The beginning of a new season is always a great sight to behold, but Autumn is, without a doubt, one of the best times to visit the Peak District. Not only can you watch the fabulous amber hues come into being as the countryside slowly turns to thoughts of winter, but because of the hive of activity and events you can experience from mid-September through to October Half term and all the Halloween fun.
A week of Halloween festivities is planned, including pumpkin picking and carving, a daily Spooky Trail to follow in the enchanted forest.
From 26th October - 1st November Join them for the return of our PUMPKIN PATCH, where kids can pick their very own pumpkin with our mini wheelbarrows and carve it at our carving station. Every child with a paid entry ticket receives a FREE pumpkin!
Embark on our daily SPOOKY TRAIL through the FORBIDDEN FOREST, featuring themed sets and plenty of riddles to solve!
Plus, meet our fun, family-friendly HALLOWEEN CHARACTERS along the trail and around the park (available from October 26th-31st). Get involved with activities like making SLIME with Frankenstein, joining Witch Wanda's BROOMSTICK FLYING LESSONS, and helping Scarecrow create a new SCARECROW friend!
There will be all the usual animal delights of Matlock Farm Park including Sheep Racing, Small Animal Handling, Meerkat Talks, Wallaby Encounters & Ferret Racing, as well as Daily Pony Rides for children. Lots of opportunities to play too, including the Enchanted Hamlet multi-zone play area, marvellous indoor play centre, the Rainforest and the outdoor Jumping Pillow!
A fun-packed family event featuring a spectacular parade of illuminated and decorated boats along the River Derwent from 7 September - 28 October 2024
During the 8-week season, the Matlock Bath Venetian Boat Builders' Association decorates themed models with vibrant colored lights. These models are displayed on rowing boats and showcased in a parade along the River Derwent at the following times:
Non-Firework Nights:
Saturdays (September 7, 14, 21, 28): The boat parade runs between 7:30pm and 8:00pm, with start times adjusting according to daylight (earlier dates start closer to 8:00pm, later dates closer to 7:30pm). The parade concludes at 9:00pm.
Sundays (September 8, 15, 22, 29): The parade lasts for one hour, starting between 7:30pm and 8:00pm, with timing dependent on daylight.
Sundays (October 6, 13, 20): The parade runs from 7:00pm to 8:00pm.
Firework Nights:
(Fireworks at 8:30pm)
Saturdays (October 5, 12, 19, 26): The boat parade runs from 7:00pm to 8:20pm.
Sunday (October 27): The boat parade runs from 7:00pm to 8:20pm.
The firework displays begin at 8:30pm in October, with the best viewing spots located in the Bandstand area of Derwent Gardens, where attendance is capped at 4,000.
Each evening will also feature entertainment, including stilt walkers, characters, jugglers, and the stunning parade of illuminated boats on the River Derwent.
Go to the movies - in a cave! Wrap up warm and take the family to a truly unique cinema experience! The Devils Arse (Peak Cavern) is one of the famous Castleton Caves and each they host a wide range of concerts and events in the cave. This Halloween scare yourselves silly watching a selection of classic spooky films.
Choose from
Thursday 24th October The Crow (15) doors at 18:00, film at 20:00 – 21:45
Friday 25th October: It (15) doors at 18:00, film at 20:00 – 22:15
Saturday 26th October: The Addams Family (12A) doors at 14:30, film at 16:00 – 17:40
Saturday 26th October The Dark Knight (12) doors at 18:30, film at 20:00 – 22:25
Sunday 27th October: Hocus Pocus (PG) doors at 14:30, film at 16:00 – 17:35
Sunday 27th October: The Conjuring (15) doors at 18:30, film at 20:00 – 21:50
Tickets sell fast so we highly recommend booking soon!
Tiptoe into Alton Towers Resort for all sorts of creepy scares and shocks as its award-winning Scarefest returns 11th October - 3rd November, with live entertainment for all ages and our award-winning spooktacular scare experiences for the bravest of souls.
Step into the heart of Halloween, where the nights grow longer and Scarefest calls you in. Dive into a world of spine-chilling attractions and electrifying live entertainment that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
With everything from scare mazes and thrilling rides to the CBeebies Land Monster Ball, there’s fun for all ages—whether you're bringing friends or the entire family. Just remember, some scare mazes and rides have age restrictions.
For those seeking extra thrills, our Halloween fright nights offer the chance to brave our most exhilarating rides and attractions in the dark, including the all-new Nemesis Reborn, Wicker Man, and The Smiler!
This half term, join us for Halloween in Enchanted Ilam and embark on a magical adventure where you can create your own mythical creature!
Wander down spiral staircases, follow the bubbling river, and explore misty woodlands, discovering Peak District wildlife stations along the way. At each stop, spin the wheels to build a unique and fantastical creature, inspired by the real animals of the White Peak.
Fancy dress is highly encouraged—let’s fill the park with witches, wizards, ghouls, goblins, and all sorts of spooky beings!
No booking required—just turn up and enjoy the fun! £3 tickets.
Wear sturdy footwear, walking boots or wellies and wrap up warm - the weather changes very quickly across the Peak District! Ilam Park is also a great base from which to explore Dovedale and the famous Stepping Stones
6. Halloween Week at Thornbridge Hall
A week of Spooktacular activities planned, 28th October - 3rd November, fancy-dress competitions, ghost stories in the secret library, Halloween hunts and freaky food!
Workshops and pumpkin patch are an additional charge with garden entry included in the ticket price. Access to the garden trail and other kids activities are included with garden entry tickets. This popular site also has a fabulous cafe serving homemade food and cakes. Booking is recommended and if you book online you save 20% on your ticket.
Ticket Prices:
Family Ticket: £22 for 2 adults and 2 children (3-16 yrs)
Adults: £8 (17+ yrs)
Children: £4 (3-16 yrs)
Thornbridge Club Members’ Children: Free
Under 3s: Free
Pre-book now to avoid disappointment and save 20% on your tickets!
Let's face it, it's not Halloween until you have picked your own pumpkin! Head to Oak Tree Farm in Barlow and pick as many pumpkins as you can!
Every weekend in October ~ then everyday (weekdays & weekends) from Monday 21st October! 9am-5pm (please note our last entry is at 4pm & we shut at 5pm.)
Tickets are £3 for adults and children over 12 (free for children under 12). Please note, tickets do not include a pumpkin.
Your ticket includes:
Parking and farm entry
Access to the pumpkin patch
A chance to see the farm animals!
A wide variety of pumpkins to pick from
Climb aboard and sit on the tractor
Plenty of photo ops, both new and classic!
Colouring sheets for the kids
A picnic area with benches and grassy spots to relax
Our hay bale slide is back for pumpkin season, along with Sheldon the Snail
Face painting to raise money for @ashgate_hospice
Plus, so much more happening on the farm:
Pop-up food vendors throughout the season
Delicious milkshakes from @shmoothickshakes
Homemade cakes and bakes, including our popular pumpkin pie, hot chocolates, and homemade spiced pumpkin soup
Homegrown produce for sale
Feed the chickens (with a small donation to Ashgate Hospice)
Wheelchair and pushchair accessible
Dogs on leads are welcome in the refreshments field and car park, but not in the pumpkin patch.
Take your little monsters to Chatsworth farmyard to meet the animals and join in with creepy Halloween-themed activities this Autumn half term between 26 October 2024 –3 November 2024.
As well as their usual fun activities, such as animal feeding and milking demonstrations, you can join in any of these spook-tacular Halloween-themed events.
Activities are available each day, please check the noticeboard on arrival for specific timings. There will be a small charge for pumpkins and the tractor and trailer ride.
Make the most of all the half-term fun and why not book a stay with us. We still have a few properties available in October and November, so head to our special offers page for more details.
Published on October 2, 2024 in activities Whats On