October is a great month for events in Nottinghamshire - and you’re sure to feel a shiver run down your spine with these frighteningly fun festivities happening at Halloween. There’s no better place to be as ghosts, ghouls and all things ghastly emerge from their hidey holes and the dark tales of the city's history are revealed. So get ready to scare yourself witless while discovering haunted hotspots, exploring creepy caves, and hearing terrifying tales of murder and mischief.
Pumping Picking
Arguably the best Halloween activity there is...we've found a fabulous spot to ensure you pick the finest, most impressive pumpkin around! Stop by Nottinghamshire ‘Pick Your Own’ Pumpkins this October, set in the rolling Nottinghamshire countryside a few miles north of Nottingham. This family-run 'Pick Your Own' has 1000's of pumpkins and squashes for you to choose from in October, and in the summer, thousands of sunflowers which you might have already seen on our must see reccommendations!
Thousands of pumpkins, squashes and gourds are grown, and there are loads of varieties and colours, so you will have loads of fun picking the pumpkin that’s just right for you! There will also be some great photo opportunities! There is no need to book for Pumpkin Picking, and it is free entry.
City Centre Capers
The National Justice Museum have several frighteningly good events happening this year. Walk in the steps of those who were condemned at Ghost of the Gaol, and learn about those who were imprisoned and executed there over centuries. You can expect to uncover eerie tales and learn of the paranormal experiences within this historic building. Or dare you join them for Condemned: A Halloween Special, a special tour throughout October, where you can walk in the steps of one of the misfortunates condemned, dicover the disturbing true crimes commited and stand in the dock! Even the kids can get in one the eerie action with Kids Ghost Hunter Tours! Helping the over worked ghost hunter to track down those pesky ghosts at the museum! The Kids Ghost Hunter tours also include craft activities and spooky games and is recommended for 5-10 years old.
Get into the Halloween mood by watching family favourite, Hocus Pocus 2 on the big screen at Wollaton Hall's Outdoor Cinema. Expect chilling on screen action from the Sanderson Sisters between 29 - 31 October.
A fan of horror/thriller films? Then look no further than The Mayhem Film Festival, back for it's 19th year at Broadway Cinema, between 12th - 15th October. With a mix of premieres, previews, classics and Q&As, there is something for every fan of horror, sci-fi and cult cinema in this year's programme.
Monstrous Fun!
Get ready for monstrous fun this October half-term as the It’s in Nottingham rooftop monsters make their highly anticipated return to the city centre from Monday 23 October to Sunday 5 November 2023.There will be more monsters to spot this year, as the crazy creatures take up residence on the rooftops of high street shops and businesses across the city including, The Cornerhouse, Theatre Royal and Binks Yard.
Take a trip into the city on Tuesday 31 October to enjoy live entertainment and spooky activities across the city. Grab a spooky selfie with Ecto-1 and the Ghostbusters on King Street from 10:30am to 4pm. Batman and his Batmobile will be making a special guest appearance on Bolero Square at Motorpoint Arena – with sweets from Treat Kitchen for his first 100 visitors – from 10:30am to 4pm.
More family fun awaits visitors to Nottingham Castle, including a monster mash disco with DJs, pumpkin selfie station and other surprises from 11am to 3pm – Entry to Nottingham Castle grounds is also free on Tuesday 31 October 2023.
Terrifying Tours & Tales
If you dare, why not book onto one of the Ghost Hunts taking place at some of Nottinghamshire's oldest and most haunted attractions, and embark on a quest to discover some paranormal activity.
Starting at Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, The Original Nottingham Ghost Walk is one of the city’s most popular experiences and you are bound to be entranced by the rich tales of Nottingham's haunted history. A storytelling tour around the Castle Quarter of the city, you will hear about the Cursed Galleon of Ye Olde Trip and Nottingham's only pirate. The walk then sets off up Castle Road, skirting the bottom of Nottingham Castle's ramparts and walls. Along the way, you may hear tales of Queen Isabella's screams, the mysterious 'Lady in the Light' and the Human Pin Cushion.
Or why not create your own ghost walk at one of Nottinghamshire's Haunted Hot Spots? We've rounded up the top 10 haunted places across the County, ready for you to explore them this spooky season! To read about the top haunted spots in Nottinghamshire according to Haunted magazine, click here.
Frightful Family Fun
Looking for creepy encounters in the middle of a corn field? Check out Tricker Treat Maze Farm at Notts Maze. You can expect a scavenger hunt, pumpkin carving, spooky stories around the fire, face painting plus various craft options along with our Halloween crow count and a spooky scavenger hunt to complete as you walk through the Maize Maze. Be on the lookout for chilling characters who might just cross your path as you journey through the maize maze. What eerie encounters await you?
Over at Belvoir Castle there are spooky goings on! Dress up and get in the Halloween spirit and take on their Halloween activity trail. The kids will love this spooktacular adventure.
Over at Rufford Abbey, you can join the Halloween Trick or Treater Trail and get a trail map for only £2.50 per child. Running between Saturday 21 October - 5 November. Investigate the spooky ruins, explore the creepy forest and find out what lurks beneath the lake!
Scary Scenes
Dare you take on the terrifying Labyrinth this Halloween? Corn Evil, Dead Silent returns to Notts Maze for 4 bone chilling nights this October! Prepare yourself to experience the most heart-pounding adventure of your life! Step into the haunting world of "CORN EVIL," where every sound could spell your doom. Extraordinary performers roam the maze, each possessing a peculiarity that sets them apart – years on the road have honed their senses to the faintest of noises....you don't want to attract their attention!
Take on the Zombie Hoards this Halloween at Meetspace VR; the city centre multiplayer, free-roam, virtual reality arcade. Or dare you take on their Frightfest immersive Escape Room experience where you are literally a part of the action! House of Fear or House of Fear, Cursed Souls, are both available to play with teams of either 2 or 4. Take advtantage of Fright Fest Fortnight this Halloween by using the code "FRIGHTFEST" to book any experience between the 16th and 31st October to get 20% OFF.
Something Different
As part of their workshop programme, you can now join a Halloween Felt Pumpkin Workshop at Hanwell Wine Estate on Sunday 15 October. Join them for a relaxing session learning how to make a hand felted pumpkin using wool fibres and the dry needle felting method. Their exceptionally talented tutor Rachel will guide you through the felting process and the handling of the wool fibres to create your own unique 3D pumpkin! This workshop is perfect for absolute beginners or people who want a new project.
We will update this page as more Halloween events will be announced in the coming weeks.
For even more Halloween events in Nottinghamshire please see the list of events below.