THE October half term is officially under way and many people across the North West will eagerly looking for events and activities to keep their children occupied.

Luckily for locals, there are plenty of things happening this October half term.

From spooky Halloween adventures to quirky events, here are 10 October half term activities taking place in the North West

1. Blackpool Lightpool festival, Blackpool
When?: October 15 – 30
Cost: Free

Blackpool's award-winning Lightpool Festival is returning this October half-term with two weeks of extraordinary free entertainment. 

The festival boasts amazing light-based art installations from national and international artists.

The House Of Cards display takes centre stage but there are plenty of other gorgeous displays to feast your eyes upon on the trail.

2. Scarecrow festival, Liverpool Road, Rufford Old Hall
When?: October 15 – 31 (excluding 20, 21, 27 and 28 October)
Cost: Event is free but normal admission charges for the hall apply

A spokesperson for the National Trust said: “Our popular Scarecrow Festival returns this autumn and this year, we're celebrating the people who are important to us. Scarecrows have been created by people from the local community as well as staff and volunteers.

“Between Friday 15 and Sunday 31 October, take a stroll around the garden and woodland to see if you can find them all. It's free to enjoy as part of your visit.”

3. Manchester Airport Runway academy, Manchester
When? For ages 4-7: Tuesday at 10:30am
Wednesday at 2:30pm
Friday at 10:30am/12:30pm

For ages 8-12: Thursday at 2:30pm
Cost: £10 a ticket which included is one child and one adult only.

Your parking for the full day will only be £5.00

If your child is interested in all things to do with aviation then this half-term event could be perfect.

children taking part in this session will learn about the different job roles that help ensure that Manchester Airport runs smoothly 365 days of the year, then head outside to have a look at both of Manchester’s runways see some of the planes taking off and landing and see some of the various jobs that they’ve learnt about in action.

 

 

4. The Glorious Glowing Lantern Parade, BeWILDwewood, Cheshire
Date: 23 October- 31 October
Cost: £10 per person (under 92cm, wheelchair users and carers are free).
Description:

After dusk, this award-winning outdoor venue will be lit up by lanterns.

Adventure through a magical light extravaganza and watch the story unfold as you journey through the woods down mysterious paths exclusive to this event.

Craft your own Boggle Bindle Lantern to help the Boggles light up the woods at Hazel’s Hideaway, before embarking on a journey through BeWILDerwood like you have never seen before.

This is an event that former Westholme school pupil, Helen Flanagan, attended at the weekend with her family.

Posting to Instagram, she wrote: “Sunday with my loves. Always an amazing day @bewilderwood_cheshire.”

Purchase your tickets online.

5. Harry Potter A forbidden forest adventure, Arley Hall & Gardens, Northwich, Cheshire
Date: 17th October to 28th November 
Cost: From £19
Description:

This brand new experience launched earlier this month.

It features an outdoor light trail for Harry Potter fans of all ages to follow with lots of magical surprises along the way.

This will include some favourite moments from the Forbidden Forest, as well as meeting mythical creatures such as Hippogriffs, centaurs, unicorns, Nifflers. 

Sunday (31 October) tickets are be available on Fever’s marketplace here. 

6. Pumpkin picking

Pumpkin picking is the perfect half term activity to take part in with the kids.

There are plenty of great places to visit in the North West; we would know as we have already rounded them up!

One popular place in Lancashire, with tickets still available, is Mrs Dowson's Farm Park in Clayton-le-Dale; entry is £9.95 and includes the price of a pumpkin.

In Bolton, the place to go to pick your own pumpkin is Smithills Open Farm on Smithills Dean Road.

Farm entry starts from £7.50 and it’s just £5 a pumpkin.

7. Scare Skate Monster Ice rink, Cathedral Gardens, Manchester

Date: 22 October – 31 October
Cost: From £13 for adults and £11 for children.
Description:

Who says ice skating has to be a winter activity?

A monster ice rink has opened in Manchester and it comes complete with Halloween-themed music and lighting.

A scary group of skating monsters will join skaters on the ice every hour and fancy dress is encouraged.

Purchase your tickets on the Skate Manchester website.

8. A Halloween-themed drive-in cinema
Date: 1 October – 31 October
Cost: £40 per vehicle
Description:

A drive-in cinema, which will be screening horror movies, has arrived in Manchester for Halloween – but you won’t be watching the films alone...

The drive-in cinema and features live scare actors dressed in horrifying costumes.

Films such as A Quiet Place, The Cabin In The Woods, Insidious and The Grudge will be shown alongside spooky hits for kids such as Coraline, Hocus Pocus and Coco.

9. The Winter Droving festival, Penrith, Cumbria
Date: 29 October – 30 October
Cost: £2 a wristband
Description:

This event is usually a one-day festival in – but for the first time in its 10-year history it is to be held over three days.

Rocking musicians, fire breathing performance and larger-than-life illuminated lanterns, will once again brighten Penrith’s town centre, for the annual masquerade.

The festival encourages visitors to dress up and 'join the herd' by donning a mask, dressing up as a farmer and enjoying the entertainment.

There will also be a funfair for youngsters.

Get your wristbands here: https://www.edenarts.co.uk/blog/get-your-wrsitbands.

10. The Brockhole Halloween Experience, Brockholes on Windermere, Cumbria
Date:  20-31 October 2021
Cost: Child Passport £22, Adult Passport £12
Description:

Halloween spookiness will descend on Brockhole this October with more monsters, more activities and more fun than ever before. 

New for 2021 they have over 18 scary and fun family activities on site this year, so bigger and better than ever, and with a Pumpkin Passport you can take part in as many activities as you can, as often as you want, in a single day. 

To find out more about activities on offer and get tickets, visit their website.

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