For all the family
There are a host of events this year suitable for the whole family. Embracing the ghoulish holiday, Partyman World will be throwing an All Ages Halloween Party with fun, games and a costume competition. Science Oxford will be getting in on the creepy shenanigans with a Halloween Family Open Day, with a pumpkin trail, chromatography-bats and flying frights. And the Oxford Artisan Distillery are embracing the season with a Halloween Market, promising to be another of their legendary themed parties!
Further afield, Cogges Farm will be transforming their manor house into a magical coven for Tricks, Treats & The Friendliest Witch, which will incorporate everything you need for an approachable evening of supernatural fun, including wands, potions and a story told by a witch. Alternatively Sue Ryder's South Oxfordshire Spooktacular Fireworks Display merges fireworks with Halloween with activities including a children's fancy dress competition.
Even the Race Hut has organised a cracking spooktacle with their Halloween Family Race, complete with two hours of spooky sim racing and free goodies including cake and pizza.
For little monsters
This year Halloween coincides with the October Half Term, meaning there are a wealth of crafty activities for the little ones. Ghost Fest returns to the Oxford Castle & Prison with Potion Making workshops, as well as more adult activities (a midnight tour and a murder mystery evening). Restore are hosting a number of creative sessions with wreath-making, pumpkin carving and a Halloween tea party. Theatre company Wild Boor Ideas will be touring their Halloween Puppet workshops to libraries across Oxford, where participants can share songs and stories and make their very own shadow puppet.
For those looking for things to do outside of Oxford, Cogges Farm once again swoop in to save the day with a different crafty activity each day in The Witch's House. And Millets Farm Falconry Centre will be introducing attendees to horror's favouirte bird: the owl. Their Halloween Hoot is the perfect way to get to know this feathery friend: you can meet different species and watch them fly as it starts to get dark.
For wicked adults
The Old Post Office in Wallingford will be hosting a trio of events: a Pumpkin Carving Competition, A Night of Magic and Halloween Party (with prizes for the best dressed). Who says children get to have all the fun?
For horror film addicts
The UPP will also be showing the German silent cinema chiller Faust as well as something more modern, in the form of the award-winning documentary Hail Satan? The Ghostbusters return to the Vue to hunt down some more spectres, while the nightmare-bothering fiend Freddy returns to Odeon George Street, as A Nightmare on Elm Street celebrates its 35th anniversary.