Halloween and Half Term in Bournemouth

Page Last Updated: 12 October 2026

As the evenings grow darker and the school term takes a break, you might notice Bournemouth and the coastal villages adopting a spooky appearance leading up to Halloween. Here is just a selection of what’s happening.

Frightful family fun:

Russell-Cotes at half term

Join them from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November for some spooktacular Halloween fun! Families can search for ghosts on a trail through the historic house, follow a spooky garden trail, and enjoy drop-in themed craft sessions.

Halloween and half term at Monkey World

Go bananas this halloween at Monkey World, where you are always guaranteed to find something fun for your little monkeys to do!

‍Southbourne Pumpkin Fest 2026

Southbourne is getting a spooky makeover! On 31st October, the high street will be transformed into a vibrant hub of pumpkin trails, live entertainment, markets, and kid's activities. It's a fantastic way to celebrate Halloween while bringing the community together in true SOBO spirit.

Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf

Daily throughout half term from 10:00 AM | Pier Approach, Bournemouth Seafront

‍Set against the backdrop of our award-winning seafront, the 18-hole smuggler-themed adventure golf course is transforming into a spectacular Halloween haunt. Alongside the treacherous rocks and cascading waterfalls, families can join the search for 'Mimi the Cat' - a hypnotising member of the Moonshadow Gang hidden around the course. Players who successfully spot all her hiding places can enter a draw to win a prize. Creepy costumes are highly encouraged!

Spooktacular Family Fun at Pier Amusements

Pier Amusements at Bournemouth Pier are ready to welcome you for some Spooktacular family fun.

Witchville at the Picking Patch

Pick your own Pumpkin ahead of halloween to carve at home and try not to get lost in the Scare Maze at Witchville the Picking Patch in Fordingbridge. Booking is required.

Happy Halloween at Paultons Park

Enjoy spooktacular late night openings at Paultons Park this half-term Halloween week for the friendliest and most frightful Halloween event.

‍Visit Highcliffe Castle

Head to Highcliffe Castle this October half term (Sunday 25th October – Sunday 1st November 2026) for their "Night Sky" themed activities. Can you find the stars hidden around the castle on the new family trail?

• Castle Crafts: Make your own rocket or design your own planet suncatcher on Tuesday 27 and Thursday 29 October (10am–3pm).
• Half-Price Family Day: Enjoy 50% off Castle admission on Wednesday 28 October (10am–4pm).

Half Term at Kingfisher Barn, Stour Valley

Head down to the Stour Valley Nature Reserve for a Halloween Trail running daily from Saturday 24 to Saturday 31 October (£2 per child, with a prize for every trail completed!). You can also drop in for lantern making on Thursday 29 October (10am - 3pm, £2 per lantern), plus extra spooky crafts on Saturday 31 October. Fancy dress is very welcome!

Halloween with Professor Fizzle at Discovery Village

‍If you have younger children, head to Discovery Village in Christchurch for a brilliant "scare-free" Halloween adventure. Kids will help the clumsy Professor Fizzle overcome their fear of Halloween by building a robot named BRAVE! Search the role-play village with UV lights, follow a gentle trail, and finish with a glowing Power Cell dance and a chocolatey treat. Best of all, it's included in the standard play session price! Book online in advance.

Half-Term Activities

As well as all this spookiness, there's also plenty of reasons to head out for some half term fun.

RockReef has a huge range of indoor adventure activities with different challenges available to suit all the family. Climb the clip 'n climb climbing walls, take on the HighLine aerial obstacle course or explore the tunnels in the pier cave!

With a whopping five Dorset outdoor activities, there's an adrenaline-filled treetop experience for all thrill-seekers of all ages at Go Ape Moors Valley. See the forest in a whole new light this autumn with the return of Go Ape’s Sundown Adventures. Become a creature of the night and challenge yourself to one of their Sundown Adventures!

The Tank Museum will be celebrating half term with action-packed activities. Experience the biggest day out in history with 100 years of history, 300 tanks, kids activities, and more at Dorset’s largest indoor attraction.  

Help to inspire the next generation of skiers and snowboarders, get your winter gloves and hats out and head down to Snowtrax.

VR Mania boasts the UK’s largest and most diverse range of VR adventures and escape rooms. Fun for all the family this half term!