Are you looking for what to do in Oxford and across Oxfordshire this October half term and Halloween?
Look no further. We’ve scoured the length and breadth of Oxfordshire and put together a list of the best October half-term and Halloween activities, events and things to do in Oxfordshire.
There are loads of things to do with kids – even if a downpour threatens to send you inside – including child-friendly shows and great things to do indoors with the kids over the October half-term in Oxford and across Oxfordshire.
And dare we mention that ‘Trick or treat’ season is also upon us. What to do with little ones dressed up for a celebration that may very well look and feel a little bit different this year due to the “rule of six” as well as local lockdown restrictions across many parts of the country.
Have a look at our suggestions below and get planning. We hope this list will help you to find all the half-term and Halloween activities near you for a truly amazing half-term from Friday, 24 October through to Monday 03 November, including Halloween on Friday, 31 October.
IF Oxford Science + Ideas Festival 2025
IF Oxford returns in 2025 with events from 17 October to 02 November. It is a thought-provoking and interactive science and ideas festival that creates an opportunity to bring together hundreds of researchers with thousands of people every year – with science, ideas and creative activities for everyone to explore.
Halloween at Blenheim Palace
As Halloween creeps closer and the days shorten, there’s a chill in the air at Blenheim Palace, where ghosts, ghouls and witches get ready to deliver a whole host of tricks and treats along a spooktacular trail. Your very spookiest Halloween starts here…!
Ghost Fest: Spooky Tours
Oxford Castle & Prison’s annual spooktacular Ghost Fest is back with Spooky Tours! Do you dare visit for one of their evening Spooky Tours? Hear the haunting stories of their 1,000-year past and let their gruesome history come to life! It won’t be too long before their ghosts reveal themselves!
Didcot Railway Centre Steam Days
Travel back in time to the golden age of the Great Western Railway and savour the sights, sounds and smells of steam as you explore this 21-acre living museum with trains dating from Victorian times to the 1960s. Steam trains will operate on at least one of the centre’s two demonstration lines, allowing you to take unlimited rides.
Spooky Afternoon Tea at Waddesdon Manor
Treat the whole family to a spooky Halloween tea, such as a ghost meringue, a mummified gingerbread man and spooky jelly worms, eyeballs and brains! There’s an added eerie twist to the regular afternoon teas for adults too.
Exploring Sound with Science Oxford
Join Science Oxford at the Museum of Oxford. This session invites children to explore how sound is made, heard, and used—and, most importantly, how it can be enjoyed. Through listening to and identifying both familiar and unfamiliar noises, participants will examine and describe the many sounds that shape the world around them.
Half Term Drama for 8 to 11 years old
This 4-day Half Term drama workshop for 8 to 11 years old will spark creativity as you develop a story and characters inspired by the theatre’s spaces, as well as grow your drama and performance skills. No experience necessary. Bring a packed lunch and snacks, as well as a water bottle which can be refilled as needed.
Ghost Fest: Potion Making
The resident Witches and Warlocks at Oxford Castle & Prison have spent the summer poring over their arcane grimoires and scouring the lands for esoteric ingredients to help you create the very best magical brews this October half-term. Join them in the Castle crypt for a fantastic ‘potions’ experience, where you’ll learn how to make two delightfully disgusting distillations.
The Boo Clue! Halloween Trail at Stowe House
Step into the shadowy rooms of Stowe House for The Boo Clue! Trail where children will follow a path of spooky riddles and playful puzzles throughout the historic house. Each room holds a clue — and solving them all will reveal the secrets of the trail.
Stars at Stowe Stargazing
Experience an unforgettable night of stargazing at Stowe with UK Astronomy. Enjoy a captivating talk on the mysteries of our solar system, then explore the night sky through telescopes on the South Front. Perfect for astronomy enthusiasts and curious minds alike.
Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show
Join Peppa Pig and her family in a brand new live show packed full of music, adventure, and surprises for little ones, and is set to delight audiences.
Spook-tacular Scultpures: Make Your Own Gargoyle!
Be inspired by the grotesque guardians of Oxford’s buildings and make your own air-dry clay monster to take home! Whether it has wings, scales, lizard tongues, or pointy teeth, each gargoyle will be a unique masterpiece. The sessions are led by artist Kate Castleden.
The Spooktastic Halloween Show
Dantastic Productions and the hilarious panto comic Dan Whitley return to the Kenton theatre with a brand new high energy, interactive, musical, Halloween adventure – The Spooktastic Halloween Show.
Haunted City: Ghost Stories at the Museum
Discover the darker side of Oxford in a spine-tingling night of ghostly tales and haunted history. Guided by the city’s leading storytellers, explore eerie legends, restless spirits, and centuries-old mysteries in the museum after dark — if you dare.
Once Upon A Scream at Stowe House
Dig out your best Halloween costumes and enjoy an evening of frightfully good fun at Once Upon A Scream, featuring not-so-terrifying tales, games, and activities designed to set the spooky mood. From ghostly giggles to mysterious challenges, the Halloween gathering promises friendly thrills, light-hearted chills, and plenty of laughter.
Witch’s House After Dark Scream Night
For one night only on Friday 31 October from 6.00pm, visit The Witch’s House After Dark for an atmospheric experience with quirky extracts from the most grizzly of Roald Dahl’s famous stories, designed for the whole family.
Bicester Round Table Charity Firework Spectacular 2025
Celebrating 50 years of Bicester Round Tables firework displays in Bicester, and going all out with the biggest ever display – Bicester Round Table Charity Firework Spectacular 2025 on 01 November. Bonfire lighting at 7.00pm and fireworks at 7.30pm
Wallingford Fireworks
Wallingford Fireworks is annual bonfire night celebrations at the Kinecroft, with a huge bonfire and enormous firework display. The event starts Saturday 02 November at 6.00pm with a medieval torchlit procession of Guys walking through the crowd, beating drums, to light the spectacular bonfire at about 6.30pm, with added pyrotechnic effects! At around 7.00pm there will be a lower-noise children’s display, and then the incredible, award-winning, main fireworks spectacle!
Firework Night
Celebrate Firework Night at Minster Mill. With delicious hot food and a cosy atmosphere, this Firework Night promises to be an unforgettable experience for all. As the evening chill sets in, prepare for a spectacular fireworks display to celebrate Bonfire Night.
Bicester Hotel Golf and Spa Fireworks Spectacular
Bring your whole family for a fantastic family night out at Bicester Hotel Golf and Spa’s Fireworks Spectacular and enjoy an evening full of colourful explosions, sparkling skies, and plenty of bangs as we light up the night with an incredible fireworks display.
Ducklington Fireworks Spectacular 2025
Ignite your autumn evening with a sky full of colour at this Fireworks Spectacular. The event promises to be a sensational feast for your eyes and ears, with fireworks crafted by the award-winning Illusion Fireworks team. As the night sky comes alive, it’ll be a sight you won’t want to miss.
Highlights from last year
Pick your own Pumpkins at Millets Farm
Millets Farm has been nurturing a large number of pumpkins in their fields this year, and now’s the perfect time for picking a pleasingly plump one. The pumpkin patches are open at weekends from 27 September and daily between 18 and 31 October 2025. The patch costs from £1.50 to £3.50 to enter, and then you pay for what you pick before leaving. Pumpkin and squash prices vary depending on the size and variety.
Halloween at Tumblestone Hollow
Children are invited to join Halloween at Tumblestone Hollow as they weave through Stonor’s gardens and into the woodland adventure playground, completing wild and mischievous challenges along the way, to win a Magical Mayhem Certificate, together with a chocolate treat.
Waterperry Spooky Halloween Hunt
Take part in the Waterperry Halloween Hunt throughout this October half term. It costs £4.50 per child with a prize. Children must be accompanied by an adult for whom the garden entrance fee applies. Open from 10.00am till 5.30pm daily.
The Witch’s House at Cogges
There’s witchery afoot this autumn as the manor house and grounds at Cogges Manor Farm are transformed into The Witch’s House for a Halloween-themed October half-term. It promises to be great fun for all the family as you wander through spooky rooms and complete a series of tasks.
Discover more
Pumkin picking in and around Oxfordshire
It’s that time of the year. That’s right, pumpkin season is here. Whether you associate it with Halloween or not, Pumpkin picking, a somewhat American concept, has taken off in the UK, with patches and pick-your-own farms springing up all over the place. Here are our favourite places to go to pumkin picking in and around Oxfordshire.
The post 20 (or so) brilliant October half term & Halloween activities in Oxfordshire appeared first on The Oxford Magazine.
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