October half-term in Hampshire 2026
Schools in Hampshire break up for a two week October half-term on Monday 26 October and go back on Monday 2 November 2026, according to the council's published term dates (academies can differ, so check with your school). These are the events and activities running during the break that we have checked against the organisers' own websites.
Halloween falls on the Saturday at the end of half-term this year, so the busiest days are likely to be 30 and 31 October. Book anything with timed entry early.
21 events we have checked
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
Halloween Spooktacular at Paultons Park
Paultons Park, Romsey · 9 October to 2 November 2026
Paultons Park dresses its theme park and Peppa Pig World for Halloween from 9 October to 2 November 2026. Shows include The Great Halloween Mystery, and Valgard, the Viking land, has its own Halloween programme.
- Price:
- Halloween shows and attractions are included in the ticket price. Prices vary by date, so check the official ticket page.
- Dates:
- 9 October to 2 November 2026. Late-night openings on 17, 23, 24, 27, 28 and 29 October, when Peppa Pig World closes at 6pm. Shows run from 17 October to 2 November.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
Halloween Family Fun at Hinton Ampner
Hinton Ampner, Alresford · 19 October to 31 October 2026
Hinton Ampner's Halloween family fun runs through the gardens from 19 to 31 October. Games include broomstick racing, tossing eyeballs into a cauldron and landing a ring on a shooting star, and there are pumpkin displays around the grounds.
- Price:
- Included with National Trust admission or membership. Check the National Trust page for current prices.
- Dates:
- 19 to 31 October 2026, 10am to 4pm daily.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
We're Going on a Ghost Hunt at Mottisfont
Mottisfont, Romsey · 19 October to 31 October 2026
The National Trust's Mottisfont runs a Halloween trail through the grounds from 19 to 31 October. Children follow the Bunnies of Hoppity Hill as they search for hidden ghosts and spot pumpkins, bats and owls.
- Price:
- Included with National Trust admission or membership. Check the National Trust page for current prices.
- Dates:
- 19 to 31 October 2026, 10am to 5pm.
- BookPumpkin pickingHalloween
Droxford Pumpkin Patch
Droxford Pumpkin Patch, Droxford · 23 October to 31 October 2026
Droxford Pumpkin Patch runs a Halloween week on a farm, with pumpkins to pick, resident sheep and a wizard-themed set. Sessions are in the morning or afternoon, and the 2026 product page showed the day sessions as unavailable when checked.
- Price:
- From £10
- Ages:
- Under 2s are free. Dogs are not allowed.
- Dates:
- 23 to 31 October 2026. Morning session 9am to 12pm and afternoon session 12pm to 3pm.
- HalloweenHalf-term
Halloween at Hurst Castle
Hurst Castle, Keyhaven · 24 October to 1 November 2026
Hurst Castle, the Henry VIII fort at the end of the Solent shingle, runs a Halloween programme on every day of October half-term. A maze in the basement, a treasure trail and crafts keep younger visitors busy.
- Price:
- Activities are included in castle admission. Check the castle's website for current admission prices.
- Dates:
- Daily from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026. The castle is open from 10am to 5.30pm.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
Halloween at Manor Farm Country Park
Manor Farm Country Park, Hedge End · 24 October to 31 October 2026
Manor Farm Country Park runs a Halloween week with mini potion-making and magic wand workshops, face painting, a silent disco and pony rides in the equine arena.
- Price:
- Normal farm admission applies. Silent disco is £3 per child and must be pre-booked. Face painting carries an additional charge.
- Dates:
- Halloween week, with face painting on 24, 28, 30 and 31 October, silent disco on 29, 30 and 31 October at 12pm and 2.30pm, and pony rides daily from 10.30am to 1.30pm.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
Howl-O-Ween at New Forest Wildlife Park
New Forest Wildlife Park, Ashurst · 24 October to 1 November 2026
New Forest Wildlife Park's Howl-O-Ween adds a Halloween trail, extra animal talks and some exclusive experiences to its usual programme across October half-term.
- Price:
- Admission tickets are sold on the park's website. Experiences need booking in advance and some carry extra charges.
- Dates:
- 24 October to 1 November 2026, during October half-term. Extra daily keeper talks run through the day.
- BookHalf-termHalloween
October Half Term at Beaulieu
Beaulieu, Beaulieu · 24 October to 1 November 2026
Beaulieu's October half-term adds a new folklore trail across the estate, with ingredients to collect and a potion to mix. Ghost stories are told in Palace House and the Cars display runs until 1 November.
- Price:
- Included in normal admission to all Beaulieu attractions. Rides in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang cost extra, are booked on arrival and do not run in wet weather. Visitors can return free within six days of their first visit during half-term.
- Dates:
- 24 October to 1 November 2026, 10am to 5pm. A folklore trail across the site, potion making in the Victorian vegetable garden and ghost stories in Palace House.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
The Curse of Staunton Trail
Staunton Country Park, Havant · 24 October to 1 November 2026
Staunton Country Park's Halloween trail is a self-guided outdoor puzzle with clues and facts to find along the way. Each pack includes a trail guide, a pencil and a creepy craft, and is collected from the Coach House Reception.
- Price:
- From £5
- Ages:
- Suitable for children aged 3 and over. Babies are welcome in a sturdy pushchair or carrier.
- Dates:
- Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026. Trail packs are collected from the Coach House Reception, 10am to midday or 1pm to 4pm.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
The Strange Science of Jekyll and Hyde
Milestones Museum, Basingstoke · 24 October to 1 November 2026
Milestones Museum in Basingstoke runs a Victorian-themed Halloween event during October half-term. Children judge a Victorian science fair, try hands-on experiments and watch live science shows.
- Price:
- Check the event page for current prices.
- Ages:
- Ages 5 to 12. Spooky but not scary.
- Dates:
- Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, during Halloween half-term.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
Wild Autumn at Marwell Zoo
Marwell Zoo, Colden Common · 24 October to 1 November 2026
Marwell Zoo's October half-term programme includes an autumn maze, pumpkin carving and pumpkin patch games, face painting and storytelling with Esme the Witch in Marwell Hall. Animal feeds and keeper talks run each day.
- Price:
- Activities are included in zoo admission. Pumpkin carving costs £2 for a small pumpkin and £4 for a medium one, and face painting costs from £4 (card only for some). Book zoo tickets in advance to save; annual members enter free.
- Ages:
- Face painting suitable for ages 4 and over.
- Dates:
- Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026. Autumn maze and pumpkin patch games daily from 10am to 5pm and 11am to 4pm, storytelling with Esme the Witch from 11am to 3pm.
- DetailsFamily days outHalloween
Come and Make Your Own Dragon Linstock
The Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth · 26 October to 30 October 2026
Visitors to The Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth can make their own linstock, a tool once used to fire cannon, and decorate it with a fiery dragon's head to light up Halloween. The activity runs from 11:00am to 3:00pm from 26 to 30 October 2026 during half-term, and suits families. Booking is recommended.
- Price:
- See website for prices
- Dates:
- 11:00am-3:00pm, Oct 26-30
- DetailsFamily days outHalf-term
Meet Our Tudor Crew
The Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth · 26 October to 30 October 2026
Visitors to The Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth can meet the Tudor sailors and learn which mythical creatures frightened them and how they guarded against the dark spirits of the sea. The sessions run from 11:30am to 3:00pm from 26 to 30 October 2026, during half-term, and suit families. The activity is part of the Portsmouth 100 centennial celebrations, and booking is recommended.
- Price:
- See website for prices
- Dates:
- 11:30am-3:00pm, Oct 26-30
- DetailsHalf-termWorkshops
Meet The Team Onboard HMS Victory - October
Victory Live: The Big Repair, Portsmouth · 26 October to 30 October 2026
Visitors can meet members of the conservation team working on the Victory Live: The Big Repair project onboard HMS Victory in Portsmouth. The sessions run daily from 26 to 30 October 2026, between 11:00am and 3:00pm, and suit families visiting during half-term. Booking is recommended.
- Price:
- See website for prices
- Dates:
- 11:00am-3:00pm, Oct 26-30
- DetailsFamily days outHalf-term
Time Traveller Holiday Club - activity days
Butser Ancient Farm, Petersfield · 26 October to 30 October 2026
A half-term holiday activity club for children aged 6 to 13, running Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026 from 09:00 to 17:00. Children take part in hands-on historical activities at Butser Ancient Farm near Petersfield, set in the Hampshire countryside. It suits families looking for a week of structured activities during half term.
- Price:
- See website for prices
- Ages:
- 6 to 13 years
- Dates:
- Mon 26 Oct 2026 09:00 to Fri 30 Oct 2026 17:00
- DetailsHalf-termWorkshops
Caulking workshop onboard HMS Victory
Victory Live: The Big Repair, Portsmouth · 27 October 2026
A caulking workshop at Victory Live: The Big Repair on HMS Victory in Portsmouth, led by expert shipwrights. Visitors learn the traditional method of sealing wooden ship seams. Booking is recommended, and it suits families over the October half-term.
- Price:
- See website for prices
- Dates:
- 11:00am-12:00pm, Oct 27-27
- BookPumpkin pickingHalloween
Pumpkin Carving at Staunton Country Park
Staunton Country Park, Havant · 28 October 2026
Staunton Country Park runs pumpkin carving sessions in October, with a pumpkin and tools provided for each child. Sessions are booked in advance and the pumpkin is taken home in a box.
- Price:
- From £6
- Ages:
- Adult supervision is required at all times, and younger children may need help.
- Dates:
- Wednesday 28 October 2026. Sessions from 10.30am to 12noon or 1.30pm to 3pm.
- BookFireworks and bonfiresHalf-term
HMS Sultan Bonfire Night
HMS Sultan, Gosport · 29 October 2026
HMS Sultan, the Royal Navy's engineering training base in Gosport, holds its bonfire night during October half-term. The 2026 evening marks the base's 70th anniversary, with funfair rides, a bonfire and a fireworks display with an engineering-themed soundtrack.
- Price:
- Online tickets only, with none sold on the night. Under 3s go free and need no ticket. Discounted prices end 25 October at 11.59pm. Check the ticket page for current prices.
- Ages:
- Under 3s go free. Guide dogs only on site.
- Dates:
- Thursday 29 October 2026. Gates open 5.30pm, bonfire lit at 7.45pm, fireworks at 8.30pm and gates close at 10.30pm.
- BookPumpkin pickingHalloween
Pumpkin Carving at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Ampfield · 29 October to 30 October 2026
Sir Harold Hillier Gardens runs family pumpkin carving sessions on the last two days of October half-term. Each child carves their own pumpkin.
- Price:
- From £6.50
- Ages:
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Dates:
- Thursday 29 and Friday 30 October 2026. Sessions start every half hour from 10.30am, with the last session starting at 2.30pm.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
Halloween Hollow at Queen Elizabeth Country Park
Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Horndean · 30 October to 31 October 2026
Queen Elizabeth Country Park's Halloween Hollow is a booked session at the end of October half-term. It includes a spooky trail, a pumpkin playground with bowling and ring toss, and pumpkin carving.
- Price:
- From £10
- Ages:
- Adult supervision is required at all times. Sturdy pushchairs are advised for babies.
- Dates:
- Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October 2026. Sessions at 10am, 12pm or 2pm each day.
- BookHalloweenHalf-term
Halloween at Tudor House
Tudor House and Garden, Southampton · 30 October 2026
Tudor House in Southampton opens for free on Halloween, with ghost tours of the attic and cellars, a haunting trail, face painting and games. Some activities cost a small amount on the day.
- Price:
- Free
- Ages:
- Family ghost tours are recommended for children aged 6 and over.
- Dates:
- Friday 30 October 2026, 10am to 4.30pm. Ghost tours run every half hour from 10.30am to 3.30pm.
See them on the map
21 of these events, plotted. Tap a pin for dates, prices and directions.
Questions people ask
When is October half-term 2026 in Hampshire?
Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026 for council-maintained schools, with term restarting on Monday 2 November. Academies and independent schools can set their own dates.
What can we do if it rains?
Filter our directory for indoor places, or ask Doodle for rainy-day ideas near you. Several of the Halloween events listed here are indoors or mostly under cover.