For some the prospect of children off school is the spookiest way to celebrate Halloween. And so if you’re looking for activities to entertain the younglings or more adult orientated events, Daily Info’s got you covered as we bring together some of the best events taking place in Oxford and the surrounding area in the run up to All Hallows Eve.
Green and Ghoulish
For those wanting to brave the great outdoors this holiday can find plenty to do at the eighth annual Oxfordshire Pumpkin Festival (run by the stellar Good Food Oxford), helping local residents to once again use their pumpkin for more then just fleeting decorative purposes.
As well as managing a number of gorgeous green spaces in Oxfordshire (many a day has been spent exploring the Wittenham Clumps and Thrupp Lake at various stages of restrictions), the Earth Trust run terrific events, with a pair particularly standing out. Spooooky Woodland Fun offers pre-schoolers the chance to make broom sticks, potions and spells all in a forest setting, whilst Flint, flames and toasting sticks is perfect for the over 7s to learn how to light a fire with flint and whittle their own marshmallow stick, before toasting some on fire.
And finally, and certainly aimed at older children and adults, Ridgeway Axe Throwing are running sessions all week with a spooky theme and a zombie survival game. Plus they've just opened facilities for indoor axe throiwng. Will you top their leaderboard or win a prize for the best costume?
Freaky farms
If you down to the farm today you sure for a lot of pumpkins. That’s right, the key item for Halloween is the mighty pumpkin. Millets Farm Centre has a pick-your-own for the orange fruit as well as evening sessions at their onsite soft play, falconry displays, apple dunking and a visiting circus. Green Dragon Eco Farm also has a pick-your-own, slime making workshops, a scarecrow trail and facepainting.
Cogges Manor Farm opens up their Witch’s House and you can wander its spooky rooms, as well as take a wander through a trailer in the Walled Garden and visit the Pumpkin Patch. And it wouldn’t be Halloween without a fairytale or two, and so Fairytale Farm are getting in on the farm with spooky riddles, free pumpkins and prizes for the best fancy dress. And it's right in the middle of their Illuminated Evenings (taking place on Saturdays and Sundays until 28th November).
Creepy country houses
If you’re looking for resplendent surroundings for your frights this year then a pair of country houses are the perfect destination for you. Blenheim Palace have turned their surrounding gardens into an illuminated haunted woods filled with neon cobwebs, ghouls, witches and other beasties. And don’t forget to give their mini ghost train a ride and try and spot the Beast of Blenheim lurking amongst their paintings.
Waddesdon Manor sees magical beasts take residence for a timely safari experience, with the twilight slots sounding particularly fun. And for those looking for a scrumptious way to celebrate, why not try the Spooky Afternoon Tea, complete with mummified gingerbread men and jelly snakes and eyeballs.
And if the weather allows, this is the perfect week to visit Waterperry Gardens and check out their Spooky Scarecrow Trail, with a prize for those who spot all 10 hidden round the gardens.
Bloodcurdling fun for the whole family
As well as being home to many fabulous animals, Beale Park are running activities throughout the week that such as bat box building, creepy crawly meets and wand making. And for those looking for animals of the more reptilian nature, Crocodiles of the World open their door for three late night Fright Nights.
As a key feature of many an old school ghost story, maybe now is the time to get reacquainted with a steam train. And Didcot Railway Centre are on hand with a quartet of spellbinging Hallowsteam events.
Science Oxford may be aiming to be crowned heroes of the half term, with sessions throughout the half term, marrying the spooky with the scientific, the magic with the manageable. Book quick as these are starting to sell out. And for those of an artistic leaning, the Ashmolean are running an online event to Create a Manga Halloween Drawing.
Eerie evening fun
From one autumnal event to another, the Abingdon Family Spooktacular is the perfect path from Halloween to Bonfire Night, a low noise firework display complete with a light show, giant kites and fairground rides.
Then there’s the fun for the adults, with Oxford Castle & Prison bringing back their annual Ghost Fest, complete with spooky tours through their cells and into their dark underground crypt. And make sure you bring a torch as you hunt for ghosts as you hear the spooky stories from the castle’s history.
And if you just want to let your hair down, the Old Post Office in Wallingford will help you ring in All Hallows Eve with food, drinks and music. Oh and go in fancy dress as the best Halloween Costume wins a prize.
Chilling Cinema
Whilst the Cinema Under the Stairs team bring six classic horrors to Oxford (all sold out but worth keeping an eye out for any returns), the new horror release this Halloween is the 12th instalment in the original slasher franchise, Halloween Kills which brings heaps of blood and gore as well as some… less then stellar plotting (what do you expect?). You could also try stylish psychological thriller Last Night in Soho (the latest from Edgar Wright) or Antlers, a folk horror produced by Guilermo Del Toro.
As is often the case Halloween falls during the October Half Term holiday, which means you may be looking for some more family friendly watches. Filling this requirement is The Addams Family 2, the sequel to the 2019 hit (although the fifth film to feature this creepy clan). Alternatively (and maybe more suitable for a younger audience), there’s a double bill of Julia Donaldson stories that pairs Room on the Broom with The Highway Rat.
There's further autumnal fun for families at the Phoenix Picturehouse, with Room on the Broom their pick for the October Half Term Toddler Time screening (exclusively for preschool children and their parents/carers), and that much loved 90s gem Hocus Pocus their Halloween weekend Kids’ Club (no unaccompanied adults allowed sadly). It's also screening at Vue and adults can definetly attend those showings.
The Ultimate Picture Palace wins the gold star though, offering two very different films perfect for the season. Their traditional screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show is back accompanied with one of the scariest films ever, The Exorcist. So if you’d prefer toe-tapping tunes or oodles of chills, this fabulous Oxford establishment has you covered.
And if you’re looking to stay in this year then do check out our pick of horror films available on various streaming services for a spooktacular time.