What's on, Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October. 23 events checked against official sources, plus free days out and ideas for whatever the weather does.
Friday 23 Oct
Light rain · 12°C · 45% rain
Saturday 24 Oct
Forecast not out yet
Sunday 25 Oct
Forecast not out yet
Looks mostly dry for the weekend, so it is a good one for getting outside. Forecast for central Hampshire from Google, updated hourly.
Fort Nelson, Portsmouth · 19 September to 20 March 2027
A 90 minute outdoor tour at Fort Nelson near Portsmouth, descending into the fort's large defensive ditch. Visitors learn how the ditch was made and the part it played in protecting the fort. Tours run at 10:30am and 2pm on 19 September 2026 and 20 March 2027, with pre-booking recommended and up to 16 people per tour. Not suitable for under 12s.
Jane Austen's House, Chawton · 1 October to 15 November 2026
A free trail through Jane Austen's House in Chawton, based on the novel Persuasion, runs daily from 1 October to 15 November 2026. Objects in different rooms relate to scenes and characters from the book, including portrait miniatures and a copy of the Navy List. It suits families and is included with House admission or an Annual Pass, so booking a date and time slot is required.
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.
Butser Ancient Farm, Petersfield · 10 October to 24 October 2026
A one-day bronze casting workshop at Butser Ancient Farm near Petersfield, held on Saturdays 10 and 24 October 2026 from 10:00 to 15:30. Participants choose a design based on real archaeology, such as a sword, axehead, knife or torc, and cast it in sand using Bronze Age methods. Groups are limited to two people per session, and the fee includes farm entry, tuition and materials, so it suits individuals, couples or friends with an interest in archaeology and making things.
Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery, Petersfield · 10 October to 13 March 2027
South Downs Open 2026 is an exhibition and collection display at Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery in Petersfield, running from 10 October 2026 to 13 March 2027. It is listed on the museum's exhibitions and collection displays programme. Times are on the event page, and booking is recommended.
Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery, Petersfield · 13 October to 27 October 2026
Mischief Makers is a free weekly early years programme for young children at Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery in Petersfield, running from 13 to 27 October 2026. It suits toddlers and their families. Booking is recommended, and times are listed on the event page.
Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery, Petersfield · 13 October to 17 November 2026
A portrait drawing course with Livvy Stainer at Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery, running in blocks from 13 October to 17 November 2026. Booking is required, and the event page has the session times. It suits adults who want to learn the principles of portrait drawing.
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.
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.
Fort Nelson, Portsmouth · 21 October to 31 March 2027
Guided 50-minute tours of Fort Nelson, near Portsmouth, trace the fort's origins in the 1870s and its roles in the First and Second World Wars. Tours run at 11am, 1pm and 2:30pm on listed dates between 21 October 2026 and 31 March 2027. Tours suit visitors aged 12 and over, with under 16s accompanied by an adult.
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.
Westquay Esplanade, Southampton · 23 October to 3 January 2027
An outdoor ice rink on the Esplanade outside Westquay, open from the October half term until early January. Ice marshals help first-time skaters and child skate aids are available.
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.
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.
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.
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.
HMS Warrior, Portsmouth · 24 October 2026
Families join Captain Compass to solve a mystery and learn how small actions can help protect our oceans. The event mixes theatre, storytelling and STEM activities on HMS Warrior in Portsmouth on 24 October 2026, from 12:15pm to 3:00pm. Booking is recommended.
The Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth · 24 October to 25 October 2026
Visitors to The Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth can learn how the Mary Rose is being preserved for future generations during this free October half term event on 24 and 25 October, running from 11:00am to 3:00pm. It is presented by The Mary Rose Trust and the University of Portsmouth and suits families visiting over half term. Booking is recommended.
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.
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.
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.
Butser Ancient Farm, Petersfield · 25 October 2026
A one-day corn dolly workshop at Butser Ancient Farm near Petersfield, running Sunday 25 October 2026 from 10:00 to 15:00. Taught by one of the last remaining tutors of this traditional rural craft, it is aimed at people with some previous experience who want to learn intermediate weaves.
Kings Theatre, Southsea · 25 October 2026
A children's show inspired by Ms Rachel, staged at the Kings Theatre in Southsea on 25 October 2026 at 12:30pm. It suits toddlers and families, and tickets are needed. Full pricing and age guidance are available on the event page.
Places and events that work whatever the sky does.
Photo: nick macneill, CC BY-SA 2.0A free trail through Jane Austen's House in Chawton, based on the novel Persuasion, runs daily from 1 October to 15 November 2026. Objects in different rooms relate to scenes and characters from the book, including portrait miniatures and a copy of the Navy List. It suits families and is included with House admission or an Annual Pass, so booking a date and time slot is required.
Photo of Petersfield: Liam mansfield, CC BY-SA 2.0South Downs Open 2026 is an exhibition and collection display at Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery in Petersfield, running from 10 October 2026 to 13 March 2027. It is listed on the museum's exhibitions and collection displays programme. Times are on the event page, and booking is recommended.
Photo of Petersfield: Liam mansfield, CC BY-SA 2.0Mischief Makers is a free weekly early years programme for young children at Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery in Petersfield, running from 13 to 27 October 2026. It suits toddlers and their families. Booking is recommended, and times are listed on the event page.
Photo of Petersfield: Liam mansfield, CC BY-SA 2.0A portrait drawing course with Livvy Stainer at Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery, running in blocks from 13 October to 17 November 2026. Booking is required, and the event page has the session times. It suits adults who want to learn the principles of portrait drawing.
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.
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.
Photo: nick macneill, CC BY-SA 2.0A free trail through Jane Austen's House in Chawton, based on the novel Persuasion, runs daily from 1 October to 15 November 2026. Objects in different rooms relate to scenes and characters from the book, including portrait miniatures and a copy of the Navy List. It suits families and is included with House admission or an Annual Pass, so booking a date and time slot is required.
Photo of Petersfield: Liam mansfield, CC BY-SA 2.0Mischief Makers is a free weekly early years programme for young children at Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery in Petersfield, running from 13 to 27 October 2026. It suits toddlers and their families. Booking is recommended, and times are listed on the event page.
Visitors to The Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth can learn how the Mary Rose is being preserved for future generations during this free October half term event on 24 and 25 October, running from 11:00am to 3:00pm. It is presented by The Mary Rose Trust and the University of Portsmouth and suits families visiting over half term. Booking is recommended.
A large park in Aldershot with an extensive children's play area split into zones for different ages, a fishing lake and sports pitches. The Blackwater Valley River Path runs along its eastern end.
Gosport's wildlife haven, with woodland, meadows and wetlands between Gosport and Lee-on-the-Solent. The park has a children's play facility at the Western Gateway, a 17th century village and marked routes for walking and cycling.
A stretch of council-managed clifftop open space above Christchurch Bay at Barton-on-Sea, used for walking, cycling, picnics and watching wildlife. Designated paths and steps lead down to the beach, a designated bathing water, with beach huts along the shore.
