hocus Pocus’ on October 16/17 as part of the Bristol Film Festival, magic wand making, fabric pumpkin and autumnal wreath workshops from October 13 to 26, a Halloween Magic Show and ‘Morbid Curiosity Tours’ – a rare opportunity to learn about the deaths of some of the cemetery’s residents (they also have tours specially catered for teens and tweens).
You can find out more about the events at Arnos Vale this month, here.
Wookey Hole
If you’re up for travelling a little way out of Bristol, then Wookey Hole Caves dubs itself ‘The Home of Halloween’ and has a calendar of events scheduled from October 5-November 3. You can tour through the great chambers of the caves, learn about and possibly even see the Witch of Wookey Hole, join the Giant Pumpkin Trail, and solve a mystery to win Halloween treats, and even head to the 4D cinema for an on-screen adventure.
The Wookey Hole Museum allows you to handle the bones of some of the surprising creatures that have called the valley home, and there’s even real-life footage of divers exploring the darkest, most hidden recesses of underground Wookey Hole, in the cave diving exhibit.
What’s more, there’s a giant soft play, a spooky 30-minute original ‘Ghost Pirates’ show, penny arcade and daily fancy dress competitions. Find out more and book your tickets here.