If you're after some family Halloween fun in 2019, check out these children's Halloween events in Durham.
From children's parties and broom-making craft activities through to fancy dress gatherings and walks, there are lots of ways to celebrate Halloween 2019 in Durham as a family.
Here's what we've found. If you want your event added to our list, contact hello@explorar.co.uk
If you're looking for frightening experiences for adults, then check out our Durham Halloween events story. We've also got a roundup of half term events.
Durham Halloween family event #1: Halloween evenings, Beamish
Beamish becomes the Un-Living Museum of the North as ghosts and ghouls come out to play, with family activities and entertainers. Tickets are now only available for Wednesday October 23, 6.30-9.30pm. You'll need to buy a separate ticket as the usual yearly unlimited passes won't apply for this special event. Tickets cost £14 adults, children three to 16 £10, and under threes free. Call 0191 370 4000 for more information or book at this link.
Durham Halloween family event #2: Pick Your Own Pumpkin, East Grange Farm
East Grange Farm in Shincliffe (DH1 2TB) gives you the chance to have a go at picking your own pumpkin on Saturday and Sunday October 19-20, and Saturday to Thursday October 26-31 10am to 3pm. Pumpkins start at £3 and go up to £7 for the whoppers. Call 0191 384 2718 for more information.
Read next: Find more family fun on our children's events page
Durham Halloween family event #3: Broomstick class, Lanchester Garden Centre
Head to Lanchester Garden Centre (DH7 0SS) where you'll transform your very own broomstick into your perfect flying companion. It costs £15 and includes entry to the Potter's World attraction. It's on October 29 3.30-4.30pm.
There's also Crystal Gazing Prophecy Balls, an event on October 29 2-3pm, where you can create your own prophecy ball to predict all the chilling fun you are about to have.
On October 30 4.30-6.30pm there's a Mini Villains Ball with fancy dress, games and activities, plus special guests The Joker, Cruella and Maleficent. Take along your carved pumpkins and enter the pumpkin carving competition. It costs £16.95 and adults go free.
Book at lanchestergardencentre.co.uk/events
Durham Halloween family event #4: Freaky Fun Week, TCR The Hub
The Hub on Staindrop Road, Barnard Castle (DL12 8TD) is holding ghoulish activities including scary craft bags to spooktacular high ropes in the dark. It's on October 28 to November 2, Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm and costs £5 per ticket. Call 01844 690 150 for more information.
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Durham Halloween family event #5: High Force family trail, Raby Castle
Search for night creatures hiding around the spooky corners, waiting for you to meet them. This interactive trail is suitable for all ages and combines Halloween themes with the exploration of some wonderful and mysterious night creatures such as bats, owls and hedgehogs.
The trail is on October 26 to November 3 and is included in the price of a High Force Waterfall ticket. Call 01388 528 801 for more information.
Also at Raby Castle is a terrifying tour of Raby Castle's Myths, Legends and Grizzly Tales, from the battle of Nevilles Cross to the legend of the Witch Cat of Staindrop. It's on October 31 to November 2; booking is essential on 01388 528 801.
Also on October 31 is Room on the Broom, a Halloween ramble inspired by Julia Donaldson's tale, finished off with marshmallows at the campfire.
Children's Durham Halloween event #6: Spooky half term, Hall Hill Farm
Head to Hall Hill Farm near Lanchester (DH7 0TA) for activities including making your own scarecrow, carving a pumpkin lantern, and getting your face painted, as well as a puppet show and all the usual activities.
The Hall Hill Farm Halloween activities are on October 26 to November 3 and some additional charges apply. Call 01388 731 333 for more information.
Durham Halloween family event #7: Children's Halloween, Crook Hall
Hunt the Crook Hall gardens for toe curling clues in the treasure hunt, visit the witches in their haunted attic room, spot the resident ghost at the window and enjoy ghost stories by the Moat Pool.
It's on Wednesday and Thursday October 30-31, 3.30-5.30pm. Child tickets cost £10, adults £8. Book on the booking page.
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Children's Durham Halloween event #8: Pumpkin Festival, Union Hall Farm
From October 26 to November 3 is the Pumpkin Festival at Union Hall Farm. Try out pumpkin carving until October 31, try the corn cob catapult, see shows and watch pumpkin smashing from November 1-3.
Get a free pumpkin with every full price ticket for children aged two and over. Hall Hill Farm is open 10.30am-5pm Monday to Sunday and tickets cost £8.95 adults, £7.95 children two to 15, £8.20 students and over 60s, and family tickets £29.95 (two adults and two children or one adult and three children) or £37.50 (two adults and three children or one adult and four children). Phone Hall Hill Farm on 01388 731 333 for more information.
Durham Halloween children's event #9: Tanfield Ghost Train, Tanfield Railway
Go in fancy dress, take part in Halloween games, activities and arts and crafts – but most of all keep an eye out for the scary station staff. There'll be things to watch out for in the trees, plus a bubbleologist and a freaky fire breather, a mad scientist, circus skills and birds of prey.
The Tanfield Ghost Train runs Saturday October 26 at 12pm, 1.30pm, 3pm, 4.30pm and 6pm, and Sunday October 27 at 12pm, 1.30pm, 3pm and 4.30pm. Tickets cost £14, and children under three go free. Booking is essential, which you can do on this website link.
Children's Durham Halloween event #10: Ghastly Gargoyles Trail, Hardwick Park
Collect a trail sheet from the gift shop and spot all of Hardwick Park's gargoyles in return for a spooky sticker. £1 per sheet. It's on October 26 to November 3, 10am to 4pm - call 03000 262 899 for more information.
Durham Halloween family event #11: Dead Good Trail, Wharton Park
Collect your sheet and search for the items hidden around Wharton Park, next to Durham railway station. What can you learn about Mexican traditions of the Day of the Dead Festival? Drop into the cafe to collect a trail sheet between 10am and 4pm on October 26 to November 3. Trails cost £3 per child.
There's also Skeleton School on October 28 at 10am and 1pm with games, challenges and creative activities. Tickets cost £8.50.
You could also try Creepy Crafts, a day of craft activities in the education room. It's on October 29 11am to 3pm, and costs £3.
Then there's also a Family Fright Night - The Gravest Show. Let's Circus return to Wharton Parks Amphitheatre with a brand new Halloween Circus show for the whole family. It's on November 1, 4-5.30pm and 7-8.30pm. Tickets cost £12 adults, or £45 families.
Call 03000 262 655 for more information.
Children's Durham Halloween event #12: Spooky Family Fun Tour, Durham Castle
Enjoy a family-focused tour around Durham Castle this Halloween, with themed activities for children throughout, including stories and spooky facts. It's on October 30, 2.15-3.30pm and costs £5 adults, children over five £4, under fives free, family of four £15 and over 60s £4. Contact castle.tours@durham.ac.uk to book.
Children's Durham Halloween event #13: Halloween Party, Beamish Hall Hotel
Enjoy an afternoon Halloween party, with an interactive disco and games. It's on October 27 from 3-5pm and costs £15 per ticket. Book on 01207 233 733.
Read next: Enjoy the autumn with these October walks in County Durham
Children's Durham Halloween event #14: Creepy, Creepy Crawlies Day, Bowes Museum
Meet friendly creatures with ZOOLAB, create crafts and explore the Bowes Museum with a Halloween themed trail. Sessions last 45 minutes, starting on the hour. Arrive early as spaces are limited to first come, first served. It's on October 28 11am to 4pm and is free for pass holders, or normal admission applies. Call 01833 690606 for more information.
There's also a spooky family fun day, on October 31 11am to 4pm, where you can make a witch's broom, create a potion and take part in the magician's trail. It's free for pass holders, or normal admission applies. There's then a Halloween party on October 31, 4.30 to 6.30pm. Join host Magic Andrew for fun, food, games, balloon animal making and a magic show. Tickets cost £10.95.
Children's Durham Halloween event #15: Family Fright Fest, Lintz Hall Farm
Lintz Hall Farm in Burnopfield (NE16 6AS) is hosting a Family Fright Fest in conjunction with Metro Radio and Gateshead College. With scary events designed for children aged one to 12, tickets include mazes, magic shows, music, story telling, pumpkin carving and fairground rides.
The Lintz Hall Farm Family Fright Fest is on October 19, 20, 26, 27 and 31 and tickets cost £7 children two-12 (plus 70p booking fee), £10 adults and children 13 and over (plus 70p booking fee), £29 for a family pass for four (£1.50 booking fee) and free for under twos. You can book at psycho-path.co.uk/family-fright-fest-events/
Children's Durham Halloween event #16: Spooky Science with Professor Onesmith, Hardwick Park
Join Professor Onesmith on October 28 at 10am, 11.30am or 1.30pm for some spooky science fun in the Hardwick Park yurt. It's suitable for ages five and above. Tickets cost £10; sessions last one hour and booking is essential on 03000 262899.
There's also Frightful Family Crafts, a day of craft activities in the education room. It's on October 29 11am to 3pm, and costs £3.
Then on October 31 is Woodland Trick or Treat, at 10am, 10.30am, 1pm and 1.30pm. Find the woodland witch, solve her riddles and complete her challenges in a quest amongst the trees. Suitable for ages 14 up. Tickets cost £6 per trail sheet and booking is essential, on 03000 262 899.
Children's Durham Halloween event #17: Halloween Cookery Class, Angel Trust Little Chefs
Join the Halloween cooking club for children aged seven to 12, from 9am to 5pm on Saturday October 19. It costs £5 and is held at Angel Trust, Belvedere House, Kingsway, Bishop Auckland (DL14 7JN) - call 01388 737 270 for more information.
Children's Durham Halloween event #18: The Haunting of Holmside Park
Holmside Park in Edmondsley, Chester-le-Street (DH7 6EY) is hosting a Halloween experience where you can grab a laser blaster and shoot your way through targets and four themed game zones. Sessions last about 45 minutes and there's also knife and axe throwing sessions.
It's on October 26-31, is for ages six up, and costs £20 per ticket. For more information and booking head to holmsidepark.co.uk/halloween
Children's Durham Halloween event #19: Halloween Villains Show, Lumley Castle
Help to stop the villains from stealing the Halloween sweets! A child friendly, interactive show with dancing, games, prizes and fun, suitable for all the family (children aged five plus) while enjoying a three course meal.
It's on Wednesday October 30 6.30-10pm, and costs £26.95 adults and £16.95 children. Book on this link.
Children's Durham Halloween event #20: Messy Play Spooktacular, Great Lumley Methodist Church Hall
For children aged six months to five years, children can mix, dig and pour with mud and goo. Children six to 10 can also go along. It costs £9 for the first child and £5 for extra children and is on October 26 from 10.30-11.30am. Call 0758 8820012 for more information.
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Children's Durham Halloween event #21: Children's Halloween Party, Shotton Hall Banqueting Suites
The Shotton Hall Banqueting Suites in Peterlee (SR8 2PH) is holding a children's Halloween party which includes a magic show, mini disco, party dances, games, a fancy dress competition, prizes and face painting. It also includes a special Halloween Mocktail drink.
It's on October 31 5-8pm, and tickets cost £4, children one and under free. Children must be accompanied by a paying adult. Call 0191 5862491 to book.
Children's Durham Halloween event #22: Halloween Party, Broom House Farm
Go to Broom House Farm Forest Adventure in Witton Gilbert (DH7 6TR) for a Halloween party. Tickets include a spooky visit to the forest, a witch story at the cauldron, food and drink and Halloween fun in the coffee shop.
Maximum 30 children - one adult may accompany each child to the forest, and there will be a maximum 15 children to the forest in two sessions. It's on October 315-7pm and costs £11.09. Book on Eventbrite.
Children's Durham Halloween event #23: If You Go Down To The Woods, Hamsterley Forest
Head to Hamsterley Forest (DL13 3NL) for interactive performances from Jack Drum Arts, which include bloodthirsty goblins and wicked water-sprites. It's on October 31 to November 1 at 7pm. Book on 01388 488312.
Children's Durham Halloween event #24: Terror in the Towers, Walworth Castle
Walworth Castle in Darlington (DL2 2LY) is holding a Halloween party with a spooky mocktail upon arrival, a fun disco and party games, followed by a feast of hot dogs and chips. It's on October 31 5-8pm, and costs £8.50 per child. Book on 01325 485470.
Children's Durham Halloween event #25: Halloween Spooktacular, The Pioneering Care Centre
The Pioneering Care Centre in Newton Aycliffe (DL5 4SF) is holding pumpkin carving a spooky crafts on October 31 from 10am to 2pm. The event is free. Contact 01325 321234 for more information.
Children's Durham Halloween event #26: Halloween Party, Garage Bar and Grille
Enjoy a buffet for each paying child, plus disco and games, as well as fancy dress prizes. It's at the Garage Bar and Grille, Pavilion Terrace Burnhope (DH7 0DN) on October 31, 7-9pm and costs £5. Call 01207 528999 for more information.
Children's Durham Halloween event #27: Children's Fancy Dress Halloween Party, Witton Gilbert Community Association
Enjoy a Children's Halloween Fancy Dress Party with entertainment from Captain Raggy Beard. It's on at Witton Gilbert Community Association (DH7 6TF) from 3-5pm, and tickets cost £4. Children must be supervised at all times. Book by ringing Helen on 07764 897 060.
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