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.jpg "HInton Ampner - pumpkin cart in front of house - National Trust, Paul Gallivan")
Spooky trails, autumn leaf kicking, cosy pubs, and pumpkin picking. Here are our top picks of what’s happening in Hampshire this October.
Autumn at Hinton Ampner
Throughout October
Crisp autumn walks and seasonal displays await at Hinton Ampner this month with Hinton's Harvest Celebration already underway and on until 4 November. The Gourd-geous Pumpkin Displays join the autumn party from 12 October, a Halloween Potions Trail with Wilma the Witch will entertain the little ones from 19 October to 4 November, and the apples and orchards will be celebrated with Apple Days on 26 and 27 October.
Autumn Steam Gala at The Watercress Line
Friday 4 October – Sunday 6 October
The Watercress Line’s Autumn Steam Gala is a seasonal celebration of all things locomotive with the chance to enjoy unlimited rides behind a range of visiting and home-fleet trains running on an enhanced timetable along the scenic 10-mile line. Hop off at the Watercress Line’s heritage stations to get up close to some of the locomotives and enjoy talks and exhibits.
Later in the month, Wizard Week returns to The Watercress Line from 26 October to 3 November with magic and mayhem for the little ones.
Outdoor Cinema at The Vyne
Friday 4 October – Sunday 6 October
Pack your cosy picnic blanket and prepare for an outdoor Halloween cinema experience under the October stars at The Vyne near Basingstoke as they screen The Lost Boys on 4 October, Hocus Pocus on 5 October, and Scream on 6 October.
Later in the month, the Halloween pumpkin trail at The Vyne will entertain the little ones from 26 October 3 November.
Law Week Festival 2024 at Winchester Cathedral
Saturday 5 October – Sunday 13 October
Law Week Festival: Open Minds brings a programme of experiences, thought-provoking discussions, and artistic presentations, all designed to open minds and explore the intersections of law, society, and justice. It promises to be an enlightening and enriching week at Winchester Cathedral, where the law is not just studied but brought to life in ways that challenge, inform, and inspire.
Jane Austen and the Art of Writing Exhibition at Jane Austen's House
From Wednesday 9 October
Launching a programme of events to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen in 2025, Jane Austen’s House is opening a brand-new permanent exhibition this month to celebrate and centre Jane Austen as a ground-breaking and ambitious writer in the very house where she created her six beloved novels.
Science Spooktacular at Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium
Thursday 12 October – Monday 4 November
Double double toil and trouble, potions will be bubbling at Winchester Science Centre later this month when the Science Spooktacular delivers treats including the Potions Science Lab live science show, a trick or treat trail, and a monster mini disco.
For adults, there’s also a Special Science Lates Artificial Intelligence evening on 4 October and Halloween-themed Starlight Cinema in the planetarium on 27 October.
Alton's Autumn Walking Festival
Monday 14 October – Sunday 20 October
Step out and feel the crunch of autumn leaves beneath your feet at Alton’s Autumn Walking Festival. A chance to experience the breathtaking beauty of Alton and its surrounding countryside during the vibrant autumn season, walks will include the historic Alton trail, a literary walk in the homeland of Jane Austen, and the Alton lost railways route.
Halloween Spooktacular at Paultons Park
Thursday 17 October – Monday 4 November
Have the BEST. DAY. EVER Halloween style as the UK’s Number 1 Family Theme Park gets a spooky makeover for October half term.
There will be heaps of fa-boo-lous photo opportunities amongst the Halloween decorations, new spooky shows, and the chance to brave the rides in the dark with late night openings on 29, 30, and 31 October 2024.
Sundown Adventures at Go Ape Moors Valley, Alice Holt, and Southampton
Friday 18 October – Sunday 10 November
Back by popular demand, Go Ape Sundown Adventures offer a new level of forest fun in the dark. Become a creature of the night as you climb through the canopy on a high ropes course lit with colourful lights. Test your skills on tree top crossings and experience the thrill of a zip wire ride into the darkness. It's a unique opportunity to enjoy the forest's beauty and experience the adrenaline rush of adventure after dark.
Halloween at New Forest Activities
Selected dates from Saturday 19 October to Thursday 31 October
To wear out your little (and big) monsters in the great outdoors, New Forest Activities has you covered this October with Spooky Halloween River Tours, BattleZone Apocalypse Laser Tag, Halloween Archery Pumpkin Shooting, and a Canoe Halloween Treasure Hunt.
Butser Book Festival at Butser Ancient Farm
Saturday 19 October – Sunday 20 October
Butser Ancient Farm’s inaugural book festival will celebrate words, worldbuilding and the wilderness with talks covering a range of writing genres, live poetry readings and folk music, local craftsfolk, storytelling, fun activities for all the family, in-depth writing workshops, and book signings.
Great South Run
Sunday 20 October
The world's premier 10-mile running event returns to Portsmouth this October, taking runners past some of Portsmouth's best scenery, including the Spinnaker Tower, Southsea Seafront and through Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
There are also several other races taking part across the weekend for all ages and abilities, plus plenty of cheering opportunities for spectators to join the fun.
Backyard Cinema's Romeo + Juliet at Central Hall Southampton
Wednesday 23 October – Saturday 26 October
Accompanied by a live choir and musicians, Baz Luhrmann's iconic 90s movie Romeo + Juliet will be screened at Central Hall in Southampton by Backyard Cinema from 23 to 26 October.
Halloween at Moors Valley
Friday 25 October – Sunday 3 November
New for 2024, Moors Valley invites brave visitors to explore the forest and their Halloween trail after-dark. Look out for the secret cemetery hidden in the trees and dodge thunderstorms, wicked witches, horrible highwaymen and larger-than-life spiders along the way.
Boo at the Zoo: Halloween at Marwell
Saturday 26 October – Thursday 31 October
There will be Halloween treats galore at Marwell Zoo this October half-term with Lowedolf, Marwell's resident wizard teaching little ghouls, ghosts and witches how to fly a broomstick, face painting, and firepits melting mouthwatering marshmallows. In the autumnal colours of Marwell's 140 acre parkland, seek out spooky species including vampire crabs, tarantulas, and snakes. Plus, meet the adorable new giraffe calf and zebra foal, penguins, tamarins, pygmy hippos and white rhino.
Halloween at Queen Elizabeth Country Park
Saturday 26 October – Sunday 3 November
There will be lots of spooky goings on at Queen Elizabeth Country Park this this October half term with a creepy creatures outdoor trail around the forest, pumpkin carving, and forest school fun to celebrate all things Halloween and Autumn.
Halloween at Staunton Country Park
Saturday 26 October – Sunday 3 November
The Halloween-themed fun continues over at Staunton Country Park with the Spooky Staunton Outdoor Trail around the parklands, and more messy madness with pumpkin carving.
Halloween Movie Nights at Bombay Sapphire Distillery
Sunday 27 October and Thursday 31 October
A Halloween treat for the grown-ups, sit back with a gin and tonic from the Turbine Bar, and enjoy a classic Halloween movie in the chic Bombay Sapphire Distillery cinema room. Screenings will be Hocus Pocus on Sunday 27 October and Beetlejuice on Thursday 31 October.
Halloween at Exbury Gardens
Monday 28 October – Sunday 3 November
Exbury Gardens’ annual ghoulish ghost train has become an infamous event in the New Forest, thrilling visitors with its spooky rides that will be running daily from 28 October to 3 November.
There will also be pumpkin carving and a gruesome garden trail featuring a spooky spider's lair, witches' den and haunted graveyard.
Free spooky October half term fun at Fort Nelson
Monday 28 October – Friday 1 November
The underground tunnels and secret chambers of Fort Nelson are a fantastic place to explore in the autumn and there will be plenty of free October half term fun happening at the historic Victorian fort.
Children can enjoy face-painting, spooky storytelling, crafts, games and colouring on weekdays from Monday 28 October to Friday 1 November, and there will be a spooky trail with hidden ghoulish ghosts.
Halloween Build a Teddy Workshop at Spinnaker Tower
Tuesday 29 October – Thursday 31 October
Head up the Spinnaker Tower at the end of the month to take part in the Halloween Build-a-Teddy Workshop. Children will love creating their own Squishy Pumpkin or Frankenbear Teddy, and exploring the fun family trail with the backdrop of breathtaking tower views.
Search more events in Hampshire
Halloween and October half term events in Hampshire
Where to go pumpkin picking in Hampshire
Fancy an October getaway? Take a look at our huge range of accommodation. Hampshire has something for all budgets including hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering properties, and cosy traditional holiday cottages.
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