Half Term & School Holidays Events

The Easter holidays in the New Forest are a lovely time to press pause, head outdoors, and enjoy the first real signs of spring. With lighter evenings, brighter woodland colour, and a fresh buzz in the air, it’s the perfect season for families to reconnect and make the most of nature together — whether you’re planning a day trip or a longer break.

Across the New Forest, you’ll find plenty of Easter-themed fun to build into your plans, from family trails and egg hunts to craft activities, wildlife encounters, and seasonal events. It’s a great chance to explore somewhere new, discover hidden gems, and enjoy the simple joys of springtime — like spotting new life, wandering under budding trees, and stopping for a well-earned hot chocolate or slice of cake.

And if you’re happiest keeping things active, the New Forest is made for it. Take on scenic walks and gentle bike rides, enjoy wide open spaces for little legs to run free, and finish the day with a relaxed meal in a welcoming café or pub. However you like to spend your Easter, the New Forest is a beautiful place to slow down, step outside, and make memories together.

Check out all of the eggs-cellent fun you can have during the Easter Holidays in the New Forest on our Easter Events page!

During May half term the forest is full of Spring wildlife that is not to miss – beautiful foals and calves being born, bluebells and bright green leaves and colourful flowers lighting up our woodland and heathland.

From kayaking and paddle boarding to theme parks and gardens, we have loads of fantastic outdoor activities and attractions in the New Forest to head to during May half term. Most of which put on specific events for the week off school!

May is a glorious time to visit both Exbury Gardens and Furzey Gardens – with their beautiful spring flora and fauna or if you feel more adventurous, New Forest Activities have loads of great sessions to join in with and enjoy a fun day out on the water!

Paultons Park, Home of Peppa Pig World, is a fantastic place to visit during half term, with over 70 rides and attractions for all ages to enjoy, it is a great day out for everyone. For even more spring wildlife, other than the free-roaming kind in the forest, Longdown Activity Farm have a daily schedule of hands-on activities, including kid goat and calf bottle-feeding, duck feeding and small animal handling with baby rabbits, chicks and maybe even a piglet, as well as half term specific events too!

The summer holidays are full of family fun in the New Forest – with 6 weeks off school, the forest is full up with exciting events and activities at our attractions, activities, venues, pubs and more!

The famous New Forest & Hampshire County Show usually falls in the summer holidays this year. Ellingham Show also takes place this summer holidays.

This is another perfect time to head to our outdoor activities and attractions in the New Forest and have some fun in the sun. Go back in time at Buckler’s Hard and visit their Maritime Museum and enjoy the beautiful views of the Beaulieu River that this little village sits on – or head just up the road to the famous National Motor Museum in Beaulieu. Wander around their beautiful gardens and palace house, whilst having a look around their extensive collection of cars and other motor vehicles. Beaulieu host a whole bunch of fantastic events for motor lovers over the summer too, including Beaulieu Supercar Weekend!

Visit Hurst Castle throughout the summer holidays and join in their family friendly activities, with a touch of history!

If you’re an animal lover, you don’t want to miss out on a fun day out at New Forest Wildlife Park, where you will find all sorts of animals, including polecats, wallabies, otters and more – as well as their beautiful tropical butterfly house.

Just outside of the New Forest is the amazing Marwell Zoo, set in a 140-acre park which is home to amur tigers and leopards, cheetahs, Humboldt penguins, white rhinos, Rothschild giraffes and even snow leopards (just to name a few!).

If you fancy trying something new during the summer holidays, get involved with one of the action-packed events with Insight Activities or New Forest Water Park – including sessions of archery, axe-throwing, wakeboarding and the UK’s 1st Wibit outdoor, floating, inflatable sports aqua park! Or explore the New Forest on horse-back with Burley Villa School of Riding.  

Whatever events and activities you decide to get involved in during the summer holidays, you will be sure to have an unforgettable time here in the New Forest!

If you visit the New Forest in October Half Term expect to step into a magical place of breath-taking red, orange and yellow colours surrounding you. Take in the wonderful views and autumn wildlife on a stroll or a bike ride through the forest. Hire bikes from one of our local bike centres, or ride in style with Jaunt-e Bikes, with their amazing retro e-bikes! 

A walk through the woods at dusk exploring our spookier wildlife with Wild New Forest. Meeting at Whitefield Moor Car Park (Brockenhurst), this walk will take you through ancient woodland to the eerie dead forest, where you can watch the sun set. Along the way you will look at spooky fungus and ancient trees while exploring various myths and Forest folklore.

Breamore House and Museum is also a great place to find some beautiful autumn colours overlooking the Avon Valley on the edge of the New Forest. Have a wander around this gorgeous Manor House and enjoy looking around their historic tapestries, paintings and other interesting items.

Located in the heart of Lymington Town is St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery, which is a dynamic museum and highly regarded art gallery – telling the story of the local area. St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery often holds exciting events during half terms for everyone to enjoy as well!

Halloween falls on the end of October half term too, so check out our Halloween page for lots of spooktacular events to enjoy too, from pumpkin picking, scary mazes and thrilling activities! 

Christmas in the New Forest is all about cosy moments, twinkling lights, and making memories together. As the days get crisp and the woods take on a winter glow, it’s the perfect time to wrap up warm and enjoy everything the season brings — from festive events and family-friendly trails to Christmas shopping in local towns and villages.

Whether you’re planning a magical day out or a winter break, you’ll find plenty of ways to get into the spirit. Think warming drinks after a woodland walk, pub lunches by the fire, seasonal menus, craft markets, and sparkling light displays that make evenings feel extra special. It’s a wonderfully wholesome time to visit, with a real sense of community and celebration across the New Forest.

Find out more about the festive fun to be had in the New Forest on our Christmas Events page.

If you're already planning a February half term break to the New Forest for next year, then it is a great time to enjoy days out at our interesting Indoor Attractions – from learning about the history and heritage of the forest at the New Forest Heritage Centre, to seeing first hand how to 900 year old Eling Tide Mill works and having a go at the fun activities in their new interactive exhibition.

Looking for a family friendly adventure this half term? Ditch the screens and head into the beautiful New Forest woodland for some fun, friendly competition and family bonding. At Insight Activities they've designed the perfect woodland experience to keep everyone from the little ones, 6+ to the "too-cool" teens (12+) fully engaged.

If you’re a real motor-head then head to Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum, where you can have a look around one of the finest collections of fully restored motorcycles in the world!

These and lots of our other attractions in the New Forest and also activities in the New Forest hold fun-filled events during February half term, check them out below!

Many of our pubs around the forest have weekly live music, and February half term is a good time to get out in the evening with your friends and family to enjoy some of our local talents! Or if you fancy a more chilled out vibe at one of our beautiful country pubs in the New Forest, cosy up by the roaring fire while indulging into a delicious meal made from local produce and you could even try one of our local ales, wines or soft drinks too. Or if tea rooms and quaint cafes are more your style enjoy some coffee and cake in one of our lovely towns & villages.