Halloween in Plymouth 2024: What’s on in and around the city for kids

Halloween in Plymouth is here! And there is SO much spooky entertainment going on in our fabulous city, you’d better be ready for it.

So get your costumes organised, stock up on sweets for the Trick or Treaters, and get those pumpkins carved. Obviously once you’ve picked one from some of the awesome pumpkin patches near Plymouth. 

Halloween events in Plymouth 2024- what’s on and where

City Centre Halloween Trail

If you love a trail, then you’ll be in for a treat this year. The Visit Plymouth city centre Halloween trail is back again for 2024. 

It will be running during half term, from Saturday October 26 to Sunday November 3, and is the perfect thing to do to keep the kids entertained during the holidays. You have to locate the 15 Halloween characters displayed in shop windows to be in with a chance of winning one of three £50 gift cards to spend at Smyths. What a great prize! 

Once you’ve found them all, complete the entry form on the Visit Plymouth website to be in with chance to win. 

Halloween on the Barbican

Some ‘sea-riously’ spooky events and activities are set to take place on Plymouth’s Barbican this month. There will be a Barbican Halloween Trail run by the Barbican Tourist Information Centre. Pop along to pick up your trail sheet, then once you’ve done it, take it back for a treat. It will run from October 26 to November 3. Find out more on the Barbican Waterfront website.

Spooky Science at The Box

The Box is holding a spooktacular Double Double Toil and Trouble kids event from 5.30pm to 8.00pm on October 31. Explore the galleries after hours, get creative with artwork featuring poisonous plants and spider webs, make magic, dance to spooky tracks, and don’t forget to wear your best Halloween outfit! Tickets must be booked in advance. Find out more here. And if you’ve not been to The Box yet, find out more and what we thought of it here.

Halloween Story Telling

Get yourselves dressed up and head down to the Soapbox Children’s Theatre at Devonport Park for some spooky story telling beside a fire and a look around Miss Treat’s laboratory on Wednesday October 30 and Thursday October 31. Storyteller Jacqueline will delight the whole family with tales of ghosts and ghouls. Book one of the four sessions here.

Pumpkin Picking

If you fancy picking your own pumpkin this Halloween, there are A LOT of places to choose from near Plymouth. Favourites include Pips Pick Your Own in Yealmpton, Lifton’s Pumpkin Fest 2024, Pennywell Farm or The Pumpkin Patch and Halloween Maze of Horrors at the Amazing Cornish Maize Maze at Pillaton near Saltash. Find out a full round up of them in my pumpkin patches in Plymouth blogpost here.

Halloween Craft Workshops

Three Halloween Craft Workshops are taking place in the city centre this October half term. Kids can drop in and have a go at making miniature witches or wizard’s broomsticks. All workshops are free to attend and booking is not required. Just drop in and get creative! They are running from 10am to 2pm at these locations:

• October 29 – Las Iguanas, The Barcode
• October 30 – Central Library, Armada Way
• October 31 – Olive and Twist, Old Town Street

Plymouth Market Halloween Party

Halloween fun will be taking place at Plymouth Market in the city centre at a special spooky party. The event will run from 11am to 3pm on Thursday October 31 and will involve exciting (and spooky) activities such as face painting, competitions, games and activities, and trick or treating. Get into the spooky spirit and show off your creepiest, funniest or most creative costume – everyone is encouraged to dress up and join in. Find out more here.

BOO at the Zoo

Dartmoor Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo is back and is set to be scarier than ever. The zoo at Sparkwell is opening its gates after dark on Friday October 25 and Saturday October 26 between 5.30pm and 8.30pm. Guests will be invited on a spooktacular trail through the zoo and are promised a FRIGHTfully good evening.  Be aware not all of it is suitable for children. You can roam the haunted zoo grounds where creatures maybe lurking in the shadows. Visitors can also meet the zoo’s reptile and beastly bug residents, and there’ll be spooktacular entertainment, moreish cuisine and tricks or treats galore. It’s got to be one of the scariest events for Halloween in Plymouth and if you’re feeling brave, buy tickets here.

Immersive Pumpkin Patch at Market Hall

This half term Plymouth Market Hall’s immersive dome will be transformed into a spook-tacular immersive pumpkin patch! Kids can design their own pumpkin and watch it magically grow into the patch during the Halloween Half Term special screenings. There are three screenings to choose from during the week – Dinosaurs: A Story of Survival, Legend of the Enchanted Reef, and BUGS: A Rainforest Adventure. Book your tickets here.

Magic and Myths Trail at Saltram

My favourite place Saltram is holding a Magic and Myths Trail from October 19 to November 3. Wander around the gardens to discover the folklore tales surrounding the superstition and magical properties of trees. Collect a wand from the wand shop at the Welcome Centre (or bring your own) and cast magical spells around the garden at each of the trail points. Around the garden, you’ll have the chance to practice casting your charms in the ‘Spell Casting Area.’ Join in some fun spooky games like broomstick racing and spell dodging. Great spooky fun for children and families of all ages is promised.

Saltram is also holding its Wild Wednesday sessions again on October 23 and 30. Head to the forest school for some Autumnal crafts such as making tree boggarts and then finishing it off with toasting marshmallows over the fire pit. Booking, costing £4 a child, is essential for these activities and there are two booking slots available per day, 11am-12pm and 12:30-1:30pm. Suitable for children over 5 years old, and they must be accompanied by an adult. Find out more about Halloween at Saltram here.

Spooky Goings-On at Cotehele

There’s a Spooky Scarecrow trail happening at Cotehele this Halloween. Head over to the National Trust property in South East Cornwall, pick up your free trail sheet and explore the gardens to see how many spooky scarecrows you can spot. Each scarecrow has its own folklore story for you to crack the riddle and solve the mystery. All the scarecrows have been made by local schools and community groups. The trail runs from October 24 to November 10. Cotehele is also holding some Spooky Storytime sessions on October 29 and 31. Fancy dress is encouraged for kids to go and listen to some spooky stories in the Great Hall. Normal admission applies but booking onto the free sessions is advised.

Half term at Buckland Abbey

A Baby Dragon Trail is taking place at Buckland Abbey this half term daily from October 19 to November 3. Baby dragons have hatched and are taking over the National Trust site. They’ve made their first hoards using objects found at Buckland and staff need children to come and help track them down, at the same time as discovering some dragon secrets along the way.

Kids can also cosy up with an autumnal read in the Book Nook. Storytelling sessions will take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays throughout the trail. Find out more about the activities here.

Halloween at Sherford

Families are invited along to Sherford, for fun-filled and free seasonal crafting events. The first session is Autumn Creative Club, which includes autumnal crafts and pumpkin carving, right in time for Halloween. There is no cost to take part, but booking is required to make sure enough materials (especially pumpkins!) are available.

• Saturday 26th October, 10am – 2pm
• Sherford Event Space found on the junction of Hercules Road and Pisces Street (part of the Linden Homes complex)
• Click here to book.
• Helpers will be on hand to guide the session and provide all the necessary materials – but children need to be accompanied by an adult.

Fancy a sporty half term? Sherford has that covered too. Sherford Sports Hub has just opened, under the management of Argyle Community Trust, with an all-weather sand-dressed astro turf pitch, full-size grass pitch, and tennis courts. To mark the opening of the pitches and celebrate in style, a Community Launch Week will take place throughout half-term, with a whole host of free or discounted activities taking place. Find out more information here.

Plymouth Snowsports Centre Halloween Party

Why not try out sno-tubing or the toboggan run combined with a spooktastic Halloween Party at Plymouth Snowsports Centre on October 25. From 6pm to 9pm there will be a disco, party games and competitions. You can even bring your carved pumpkin for a competition and help light up the centre. Tickets are available now, to book call 01752 600220.

The Snowsports Centre is also holding Half Term Activity Days including snowboard or skiing lessons, toboganning, sno-tubing and the Viper Drop as well as a hot meal. To find out more about the party or the activity days, check out their website.

Halloween at Pennywell

Another one of our favourite places, Pennywell Farm is having its very own Pumpkin Festival again this year – every day in October. Everyone is invited to meet Paddy the Pumpkin and his friends who have left clues all around the farm. Follow the trail and answer the quiz questions. You can then roam around the pumpkin patch and find your own locally grown pumpkin to buy and take home. This year there is also live music, marshmallow toasting, a scarecrow dress-up competition, a pumpkin colouring competition, and different stickers to earn and collect.

This year Pennywell is also holding Pumpkin Nights. You can enjoy the pumpkin patch after dark, accompanied by live music, marshmallow toasting, a tractor and trailer ride, as well as indoor and outdoor play. It’s open on selected dates in October.

Spook-Fest at Crealy

Crealy’s Spook-Fest is a real favourite among locals and is set to be even better this year. There is something for all ages with the Creaky Hotel walk-through experience, Scarecrow Scare Maze, new Dino Jeepers Creepers, Treehouse Trolls, Book of Spells cirque show, Halloween Sooty Show, and free pumpkins From Pumpkin Patch’s Plot to take home and carve. There is also set to be three new attractions for Halloween 2024: The Hooded Wood, Buddy’s Trick or Treat, and The Tales of Transylvania Motel.

Halloo-Scream at Woodlands

From Saturday October 26to Sunday November 3, Woodlands will be transformed from theme park to scream park, with spooky activities taking over for the entire Halloween half term. Tiptoe into the witch cabin, passed the petrifying potions room, and into the Witches of Woodlands secret reading room. Settle down for the telling of a spooktastic story by a real-life witch. With interactive lights and sounds, watch as the story comes to life around you! There will also be a pumpkin patch and Marty’s Monster Trails scavenger hunt as well as Halloween crafts.

Canonteign Falls

This October half term, there’s set to be some spooktastic fun at Canonteign Falls. They have a fantastic spooky code-breaking treasure hunt (free with entry price) and pumpkin colouring competition, where kids get a chance to win a fun prize, Alpaca experiences as well as the usual fun and discovery Canonteign Falls has on offer.

Spooky Fun at Plymouth Libraries

Halloween craft, storytelling and Lego sessions are taking place at various libraries around the city this half term. Suitable for children aged five and over, Estover Library is holding craft and Lego sessions on October 29 and November 1 between 1pm and 4pm. Then the Central Library in the city centre is holding a Halloween craft session on October 30 between 10am and 2pm, and a Tall Tales Halloween Special on October 31 between 3.45pm and 4.45pm. Find out more here.

Halloween Disco at Adrenalin

Trampoline centre Adrenalin at Derriford is holding two Halloween events this October. The Nightmare Youth Club is for over 5s on Wednesday October 30 from 4pm to 7pm. It’s a spooky Halloween disco with three hours of bouncing fun, inflatables, plus a new interactive football pitch. There are prizes to be won for best costume, spooky tunes, raffles plus Halloween treats in the cafe.

Then on Thursday October 31, there will be a Mini Adrenalin Halloween Party between 10am and 11am. Children will be joined by Spooky Sally and the The Stay and Play Hub along with prizes for the best costumes, spooky music, balloons and toys on the trampolines plus lunch included. Find out more on the Adrenalin Facebook page.

Halloween Fun at Jump

There’s lots of spooky goings-on at Jump Plymouth at Christian Mill Business Park this half term. Their Halloween discos are taking place on Monday October 28 and Tuesday October 29 from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. There will be a DJ and disco, dance competitions, spooky snacks, fun activities, plus sweet treats and prizes. It usually sells out quickly, so don’t hang about buying your tickets!

Drakes Den Halloween Party

Drakes Den is holding a series of Halloween parties this half term. They will take place on October 29 and 30 from 5pm to 7pm, with games, prizes, disco, contests and a fancy dress competition. There will also be a SEN Halloween soft play session on October 28 from 5pm to 7pm. Find out more details here.

Halloween Party at Chaplins

If you’re in Plympton and looking for a spooky event to go to, a Halloween Party is being held at Chaplins on October 19 and 20 from 10.30am to 3.30pm. Find out more here.

Halloween Boat Trip

Fancy a Halloween-themed kids disco on the high seas? Plymouth Boat Trips are holding their Halloween event on Saturday November 2 from 5pm to 6.30pm. There will be on-board musical games, a children’s disco and a prize for the best Halloween costume.

Halloween First Aid Course

A Real-Life Superheroes first aid course, aimed at 8 to 14 year olds is taking place on October 29 and will have a special Halloween twist. The course, run by White Cross Training, will take place at Manadon Sports and Community Hub and will cover:

• devil’s burn (burns)
• fainting from the shock of seeing a ghost (recovery position and shock position)
• poisonous spider bite (bites and stings)
• heart-stopping potion from a witch (poisoning, CPR, AED)
• evil cat scratch (minor wounds)
• vampire bite (bleeding)
• zombie infection (infections and wound cleansing)
• sweets (choking and allergic reactions)
• falling off a broom (head injuries and fractures)

Children will learn how to stay safe and get help in an emergency. There will also be activities and games and opportunities for some quiet time if needed. They can be dropped off between 9:00-9:30 and collected between 3:00-3:30, or parents can stay. The cost is £35 and can be booked here.

Tavistock Halloween Trail

Locate the bones for Lady Howard’s Carriage to earn a spooky prize. That’s the task for the Tavistock Halloween Trail from October 26 to November 2. Collect your trail sheets from the Visitor Information Centre, and be in with a chance of winning one of three £15 Tavistock Gift Cards.

Halloween at Ullacombe Farm

There’s loads of spooky goings on this half term at Ullacombe Farm near Bovey Tracey. As well as a pumpkin hunt there is a Halloween-themed pop-up play village, mysterious beasts and Witchy Lands Naturemake, Disney Villains afternoon tea, spooky choc and pizza making, an inflatables stay and play, and Halloween-themed stage workshops. Find out more here.

Halloween Art Workshops

Kayleigh from Colourful Horizons and Louise from Stitch and Splodge are teaming up for a two hour Halloween art workshop at Endsleigh Garden Centre, Ivybridge this half term. Children over 5 will create 2 pieces of art using different arty, crafty techniques. It will take place on Tuesday October 29 between 10am and 12.15pm, and 1pm to 3.15pm. They are also holding another day of workshops at Colebrook Community Centre on Thursday October 31. These are for children aged 6 to 12. Click here for more details and to book.

Halloween Bedtime Stories

Plymouth Children’s Book Group is holding a Halloween Bedtime Stories And Activities event on October 31 from 5pm to 6.30pm at Stonehouse Lawn Tennis Club in Durnford Street. It’s suitable for children aged 5 to 9, and will include a yummy hot chocolate and snack. Book your place by emailing plymouthchildrensbookgroup@hotmail.com

Drake’s Island Halloween Trail

A Family Halloween Trail is taking place on Drake’s Island on Saturday November 2 and Sunday November 3. Go and enjoy a haunting island experience from, departing the Barbican by boat at 11am and rerturning at 2pm. Go in your best fancy dress and join island staff for a spooky family friendly Halloween Trail through Drake’s Island. Follow the pumpkins for a prize at the end and enjoy time to have a picninc surrounded by the atmospheric island scenery. Book tickets here.

Halloween Cooking Workshop

Cook Stars Plymouth are holding a Halloween Cooking Workshop at Keyham Green Places on Saturday October 26. Fancy dress is encouraged and participants will make a Halloween party feast including Mummy hot dogs, chocolated-filled pumpkign shpaed mini pies, spider cupcake decoration and ghost pizza muffins. Find out more and book here.

Wellbeck Manor Halloween Party

Pumpkin carving, crafts and a fancy dress competition are set to entertain children at Welbeck Manor’s Halloween Party. It takes place on Thursday October 31 from 12pm to 4pm in Sparkwell. To book email events@welbeckmanorandgolf.co.uk.

Halloween Bat Walk

If you fancy something a bit different this Halloween, why not join the Halloween Bat Walk and Pumpkin Lantern Trail at Radford Park in Plymstock? The event takes place on Saturday October 26 between 4pm and 6pm

Are you holding a Halloween event in or around Plymouth? Let me know and I’ll add it to the list.

How did I do?

Did you enjoy this post? Want some more spooky Halloween bits to read? Try these:

• Halloween Trail on Plymouth’s Barbican
• Halloween Activities You Can Do At Home
• Easy Halloween Crafts For Kids
• Autumn Baking Ideas For Halloween and Bonfire Night
• Four Simple Ideas For How To Celebrate Halloween At Home

And if you live in Plymouth, (like all the best people), keep an eye out for the latest Local Stuff here. And why not check out some of these:

• What There Is For Kids At Plymouth’s New Museum The Box.
• Top 20 Outdoor Spaces In Plymouth For Families.
• The 20 Best Things To Do Indoors In Plymouth With Kids
• Things To Do in Plymouth With Kids In The Summer
• Plymouth’s High 5 Holiday Camps and Sports Clubs
• Pubs With Play Parks in Plymouth
• Best Walks for Kids In Devon

You should also check out the ‘usual’ type of stuff I write. Honest, relatable rants about parenting three boys. With a touch of swearing and a lot of sarcasm. You’ll like it! Check out my Mum Life section or head to my Travel Section for some UK family holiday and days out inspiration.

If you like a bit of social media madness, pop over to my Facebook page where you’ll be able to have a laugh at what ridiculousness goes on in my house with three boys on a daily basis. Warning – there is often sarcasm, and usually swearing. There are also great travel reviews and the odd giveaway. Feel free to join my Twins, Tantrums and Cold Coffee – Shits and Giggles Parenting Group too, where everyone shares their hilarious stories.

If you like what you see, how about you check me out on Pinterest,  Instagram, Threads and TikTok too.

And if you want to work with me, feel free to give me a shout at helen@twinstantrumsandcoldcoffee.com and I’ll get back to you.