14 things to do in Bristol this Halloween

October 21-23: Storytale Festival, Various Locations
A weekend of fantastic storytelling for both children and adults with an active imagination. With everything from group readings to book cover workshops to drama sessions, there’s something for everyone, as long as you love a good tale.

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October 21-31: A Haunted Half-Term, Cheddar Gorge & Caves
This spooky season, the famous Cheddar Gorge goats have been set loose amongst the caves, having been given a creepy makeover, along with a coded message that the gorge has tasked you with decoding, in an attempt to free the goats from their haunted state.

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October 21-November 6: Half Term Trail for Little Monsters, Wild Place Project
Head to Wild Place Project this half term to explore their spooktacular Halloween trail – the perfect activity for energetic little monsters! There’s even a sweet treat for all who take part. Explore the award-winning 50-acre site with its amazing wild animals including bears, wolves, giraffes, meerkats and lemurs. Don’t miss the fascinating animal talks and feeds, explore the play areas, and treat yourself to a coffee and cake.  20% discount for children in Halloween costume or who bring a carved pumpkin for our trail!

There’s plenty to do on top of all the regular goings on at the Wild Place Project this Halloween – Photo: Wild Place Project

October 21-30: Pumpkin Patch Nights, Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park
Who doesn’t love a good pumpkin patch? Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park are opening up theirs to the public this week, hosting a pop-up bar alongside great street food, music, performances and other activities to get you in the spooky spirit.

There’s music, food and more this Halloween at Avon Valley Wildlife & Adventure Park – Photo: Giulia Spadafora

October 22-30: The Great British Autumn, Longleat Safari Park
Included with the cost of your regular day ticket this week, Longleat Safari Park are putting on a host of autumnal activities, with everything from tractor rides to pumpkin carving to owl flying displays.

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October 22-November 6: Terrifying Turnip Trail, SS Great Britain
Back in the 19th century, turnips were traditionally carved instead of pumpkins. Follow the Terrifying Turnip Trail at Brunel’s SS Great Britain to experience frolic and fright the Victorian way, with each turnip revealing a truth about ‘All hallows eve’ customs.

Learn about Victorian Era Halloween all whilst enjoying the sights of Brunel’s SS Great Britain – Photo: SS Great Britain

October 22-30: Halloween Spectacular, Wookey Hole
Promising to be “family friendly rather than frightening”, Wookey Hole sees itself full of witches this year, as they put on their annual festivities, hosting a Halloween circus, spooky trails, and, of course, plenty of treats.

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October 22-31: Eek! Week, Slimbridge Wetland Centre
The creatively named Eek! Week at Slimbridge Wetland Centre encourages you to stimulate your senses this week, inviting you to engage in a plethora of strange activities, from smelling their grass snake smell box to investigating owl poo. There’s also pond dipping and the like for the more faint of heart.

Eek! Week allows people to experience the spookier side of the wetlands at SWC – Photo: Slimbridge Wetland Centre

October 22-30: Halloween 2022, Old Down Estate
From wand making to slime workshops, the picturesque Old Down Estate is being transformed into a spook-lovers paradise this week, with activities for the little ones, and maybe even the opportunity to meet an animal or two.

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October 22, 25-27: Spooky Stories in the Leigh Woods Vaults
A unique opportunity to explore the underground tunnels beneath Leigh Woods, where you’ll be guided through into the largest chamber, where everybody will gather by candlelight to enjoy some spooky stories. Fancy dress is encouraged, but remember you will have to climb down a ladder to enter the vaults, and hard hats must be worn.

The largest vault is large enough to contain three double-decker buses one on top of each other – photo: Martin Booth

October 23: FEARless, Avon Valley Scream Park
The always terrifying Avon Valley Scream Park tones it down a touch for the Halloween season. Whilst usually acting as a scary experience for adults, they’re opening their doors to the younger ones this week, hosting their usually spooky experience, but with the spook-o-meter turned down significantly – just enough to keep the children entertained and in the spirit of the season.

October 23-30: Ghoul School, Berkeley Castle
For an extra £1 on top of your regular entry ticket price, kids can be taken on a self-led audio exploration of Berkeley castle, all the while learning from ghoulish teachers, imparting their wisdom upon them on how to become the perfect little monster. There will also be other activities such as face painting and marshmallow roasting.

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October 27: Bristol Film Festival: The Nightmare before Christmas, Bristol Museum
As part of Bristol Film Festival’s Halloween schedule, there will be a showing of the twice-festive Disney/Tim Burton classic amongst the atmospheric interiors of the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, after it has closed its doors to the public. Enjoy live performances before the screening in the rear hall, enjoying the film amongst the exhibits.

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October 28: The Rin Tins Halloween Special w/ DJ Chris Arnold, Old Market Assembly
Keeping all the ghouls and spooks at bay, The Rin Tins are coming to play. Strutting from one stage to another playing high-octane gypsy swing to the party hard masses. With music that combines harmonies to swing jazz rhythms and pounding oompa beats, for the past 10 years The Rin Tins have been filling dance floors and festival tents across Europe.

The Rin Tings are bringing their unique gypsy swing sound to the Old Market Assembly – Photo: The Rin Tings, Old Market Assembly

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October 30: Bump in the Night, City Centre
Lamplighter Arts invite people of all ages to join in and celebrate Bristol’s historical and cultural heritage through a spectacular city centre lantern carnival on Sunday, October 30th. Spooky stories steeped in Bristol’s rich history and mythology, from ghost ships to giants, will come to life with a parade of illuminated giant puppets starting in Broadmead and finishing on Queens Square. Join us with your own lanterns and spooky fancy dress to line the route and celebrate!

Main Photo: Slimbridge Wetland Centre

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