Spooky fun, fancy dress, chocolate and sweets, that’s what Halloween is all about! And this year, Halloween falls on a Saturday, making it a perfect time for everyone to get involved in lots of fa-boo-lous fun – to lift everybody’s ‘spirits’! Plus, the week before Halloween this year is October Half Term, meaning there is plenty of time to celebrate pre-Halloween too.

The New Forest is a fang-tastic place to celebrate, with loads of events this Halloween…

Wrap up warm and enjoy the great outdoors this Halloween and join the local expert guides from Wild New Forest on a Halloween-themed wildlife walk in the New Forest on Saturday 31 October. During the morning there will be a walk from the village of Burley, featuring tales of witches in the village, a visit to an ancient dragon’s lair at Burley Beacon, and the opportunity to shop in quirky witchy-themed shops, as well as the chance to learn about snakes, spiders, devil’s fingers and other beasts that roam the New Forest today. In the afternoon, there will be a dusk walk from Brockenhurst featuring a visit to the spooky dead forest and opportunities to see deer, bats, owls, toadstools and lots of creepy-crawlies! COVID-19 safety measures are in place, including group sizes limited to six, and full refunds will be issued if tours are cancelled due to changes in UK Government guidance.

Hop onboard an illuminated canoe on Beaulieu River with New Forest Activities, with tours taking place daily from 26 – 30 October. Paddle the River by moonlight, stopping along the way to hear ghoulish ghost stories from your nighttime guide, then after your 90-minute canoeing tour, you get to enjoy hot chocolate and Halloween candy! Fancy dress is not essential, but is definitely encouraged!

Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Centre’s Halloween Trail is lurking and ready to scare the fangs off Dracula, the spook out of the ghosts and the evil from the Witch! There will be creepy challenges and gruesome activities, if you dare. There are time slots staggered across the day on 31 October, the trail lasts approx. 2 hours. Fancy dress is encouraged, but booking is essential! There will be lots of COVID-19 safety measures in place, including social distancing and guests cannot attend in groups of more than 6 people, unless they are from the same household or support bubble.

Have a frightfully fun time at Longdown Activity Farm this autumn half term, in the run-up to Halloween. Enter the Haunted Barn at your peril, from Saturday 24 to Saturday 31 October – look out for grimacing ghouls, scary skeletons and wicked witched who dwell among the cobweb-strewn haybales and blackened timbers of the Barn. Keep your eyes peeled and join in with the Pumpkin Quest, 10 rogue pumpkins have escaped from the Pumpkin Patch… try and spot the mischievous orange faces around the farm as you discover each naughty pumpkin in unexpected places. Plus join The Creature Teachers along with some creepy crawlies like spiders, millipedes and cockroaches on Tuesday 27 and Saturday 31 October. Crazy M will also be making a fun-filled appearance in the Haunted Barn on Saturday 24 and Thursday 29 October.

Exbury’s crew of ghoulish characters are returning to their steam railway this October half term. They will be haunting the train tracks and entertaining families with their slapstick comedy performances and a few frights along the way of course! There are multiple departures daily from Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November – you will need to book your ghost train experience in advance for the day of your admission into the gardens. There will be safety measures in place for your ride.

Adventure Wonderland is perfect for Spooktacular adventures this October half term, including a visit from Monster Minions on 28 October! These mischievous Minions will fit right in with all the fang-tastic Halloween celebrations at the park, including a scary maze and their live Halloween show, ‘The Cheshire Cat’s Pumpkin Party’! From 24 October – 1 November, you can join in all the Halloween fun, plus enjoy their family favourite rides!

Join in with the friendliest, most frightful fun fest at Paultons Park, with their Happy Halloween event! See Peppa Pig World transform into an enchanting world of Halloween fun with lots of spooky decorations, plus meet Peppa and George in their boo-tiful Halloween outfits! Around the rest of the Theme Park, you will see Pickles the Pumpkin and the rest of the spirit gang wandering around, and you won’t want to miss their ‘The Legend of Paultons Manor’ all singing and dancing extravaganza. Festivities are running from 15 October to 2 November, with shows from 24 October to 1 November and late night openings on 27 and 29 October!

If you would prefer to celebrate from your own home this year, get involved with SCREAM, a virtual murder mystery challenge for Halloween! 6 days of monstrous mayhem in the run up to Halloween… featuring Dracula, The Bride of Frankenstein, Jekyll and Hyde, Wizards, Witches and more! The Murder Mystery will be played over the 6 days at times convenient to each induvial household, with a live interrogation on Friday 30 October!

Make sure you check on our Halloween What's On page too, for more events being added the closer we get to Halloween... and have a wicked time in the New Forest!

Please note: information in this blog was correct at time of writing however events, attractions and activities may be subject to change. We strongly recommend checking with the business before arriving or booking to avoid any disappointment.